What 802 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul EV

CATILAC CONVERTER. KIA REFUSED TO FIX SAYS NOT A RECALL. BUT 2017 KIA MANUFACTURING SAYS IT'S A RECALL AND NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS AND THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED

NHTSA ODI 11361223

WHILE DRIVING MY KIA SOUL ON A CITY ROAD I PULLED OVER TO LET A CAR PASS. I WAS STILL IN GEAR AND ONCE THE CAR PASSED I WENT TO PULL BACK ON TO THE ROAD AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I THEN NOTICED THAT IT HAD STALLED. WE TRIED TO START IT AGAIN BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. NO LEAKING OIL AND THE OIL WAS FULL. I DO A FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE EVERY 3-4000 MILES. WE THEN TOWED IT TO OUR KIA DEALER. THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINES AND THE PROBLEMS. AFTER 2 MONTHS THEY JUST INFORMED ME THAT IT DOESN'T FIT THE RECALL. EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE CLEARLY FALLS WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF THE CHRONIC PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11353861

I KEEP HAVING A REASSURING ISSUE WITH MY HEADLIGHTS MULTIPLE TIMES I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER PAYING TO GET THE ISSUE FIXED. SPENDING COUNTLESS DOLLARS ON THIS ISSUE FOR THE PROBLEM TO CONTINUE. THE KIA DEALERS KEEP CHANGING PARTS OUT AND NOTHING HAS HELPED. IS IT A WAY THAT THIS ISSUE CAN GET CHECK BY SOMEONE PLEASE.

NHTSA ODI 11351890

RECALL 19V120000; SC176 EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY AND IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. I AM BEING TOLD COSTS INVOLVED WITH THIS ISSUE ARE NOT WARRANTY AND TO BE PAID OUT OF POCKET DESPITE KNOWN PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11350402

8/1/20 DRIVING ON HWY 231 AT 65MPH WHEN MY CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS STALLING, PULLED OVER AND TURNED ENGINE OFF.IT WOULD CRANK BUT ONLY GO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OR REV TO ABOUT 2000 RPM, THEN JUST PUTTER OUT. AT TUFFYS WHERE IT WAS SAID "NOTHING WAS CODING". SAID NEEDED KNEW FUEL PUMP FOR $1600. THAT WAS REPLACED BUT WAS NOT THE ISSUE.HE SAID THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ASSOCIATED W/ CAR AND TO GET IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP.I IMMEDIATELY STARTED RESEARCHING AN FOUND RECALL 19V120000, I CALLED KIA 800# AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED W/ CAR AND THAT THEIR SEARCH IS VIN SPECIFIC AND WAS NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON THIS CAR. I CONTINUED TO RESEARCH, CALLED BACK AND YES INDEED THERE WAS A RECALL. CAR ARRIVED THERE FRIDAY 8/7/20 AT 9:30 AM. SPOKE W/ CHUCK AND WAS NOT GIVEN ANY DETAILS THOUGH I CALLED HIM DAILY.FOLLOWING FRIDAY(8/14/20) I SPOKE W/ JARED WHO SAID THEY WERN'T SURE BUT IT WAS LOOKING LIKE POSSIBLY A RECALL ISSUE BUT THAT THEY WEREN'T SURE AND TO CALL BACK AND THEY COULD GET ME SET UP W/ A RENTAL CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIKELY NEEDED REPLACING. AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER A WOMEN LEFT ME A VOICEMAIL ASKING ME TO GET RECEIPTS OF ALL OIL CHANGES DONE ON VEHICLE. I STILL HAD NO EXPLANATION ON WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR.GAVE 2 RECEIPTS BUT WAS NOT REALLY SURE THE PERTINENCE IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE RECALL. KIA SAYS THE ONLY RECALL WAS FOR A SYSTEM UPDATE. WHEN ASKED HIM IF THIS HAD BEEN DONE HE SAID NO. BUT I HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN TOLD BY ROBERT AT 1800 KIA THAT THIS HAD BEEN DONE.I TOLD JARED THIS AND HE SAID "WE PROBABLY JUST TOLD TECH SUPPORT THAT" WHEN I DEMANDED TO KNOW IF SYSTEM UPDATE HAD BEEN DONE HE PUT ME ON HOLD, THEN REPLIED '"OH WELL THAT WAS JUST DONE". HE SAID BUT NONE OF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO W/ UR CAR. WHEN ASKED WTF THE ACTAL PROBLEM WAS HE SAID ENGINE WAS KNOCKING DUE TO MY LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BUT IN NO WAY DUE TO A RECALL

NHTSA ODI 11350152

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CAR LOSES POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLS OUT. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE ENGINE STALLS AND THEN STOPS RUNNING. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS HAS BEEN CLOGGED AND IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI 11349669

I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE 91FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA.I WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC.I WAS HIT SO HARD FROM THE BACK THAT I WAS THROWN INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE CAR.MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.NOT ONE SINGLE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES.BY THAT I MEAN WERE ALIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11344214

ON A HIGHWAY AT SPEED, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ACCOUNT PISTON CONNECTING ROD FAILURE WHICH PUNCTURED THE ENGINE BLOCK WITH TOTAL LOSS OF OIL WHICH GREATLY INCREASES RISK OF FIRE FROM HOT EXHAUST COMPONENTS. VERY SIMILAR TO KIA'S SC176 RECALL, BUT THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11343744

WAS DRIVING CAR AND IT LOST POWER WHILE ON HIGHWAY. CAUSING CARS TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME. AFTER GOING TO SHOP FOUND OUT IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. CAR WAS ALSO BURNING OIL AND MISFIRING. HAD THE 3 AND 4 COIL RELPACED ,SPARK PLUGS , BUT STILL NOT ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT US CAUSING OIL TO BURN. CAR HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES. KIA BASICALLY SAID THAT AFTER I FIX THE COILS CAR WOULD BE FINE . WELL IT'S NOT STILL DOING THE SAME THING. I WAS INFORMED THAT IT JUST NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. KIA HAS REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI 11343442

IT'S RUNNING DIFFERENT MAKES STRANGE NOISE AND HAS ENGINE LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ODI 11342762

ENGINE LOSES 3 QUARTS OF OIL BETWEEN SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES. STARTED AT AROUND 70K MILES AND IS GETTING WORSE (NOW AT 90K MILES). THERE IS NO INDICATION OF LOW OIL OR PROBLEM IN THE DRIVER CONTROLS. NO SMOKE FROM BURNING OIL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE ENGINE CAN DIE SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING. I HAVE TWO OF THESE CARS AND BOTH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS THERE ARE MANY OF THESE CARS ON THE ROAD AND IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW.

NHTSA ODI 11342351

ENGINE LOSES OIL WITHOUT A LEAK OR ANY EXTERNAL INDICATION (SMOKE, SMELL, DRIVER CONTROLS). IT REQUIRES 1-2 QUARTS ADDED BETWEEN SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS IT CAN SEIZE ABRUPTLY WITHOUT NOTIFICATION. IT IS A CLEAR DESIGN FLAW.

NHTSA ODI 11342375

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WITH HEADLIGHTS FLASHING INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE TEMPORARILY OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE RESIDENCE WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS FLASHING. KIA OF BOWIE LOCATED AT 16620 GOVERNOR BRIDGE RD, BOWIE, MD 20716, (301)-820-7500 WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, A LOANER VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,770.

NHTSA ODI 11341822

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED A WEEK LATER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. TROPHY KIA DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES LOCATED AT 1945 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007, (213) 342-0802, WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI 11341694

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT START-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC RETRIEVED A DTC FAULT CODE REGARDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,292.

NHTSA ODI 11339546

I LEASED A 2016 KIA SOUL ! FOR MY DAUGHTER. AT THE END OF THE LEASE (AUGUST 2018), I PAID PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE KIA. 31 MAY 2019 WHILE DRIVING HER CAR THE ENGINE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO DUTCH MILLER KIA OF CHARLOTTE. THE CAR HAD 51,188 MILES. AFTER A WEEK THE DEALER TOLD US THE CAR WASN'T GOING TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH KIA CUSTOMER RELATIONS WHO REVIEWED THE CASE AND DID NOTHING TO HELP. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, BRANT BLACKWELDER WHO AGREED TO SPEAK WITH THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. ON 26 JUNE, THEY STATED THEY WOULD EXTEND A "GOOD FAITH" OFFER OF REPLACING THE ENGINE, BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR ($1,700 ESTIMATED). DURING THE 3 MONTHS IT TOOK TO REBUILD THE ENGINE, I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND PAID $1,517.47 IN RENTAL CAR AND LYFT FEES. THE CAR HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AS DIRECTED BY THE MAINTENANCE MINDER. THE LAST OIL CHANGE WAS IN JANUARY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 44,586 MILES (6,6602 MILES AGO). THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THE ENGINE WAS LOW ON OIL: THE MAINTENANCE MINDER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NOR THE LOW OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON. DURING MY CONVERSATION WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ON 25 JUNE, HE ADMITTED THAT KIA ENGINES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL EVEN AFTER AS LITTLE AS 2,000 MILES FROM AN OIL CHANGE. AT NO TIME DID KIA DISCLOSE THIS ISSUE OF ENGINES BURNING OIL TO ME OR OTHER OWNERS. WHILE THIS CAR HAS THE 2.0-LITER ENGINE THAT ISN'T CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIMILAR CASE TO THE 379,000 KIA 1.6-LITER ENGINES THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. KIA IS SIMPLY PASSING THE BLAME ON TO CUSTOMERS FOR A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR FAULTY ENGINES. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO THE 1.6L ENGINES NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI 11337796

MY CAR IS USING EXCESSIVE OIL. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKING EXTERNALLY (ON THE GROUND) OR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I GO THROUGH ABOUT 4 QUARTS PER MONTH / 2500 MILES. THE OIL LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON, EVEN WHEN I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO CHECK AND THE OIL DIPSTICK IS COMPLETELY DRY. THIS COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF THE ENGINE LOCKS UP AND THROWS A ROD IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

NHTSA ODI 11337469

KIA HAS 88K MILES AND RECENT OIL CHANGE AND CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPHON HIGHWAY AND NOW ENGINE MAKES KNOCKING NOISE FROM DETACHED RODS. IT WILL COST OVER $5000 TO FIX( EST.). BOUGHT CAR USED FROM KLAMATH FALLS SUBARU AT 58K MILES

NHTSA ODI 11332002

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RIMROCK KIA LOCATED AT 4040 KING AVE W, BILLINGS, MT 59106, (866) 979-1682, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECU SYSTEM SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11331467

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED ONE QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 2,500 MILES DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DAYTON LOCATED AT 8560 TROY PIKE, HUBER HEIGHTS, OH 45424, (877) 862-6928, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT TAKEN TO MATT CASTRUCCI KIA LOCATED AT 3013 MALL PARK DR, DAYTON, OH 45459, (855) 250-8987, AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES BEFORE CONTINUING ON TO HER DESTINATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS OIL ON THE SPARK PLUGS, THERE WAS LOW COMPRESSION ON 3 CYLINDERS, AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11331565

CAR BURNS OIL AND TODAY LOST ALL POWER TO ENGINEAND MAKES A HORRIBLE SOUND WHILE IN MOTION ON TOWN STREET.

NHTSA ODI 11331280

HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY WILL FLICKER, AFRAID THEY WILL STOP WORKING WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT. I NOTICE IT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330133

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND JUST LOST ENGINE PRESSURE AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE DIED. POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW OIL ALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR. TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE AND ITS NOT COVERED. SAW THE RECALL GOD THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY DID NOTHING BUT TELL ME THE COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330202

WHEN USING BLINKER WHILE IN MOTION WITH THE LIGHTS ON, THE LIGHTS MESS UP. SOMETIMES THE BRIGHTS WILL FLASH, SOMETIMES ALL VEHICLE LIGHTS WILL CUT OFF, SOMETIMES ALL VEHICLE LIGHTS WILL FLASH ALONG WITH BLINKER. THIS STARTED AFTER ABOUT 6 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328063

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE VEHICLE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY AND STARTER FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI 11327713