Home · 2016 Kia Soul EV · Complaints

What 802 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul EV

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (802)Crash / fire / injury (64)Engine (547)Engine & cooling (104)Fuel system (79)Transmission & drivetrain (64)Electrical system (57)Speed control (31)Steering (30)Brakes (20)Body & structure (18)Lights (18)

Newest first · 802 complaints · page 29 of 33

Sep 12, 2019Engine

DAMAGED ENGINE DUE TO OIL SYSTEM ISSUE. DEALERSHIP SERVICED EVER SINCE PURCHASE. DURING THE FIRST MILE OF THE LAST DRIVE A ENGINE NOISE BEGAN. THE VEHICLE WAS IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND ENGINE SHUT OFF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE OIL SHOWED LOW AND IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE ENGINE SPUN A BEARING. CAR DOES NOT HAVE ANY LEAKS, NO BURNING OIL OUT OF THE EXHAUST.THE VEHICLE IS WITHIN OIL CHANGE FACTORY RECOMMENDATION AND ONLY 65 THOUSAND MILES ON MOTOR. VEHICLE SPEED WAS 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ODI 11255080

Aug 18, 2019Engine

THE CARS ENGINE STALLED WILL DRIVING. CAR HAS OIL. NOT OIL RELATED. NOT SURE WHY ENGINE IS GONE. I HAVE TO REPLACE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11244760

Aug 13, 2019Speed controlEngine

3/19/2019 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR LOSS OF POWER, WAS TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTOR NEEDED REPLACING, IT WAS REPLACED AND VEHICLE WAS FIXED 8/5/2019 VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR LOSS OF POWER AND SHIFTING, WAS TOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTOR NEEDED REPLACING. THERE ARE RECALLS ON 1.6 ENGINE BUT NOT 2.0 ENGINE, AS I WAS TOLD, SO 4.5 MONTHS LATER I AN HAVING TO REPLACE THE CONVERTOR AGAIN. SPOKE W/KIA SEEMS TO BE A RUN AROUND, KEEP TELLING ME IT TAKE 2 - 3 BUS DAYS, AS OF THIS ITS BEEN 6 DAYS

NHTSA ODI 11243669

Aug 12, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

ON 8/4/19 I WAS HEADING TO WORK WHEN MY CAR DECIDED NOT TO GO ANYMORE. I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE. I COULD NOT GET PASSED 3000 RPMS. FELT THE ENGINE REV UP BUT WOULD ONLY GO 30 MPH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS ME, BECAUSE THE WHOLE RIDE EVERYTHING WAS SMOOTH SAILING AND THEN THIS HAPPEND OUT OF NOWHERE. SO I GAVE IT A LITTLE MORE GAS AND COULD FEEL THE ENGINE STRUGGLING. I CAME TO THE NEXT RED LIGHT AND WHEN I STARTED TO GIVE GAS IT JUST JERKED AND I ROLLED INTO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CHECKED THE OIL. BECAUSE AS I ACCELERATED AT THE NEXT LIGHT ONCE GREEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND KEPT BLINKING. I JUST CHANGED IT TWO MONTHS AGO! THERE WAS NO SMOKE OR BURNING SMELL. NO OIL UNDER CAR OR ANY OTHER FLUID. I HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED HOME, LATE TO WORK BECAUSE I GOT A RIDE IN. CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME 6 TO 8 THOUSAND FOR A NEW ENGINE ONCE DIAGNOSED. MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THERE ARE 79,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN READING ARTICLES ABOUT THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO ME. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUES BUT FOR A 1.6L. MINE IS A 2.0. WHY ISN'T THE MANUFACTURER TAKING ANY INITIATIVE TO LOOK INTO MY SIZE ENGINE WHEN I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I DONT HAVE 6 TO 8 THOUSAND FOR THIS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. PLEASE TELL ME I HAVE SOME SORT OF CHANCE OF GETTING ANYTHING FIXED AT THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 11243417

Aug 9, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL AND NOTICED THAT THE DIPSTICK WAS DRY; HOWEVER, THE OIL WAS DARK AFTER IT WAS CHANGED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MATTHEWS AUTO GROUP (3721 VESTAL RD D, VESTAL, NY 13850, (607) 584-5354) WHERE AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST WAS PERFORMED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL, BUT THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11242856

Jul 31, 2019Engine

THE KIA SOUL 1.6 ENGINE HAS BEEN RECALLED DUE TO OIL CONSUMPTION RELATED TO EXCESSIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT. I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THE INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE 2.0 ENGINE. I BELIEVE SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE SPECIAL EDITION CARS THAT HAVE THE LARGER SIZED WHEELS STANDARD WHEEL IS 16" THESE COME WITH 18" AND I BELIEVE THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 1.6 DUE TO THE ENGINE WORKING HARDER TO PROVIDE POWER TO RUN THE 18" WHEELS. I HAVE SO FAR SUFFERED EXTREME OIL LOSS ON 4 OCCASIONS. THEY HAVE DONE OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS AND REQUIRED ME TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN AT MY INCONVENIENCE A GREAT NUMBER OF TIMES. WITH ONE TIME HAVING TH OIL DOWN BY 1 QUART. BUT OUTSIDE OF THIS I HAVE HAD IT GO DOWN ON ME OUTSIDE OF THESE TESTS ON THOSE 4 OCCASIONS SO THAT THE DIP STICK BARELY HAD OIL ON IT AND MY ENGINE WAS TAPPING. ONLY ONCE DID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON AND ANOTHER TIME I HAPPENED TO SEE IT BLINK ONCE. THIS EXTREME OIL LOSS ON THESE SPECIAL EDITION 2.0 VEHICLES WILL LEAD TO THE SAME ISSUES AS EXPERIENCED ON THE 1.6 ENGINE. AND SO FAR AS I AM CONCERNED I AM NOW PAYING MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT MUST HAVE INTERNAL DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF THIS MANUFACTURING ERROR. PLEASE CONSIDER FURTHER REVIEW OF THESE VEHICLES AS THEY RELATE TO THE 2.0 ENGINE AND SPECIAL EDITIONS WITH LARGER WHEELS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE I DO HAVE A VIDEO OF THE OIL LEVEL ON MY DIPSTICK FROM THIS PAST SATURDAY THAT I CAN ALSO SEND. PLEASE BELIEVE ME THIS IS A RECURRING DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT IS BEING OVERLOOKED> I HAVE A 2010 KIA SOUL WHICH DOES NTO HAVE THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND IVE HAD NO ISSUES WITH THAT CAR AND IT HAS ABOUT 150K MILES. I ALSO RUN A SCION XB THAT I HAVE MAINTAINED AND IT HAS OVER 220K MILES. MY CARS ARE CARED FOR AND IVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE

NHTSA ODI 11240785

Jul 24, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL AND NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. IN ADDITION, FUMES ENTERED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11234348

Jul 22, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, A KNOCKING SOUND EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI 11233756

Jul 22, 2019

MY KIA SOUL WAS SOLD TO ME WITHOUT ALERTING ME TO A SAFETY RECALL. A MANAGER AT MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAID THEY'VE KNOWN ABOUT THE RECALL FOR "SOME TIME" NOW. THEY CAN'T GET MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED AND WILL NOT PROVIDE A LOANER. ALTHOUGH NHTSA WARNS THE SPECIFIC HARM TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ENGINE, PISTONS AND POSSIBLY HARM TO MYSELF AND OTHERS I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO CONTINUE DRIVING IT. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE OF THE WARNING AND THEY CONTINUE TELLING ME TO JUST DRIVE IT UNTIL THEY CAN GET IT IN. I FEEL LIKE THIS DEALERSHIP IS NOT CONCERNED WITH SAFETY OF MYSELF AND ANYONE ELSE WHO MAY BE IN THE CAR. NHTSA HAS SAID ON THEIR WEBSITE THAT KIA NOTIFIED "THEM" SO WHY AREN'T THEY HELPING THEIR CUSTOMERS?

NHTSA ODI 11233947

Jul 15, 2019Engine

(MN) ENGINE THREW A ROD AT 80,000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC READING THAT THE KNOCK SENSOR (PO...26) WAS FAULTED AND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR AN ENGINE ISSUE, THEREFORE I SHOULD LOOK INTO IT TO SEE IF THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. UPON READING ARTICLES AND COMPLAINTS THE EXACT ISSUE THAT HAPPENED WITH MY 2016 KIA SOUL IS WHAT IS DESCRIBED, HOWEVER, MY VIN # DOES NOT SEEM TO FALL WITHIN THE PRODUCTION OF THIS BUT I DON'T THINK THIS IS ACCURATE, THE ISSUE DEFINITELY SEEMS RELATIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11231964

Jul 8, 2019EngineCrash

DRIVING HOME NORMALLY, ENGINE KNOCK LOUDLY, LOST OF POWER, BARLEY MADE IT HOME. OIL LIGHT CAME ON IN WHEN I WAS CHECKING ENGINE. NO OIL, JUST HAD A OIL CHANGE MONTH AGO. NO LEAKAGE, NO SMOKE FROM TAIL PIKE. OIL PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON UNTIL IT'S OUT. I READ 10 POST THAT IS THE SAME AS WHAT HAPPEN TO ME.

NHTSA ODI 11230019

Jul 7, 2019SteeringElectrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

DRIVER SEAT GIVING OFF ELECTRICAL SHOCK TO LEGS AND BUTT WHEN PRESSING THE GAS THE ENGINE STALLING THE CATAYLIC CONVERTER OVER HEATING VEHICLE STEERING RIGHT AIR BAG SYMBOLS POPS UP EVERY NOW AND THEN *BF*TP THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VARIOUS LIFE THREATENING CYBER SECURITY RISK. *JS

NHTSA ODI 11229874

Jul 5, 2019Electrical systemLights

HEADLIGHTS FLICKER DURING USE, ESPECIALLY WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNALS.

NHTSA ODI 11229669

Jul 5, 2019Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

MY VEHICLE STALLED, CUT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, AND DIED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AM ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. ALL MAINTENANCE FOR THE VEHICLE WERE BEING PROPERLY MAINTAINED AP RHERE SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD ANY ISSUES. THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11229704

Jul 3, 2019Engine

MY 2016 KIA SOUL IS UNDER A RECALL DUE TO BURNING OIL THAT WRECKED THE CANDLE AT A CONVERTER IN HAS THE POTENTIAL OF THROWING A ROD. I THREW A ROD AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN THE DEALERSHIP IS TRYING TO SAY IT'S LIKE A MINT MAINTENANCE NOT THE ACTUAL PROBLEM OF THE BURNING OIL WHICH IS A CAUSE FOR LAWSUITS TOWARDS KIA. THE DEALERSHIP AND KIA ARE REFUSING TO FIX THE CAR EVEN KNOWING IT IS UNDER A RECALL AND WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR IS PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN I HAVE TALKED TO PEOPLE AT THE KIS AT CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI 11229343

Jun 30, 2019Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED INTO PARK AFTER DRIVING. THE CAR INDICATED IT WAS IN PARK, HOWEVER THE CAR ROLLED - IT WAS NOT IN PARK. APPLYING THE FOOT BRAKE WORKED. APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE WORKED, HOWEVER THE GEARSHIFT DID NOT ENGAGE PARK PROPERLY.

NHTSA ODI 11228534

Jun 24, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING INTO AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DUTCH MILLER KIA (7725 SOUTH BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,188.

NHTSA ODI 11222208

Jun 19, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO BOB BELL KIA (7900 EASTERN AVE, BALTIMORE, MD 21224, (410) 766-3600), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,500. *TR*JB THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED, STALLED IN THE STREET AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE OIL LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE 7900 EASTERN AVE. BALTIMORE, MD 21224. I WAS CALLED ON 17-JUN-2019 AND I TOLD THAT I HAD TO PAY $139 BEFORE THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. ON 18-JUNE-2019, I WAS TOLD THAT MY ENGINE HAD NO OIL IN IT. I WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND I HAD TO PAY $8, 373.47 FOR A NEW ENGINE.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11221272

Jun 18, 2019AirbagsCrash

DAUGHTER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN HER 2016 KIA SOUL WHEN SHE REAR ENDED A SUBURBAN AFTER IT WAS CUT OFF BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE AND HER CAR WAS TOTALED AND SHOCKINGLY, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI 11221007

Jun 14, 2019Engine

DRIVING VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 35-45 MILES PER HOUR ON CITY STREET - LOAD NOISE UNDER ENGINE, IT STARTED KNOCKING, LOSS OF POWER, LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER VEHICLE. HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. PRIOR TO FAILURE - NO LIGHTS/WARNINGS KIA SOUL + WITH 2.0 ENGINE FOUND FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR THE 1.6 L ENGINE - I SUSPECT IT IS OCCURRING ON THE 2.0L ENGINES ALSO NHTSA RECALL #140711 NHTSA COMPAIGN #19V120000 MFG COMPAIGN #SC176 REMOVED OIL PAN AND FOUND PISTON CLOSEST TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DESTROYED AND IN OIL PAN. ROD PUNCTURED FRONT AND REAR OF BLOCK. VEHICLE HAS 88,439 MILES 2ND OWNER SO 100,000 MILE WARRANTY NOT APPLICABLE I HAVE TO FIX THE VEHICLE NOW - CANNOT WAIT FOR SOLUTION ON THIS - CURIOUS IF THE ABOVE LISTED RECALL IS MODIFIED TO INCLUDE 2.0 ENGINES, WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF THE COSTS BEING COVERED?

NHTSA ODI 11220230

Jun 13, 2019Engine

ON 6-10-19 THE 2.0L ENGINE FAILED IN MY 2016 KIA SOUL+ WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THIS WAS DUE TO A "MANUFACTURER DEFECT" AND WILL BE "REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY." THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP STATED THE CYLINDERS IN THE BLOCK WERE "OUT OF ROUND." THEY SAID IT APPEARED THAT ALLOW OIL TO GET BURNED WITH THE EXHAUST AND BURN UP IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THIS CAUSED HIGH AMOUNTS OF CARBON BUILD UP IN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I HAVE NO TIME FRAME AS TO WHEN MY VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AND RETURNED TO ME.

NHTSA ODI 11219893

Jun 12, 2019Speed controlEngine

AT FIRST THERE WAS A GURGLE THAT STARTED WHEN ACCELERATING. THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT WHEN PUT IN DRIVE. FOLLOWING THAT, WHEN PARKED IF I TURN ON AND OFF THE A/C THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE ITSELF, I'VE ONLY LET IT REACH 4RPM BEFORE I SHUT IT OFF THE IGNITION BECAUSE IT DOESN'T GO DOWN ON IT'S OWN. I'VE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF OIL INSIDE MY ENGINE AND IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME TILL IT DIES. THIS PROBLEM WAS RECENTLY RECALLED FOR ENGINES A YEAR MAKE BEFORE MINE. BUT I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI 11219575

Jun 11, 2019Engine

I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT THAT CAN CAUSE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO GO BAD AND CAN CAUSE OIL LEAK. I TOOK MY CAR IN CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MY CAR FAILED EMISSIONS I TOLD THEM IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND I HAD A MAJOR OIL LEAK THEY FIXED THE CTALYTIC CONVERTER AND TOLD ME THAT THE OIL LEAK IS BECAUSE MY GASKET IS MESSED UP AND IF I PAY FOR AN OIL CHANGE THEY WILL FIX IT AND I WONT HAVE ANY MORE OIL LEAKS WELL ITS 2 WEEKS LATER AND MY OIL LIGHT IS COMING BACK ON THEY ARE CROOKED AND I KNOW THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE ME A HARD TIME ABOUT IT SINCE I ALREADY HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER FIXED...THE OIL STARTED LEAKING AT SAME TIME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON SO I KNOW THAT IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVER HEATING AND IN RECALL AND KIA TOLD THEM IF ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED THEY NEED TO DO IT. I HAVE AN APPOINMENT AT 7:30 ON 6/12 WITH KIA OF COATSEVILLE I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET THEM TO FIX MY VEHICLE ITS COSTING ME MONEY TO TAKE OFF WORK TO GET THIS DONE

NHTSA ODI 11219198

Jun 7, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WENT INTO LIMP MODE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN EMISSIONS FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED HADDAD KIA (LOCATED AT 5445 GASOLINE ALLEY DR, BAKERFIELD, CA 93313, (661) 398-0264) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THEIR FACILITY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF AN OIL FAILURE. AT 5,961 MILES, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OIL WAS A QUART LOW. AT 57,000 MILES, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE OIL WAS A QUART LOW. THE CONTACT CALLED HADDAD KIA AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT SCHEDULED OIL SERVICE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE, AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, AND THE COP AND ECU WERE UPGRADED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE AND FELT THAT THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBERS: 13188706 AND 13188698. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,937.

NHTSA ODI 11218576

Jun 4, 2019Engine

SOUL BEGAN USING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL. I DID ALL THE OIL CHANGES AT THE DEALER. WHILE SPECS SAY EVERY 5000 MILES, WE WERE CHANGING IT AT 3000 AND ADDING IN A QUART EVERY 1000 MILES BETWEEN CHANGES. CAR PERFORMANCE HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE LAST YEAR. THEY SAID IT WAS MY PLUGS. THE LAST TWO TIMES IN, THEY SAID IT WAS MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER (4 YRS OLD; 145K MILES). 1ST QUOTE WAS 1300. LAST QUOTE WAS 1600. THEY TOLD ME THEY REMOVED IT TO CONFIRM THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. MY SON CRAWLED UNDER THE CAR AND FLAT OUT SAID THEY LIED. IT WAS NEVER REMOVED. HE WAS THE ONE TO FIND THAT THERE IS A RECALL OUT FOR KIA SOULS SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS ISSUE. THE VIN IS NOT COVERED. I AM ASKING THAT THIS CAR BE ADDED TO THE LIST AS IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE AND IS A RISK TO DRIVE. I HAVE RENTED A CAR LAST WEEK AND MY SON IS LOANING ME A CAR THIS WEEK. I AM ATTACHING A PICTURE OF THE CONVERTER. MY SON NOTES THAT IF THEY REMOVED IT TO TEST THEIR CONCLUSION, THEN THE BOLTS WOULD SHOW SIGNS OF REMOVAL AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO WELD THAT BACK PIPE. **DATE** I AM PUTTING TODAY'S DATE SINCE I DO NOT KNOW WHICH DATE TO USE. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE EXCESSIVE OIL USE STARTING A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WAS THE FIRST INDICATION THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CAUSING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI 11217701

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Working with the data? Download all 802 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 26, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2016 Kia Soul EV verdict →