What 800 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle was stalling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over safely to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11474878

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds and hesitated during acceleration. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that one of the catalytic converters needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and escalated the case to arbitration. The failure mileage was approximately 104,600.

NHTSA ODI 11473838

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH going up a hill and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started to jerk and lurch forward. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer and diagnosed; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure was recurring. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer for a second appointment. The dealer diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact stated that failure reoccurred and the vehicle had to be towed a second time to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed that debris from the engine had entered the catalytic converter and determined that the converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,500.

NHTSA ODI 11472884

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently shifted into limp mode. The contact stated that the engine was knocking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact's son noticed metal shavings in the engine oil. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she had failed to complete the product campaign program. No additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

NHTSA ODI 11472487

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was smoke detected and the vehicle was making an abnormal popping sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed him that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to another independent mechanic where the engine was replaced. The manufacturer was notified; however, no additional assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ODI 11472332

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle would shake and then loose power and slow down. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled of the roadway and turned the vehicle off and waited 20 minutes to restart the vehicle. The failure was recurring and the vehicle would hesitate while getting up to normal speeds. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic convertor was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11472441

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the engine seized without warning. The contact initially had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact then discovered that his vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where he was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact contested that the vehicle should be repaired under the recall; the dealer then referred him to the manufacturer. The contact filed a claim with the manufacturer who later also informed him that the vehicle would not be covered under warranty. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer unrepaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11470885

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a loss of performance with the engine, and the speed inadvertently decelerated to 5 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not repaired or diagnosed; however, the dealer updated an unknown software. The contact also stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.

NHTSA ODI 11469652

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a defective catalytic converter. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

NHTSA ODI 11468631

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was overheating. Additionally, the contact stated he smelled a burning odor and gasoline odor while driving and upon starting the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer was notified of the failure. The dealer upgraded the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. However, the catalytic converter was not inspected nor replaced per the recall remedy notes that stated that the catalytic converter would also be replaced if the catalytic converter was damaged. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred increasingly on highland roads. The check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that they could not assist as the recall repair had already been completed. The contact stated that he later diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed using an OBD reader. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact they could not assist because the recall repair had been completed. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11467308

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 113,613.

NHTSA ODI 11465759

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while his daughter was driving 45 MPH, she heard abnormal knocking sounds coming from the engine and the vehicle started shuddering. The vehicle then stalled. The contact’s daughter was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact met his daughter at the scene and drove the vehicle back to his residence. However, the vehicle would not exceed 22 MPH. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would not assist as the contact failed to complete the repair for Technical Service Bulletin: PI2002B. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ODI 11465416

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving up a hill at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle overheated, lost acceleration, and lost motive power. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure and informed the contact that the engine needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was towed to a dealer. The dealer confirmed that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was unable to repair the vehicle because the software warranty update was not completed. The contact stated that she did not receive the software warranty update information prior to the failure. The manufacturer was notified and a case was opened however, the contact stated that the manufacturer declined responsibility to repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 100,300.

NHTSA ODI 11463947

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling) for which the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11462491

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that she was constantly adding oil in the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and an unknown software update was performed and the DTC code was erased. The contact believed that the failure was related to the catalytic converter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ODI 11461760

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact depressed the accelerator and the vehicle did not respond. The contact was able to safely pull off of the roadway. The contact turned the vehicle off and on and continued driving until the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil level was very low. The independent mechanic refilled the engine oil reservoir. The contact noticed that the oil level was dropping continually by checking the oil dip stick. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11459026

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that it took approximately 20-25 minutes to refuel the vehicle because the nozzle would frequently stop pumping gas. Additionally, the contact stated while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local Pep Boys who diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed and informed the contact that her VIN was included in a recall that was associated to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the catalytic converter was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired, she was able to pump gasoline into the vehicle with no issues. The contact stated that eight months after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to the Pep Boys who informed the contact that the failure was associated with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be repaired and an appointment was scheduled. The contact stated that upon returning to the dealer for the vehicle repair, the dealer informed the contact that the catalytic converter would not be repaired; however, the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic software would be updated. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that the catalytic converter needed to be repaired and she would be responsible for the cost of the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not reach a representative at the dealer. A case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 156,000.

NHTSA ODI 11457108

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was consuming one quart of oil per 3,000 miles. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was notified of several trouble codes. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and an oil change service was performed; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was concerned that the dealer was adding too much oil to the vehicle. Additionally, the contact was concerned about being stranded. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000. The dealer stated they would replace the engine but the contact had to replace the catalytic converter.

NHTSA ODI 11457003

Catalytic converters are plugged. Vehicle slowed down. Unable to keep speed up on highway.

NHTSA ODI 11455051

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 20 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH while driving uphill. Additionally, the vehicle was overheating. The check engine and oil level warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with the catalytic converter needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The independent mechanic informed the contact of an unknown recall and suggested that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer for repair. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who performed a multi-point inspection and software update however, no parts were replaced. The contact stated that the failure returned and that the vehicle was overheating with the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 112,633.

NHTSA ODI 11451232

Catalytic converter failed after only ba few years, other VINS of the same year were recalled for this already

NHTSA ODI 11438975

Driving along on highway, the vehicle struggles to go uphill. Loses acceleration and have difficulty revving to next gear. Brought the vehicle to dealer. Dealer states the catalytic converter is clogged. This is the third time in three years that this has happen. First time, I paid full price to replace because vehicle was out of its warranty. Second time, Kia did a good-faith repair, replaced catalytic for free. Now it is happening again. Oil consumption is high. Would have to top off oil after two gas fill-ups. The vehicle is regularly maintain with oil and filter changes. I seen many posts of owners with same vehicle having the same issues. Kia dealer wants to charge $2600 to replace converter. They also suggests an oil consumption test that will cost around $500+. Never have any warnings that the oil is low. If I was not diligent in checking my oil levels, I could be driving the vehicle with no oil and potentially damaging the engine or worse a fire will break out. This vehicle needs to be recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11437305

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine seized and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

NHTSA ODI 11433966

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact then discovered that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called a dealer and scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle serviced. A few days after the appointment was made, the vehicle shut-off without warning while driving at 45 MPH. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle would not accelerate or shift out of first gear. The contact called the dealer and she was instructed to bring in the vehicle to have the recall service. A few days later, the contact was informed by the dealer that the resonator had become defective and was not covered under the recall; therefore, she had to pay for the resonator replacement. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and agreed with the diagnostic result from the dealer. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11432354

My vehicle has a check engine light on. In an attempt to repair the code was identified as a catalytic converter failure. My engine is burning oil excessively now. The costs are far beyond my means to repair despite meticulous maintenance.

NHTSA ODI 11429373