general problems of the 2016 Kia Motor Soul - part 1

Sudden reduced acceleration / limp mode while driving p1326 knock code potential engine failure / loss of power.

Subject: engine ? stall ? loss of power while driving: while driving normally, the vehicle began losing power and could not accelerate properly. The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle repeatedly entered a reduced-power condition where it could barely maintain speed. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period of time and progressively worsened. The engine also began consuming large amounts of oil between oil changes. Eventually the engine suffered catastrophic failure and would no longer run. A dealership later stated internal engine damage was present, including a failed valve and spark plug damage. The vehicle is currently at a dealership and available for inspection. The loss of power and stalling created a safety hazard because the vehicle could not maintain normal traffic speed and could have been struck by other vehicles. The problem was confirmed by a dealership service department. Warning lights were present prior to final failure and appeared during the loss of power events.

Safety defect p1326 code is a known indicator of rod bearing wear. When it triggered, the vehicle immediately went into limp mode, creating a significant safety hazard. The behavior aligns with the documented defect affecting nu gdi engines and is not consistent with normal engine wear. I have confirmed the ksds software update was performed. I have taken the vehicle to clay cooley kia of plano and my service advisor has confirmed that the engine is defected per the nu gdi engine settlement and related federal safety actions.

I paid almost 3,500 dollars and kia kept my car two months and I’m still having transmission issues and now they are asking for service receipts. After I picked up my vehicle from the original transmission repair I was back in less than 7 days because transmission was roughly jumping in gear and shifting horribly with burning smell. The technician noticed the problem and immediately took my car to the back but they kept my car another 30 days saying that they did an update and now I’m stuck suffering with a struggling transmission. My mpg has drastically dropped on this vehicle to a 9. 6 and that is not normal. I paid cash and kia need to help me in any way. They are trying to wait until the 12,000 mile warranty runs out and leave me stuck and that’s not fair when I’ve been complaining since I picked up the car the second time but they won’t assist me now. My vehicle experiences delayed transmission engagement, rpm increases without acceleration, hesitation, and loss of fuel economy. Dealer refuses diagnosis unless complete failure occurs. This creates unpredictable vehicle response and loss of power concerns. Transmission hard shifts and jerks violently during gear changes and acceleration, causing loss of smooth power delivery and unsafe vehicle behavior.

Transmission failed when mileage was at 88,000 miles and is not opererational to drive. After taking car to a pirate auto shop the mechanic informed me it showed codes p0753 and p073, and informed me the transmission fluid had metal debris inside it. This is a known defect from this specific kia model. Then took it to the kia dealership in chula vist, for diagnostic, they informed me p073 code shown up and recommended to replace the transmission. This is known defect that is associated with the kia Soul manufacturer, and is related to the recall. My safety was put at risk when I was driving and after I stopped at a red light the car was in drive and would not accelerate when I pressed the gas, this problem was confirmed by the dealership with diagnosis paperwork. Their was no warning when this issue occurred, additionally kia corporate refuses to accept responsibility for their manufacturer defect.

The engine makes a noise like a knock, when the car is running or the speed increases the noise becomes louder and it feels like a strong blow coming from the engine.

Kia 2016 died in mid traffic, would not switch out of 1st gear as an automatic, on a major road in texas, no warning lights etc. Could be transmission or catalytic convertor.

Component/system failed: engine and power train. Available for inspection: yes, the vehicle is currently at the dealership. After a loud ticking/knocking noise from the engine began, the car lost power while driving. It matches symptoms associated with kia’s known connecting rod bearing failure issue (covered under recall sc176 and campaign pi2002a). There were no warning lamps at first, but later the oil pressure warning light began to flash intermittently. A kia dealership confirmed the issue and completed the pi2002a ecu update. However, they denied the extended engine warranty coverage under the campaign, saying that the vehicle was purchased at an auction, even though this issue stems from a known manufacturing defect and recall that should apply to the vehicle, regardless of ownership history. This creates a serious safety concern, as the engine could seize while driving. This issue has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealership and documented under kia case #25414628 and #25331856. This denial contradicts the campaign terms and puts drivers and others at risk.

We purchased a 2016 kia Soul with the gdi engine in October 2024 from jim shorkey kia in uniontown with 60k miles on it. We just had to have a whole new catalytic converter installed that cost us $1500 because the one on this car was completely messed up. It caused the car to stall, have no power and when my daughter was pulling into her parking space, this caused the brakes to stop working because the car was getting no power. The converter was completely clogged and the whole thing had to be replaced (at our expense)! this was a recall for the same year kia Souls, but somehow this one is not on the recall list for the exact thing that these were being recalled. How does that work? we were left without a vehicle for days and we had to pay to have the car towed to a garage and repaired. Kia would do nothing, so we had to have it repaired at a reputable garage in our area! only having the car of less than 8 months after buying it used from a kia dealership, this is disheartening. How could they sell a car that obviously had issues with the catalytic converter, or they did just not check the vehicle out before they sold it to someone. I get that it was a used car but are we seriously going to sell a car to someone that obviously has an issue! so why exactly was this 2016 kia Soul with the gdi engine, not recalled?? we should be reimbursed for this. This is crazy. My daughter could have been in a horrible accident. Thankfully she was only leaving her apartment and in the parking lot of her home! what do we do about getting this? this car clearly has issues and should have been recalled with the others!.

Catalyic converter is damage.

The propulsion battery has so much degradation that when I drive on the freeway the "turtle" mode activated not allowing me to do freeway speeds with cars around me. It forced me to slow unsafely while cars were behind me, I had to react quickly to turn on my hazards and try to get the vehicle to speed up. If I was too slow or another driver was inattentive we would have been hit from behind by a vehicle going much faster.

I had recently acquired my 2016 kia Soul from a used dealership, and as I had gotten it, inspected by a mechanic, the back rear brake was locked. The penrod was missing on one of them, and my driver side door lock was broken and I thought that was simple issues that could be repaired. You know that’s a used car whatever as I started driving it not even a month later I start feeling heavy acceleration when barely hitting the gas and trying to shift because it is a manual and loss of power on first and second gear, like it was going to stall out without even rubbing the rpms to get it to move. I did some research found out that there was multiple recalls on the catalytic converter and it’s causing a fire the ecus and also the antitheft system so I am a single mom. I work constantly and my only vehicle with 4kids, so a full month mark my oil light all of a sudden started coming on but flickering I pulled over there’s no smell of burning oil no leaks no high temp I checked my oil stick. It was fine a thick drip on it. I thought everything was fine, but the light still kept coming on and flickering when I would accelerate it would go off when I would decelerator push clutch in it would stay. I called kia dealer had it taken, did the recall orders on it but they told me they wouldnt do an oil check or do a code diagnostics for it unless I paid over $200 for just that diagnostics after they did all the recall orders I picked up the car over a day later. Started having misfires the car was driving worse then when I took it to the dealership, I would drive up hill I’d lose power. Shifting gears from 1-4 it sounds like the whole engine was shaking like it was gonna fall out of the car I called the dealership and told them what was goin on. They were really rude to me and told me an hour later it was throwing codes of misfires an again have to pay for it, they stated the oil an misfires werent their fault doin the recalls. Ecu an antitheft, I am worried for my kids safety!!!!!.

I put the car in park, and exited the car to do something, and it started to move forward on its own. I jumped back in the car and stepped on brakes, and shut the engine off. I was to the side of the car, so did not get injured. On a different occasion I was parking the car in the carport, and put the car into park. When I released the foot brake, the car started moving forward on its own again. I put on the brake, put the car into reverse to reverse to the parking spot, put the car into park and put the parking brake on. Others were around the car, but not directly in front of the car so no one was injured. The car has not been taken to the dealer yet for this issue, not has anyone inspected it for this problem. I have an appointment soon for an inspection by the dealer. These incidents happened without warning.

There is an active recall on 2016 kia catalytic converters. I was told my VIN is not included, even though I have this make and model. The car consistently struggled at 60 mph, and was driving rough at lower speeds, but randomly. I had to travel no more than 45-50 mph. This was dangerous since I was on the highway when the car started to struggle at 60 mph. Kia said my catalytic converter is clogged and not fixable, I needed a new one. The car only has 80k miles, I bought it certified from kia.

Bought 2016 kia Soul one year ago (may 2022) with 79k miles. Feb 2023 engine light came on. Took it to kia service center & they reset it and told us to come back if light came back on. It did along with oil change light (June 2023, 92k miles). We were told it had no oil, it was consuming oil, sludge in motor and there was nothing they could do. Service mgr told us to check oil level regularly, top it off as needed and get regular oil changes and if/when it failed, then they would replace engine under new lawsuit settlement (extended warranty to 15yr/150k). We consulted another mechanic and he said it is faulty piston rings that caused oil consumption, that caused low oil and that ultimately caused possible sludge. Why aren't they fixing the problem instead of waiting until the engine fails? probably because they were waiting to see if your engine fails after 15yr/150k mile warranty expires. New lawsuit in the works regarding oil consumption because it's happening to a lot of kias.

The contact owns a 2016 kia Soul. The contact stated that when driving at 30 mph, the vehicle vibrated violently and lost motive power, only being able to accelerate up to 10 mph. The check engine light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who failed to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 73,000.

The vehicle contains a defect related to motor vehicle safety or does not comply with an applicable federal motor vehicle safety standard engine replaced threshold replaced catalitic converter blew ecu completed airbag warning does not clear inaccurately reported/ completed vehical malfunctioning loss of power.

It been buckling at low speeds, acceleration is not consistance with how much gas I press. If I have the car at stop sign or red light. It completely stalls out with the battery and oil light comes on. This happen 5 times in a 40 minute drives it would have happen more if I didn't notice it was happening cause of the issue was going on at lower speeds. I notice the heat was higher, also was fumes coming into the car while on highway. There was a moment where the car started to stall on highway, but quickly regain. Very stressful and dangerous situation.

1. On 1/30/23 I was heading home from work when my engine and oil light came on. I after parking at turning my car off, the engine began to shake and make clicking noises continuously. I got an oil change that day thinking that may help the issue. On 1/31/23 I took my car to another mechanic who notified me that they have seen many kia Souls and optimas with this problem and many engines have been recalled. Upon my way home which was 2 miles away, my engine entirely blew up on interstate 15. 2. My safety was put at risk by my car engine blowing up on the freeway and losing power within seconds as traffic was going at 70 mph. I then ended up right in front of an on-ramp and had a small area to park at as was within 1 foot of oncoming highway traffic for 30 minutes - in freezing temperatures. Something also blew out from under my car and almost his a vehicle behind me. 3. Kia stated this has been an issue and that I need to take it to a kia dealer for inspection. 4. My vehicle has been towed to young kia of layton ut for inspection.

Check engine light came on and I had it read. It came back as p050a - cold start idle air control system performance. I saw online that there is an existing service action fix: service action: 1. 6l gdi with mil on dtc p050a ecm logic improvement (sa485). The dealership informed me that although my car is a 2016 kia Soul it isn't part of this service action. However, seeing as how I am getting the check engine error code associated with this service action fix, I believe that my vehicle should be included.

On 12/27/22, was driving on highway in the evening, engine light illuminated and vehicle slowed down and unable to drive beyond 40mph. Was able to make it home safely, notified dealership on 12/28/22 and used aaa service for vehicle tow. Recv'd call from dealership on 1/3/22 that vehicle was inspected and was ready for pickup. Issue was code p1326 related to ksds (knock sensor detection system) & connector rod bearings, so they did an ecu update & bearing clearance test. (while waiting for info I did online research & learned of the issue with kia's gdi engine failures/fires). I asked dealer rep if the issue with my vehicle was related to this and was told yes, that this was the first step in kia's protocol for the issue. I raised concern over driving the vehicle knowing that there is a possibility of engine failure or fire. He acknowledge the concern, but reiterated that this was all they would do for now. I asked for a copy of the repair/service protocol and was told he would try to get me one. Am scheduled to pick up vehicle in a few hours and am sure there will be more issues & concerns to follow.

I purchased my vehicle back in 2021 and I notice that the recall for the catalytic converter so I check my car reports and don’t see where it was replaced or service I recently went to get a check engine diagnostic and the code read p0420 which is problems with catalytic converter no one has been the owner of the vehicle since 2018 and I’m not sure if it was replace or replace incorrectly I shouldn’t be experiencing difficulties and I haven’t reached over 100,000 miles since the previous mileage @ the timing of the recall “fixture”.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? cadalic converter we clogged due to carbon emissions. Oil is low and light flashes when below 15 mph even though the oil was changed at a kia dealership less than 3 weeks ago. Oil leak is visible on engine. The car will also shake and jerk when driving. It would be available depending on the day. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? my wife and kids have been stuck on the road twice now due to this issue during heave traffic. The car started shaking and my wife had trouble controlling the car. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? the dealership said the issue was with the gdi (gasoline direct engine), that it was clogged due to heavy carbon emissions and needed to be cleaned. We paid for the cleaning and sill have the problem. They also stated they have seen this issue before. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? yes the dealership has looked at the car. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? the oil light will flash on and off. So the engine like will come on at times.

I took my car into the dealer for the cop logic recall with the ecu. Ever since that fix, every time I start my car when it’s cold outside it idles high. If the ambient temperature goes below 50 degrees or so when I turn the key to start the car the rpm jumps to almost 4k at cold it stays high for about a minute until it eventually settles around 1k. It only does this when it’s cold out and it never did it before that fix. Sometimes it will set off the mil with the code p050a when this happens.

I have a 2016 kia Soul ev+. The hghi voltage battery pack assembly is malfunctioning and it only charges to 30 percent or a 30-mile range. It should charge to a 90-mile range. While driving, it suddenly drops from a 25-mile range to an 18- mile range, I sometimes smell an electrical burning smell. When the battery gets down to an 18-mile range. It suddenly starts to drop dramatically. The car goes into a turtle mode and cannot even reach 20 miles per hour. Kia has issued an important safety recall interim notice for this problem, and I contacted a kia dealership to resolve the issue. According to the notice, kia is supposed to replace the defective battery. I have put in three service requests, but I have not heard back from kia after the initial contacts. I cannot drive this vehicle like this, and I am making payments on it. I am requesting assistance with this problem.

Trouble is when I get speed with the car and press the brake the system fail and I dont have any acceleration. Ex. When I go about 50mph or more and press the brake. The electrical system fail and show on dashboard "check ev system" and after restart or shutdown the car and power on again the system works normal.

My car is exhibiting the same issue as the recall below but not on my VIN #. I have an open case with kia consumer affairs which has been open for a couple months with zero feedback. I do not feel safe driving the car but as it stands I have no choice but my car as shown below and I was also told at the kia dealership I purchased it from that it will need a new engine. Recall subject: engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor report receipt date: 02/22/2019 NHTSA campaign: 19v120000 summary Kia Motors America (kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1. 6l gasoline direct injection (gdi) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure. Consequence piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire. Remedy kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the catalytic overheating protection engine control unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc176. . Read more...

My Soul is having same problems as others with catalytic converter and engine. Had to replace throttle body that showed bad code to pass inspection. Turned out to be a needed software update to computer not bad throttle body. I'm out $600. Now getting p0420 code. Car stall out around 9/22/21. Another software update given on 10/2/21. Reset, still getting code. Car is also losing oil with no sign of leak. Possibly causing code. Damage may already be done to engine. Telling me I have to pay for repairs if needed.

Catalytic converter, recall sc176? have issues with code: p0420, replaced the catalytic converter once and code appears again with engine light on, kia dealership says they won't perform recall since car is slightly over 80,000. Also oil is constantly running out, not noticing a leak on the ground so must be burning away?.

On Monday September 6, 2021 at about 11:30 pm, I was driving home east on interstate 90, just east of roselle rd. Near schaumburg, illinois. When the car began to violently shake. The dash board lights began to flash and the engine just stopped. We managed to steer the car to the side of the express way, in an attempt to restart the car with no luck. A illinois dept. Of transportation road side assistance driver tried to start the car when the car explored into fire, the driver put the fire out and provided us with the number of a toe truck , which we had the car toed to the schaumburg kia dealer, located at 1100 east golf road, schaumburg, IL 60173, phone no. Is (847) 908-0502, where the dealer is trying to determine the cause of the fire and the amount of damage, if the car is a total loss or not. My car is a 2016 kia Soul. At this point I have not heard from the dealer after a week, I have called the dealer several times with no reply at all.

Three issues: 1) upon stepping on the gas from a stop, the car often takes 4 or more seconds to actually move. This more than once has gotten me almost hit in the back by the other cars. 2) the car often makes "tractor noises" that are extremely loud and annoying. 3) the mechanic at the shop I took it to said that there's a crazy amount of oil going though the exhaust system. This could result in hat accumulation in the engine and jam it up (at best) or actually lead to a spontaneous fire. I am afraid of getting stranded so I haven't been driving very much. The kia dealership said that there's nothing they can do. Are you kidding me?.

My kia Soul's engine failed when we were exiting the highway. The car started making awful grinding sounds and went into "limp mode. " when I tried to restart the vehicle, the oil lamp and check engine lamp illuminated. The car had shown no issues the entire day and I had put oil in it earlier that morning because I noticed it was low (I try to check the oil every time I get gas). I had my partner and our dogs in the car with us and had to walk down the highway to the gas station to call somebody since we didn't have service. It was also 110 degrees outside, so the car failing put us in a pretty dangerous situation. We had just gotten the recall notice for the vehicle's engine a week before (it looked like it had gotten lost in the mail) and had called around to the kia dealerships in the area and none could see us for over a month, which was a problem because we were going to be moving back to the pnw from death valley (we had to relocate because I was laid off due to covid) in less than a month. The closest dealerships were also 100+ miles away. We towed the car with us to wa and got it into a dealership ASAP and they confirmed that the engine had a knock, but kia refused to fix the issue, stating that because the knock sensor detection software hadn't been installed, it was not under warranty. The car got serviced at least once every 4 months (I have service records), and I would check and fill the engine oil regularly because the car would burn through it like crazy.

The catalytic system began breaking apart and throwing an engine light error. The system progressively got worse until it lead to complete failure not allowing the fuel system to work nor the vehicle to be able to accelerate.

A few months ago car intermittently started bucking as if watery fuel or fuel depletion was occurring accompanied with a loud sound as of grinding metal. Check engine light would come on intermittently for a short while and then go off again. Braking and slowing would temporarily stop it until it recurred. With time those episodes grew more frequent. I consulted martin kia of bowling green, ky from whom I bought the car whose service department seemed to offer no suggestion as to the defect. Two autozone stores tested the engine, one with with check engine light off and another with it on, and both tests agreed that the catalytic converter was malfunctioning. Tests at the above kia dealer confirmed that finding and replaced the converter at a total cost of almost $1300. 00 saying its 98000 miles was out of emissions warranty. Problem is, the intermittent bucking and grinding persists. Online I then read that this is likely a recall case already receiving 147 similar complaints and that some of these vehicles had been finally totally destroyed by an engine fires. It has become a fearful thing to drive it with that knowledge. What is your advised course foe a remedy?.

While driving on the NJ turnpike at night time, I went to change from the right lane into the middle lane and the car stalled not able to pick up speed. As the car stalled there was a fast moving truck which was coming and that was able to switch lanes forcing me to move into the last lane which made the cars behind me have to come to a sudden stop. I then had to put on my hazards and slowly move back over to the shoulder. Once completely stopped I shut off the engine. After waiting for some time I started the car again, but nothing changed. I remained in the right lane with hazards on and drove the car not being able to go above 40 mph. Eventually the car got back to driving normal right before arriving home which was about a 40 to 50 minute ride. The car was taken to the dealership and I learned that the catalytic converter needs to be replaced. This is after taking this car to be looked at twice and being told that there was nothing found. Now I find that there is a recall on the car (NHTSA 19v120000), but it says that my vehicle is not amongst the vehicles recalled.