Engine And Engine Cooling Problems of Kia Motor Soul - part 1

2017 kia Soul, at approximately 87,000 miles began to show intermittent oil warning lights under regular g-loads pointing to oil starvation issues. Vehicle was taken to kia dealer for oil change. Dealer stated that possible oil consumption would trigger a need to return to dealer before the 1000 mile marker for second round of warranty checks per TSB 222 rev 8 excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines. Dealer is claiming that pn oil pressure switch 94750 37100 is culprit and wanting to charge for service and parts. Existing TSB 237, oil pressure switch replacement, which outlines that the lambda engines have this exact same pn covered under warranty at no cost to client. This should set precedent that the TSB needs to include the same engine types in TSB 222 as the issue seems to be recurrent in engine types across the fleet of kia manufactured vehicles. Kia corporate has a letter outlining that the repairs are to be covered by dealers for the oil pressure switch in question.

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I own a 2020 kia Soul that, according to kia customer care, had the sc209 engine recall repair completed in 2021 at approximately 28,000 miles under a previous owner. I have the exact repair date written down and can provide it if needed. On may 12, 2026, while driving, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off, switching into accessory mode without warning. I was able to restart it afterward. Today, approximately 20 minutes ago, the same issue occurred again while driving — the engine stalled unexpectedly and switched into accessory mode. After the first incident on may 12, I checked the oil level and it appeared full. Today, after the second stall, I checked the oil again and found it significantly low, around 1–2 quarts remaining. The vehicle required approximately 3 quarts of oil to return to full. I want this formally documented because I am concerned there may be an ongoing engine issue related to excessive oil consumption and/or engine failure despite the prior sc209 recall repair having been completed. I have only had the car 27 days.

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The contact owns a 2012 kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and failed to accelerate with the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the contact’s spouse had added oil to the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart, and additional oil had to be delivered to the contact to refill the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed by a dealer for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 84,213.

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03/17/ kia Soul 2022 was brought into the dealership to have the safety recall (NHTSA: 25v099; kia: sc336) addressed. There is a description of the service that says, “piston oil ring. ” dealership stated everything was "good to go" upon completion of this service. Per dealership document, causal part says “ring set-piston”, issue number sc336. Issue type: safety recall; description: piston oil ring. 04/20/2026: while driving, the engine light turned red/blinking. The car was immediately pulled over to the side of the road. It was towed to the aforementioned kia dealership via aaa. The engine needed to be replaced. Regarding the engine: issue number sc336y1; issue type: service campaign; description: dtc p1327 engine r&r. 05/05/2026: while using the car, it would not move with attempt to accelerate from a 4-way stop. The oil light and battery light were red; the engine light was orange. A message on screen displayed: “battery discharge warning. Please use the system after starting the vehicle. ” when attempting to turn the key, the engine did not make any sound. Approximately 10-12 minutes later, I went through the same steps and the car turned on. Kia dealership was notified. Upon arrival to the dealership, I was told "these things happen," "it is likely the battery," and, "the fuel saving start-stop function that cars like the Soul have can lead to this kind of thing. " it was also stated that the "battery was good, but the charge was low. " finally, I was told "the car should be fine to drive, since it made its way to the dealership" without issues. I verbalized the significant safety risk and stated I needed it assessed. The car remains at the dealership, as there is no root cause and this is a major safety hazard that, notably, occurred 6 days after the engine replacement. The dealership maintains that "there is nothing that can be done. " this has been escalated to kia corporate. No issues with car prior to engine light turning red on 04/20/26.

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The check engine light came on. I took the jar to kia and also requested for the piston recall to be repaired. I was denied due to an expired warranty. The engine stalled and stopped suddenly while driving in the street. Soon the care was no longer drivable.

The contact owns a 2021 kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled. All of the warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

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There is a rod knocking in the engine now. Car has always been properly maintained. There are no oil leaks or anything. The car now will not shift, loses power while going up hill, and is burning oil like crazy. Had the car looked at and was told the engine now needs to be replaced.

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I reported the issue yesterday, but we have additional information. Here is a timeline of the incident as recorded by the doorbell camera: 2026-05-03 085400 car parked 101423 car is already trying to start by itself 101713 car still starting, starter slowing down 101734 starter sounds overheated 101740 starter slows to stop 101835 first visible smoke 102304 neighbor notices 102338 I was notified 102452 used extinguisher 102600 fire out 102744 called the fire department 103600 fire department arrives shortly after I have camera videos showing much of the timeline. I cannot upload because they exceed the limits of this form. Well over an hour after the car was driven, the starter engaged. It ran for almost 4 minutes straight as far as I can tell. In the videos we have, you can hear it seize up from the heat. About a minute later, smoke is visible. Had this not been caught in thte timely manner that it was, it would have been devastating. Here is a link to two of the videos. [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact stated that when taking the vehicle to complete recall repairs for NHTSA campaign number 20v750 (engine) the contact was informed that due to the milage on the vehicle that the repaired did not have to be completed. The contact stated they have experienced knocking and oil leakage that is related to the mentioned recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate ,mileage 177,000.

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Car just starting shutting off only will drive a certain amount of time then turns off again.

Weeks before the vehicle completely shut down, my car began stalling and shutting off in traffic without warning while driving. I was usually able to turn the vehicle off and restart it, and it would come back on temporarily. At red lights and stop signs, the vehicle would power down, stall, jerk forward, and then begin moving again when I pressed the accelerator. On 05/01/2026, while stopped at a red light on my way to get gas, I noticed the vehicle vibrating unusually. I made it to the gas station, filled up, and drove away. However, as I entered a heavily traveled highway, the vehicle began shaking uncontrollably and completely shut off in traffic. I was unable to restart the vehicle and had to have it towed, and later towed again to a kia dealership/service center. The diagnostic codes identified were: * p0014:00 – exhaust camshaft position timing over-advanced/system performance (bank 1) * p0017:00 – crankshaft position/camshaft position correlation (bank 1 sensor b – exhaust) * p0303:00 – cylinder 3 misfire detected I am extremely concerned because the vehicle is only about four years old, and I purchased it a little over a year ago. I have previously taken the vehicle to kia for recalls, including recalls related to engine issues. Based on my research and the symptoms of my vehicle, I believe the recall involving the piston oil rings may be related to the camshaft and crankshaft issues now occurring. I am concerned this may represent an additional safety-related defect or recall issue that has not yet been fully recognized by kia. I am submitting this complaint to bring awareness to this issue and request that a proper investigation be conducted before more drivers experience a dangerous failure in traffic. I would also like to request direct follow-up regarding my specific vehicle and this incident. Due to the seriousness of the failure and the safety risk of the vehicle shutting down in active traffic, I believe my vehicle should be reviewed as part o.

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

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The contact owned a 2015 kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle began to make a knocking noise which became progressively louder and backfired. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust as the contact moved to the side of the road and exited the vehicle safely. The vehicle then developed a small fire underneath the hood in the engine compartment, which quickly became engulfed in flames. The contact was approximately 30 to 40 feet away when this occurred. The smoke was described as having an electrical odor. The fire spread into the interior of the vehicle, resulting in damage to the dashboard, front seats and windows. No additional property damage was reported. Emergency services were contacted and the fire department extinguished the fire. The insurance company determined the vehicle to be a total loss. No injuries were sustained. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number 20v750000 (engine). The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

My car burns oil very fast. I am putting in more than 5 quarts of oil in between oil changes. I have replaced the flex pipe, the catalytic converter two times, and both the upstream and downstream oxygen sensors. The catalytic converter now needs to be replaced again after only 7 months after being installed. The car keeps getting p0420 codes. I found out this last converter was bad while on the highway going 70 mph up a hill. The speed suddenly decreased all the way down to 50 mph which put me in great danger of getting hit from behind at high speeds. It would not go any faster. .

My 2022 kia Soul with a 2. 0 litre engine is consuming lots of oil, I'm having to ad a quart every day. I have check engine lights for the catalytic converter and engine missfires. The car has always consumed oil between oil changes since I bought it new in 2022, and its gotten progressively worse. I've maintained the car as required by the manufacturer and have topped up the oil when low. I had the dealer perform an oil consumption test in June 0f 2025 at 60,275 miles. After 1000 miles the dealer determined the car was consuming 8/10ths of a quart of oil after 1000. The dealer informed mt that kia only considered 1 quart of oil or more after 1000 miles to be a problem. So I continued to change oil and top it off as necessary. The car continued to consume more and more oil, and I contacted kia customer service in June, November, December of 2025 regarding the increasing oil consumption problem. In April I contacted kia customer service again stating the oil consumption had gotten much worse. The took my information an said someone woul call me. I called them again 5 days later and told them I had a check engine light regarding an engis miss and catalytic convert code, and asked the expedite the call back. I've spoken with the expedited service person three times since the 25th of April and informed the that I'm having to add 1 gt of oil daily. The expedited serviec person informed me that kia would not provide me with a loaner car or rental reimbursement until it was determined by kia that there is a problem with the engine. She also said I should drop the car off and leave it with the dealer, and call her back when I've done so. My car has 77731 miles on it, I've never missed and oil change, and I've always kept it topped off. I'm concerned the catalytic converter will plug up and leave me stranded, or worse, result in an engine fire!.

I am writing to report safety concerns regarding my 2018 kia Soul plus. I have been experiencing several engine issues, including knocking noises, hesitation during acceleration, excessive oil consumption, and an active check engine light. Recently, while driving with my daughter, the vehicle began shaking and the check engine light flashed three times. Although I strictly adhere to the recommended maintenance schedule, these issues persist. My mechanic identified code p0455, but a smoke test did not reveal a leak. Additionally, despite having a full tune-up in August [2025] at 105,636 miles, I am being told I require another tune-up due to engine misfires. I am concerned about the frequency of these repairs and the overall safety of the vehicle’s engine.

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My 2018 kia Soul with the 2. 0l nu gdi engine is experiencing severe oil consumption of approximately 1 quart every 300–400 miles. The engine and lubrication system are available for inspection upon request. My check engine light is currently on. The dealer performed several recalls on the vehicle, including pi2107 (ksds), sc226, and cs2311a, but refused to perform the required oil?consumption test described in TSB eng 222 (rev 8). The service technician stated that because the oil?consumption test is “not on the VIN,” they would not perform it under warranty. I was told I could pay $250 out of pocket for the test, but that even if the test confirmed a defect, the dealership would not cover any repairs. I was also told to “run the car until the motor seizes up” before they would help. This instruction is unsafe and contradicts kia’s own safety systems, including ksds, which is specifically designed to prevent engine seizure while driving. Driving a vehicle with rapid oil loss until the engine seizes can cause sudden loss of power, loss of steering assist, and a crash hazard. The problem is ongoing and repeatable, but the dealer refused to diagnose it properly. I am reporting this because the dealership refused to perform required safety?related diagnostics and instructed me to operate the vehicle until catastrophic engine failure occurs, creating a significant safety hazard for me and other motorists.

The contact owns a 2017 kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact added oil to the vehicle; however, the vehicle went into limp mode and failed to exceed 60 mph while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the contact was informed that the engine replacement was not covered under an unknown class-action lawsuit settlement recall because only 12 out of the required 17 oil change service records were available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and made the same assessment. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 128,129.

Problem. Engine control unit, ecu allowed catalytic converter overheat. Engine knocking and stalling. Engine monitor light came on while driving the car when it began to knock and stall while driving it. Can cause piston to break and. Puncture the engine block, leaking oil into the hot exhaust and start a fire.

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The engine is consuming a quart of oil per thousand miles.

Engine shut off while making a turn. Took car to mechanic and he stated that the car did not display any error messages. The car also over heated while driving in freeway.

I just bought the car one month ago, and while driving my 2016 kia Soul on a high-speed highway at approximately 98,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly lost power without warning. The engine stopped responding and the car could not accelerate. This created a very dangerous situation because traffic was moving at high speed and I was at risk of being hit from behind. I was driving with my son, who has a disability, and I was taking him to his therapy appointment. The sudden loss of power made the situation even more stressful and unsafe because I was responsible for his safety while the vehicle was failing in traffic. Fortunately, I was able to carefully move out of the main highway and exit the road to avoid a crash. I managed to reach a nearby auto mechanic shop, where the vehicle had to remain because the engine had failed and the car could no longer be driven safely. This incident represents a serious safety concern because the vehicle lost power suddenly while driving on a fast highway, which could easily have resulted in a serious accident.

On [xxx], while my vehicle was at the dealership for a federally mandated engine replacement recall (campaign pi2107y/z), the service department attempted to obstruct the completion of the safety repair. The dealership informed me that unless I paid a 264. 40 fee for maintenance and fluids, they were required by the manufacturer to drain the old, contaminated coolant from my failed engine and reuse it in the brand-new replacement engine. This threat of intentional contamination poses a severe safety risk, as reusing old fluid from a failed engine can lead to premature engine failure or overheating, potentially creating another hazardous situation on the road. I contacted the manufacturer corporate office (case [xxx]), and they confirmed that no such requirement to reuse old coolant exists and that the dealership had not even attempted to file a claim for fluids. The dealership misrepresented manufacturer policy to monetize a free safety recall and threatened to sabotage the integrity of the new engine to force a sale. This issue was confirmed to be a dealership-level fabrication by the manufacturer’s corporate customer service line. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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My 2021 kia Soul experienced repeated overheating despite replacement of major cooling system components including the thermostat and water pump. The vehicle continued to overheat and was later diagnosed by a kia dealership with engine damage requiring full engine replacement. This failure occurred around 105,000 miles. The symptoms and failure pattern are consistent with known issues affecting similar kia engines, yet my VIN is not included in any recall. I am concerned this represents a broader defect that may not be fully captured in current recalls.

I was on vacation driving the vehicle when the engine caught fire. . There was kids in the car there was nothing wrong with the vehicle all of a sudden it just went boom and caught fire we were slowing down to get off the exit. I have no idea what all was effected I don't know much about cars to know what did or did not catch fire. .

My kia Soul 2018 caught on file while driving. The whole engine was in flames. I didn't want to die because my car has a manufacturing issue that kia was not aware about. The dealership I've purchased the car from denied to give me a copy of the mechanical inspection done at the dealership stonebriar Chevrolet in frisco, TX. The flames started under the car and made its way to the engine, smoke was coming from the ac vents. People were able to put the fire down before it got to the gas tank. Due to the seriousness of the damage, the car stopped working and we left it on the side of the road.

I am reporting a safety concern related to NHTSA recall 19v120 involving my kia Soul. The recall identifies a defect related to catalytic converter overheating, which can lead to engine damage, stalling, and increased risk of fire. My vehicle is currently experiencing an illuminated check engine light and unsafe driving conditions. During service evaluation at kia of columbus, I was informed that my vehicle has a catalytic converter blockage contributing to these issues. However, I was also told that my vehicle does not qualify for recall repair because no engine code was detected during diagnostics. This is concerning, as the vehicle is actively exhibiting symptoms consistent with the recall condition, including a confirmed catalytic converter issue and an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp. Despite this, I was denied full recall coverage and instead offered a goodwill repair requiring me to pay 50% of the cost. I believe this situation represents a failure to properly apply recall criteria and raises concerns regarding customer safety, as the vehicle may be at risk for engine failure or fire. I am requesting further review of this matter and investigation into the handling of this recall by the servicing dealership.

My check engine light continues periodically turn on and off; diagnostics done by independent service centers shows the code indicating there's something wrong with my catalytic converter. I discovered the make and model of my vehicle has a recall for this issue, but upon contacting kia directly and speaking with services members & customer care I was told that my vehicle does not fall under the recall even though it is showing the same signs as the vehicles that have. It has not been inspected by anyone other than the hired mechanic and I'm not entirely sure when the problem first began, but has been an ongoing issue for the last few months.

The contact noticed the oil drained quickly and rpms increased rapidly upon starting the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 86,100. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the ecu was replaced twice, the piston rings were not replaced; the issue persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 86,100.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle spontaneously caught fire while parked unattended at 3 am. All the warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure, and the vehicle was undrivable. The contact had received the recall notification letter for NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic). There were no reported injuries, police report, or crash. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the scrap yard. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 265,000.

The contact owns a 2021 kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2019 kia Soul. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle began shaking violently and made a loud knocking sound. The contact experienced a loss of automotive power, and the vehicle was unable to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the catalytic converter needed to be repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. However, the dealer stated that the engine had to seize for the replacement to be covered. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,009.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned? the engine (piston rings) and catalytic converter failed. The catalytic converter is available for inspection upon request. How was safety put at risk? the engine ran low on oil without any external leak, causing warning lights and engine rattling. Low oil pressure can lead to sudden engine seizure or fire. The failed catalytic converter can clog, causing loss of power on highways and increasing the risk of a crash. Has the problem been confirmed by a dealer or independent shop? yes. A kia dealer found the engine 2 quarts low, with no external leak, and recommended replacing the catalytic converter at a cost of over $6,000. An independent mechanic confirmed code p0420, which indicates catalytic converter failure. Has the vehicle been inspected by the manufacturer? the vehicle was inspected by an authorized kia dealer, but they did not complete the required inspection for recall sc336 (defective piston oil rings). They did add the software. Were there warning lamps or other symptoms? yes. The oil pressure warning light and other dashboard lights came on. The engine made a rattling noise. The vehicle later felt sluggish on acceleration, fuel economy dropped, and the exhaust developed a smell. The check engine light came on and later turned off, but code p0420 was stored in the system.

Mi carro hay veces que prende la luz DE la engine, lo lleve a checar y salió en la computadora que era un problema DE power train system, que era secondary dtcs p1c28 y p1c28000, lo busque en google y salía que era un problema muy recurrente en kias Souls y sorentos. Que podría causar incendios.

Hi my vehicle was stolen and the police found the vehicle. The car was damaged part of the damages was a broken ignition. I am unable to fix the damages until I get paid from the kia classaction lawsuit. The car still starts and stays running. I have the key for the car but I have been starting the car was butter knife bc it's easier then the key. I made an appointment to have the oil piston ring looked at. When I brought it I. They refused to look at it bc it has a broken ignition. I don't think the safety recall has anything to do w the ignition. The car is easy to turn on and shut off. I wouldn't care if my car wasn't stalling at traffic lights. My car is going thru a lot of oil. I am not working currently. This car was purchased for me by my dad. He paid cash for it. He bought it bc I had just been diagnosed w a rare autoimmune disease. He bought it so I would have something safe and reliable to drive in. We have had nothing g but problems since day 1. All I wanted was for them to look at it so im not going to be in harms way. Idk what to do the dealership said they cant look at it until I fixed the ignition. But like I said I won't have money to do that until I get the class action lawsuit.