Equipment Problems of Kia Motor Soul - part 1

I have a 2016 kia Soul that has been having drinking oil every 2-3 weeks but there isnt any oil leaking on the ground. Last week I was driving home and my car woulnt go over 20mph I took it to kia and they said I need a catalytic converter the oil is still escaping somewhere and when I looked at the recalls my VIN didnt show I had any but my car is somehow having the same issues and I have 108,000 miles.

See all problems of the 2016 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

Trouble with acceleration, when coming to a full stop then trying to accelerate the car feels like it doesn't want to move. Slows down to approximately 15mph when going up hills even when gas pedal pushed down all the way. Feels like it's about to stall at stop signs, etc.

See all problems of the 2014 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

The engine powered down to the point where the car stalled out. It would not accelerate. This was quite dangerous! I was in traffic when this happened. Trying to get it to a safer spot, I restarted the engine a few times; the brakes were extremely hard & wouldn't let me mash them down to catch to stop, so I immediately pulled the handbrake up & shut the engine off. I smelled a weird smell, like something was burning too. I had it towed to the shop & even though no lights were on, we plugged it up & it gave the 0420p code for the bank 1 sensor exhaust flow issue. Mechanic stated he thought it might be the catalytic convertor. About 2 weeks beforehand, the oil light had come on, added 2 quarts of oil & it went out. Then the check engine light came on about 2 weeks after that, blinked a couple of times, but went back off.

Dear kia customer care, I am writing to formally express my disappointment and serious concern regarding my 2016 kia Soul, VIN [xxx], its engine failure, the applicable engine recall/warranty coverage, and my experience obtaining assistance and repairs through kia. Most importantly, this situation involved more than an inconvenience or ordinary mechanical problem. My son's safety was placed at serious risk when my kia abruptly lost power and became disabled in high-speed freeway traffic. Xxx – dangerous freeway breakdown on Saturday, xxxx, at approximately 9:30 p. M. , my son, [xxx], was driving my kia Soul on the [xxx] from [xxx] toward [xxx], for his 11:00 p. M. Work shift. According to [xxx], the vehicle abruptly began losing speed and eventually came to a complete stop near the freeway median. The vehicle was left in an extremely dangerous position with high-speed traffic approaching nearby. [xxx] noticed that the check-engine light had illuminated. He repeatedly attempted to restart the vehicle, but it would not start. When [xxx] called me for assistance, I panicked because of the dangerous circumstances. My immediate concern was that my son or another motorist could be seriously injured. I contacted aaa for emergency roadside assistance. Because of the hazardous location, aaa contacted the California highway patrol (chp) to assist until the tow truck arrived. [xxx] was instructed not to leave the vehicle because of the high-speed traffic surrounding him. Aaa ultimately towed my kia Soul to kia cerritos because it was the closest kia dealership I could locate that offered an overnight vehicle drop-off. Xxxx – vehicle received by kia cerritos on Sunday, xxx, a service representative contacted me to confirm that kia cerritos had received my vehicle. I was asked what had occurred the previous evening, and I explained the incident in detail. Xxx information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

I own a 2016 kia Soul 1. 6l gdi with approximately 108,956 miles. The vehicle is consuming approximately 1/2 quart of engine oil every 1,000 miles. There is no obvious external oil leak. I am concerned about excessive oil consumption and possible internal engine damage. The vehicle also produces a very loud exhaust-type noise from the front of the vehicle when starting, which appears to be coming from the front exhaust/manifold/catalytic-converter area. The vehicle currently has no check-engine light. I checked the VIN through NHTSA and it shows zero unrepaired recalls. I am requesting that NHTSA document this complaint and review whether these symptoms could indicate a safety-related defect affecting this vehicle or other kia Soul vehicles with the same engine. It is getting worst and loud.

This car was purchased in December of 2025 with 26k miles on it. There are stall issues when using the auto start stop feature. I had to power down the car and restart it up to get the car to move. It also will throw the check engine light code and then after you drive it, it goes away which makes it difficult to take to a service shop for diagnosis. Recently the car is now at 28k (9 mo later) and it has an intermittent stutter when driving; I can only describe it as a push/pull motion and its random, during this time the check engine light came on again. On my way to take it to a service station for diagnosis, it went away. Not sure if this has been reported by other 2020 kia Soul owners.

See all problems of the 2020 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

It appears to get really hot and then it starts to smoke abundantly. And then the car struggles to drive forward. And something about instrument cluster.

See all problems of the 2023 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

Writing to get some relief and a recall for my expenses due to a failed catalytic converter. The same issue was reported and recalled on the 1. 6l engine in 2019. 19v120. Mine is 2014 kia Soul 2. 0l engine. I am showing multiple other reports on this site which had the same issues as well. 11736089 and 1700997. Catalytic converter failure. No codes. Sluggish acceleration, rotten egg smell, high fuel consumption and oil consumption. When merging onto highway, engine redesign to between 3-4000 reps before it goes into overdrive have to jam the accelerator to go. Took to mechanic and while they were doing a test drive, could not get the car to go. Narrowly not getting into an accident with the approaching truck behind them. Vehicle has regular maintenance and is well taken care of. Good thing I got it taken care of before engine failure. All of the combustion gases from the failed catalytic converter could have cost me a new engine, or worse my life. Reached out to kia corporate customer service with no help offered. They tout extended warranties on their cars. But will not honor them. Have the converter and it is clear as day , that it was reaching high temperatures and malfunctioning. What help can you offer?.

Car caught fire while sitting in my driveway with no one in it for about 12 hours.

See all problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

The check engine light on my 2024 kia Soul came on. I took the car to the dealer and had them check it. They said said that there were multiple problems with the transmission. They recommended that I have the transmission replaced. I had them replace the transmission for over 4,100 dollars. I bought the car brand new from kia. I drive for lyft and the car has 127,738 miles on it, but I think that a transmission should last longer than 2 years and 127,738 miles.

See all problems of the 2024 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

I purchased a used 2025 kia Soul with approximately 12,930 miles on the odometer in July 2026. Prior to Friday, August 1, 2026, I had not experienced any warning lights, warning messages, drivability issues, or other symptoms. The vehicle appeared to operate normally. On August 1, 2026, as I pulled out of the parking lot, the car surged or lurched forward while pushing on the gas. I pulled over, and the engine rpm still would increase on its own while the vehicle was in park, and and while stopped with the brake pedal applied. On one occasion in traffic a week before, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly. At the time I thought I did something wrong and didn't initially think it was a defect. This has created a safety concern because the vehicle appears to accelerate or push forward without me doing anything. The condition raised concerns about maintaining control of the vehicle in traffic and while stopped behind other vehicles. The vehicle was inspected by a kia dealership. I was informed that a technician performed a road test and was able to reproduce the concern I reported. The dealership initially identified contaminated a/c refrigerant and recommended evacuation and recharge of the a/c system. After further diagnosis, I was informed that the a/c compressor may have internal damage and may require replacement. The root cause of the unexpected revving, stalling, and lurching has not been conclusively determined. I have received conflicting information regarding whether the a/c system is responsible for the condition and whether the vehicle is safe to drive. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Kia customer care reviewed the situation and recommended that the vehicle be evaluated by a different kia dealership for a second opinion. No police report or insurance investigation has been conducted regarding this issue. Someone advised me to file this report, saying that an ac compressor can't make a car engine lurch.

See all problems of the 2025 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

Whistling noise and problem with acceleration over 35mph and drifting uphill. Although VIN number did not appear on the listed recall, the repair work recommended and partially completed by kia repair dealer points directly to the description of an oil consumption problem that includes the 2016 kia Soul. Some repairs done at kia xxx and some done at scott kia in [xxx] (where I reside). Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Dealer refusing to honor open recall remedy for sc200 / NHTSA 20v750000 on 2015 kia Soul VIN [xxx], approx 100k miles. Recall shows "no unrepaired recall found" on NHTSA VIN lookup, but ksds update and engine bearing test were never performed. Kia of cheyenne states: 1) must pay for recall because update not done, 2) must pay for unrelated repairs first, 3) must provide all oil receipts, 4) will not perform free remedy. Second dealer fort collins kia service phone rings no voicemail. Request NHTSA reopen recall and enforce free remedy per 49 usc 30120. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2015 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

My 2021 kia Soul has stalled unexpectedly while being driven on multiple occasions. When the vehicle stalls, the engine shuts off and the vehicle loses propulsion, creating a risk of a collision, particularly if it occurs in moving traffic. There have been no warning lights or messages before the vehicle stalls or when the stalling occurs. The vehicle has severe engine oil consumption. After approximately 3,000 miles, the oil level can become so low that no oil is visible on the dipstick. I do not know whether the excessive oil consumption is causing the stalling, but I believe that to be the reason. I previously brought the vehicle to an authorized kia dealership while it was under warranty because of the oil-consumption problem. The dealership told me that the vehicle was probably leaking oil, that a part needed to be ordered, and that they would contact me when the part arrived. They never contacted me, and the problem was not resolved. I have since reported the repeated stalling and excessive oil consumption to kia corporate. Kia instructed me to return the vehicle to the dealership for additional testing. I told kia that I do not feel safe driving the vehicle approximately 40 minutes to the dealership because it has repeatedly stalled while being driven. I asked whether kia would tow the vehicle, but kia would not commit to providing a tow. I also asked kia to put in writing its instruction that I should drive the vehicle to the dealership despite the reported stalling, and kia declined. The vehicle remains available for inspection. The cause of the repeated stalling is most likely due to burning of excessive oil. I am concerned about an unexpected loss of propulsion occurring again while the vehicle is in traffic.

See all problems of the 2021 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

I am filing this complaint regarding a serious paint defect on my kia in which the exterior paint is peeling off in large sheets. I purchased the vehicle used from dean mccurry kia, and the dealership was aware of the paint issue before selling the vehicle to me but failed to properly repair or disclose the condition before the sale. The paint has continued to deteriorate and is now peeling extensively, leaving exposed areas of the vehicle. I have contacted both dean mccurry kia and kia regarding the problem, but both have refused to take responsibility or provide a reasonable solution. I believe this is a pre-existing manufacturing or paint defect that was known to the dealership before the vehicle was resold to me, and I am concerned that kia and the dealership are refusing to address a potentially widespread safety and quality issue. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this complaint and determine whether this paint defect affects other kia vehicles and warrants further action.

Took my vehicle in a year ago for the oil piston recall to the kia dealer in north huntington, PA. I was told they corrected the recall during other servicing. My vehicle just broke down and is unable to be driven due to this unresolved issue.

The trunk/ back hatch and it will not open I have tried to use the key fob and nothing it just failed randomly. I went to open it and nothing happens. I have tried locking and unlocking and nothing. This is extremely dangerous because one if I need access to my spare I can't get to it. Also if there was a crash and someone had to pull me or my child out through the back we can not get out. Especially with children in the back seats.

Jeff smith kia in perry was doing the maintenance they went out of business kia hutchinson I told several employees more than once that I was having problems the car would slowly shut down and cut off start then stop on the hey I had to call tow trucks have rentals there was a chainsaw sound underneath had to constantly place oil in the car kia never contacted me about a recall the dealerships never communicated recalls on the engine and oil burning they placed me and my grandchildren at risk and say I have to pay $110000 for a new engine. A belt. Cadillac converter and I simply do not have that. School starts in a week 1/2 and I cannot get four children to school or make it to my dr appointments tremendous hardship and safety concern because a mechanic told me the shutting down is a mechanism to keep the engine from catching on fire and exploding. I have been told by several kia owners they had the same issue. Walmart mgr told me it is a manufacturer issue I should not have to pay for repairs.

My engine light came on about 6 months ago because I was smelling a gas. I had it run on a code computer and it just showed a gasket needed changed. I didn't think that that was serious enough to address urgently because was unsure how much the cost would be. But was going over a big mountain about a week ago and car was on cruise control at 55 mpr and all of a sudden it just started dropping down totally stopping on me in very active traffic had my grandchild in the car also, got off the road barely in ongoing traffic and called for roadside assistance, but my son showed up and got it to start I barely got it back to his house in rogersville TN. Where I was staying for a visit , I ran a code computer on it again and it said it was the Cadillac converter, I looked it up and there is a recall on this situation. Why your sight is saying it's 0 idk why. This is my report and I think u need to change that problem there . I am currently still at my sons house staying cause I can't get my car home cause it won't climb clinch mountain or any sharp hills. Thank you.

During a bbb dispute regarding warranty coverage, kia corporate claimed the vehicle is ineligible for safety recall repairs.

See all problems of the 2018 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

Car window was broken into while the car was locked and the alarm was on. The alarm did not go off!.

I have a white 2016 kia Soul exclaim with 55,150 miles on it. About 3 months ago the paint started bubbling around the panoramic sunroof and has peeled off showing the gray undercoating. Ive read that this is an ongoing issue. I am the original owner and would like to have this issue fixed.

Backup camera intermittently glitches and cuts to a black screen. Display will also occasionally appear darker than normal. Concern began suddenly with no known cause. It first occurred after vehicle was parked for 10-11 hours.

See all problems of the 2022 Kia Motor Soul 🔎.

The abs/traction warning lights came on. On April 29,2026, I took it to beck and masten group 1 kia intomball, texas and they diagnosed as hecu failure. The repair cost $2377. 16. Kia corporate denied reimbursement. Lights were resolved after hecu replacement. There was no accident/injury/fire. Mileage was 60400. I wanted to note and document as a potential safety trend.

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. .

March 22, 2026: driving through town when the engine started making an odd high pitched sound then lost all acceleration and had to get it towed back to my house. No indicator lights on the dashboard came on. March 26, 2026: my mechanic diagnosed it as a catalytic converter clog. 2019: vehicle was serviced at a kia dealer for sc176 recall relating to catalytic converter failure. December 2022: kia replaced the engine due to failure from metal shavings from the tie rod getting into the oil. In 2024 kia reimbursed me for the cost of this replacement due to a class action lawsuit for this issue. March 30, 2026: both kia dealership and kia phone line advised that my vehicle no longer qualifies for catalytic converter replacement since the recall service was completed in 2019.

Owner of 2020 kia Soul experiencing engine failure symptoms including stalling and oil consumption vehicl is associated with engine fire risk safety recall vehicle is currently disabled at mechanic and unsafe to drive I requested kia arrange a tow to authorized dealership for recall diagnosis but kia customer service refused to cover tow bc this involves potential engine fire hazard I believe manufacturers should arrange safe transport for inspection under the recall.

Complaint summary: post recall catalytic converter failure on 2016 kia Soul with 1. 6l gdi engine (sc176 recall previously performed). Complaint details: I own a 2016 kia Soul equipped with the 1. 6 liter gamma gdi engine (engine code g4fd, emissions family gkmxv01. 6dbe). This engine is part of kia’s sc176 recall for catalytic converter overheating and thermal damage. My dealer performed the sc176 ecu software update in may 2019, but did not replace the catalytic converter at that time because the p0420 code had not yet appeared. In early 2026, my catalytic converter failed with a p0420 “catalyst efficiency below threshold” code. My mechanic confirmed the converter was internally damaged. This failure is consistent with the known sc176 defect, where converters can be partially damaged before the ecu update and fail later. Kia and the dealer refused to replace the converter under the recall, stating that because the p0420 code did not appear in 2019, the converter is no longer covered. I was forced to pay $2,781. 91 out of pocket for a new catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, and oxygen sensors. The diagnostic test was another $120 plus tax. This appears to be a case where the converter was already compromised by the sc176 defect prior to the software update, but the failure occurred later. I am requesting that NHTSA document this issue, as it suggests the recall remedy may not fully address pre existing catalyst damage and may leave owners with significant repair costs. VIN: [xxx] mileage at failure: ~90,000 miles engine: 1. 6l gamma gdi (g4fd) recall: sc176 (ecu update performed, converter not replaced) information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owned a 2015 kia Soul. While driving at 55 mph, the contact heard a loud "pop" sound followed immediately by visible flames originating from under the hood. No warning lights or indicators were illuminated before the fire. The vehicle was occupied by 2 occupants; the occupants were able to safely exit. The contact noticed black smoke coming from underneath the hood. The fire started in the engine bay and spread to the rest of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire dept, police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 215,035.

Vehicle paint(white) is peeling off 2016 kia Soul.

I can not gain speed. The dealership says it’s the catalytic converter and there is an active recall for this on kia Souls. They previously did recall work to my car but now the catalytic converters not showing as a recall.

This issue is a significant safety concern. The vehicle intermittently loses propulsion, causing a sudden forward lurch, and then abruptly regains power, pushing me back into the seat. This unexpected deceleration and surge can create a dangerous situation in traffic and may lead to an accident if it occurs while merging, crossing intersections, or driving at highway speeds. In addition, I am experiencing significant engine oil loss between regular oil changes. This week, just before my scheduled service, I found the engine to be approximately two quarts low. There were no warning lights indicating low oil or pressure. I only became aware of the issue after hearing noticeable engine ticking, at which point I immediately parked the vehicle and have not driven it since. I added two quarts of oil due to concern over potential engine damage caused by operating at a low oil level. I have contacted my dealership to report the oil loss and the engine noise, and I am currently waiting for a return call as I had to leave a message. This level of oil consumption is abnormal and concerning, especially combined with the lack of warning indicators. I believe this condition may pose a safety risk and could potentially lead to engine failure while driving. I have recorded video showing the amount of oil needed, the dipstick readings before and after adding oil, and the process of topping up the engine. I also have receipts for the oil I purchased. I can provide all documentation upon request. Based on my research, this appears to be a documented issue reported by multiple vehicle owners, and it is known to require corrective repair. I checked my VIN on the manufacturer’s recall website and confirmed that there are currently no open recalls associated with my vehicle. However, despite the absence of an official recall, the issues I am experiencing are safety?related and require investigation and correction.

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.

Anti theft ignition protector and another recall that makes the car have engine compartment fires. My car is at risk of being stolen as well as catching fire. Yes the problem has been confirmed from by kia dealer. Yes the check engine light keeps coming on. It first appeared 02/10/2026. I purchased the car from b&g auto sales located at 3922 w indian school rd, phoenix, az 85019 and they installed an aftermarket ignition cylinder so the recalls that needed to be done couldn’t be done.

I want to make a complaint about my 2020 kia Soul. It is a great car, but the white paint will not stay on the car no matter what I do. It keeps flaking off all over the car. Just recently, it was my right passenger side door. It looks horrible. The car is under a car loan and is loosing paint as I pay off. I want to make kia aware of this issue. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).