2012 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 514 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 5th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 25 involved a crash and 23 involved a fire. 25 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineFeb 22, 2019
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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V120000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsDec 29, 2014
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
Campaign 14V822000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
220 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jul 21, 2020
BURNING OIL, MECHANIC DID ANOTHER ENGINE FLUSH TO CLEAN BUILDUP, AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND NOW IT'S THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, MECHANIC STATED IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH BURNING OIL WITH THIS ENGINE AND NOW THE CAT NEEDS REPLACING, THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR, I LOVE MY SOUL BUT THIS ENGINE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE
Engine, Jul 19, 2020
BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE WHEN CAR IS IN USE.
Engine, Jul 8, 2020
WHEN YOU GO TO TURN ON THE CAR IT STALLS AS IF THE STARTER DOES NOT WORK AFTER 2 TRIES IT TURNS ON ONLY THE RPMS DOES NOT MOVE AND THE CAR SHAKES VERY VIOLENTLY SO I STOP TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN ON AND NO PROBLEM ONLY WHEN AT A LIGHT OR STOPPED IN DRIVE-THRU THE CAR WILL TURN OFF NO POWER YOU TURN IT ON AGAIN AND EVERYTHING IS GOOD FOR A LITTLE WHILE THEN IT DOES THE SAME OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN PUEBLO THEY SAID IT WAS AN OLD CODE NOT TO WORRY YET THE CAR GIVES ME TROUBLE STILL AND MAKES A WEIRD CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURN OFF
Engine, Jun 22, 2020
ENGINE FAILURE HAD TP REPLACE THE ENGINE LAST YEAR . NOW AGAIN HAVING ENGINE PROBLEMS. CAR STALLS WHEN TURNED ON . WHEN SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT IT SPUTTERS WHEN YOU STEP ON GAS IT BACK FIRES . *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 22, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A KNOCKING NOISE OCCURRED COMING FROM THE ENGINE AS WELL AS SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS CLOSED TO THE DEALER AND COASTED INTO SPRITZER KIA CLEVELAND (3414 BROOKPARK RD, CLEVELAND, OH 44134) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD WENT THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERRED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 15, 2020
I HAVE BEEN HAVING MY CAR STALL AT STOPLIGHT SINCE THE MIDDLE OF MAY. I COMPLAINED ON HERE BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT ON THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL SOME IN THE SAME YEAR AS MINE DOES HAVE RECALLS. THEN IT STARTED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. THEN I TOOK VIDEO ON MY PHONE OF HAVING TO RESTART IT AND THE RPMS DID NOT WORK AT ALL. I TOOK THE ADVICE FROM ONE OF THE PHONE NUMBERS ON HERE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A KIA DEALER.THE KIA DEALER SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG AND NO CODES, AND NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH. TODAY IT DIED 3 TIMES THE THIRD TIME WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A 55 MPH ROAD. THANK GOD THE DRIVER COMING SAW ME AND MY HAZARDS. YESTERDAY I HAD A FRIEND DRIVE IT AND IT DID THE SAME THING DIED AT LIGHTS AND WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. TODAY I CALLED THE KIA NUMBER AND SHE SAID TO KEEP TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER BUT I CANNOT AFFORD A 90$ SERVICE CHARGE EVERY TIME. I KNOW OTHERS WERE RECALLED. SO I WILL KEEP COMPLAINING UNTIL MY CAR GETS ON THAT LIST OR I END UP IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAVE TO GET A LAWYER. *TR
Engine, Jun 9, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FREEWAY, I GOT OFF ON MY EXIT. WHEN I CAME UP TO THE RED LIGHT MY CAR STALLED AND SHUT OFF. I TURNED MY CAR BACK ON AND IT WOULDN'T START SO I TRIED AGAIN AND IT TURNED ON BUT HAD A TICKING SOUND. I GOT HOME AND CHECKED MY OIL AND MY OIL WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I DIDN'T HAVE ANY OIL LIGHT OR ENGINE LIGHT ON. I TOOK MY CAR IN AND THERE IS A RECALL SC176. KIA SAID MY ENGINE WASN'T AFFECTED DUE TO THE RECALL. THEY SAID THEY DON'T KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AND WOULD HAVE TO TEAR THE ENGINE APART. THEY RECOMMENDED I REPLACE WITH A ENGINE LONG BLOCK AND IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. EVERYTHING DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING. IM VERY LUCKY I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE I HAD MY 3 YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH ME. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 5, 2020
ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO MY CAR DIED AT A STOPLIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME. ALL ALONG THERE IS NO INDICATOR LIGHTS. THEN DIED WHILE DRIVING 3 DAYS LATER AT 35 MPH. I WENT TO AN AUTO ZONE TO GET A CHECK ON ITS COMPUTER BUT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS. DROVE IT A FEW DAYS , IT DIED AGAIN AT THE STOPLIGHT. IT BEGAN TO DO THIS EVERY FEW DAYS .NO INDICATION WHEN IT WOULD SHUT OFF AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS. I CALLED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THERE WASN'T, I ALSO CHECKED ONLINE.WHEN IT DIED I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT JUST OFF THE ROAD OR AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS FOR A FEW MINUTES AND KEEP TRYING. THEN AFTER A FEW TIMES I STARTED NOTICING IT WOULD DIE AT THE INTERSECTION AND THEN MY RPM INDICATOR WOULD NOT WORK THEN THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ,I WOULD FIGHT WITH IT TO START OR IT WOULD START NORMALLY AND EVERYTHING WORKED FOR A WHILE AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALER MADE AN APPOINTMENT, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT ONE MECHANIC ASKED WHAT YEAR THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER VEHICLES..TODAY JUNE 5TH WHEN I WAS STUCK AT AN INTERSECTION I USED MY PHONE TO RECORD THAT IT STARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WHEN I DROVE IT I HAD TO FLOOR THE GAS AND THE RPM INDICATOR WASN'T WORKING AT ALL. THEN I WAS DRIVING FINALLY GOT IT TO SPEED AND IT DIED IN THE ROAD AT 55 WHILE DRIVING LUCKILY I COASTED OFF THE ROAD .AFTER A MINUTE I TAPED WHERE I WAS, HOW THE CAR WAS PULLED OFF CROOKED AND THEN IT STARTED NORMALLY, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ,RPM WORKED AND I GOT HOME. THE CAR DEALER SAID HE PROBABLY KNEW WHAT IT WAS DUE TO THE OTHER RECALLS BUT IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE. I CANNOT AFFORD A REPAIR DON'T WANT TO DIE EITHER. IF OTHER CARS WERE RECALLED MINE NEEDS TO BE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I AM IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY CAR JUST DIES WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD OFF MY PHONE BUT WILL GLADLY HAVE SOMEONE DO IT SOON TO REPORT IT AGAIN. *TR
Engine, Jun 5, 2020
IN EARLY 2016, MY VEHICLE BEGAN BURNING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. NOVEMBER THE SAME YEAR I ENDED UP HAVING TO GET MY ENGINE REPLACED AT ABOUT 120,000 MILES. IN 2019, THE SAME ISSUE BEGAN TO OCCUR. I HAVE TO PUT OIL IN MY CAR MULTIPLE TIMES EVERY WEEK. A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WORKS FOR KIA BROUGHT OUR ATTENTION TO A RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT CAN CAUSE CONVERTER AND ENGINE DAMAGE DUE TO OVERHEATING. ON JAN 28 2020 I TOOK THE KIA SOUL TO STEVENS KIA IN HARRISONBURG VA FOR THE RECALL. WE EXPLAINED THE ISSUES WE WERE HAVING AND PULLED UP THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL POSSIBLY CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE. THEY SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THAT ISSUE AND THAT THEY DON'T BELIEVE IT WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO BURN OFF OIL. KIA'S INFORMATION SPECIFICALLY SAYS THAT IT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT, BURN OFF OIL, AND ULTIMATELY LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE. I STILL HAVE TO ADD OIL TO MY VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE WEEK AS IT IS DAMAGED AND HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED. IT IS GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE I'M SCARED IT'S GOING TO LEAVE ME STRANDED SOMEWHERE OR WORSE. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO FOR KIA TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION WITHOUT CONTRADICTING THEIR OWN INFORMATION ON THE RECALL. *TR
Steering, Engine, May 27, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF OF THE ROADWAY AND THE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 12, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,668
Engine, Apr 9, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A CONNECTING ROD FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILLIAMS KIA OF ELMIRA LOCATED AT (951 COUNTY RD 64, ELMIRA, NY 64903), AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,341.
Engine, Mar 26, 2020
VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR APROX. 45 MIN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS OF 70 MPH UPON EXITING THE FREE WAY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A PARKING LOT, AT THAT TIME THE 2012 KIA SOUL WOULD NOT START. A FEW HOURS LATER I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A VERY BAD BANGING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT A SHORT DISTANCE TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE TO TEST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THERE WAS A CODE FOR P0420 "CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD". I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A KIA SERVICE (WHERE IT CURRENTLY IS). THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT IT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 - KIA RECALL # SC176 THIS RECALL SEEMS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE.
Engine, Mar 20, 2020
MY 15 YR OLD SON (PERMITTED DRIVER), MY HUSBAND, AND I WERE DRIVING WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO JERK, AND THEN STALLED COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC! LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT TOWED TO A KIA SERVICE CENTER. I HAVE AN OPEN RECALL SC176. THE DIAGNOSIS FROM KIA FELL UNDER ALL OF THE CRITERIA & SYMPTOMS WITH THE RECALL. THEY FIRST DIAGNOSED IT AS A TIMING VALVE, SENT A QUOTE ORDERED PARTS,THEN CALLED 2 HOURS BEFORE I AM SUPPOSED TO PICK IT UP, AND SAID MY ENGINE NOW NEEDS REPLACED. IT WON'T BE WARRANTED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE A "CODE" DID NOT APPEAR. MIND YOU THEY FOUND ALL OF THIS OUT AFTER THEY DID THE ECU UPGRADE WITH THE RECALL. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT A CODE, BUT FIRST IT WAS MISDIAGNOSED, THEN NOW I NEED A NEW ENGINE, AND THE RECALL IS STILL OPEN FOR MY VIN. NO ENGINE COMPRESSION TEST WAS DONE, AND IT TOOK ME CALLING KIA HEADQUARTERS FOR THEM TO OWN A TECH LINE CASE. I WAS TOLD BY HEADQUARTERS THEY CAN ONLY REQUEST INFO VIA EMAIL, THEN GET A VOICEMAIL SAYING THAT THEY "CALLED" THEM, AND THEY SAID THEY CANNOT GET THE CODE. NOT BUYING IT, AND THIS WAS A SAFETY OCCURRENCE THAT HAPPENED WITH MY SON DRIVING. WAITING ON THE DIAGNOSIS NOW FROM KIA AFTER THE 4TH REQUEST TO THEM.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 25, 2020
HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE
Engine, Jan 7, 2020
ON 2-2-17 I WAS DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY EE, WHICH IS A 2 LANE BLACKTOP WHEN MY KIA ENGINE DIED, I COASTED TO A NEARBY DRIVEWAY AND GOT OFF OF THE ROADWAY THE BEST I COULD, A TOW TRUCK HAD TO BE CALLED, AS THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. THE CATALYSTIC CONVERTER HAD BLOWN APART AND WAS CLOGGING THE EXHAUST.. IN DOING RESEARCH, I SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1.6 ENGINES, BUT MINE IS A 2.0, WHY ARE THERE NO RECALLS ON THE 2.0 ?
Engine, Jan 3, 2020
I WAS ON THE WAY OUT OF TOWN WITH MY FAMILY, I WAS TRAVELING ON A DARK COUNTY ROAD AT NIGHT, I WAS DRIVING 70 MILES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN A PIECE FLEW UNDER THE CAR AND OIL STARTED SPRAYING OUT AND MY CAR STARTED SMOKING AND WHEN I PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED THE CAR WOULD NOT EVEN GO IN NEUTRAL SO THAT I COULD MOVE IT TO THE GRASS. I WAS STRANDED IN A SMALL TOWN ON THE HIGHWAY WITH FAST MOVING VEHICLES AND 18- WHEELERS WITH MY 2 KIDS. IT WAS VERY SCARY IT TOOK THE POLICE 15 MINUTES TO COME OUT. VERY UNSAFE WAITING ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY IN THE DARK. THE CAR WAS INOPERABLE SO I HAD TO LEAVE IT ON SIDE OF THE ROAD.
Engine, Jan 2, 2020
CAR LOST POWER ON HIGHWAY AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. HAD CAR TOWED TO GERALD KIA NORTH AURORA TO HAVE THEM EVALUATE CAR TO SEE IF IT WAS A RESULT OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RECALL. IN 9/ 2017 DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT WITH A STORED ERROR CODE OF P0420. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RUSH TO REPLACE THE CONVERTER SINCE IT WAS RELATED TO EMISSIONS. I WAS QUOTED A REPAIR FEE OF $1630. REPLACED CONVERTER IN 4/2018 AND AGAIN IN 3/2019 AT REPUTABLE SHOP. DEALERSHIP IS STATING THE CAR IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL SINCE I AM "OUT OF WARRANTY". CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH P3301 AND P3303 FAILURE. ACCORDING TO RECALL I HAVE A STORED P0420 CODE AND ACTIVE P300X CODES. THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE SHORT BLOCK ACCORDING TO THE RECALL DOCUMENTS. DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO ISSUE A TECH LINE AND HONOR RECALL. NOHERE ON THE PAPERWORK DOES IT STATE THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE IN "WARRANTY"- IF THAT WAS THE CASE WHY DID THEY INFORM ME IN 9/2019 THERE WAS A RECALL AND MY COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED.- I WOULD BE OUT OF "WARRANTY" NOWHERE ON THE RECALL PAPERWORK KIA FILED DOES IT STATE THAT ONLY KIA CAN REPLACE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VERY FRUSTRATING THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT CONSUMER DRIVEN. I HAVE ESCALATED THIS TO KIA CORPORATE AND AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE TO SEE IF THEY WILL HONOR THEIR RECALL.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 21, 2019
PLEASE NOTE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 19V120000 ORIGINALLY THIS WAS RESTRICTED TO THE 1.6L KIA SOUL 2012, BUT I HAVE NOTED THAT MY CAR HAS HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK AND GETS HOT, EVEN IF OPEN A FRONT WINDOW, GET A NICE WHIFF OF EXHAUST, WHEN THE ONLY CAR IN THE VICINITY. AND IS STATED AS : WHAT YOU SHOULD DO: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-333-4542. KIA'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS SC176. 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.
Engine, Dec 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WHILE CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL, THE OWNER NOTICED THE OIL LEVELS WERE VERY LOW WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE OIL, AND THE OIL APPEARED TO BE DARK. ALSO A VALVE NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICART KIA (4255 S. HAMILTON RD, GROVE, OH), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13409487. NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Engine, Dec 19, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. WHILE CHECKING THE ENGINE OIL, THE OWNER NOTICED THE OIL LEVELS WERE VERY LOW WEEKS AFTER REPLACING THE OIL AND THE OIL APPEARED TO BE DARK. ALSO, A VALVE NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICART KIA (4255 S. HAMILTON RD, GROVE, OH), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13409487. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
Engine, Dec 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PALMEN KIA OF KENOSHA (5301 75TH ST, KENOSHA, WI 53142, (262) 671-1877) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ALSO NEEDED ADDITIONAL REPAIRS THAT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Engine, Dec 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE CONTACT'S PARENTS WERE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GOSSETT KIA (LOCATED AT 1900 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128, 901-255-6320) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BURN OIL TOO QUICKLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTIC CODE SHOWN FOR THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE MENTIONED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13404459. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Engine, Dec 12, 2019
BOUGHT A 2012 KIA SOUL FROM GRAHAM'S DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, OHIO IN 2016, I STARTED GETTING A KNOCKING SOUND FROM MY MOTOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO AND TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT FOR A RECALLAND SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUES AND GAVE ME A TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE WHICH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT I ASKED. THE SYSTEMS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AS I WAS BUYING FOUR QUARTS A WEEK FOR A 1.7 LITER ENGINE SO I GOT IT IN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE MOTOR WAS BAD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO BELIEVE CONSIDERING IT IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE SOUNDING SO GRAHAM'S CALLS KIA AND THEY SAY THEY'D REPLACE IT WITH A NEW MOTOR (THIS WAS SAID ON 12/11/20). BRIAN AT GRAHAM'S AUTO MALL SAID HE WOULD CALL IN THE MORNING WITH THE DATE FOR IT TO BE REPLACED. I GET THE CALL THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT GOING TO DO THE RECALL EVEN THO I WAS TOLD IT WAS GOING TO BE DONE AND THAN CHANGED THE NEXT DAY. BRIAN SAID THEY'RE WAS BASICALLY NOTHING TO BE DONE WHICH I BELIEVE IS A COMPLETE LIE. I'VE BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER PAYING OVER 16,000$ THROUGH THREE YEARS JUST FOR THEM TO NOT TAKE THE RECALL AND REPLACE MY MOTOR. I AM VERY UPSET OVER THIS AND WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT IT
Engine, Dec 11, 2019
VEHICLE CONSTANTLY MISFIRING OR ATTEMPTING TO STALL WITH A CHECK ENGINE LINE THAT DOESN'T STAY ILLUMINATED WHETHER RUNNING, DRIVING, OR AT A STAND STILL. POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS!! WHEN ABLE TO READ CODE IT STATES IT'S A CYLINDER 2 ISSUE, BUT ONLY PROVIDES GENERIC CODE. STILL HAS ISSUES DESPITE GETTING FIXED! THIS KIA SHOULD BE A PART OF THE ENGINE RECALL AS WELL!