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
514 reports, newest first.
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!
Latches/locks/linkages, Dec 5, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE DUE TO THE FRONT HOOD UNLATCHING ON ITS OWN AND STRIKING THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ASHEBORO NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1635 E DIXIE DR, ASHEBORO, NC 27203, (336) 625-2500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HOOD LATCH FAILED AND THE HOOD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
Seat belts, Dec 2, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, DROVE OFF THE ROAD, AND LANDED IN A DITCH. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT KNOB SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN SCRATCHES TO THE LEFT LEG, ARMS, CHIN, AND CHEST. THE PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR AND FRONT BUMPER WERE DAMAGED. POLICE REPORT NUMBER: 9630 WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
Steering, Dec 1, 2019
WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION MY DAUGHTER'S 2012 KIA SOUL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM WHAT FEELS LIKE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS DEEPER IT IS THE RUBBER COUPLER AT THE ELECTRIC STEERING ASSIST. THERE ARE RECALLS FOR OTHER YEARS AND MODELS SO BOTH KIA AND HYUNDAI BOTH KNOW OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT REPAIR ALL VEHICLES. I HEAR IT'S AN $8 PART AND $400 FOR LABOR THROUGH THE DEALER. WHAT A GREAT INCOME STREAM FOR THEM!!
Engine, Nov 23, 2019
I BOUGHT A USED CAR A MONTH AGO. THE CAR IS THE 2012 KIA SOUL. PERSONALLY, I LOVE THIS CAR. THE DESIGN IS PRETTY AND I LIKE IT SO MUCH. BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THE CAR'S ENGINE IS A 1.6 GDI ENGINE. THIS IS A CAR MADE IN A KOREAN FACTORY. IT RAN 119,800 MILES. ENGINE KNOCKING NOISE IS VERY SERIOUS. THE KNOCKING SOUND WAS VERY LOUD. I CHANGED THE ENGINE OIL ABOUT 50 DAYS AGO. AND I RAN ABOUT 1,000 MILES. I CHECKED THE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL TODAY. ENGINE OIL HAS BEEN REDUCED BY ABOUT 1 LITER. I WAS SURPRISED. IF I HADN'T CHECKED, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I SAW A LOT OF NEWS ABOUT THE ENGINE OF THIS CAR IN KOREA. ALREADY, THE MINISTRY OF LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT OF THE KOREAN GOVERNMENT HAS DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND TESTING ON THE ENGINE OF THE CAR. THEY FOUND THAT ENGINE OIL DECREASED A LOT, AND KIA MOTORS ACKNOWLEDGED THIS. I'M AFRAID THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP ON THE STREET DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE. I WANT MY FAMILY TO BE SAFE. I CONTACTED AMERICAN KIA MOTORS. THEY ONLY SAY THAT MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IF SO, SHOULD I JUST CONTINUE TO RIDE THIS CAR AT RISK? AND I LIVE IN HAWAII. BY THE WAY, THE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER TELLS ME TO GO TO ANOTHER ISLAND, HONOLULU, FOR INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE. IN ORDER TO DO THAT, I HAVE TO SHIP THIS CAR AND I HAVE TO TAKE A PLANE. BUT WHAT IF THE VEHICLE TAKES SEVERAL DAYS TO INSPECT? I THINK KIA SHOULD RESPOND WISELY AND QUICKLY.
Engine, Nov 21, 2019
IT'S ONLY SEVEN YEARS OLD, BUT IT LEAKS ENGINE OIL AND A VERY LARGE METAL BUMP AND KNOCKING COMING FROM THE ENGINE. IT CAN BE HEARD VERY LOUD EVEN OUTSIDE THE CAR. I'M VERY WORRIED IF THE ENGINE IS ON FIRE OR IF IT STOPS SUDDENLY. IN KOREA, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY RECOMMENDED THAT THE CAR'S ENGINE BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. I WANT TO BE SOLVED WELL IN THE U.S.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 7, 2019, crash
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY, AND ALL THE LIGHTS LINING THE FREEWAY WERE OUT. IT WAS PITCH BLACK, AND A COW HAD MADE ITS WAY INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. IT WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SENT INTO THE AIR, AND FLEW RIGHT INTO MY CAR. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT ONE OF ADOT'S FENCES WERE DOWN THAT WAS CONTAINING CATTLE. I WAS IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, ALONG WITH MULTIPLE OTHER VEHICLES. I FILED A POLICE REPORT AND HAVE THAT CASE NUMBER AS WELL. I HAVE PHOTO AND VIDEO EVIDENCE PROOF.
Engine, Nov 3, 2019
IN MARCH 2019, VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING NOISE AND WAS BROUGHT IN TO KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT . WAS TOLD THAT OIL WAS UNEXPECTEDLY LOW DESPITE LAST OIL CHANGE IN NOVEMBER 2018 AND MILEAGE/USE OF VEHICLE WAS MUCH LOWER THAN NORMAL DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. IN OCTOBER 2019, VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING SAME NOISE AND BEFORE IT COULD BE TAKEN IN, VEHICLE STOPPED FUNCTIONING MID-TRAFFIC DURING LEFT HAND TURN ON TO A SIDE ROAD FROM A 45 MPH STATE HIGHWAY. BROUGHT AGAIN TO SAME KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. TECHNICIAN REPORTED ON DIAGNOSIS REPORT THAT "OIL LEVEL SEEMED LOW (ADDED 1 QUART)" AND VERBALLY REPORTED BY PHONE THAT ENGINE HAS UNREPAIRABLE DAMAGE AND ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE WERE QUOTED $6,000-$7,000 BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE ENGINE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY UNUSABLE AFTER BEING AN EXTREMELY RELIABLE VEHICLE REQUIRING ONLY REGULAR AND USUAL MAINTENANCE UNTIL MARCH OF THIS YEAR.
Seat belts, Oct 26, 2019, crash
HELLO.. I AM A LITTLE UPSET. I WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT AT THE SPEED OF 40MPG. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. I ENDED UP HITTING MY CHIN AND JAW ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY CAR IS FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.
Steering, Oct 24, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE AND MAKES A GRINDING NOISE.
Engine, Oct 23, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED RUSTY WALLACE KIA OF KNOXVILLE (701 CALLAHAN DR, KNOXVILLE, TN 37912, (865) 688-8886) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT MISSED THE APPOINTMENT. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HER DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE HER HUSBAND AND SON NOTICED A HOLE IN PISTON NUMBER TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STILL REMAINED AT THE SAME DEALER WHERE THEY FAILED TO HONOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13379468. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,000.
Engine, Oct 21, 2019
BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL IT WAS BURNING OIL. IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY EMPTY AFTER JUST 2000 MILES OF GETTING MY OIL CHANGE. I TOOK IT IN TO GET THE RECALL FIXED. THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER AS WELL AS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IT STILL CONTINUES TO BURN THE OIL THE SAME AS IT DID BEFORE. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ESPECIALLY SINCE IT HAS 123000 MILES NOW.
Engine, Oct 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,633.
Electrical system, Engine, Oct 6, 2019
CAR IS JERKING/BUCKING AND MISFIRING WHILE IDLE AND WHEN DRIVING IT JERKS. CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY TURNS ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 23, 2019
2012 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEIR HOOD DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING AND SMASHED AGAINST WINDSHIELD. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS
Engine, Sep 16, 2019
WHILE DRIVING TO A FAMILY FUNCTION IN KENTUCKY OUR 2012 KIA SOUL STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD CLACKING NOISE AS IT TRIED TO MAINTAIN THE 55MPH SPEED LIMIT WHILE GOING UPHILL. WHEN WE PULLED OFF WE CHECKED OIL LEVELS AND CHECKED THE NOISE, IT WAS MUCH LOUDER THAN THE LIFTER NOISES AND SEEMED TO BE A POSSIBLE ROD ISSUE. AFTER PAYING FOR A TOW WE CONTACTED THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN PIKEVILLE AND WAS TOLD THAT OUR KIA SOUL WAS NOT UNDER THEIR RECALL. IF THE 1.6L GDI ENGINE IS RECALLED FOR ANY MODEL IN THIS MODEL YEAR SHOULD IT NOT BE APPLIED TO ALL MODELS? KIA DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO HELP IN ANY WAY.
Service brakes, Sep 11, 2019
MY CAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) HAS REPEATEDLY STARTED ROLLING WHEN PARKED IN 1ST CAR WITH THE E-BRAKE PULLED. TWO WEEKS AGO IT ALMOST RAN OVER MY SON. HE SCREAMED AND STRANGERS RAN AND STOPPED THE CAR FROM ROLLING ON MY SON. IT HAS STARTED ROLLING LIKE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN I WAS CERTAIN THE BRAKE WAS FULLY PULLED AND THE CAR WAS IN 1ST GEAR. I HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAS DONE THIS AND CAN CONFIRM FIRST HAND THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Sep 11, 2019
MY 2012 KIA SOUL IS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN ABOVE 70MPH WHEN TURNED SLIGHTLY LEFT OR RIGHT. IT APPEARS TO BE THE FLEX COUPLER IN THE POWER STEERING. THIS STARTED A FEW WEEKS BACK. KIA HAS RECALLED NEWER MODELS THAT USE THE SAME PART BUT WILL NOT TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR 2012 MODELS. THIS IS ON KIA. GOD FORBID IF MY DAUGHTER IS INJURED IN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE NEGLIGENCE OF KIA!
Engine, Sep 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT'S COMPANY OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY BE PLACED IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE COMPANY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE COMPANY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR COST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE THREE OTHER KIA SOULS WITH THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FULLY REPLACED THE ENGINE IN ANOTHER KIA SOUL AT NO CHARGE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINES IN THE OTHER THREE VEHICLES PER THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Engine, Sep 3, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE BURNING FUEL EXCESSIVELY ONCE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND RECEIVED VARIOUS ESTIMATES ON THE REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED KEARNY MESA KIA (7303 CLAIREMONT MESA BLVD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111, 858-223-3131), BUT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.