2016 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 821 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 29 involved a crash and 35 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
SteeringSep 29, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
Campaign 17V608000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
821 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Feb 20, 2021
AFTER THE RECENT RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE'S COMPUTER ISSUE, I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE REPAIR. MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN USED MUCH THIS WINTER DUE TO COVID-19. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS RECENTLY TURNED ON WITH CODE PO50A (COLD START IDLE AIR CONTROL). THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR MANY AFTER THE RECALL. KIA SAYS THAT THE RECALL TRIGGERED THIS FAULTY ENGINE LIGHT AND IT WON'T TURN OFF.
Engine, Feb 12, 2021, fire
DRIVING TO WORK AT 60 MPH CAR FELT LIKE CAT CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND BY THE TIME I PUT MY CAR IN PARK SMOKE WAS BILLOWING OUT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH IN 5 MINS FRONT OF MY CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED
Engine, Feb 7, 2021
WHILE DRIVING SOMETIME THE CAR SEEM TO LOSE SPEED AND AFTER A WHILE IT'S PICKS BACK UP.. MY ENGINE LIGHT COME ON SOMETIME.. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP IT READS A CODE OF 420 CATALYTIC CONVERTER.. IT'S HAVE DECREASE IN SPEED..
Engine, Feb 3, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER STEVE LANDERS KIA (201 COLONEL GLENN PLAZA LOOP, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72210, (501) 404-4268) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD GET IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
Engine, Feb 3, 2021
THREW ROD THREW ENGINE WAS DRIVING PULLED OUT OF PARKING POP NOISE OIL ANTIFREEZE EVERYWHERE
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 3, 2021
IN AUGUST OF 2020 CAR WAS NOT WANTING TO ACCELERATE, WHEN MAKING A TURN VEHICLE WOULD START GOING AND THEN LOSE MOMENTUM FOLLOWED BY A RAPID TAKE OFF IN DECEMBER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE TO TRIGGER A LIMP MODE PER KIA, AT THIS TIME ADVISED THEM OF THE CAR BURNING 2-3 QUARTS OF OIL IN BETWEEN 3000 MILE OIL CHANGES. JANUARY 28TH 2021 WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT COMPLETELY OFF. VEHICLE CAME ON AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND ADVISED THERE WAS A POSSIBLE ENGINE CONDITION AND TO CONTACT KIA. VEHICLE CAME BACK ON AND WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP STATED THERE WERE NO CODES AND AFTER REACHING OUT TO KIA THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED WITH NO CHANGES.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2021
THE UVO SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES THE BACKUP CAMERA HAS FAILED. KIA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPLACE AS A SAFETY ITEM AT NO CHARGE, JUST LIKE TESLA IS REQUIRED TO DO FOR THEIR FAILED SCREENS.
Engine, Feb 2, 2021
ENGINE NOISE.USES 1 QUART OF OIL EVERY 1000 MILES
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 1, 2021
AS I WAS PULLING OUT TO GO TO WORK,I NOTICED THE RPM INDICATOR WENT UP TO 51000 RPM.I HAD NOT HAD THIS ISSUE BEFORE.THE CAR ONLY HAD 18000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IT HAS 19500 MILES NOW.I WAS ON THE MAJOR HIGHWAY IN AUSTIN TEXAS AND COULDN'T GO AFTER THAN 50 MPH.I ALMOST GOT HIT DRIVING .IN THE PAST,I HAD MY KIA SPORTAGE REPAIRED WITHOUT ISSUE. I AM GOING TO THE KIA SERVICE CENTER IN THE AM. I WILL EVERYONE KNOW THE OUTCOME
Structure, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 29, 2021, fire
CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED. IT STARTED SMOKING AND SECONDS LATER CAUGHT ON FIRE. MY SON WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, THE CAR STARTED SMOKING, HE TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 26, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V389000 (POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT RECEIVED A COURTESY SERVICE AND SOFTWARE UPDATE. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER AND WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND WAITED FOR APPROXIMATELY TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND FAILED TO EXCEED 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OAKLAND KIA (2500 WEBSTER ST, OAKLAND, CA 94612, (888)871-7024) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 26, 2021
FIRST, A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPS WORKING PROPERLY. IT STARTS TAKING ABOUT 15 MINUTES FOR MY ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE TO SHOW THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP. AFTER ABOUT TWO DAYS THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES OFF BY ITSELF. SO I FINALLY GET AN APPOINTMENT AT THE KIA DEALERSHIP TODAY. THEY SAY THEY NEED TO PUT AN UPDATED PROGRAM INTO MY KIA SOUL'S COMPUTER..THAT SEEMED TO FIX THE ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DRIVE AWAY GO TO A STORE WHEN I COME OUT OF THE STORE AND GET BACK INTO MY CAR AND PULL OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT MY CARS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. I TAKE IT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET THE CODE READ. THIS TIME THE CODE IS P0420. I CALL THE DEALERSHIP 800-995-4203 AND THE SERVICE ASSOCIATE MARTY TELLS ME TO BRING MY KIA SOUL BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. WHEN I GET THERE HE SAYS THEY ARE NOW GOING TO CHARGE ME $109.95 AN HOUR TO DIAGNOSE WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CAR. AT THIS TIME I AM IN THE WAITING ROOM FEELING LIKE I'M BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THESE PEOPLE BUT I HAVE NO OTHER OPTION AND I DON'T HAVE ANYWAY OF KNOWING WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS ACTUALLY WRONG WITH MY CAR. NOT TO MENTION ALL THIS HAPPENS BETWEEN 59000 AND 60000 MILES ON MY CAR AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60000 MILES.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Jan 20, 2021
I STARTED COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE WHEEL DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT IT SEEMS TO BE SPINNING AT A DIFFERENT SPEED AS THE OTHER TIRES WHICH WORE THE TIRES DOWN AND THE THE BRAKES TO WEAR. THE FRONT END SHAKES BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLTS THAT SECURE THE BODY TO THE FRAME. BUT IT ONLY FEELS SOMEWHAT FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TOOK IT TO 3DIFFERENT KIA DEALERS AND ALL HAVE SAID THERE'S NOTHING WRONG AND THERE IS NO SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT SURE DOESN'T FEEL IT. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY JUST WANT TO GET IT PAST THE WARRANTY. THEY INSTALLED NEW SOFTWARE FOR THE ENGINE KNOCK TO MONITOR IT BUT IT SEEMS WORSE SINCE THEY INSTALLED IT. MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S FALLING APART. I EVEN CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THEY GO BY WHAT THE TECHNICIANS SAY, IF THEY SAY THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG THEN THERE MUST NOT BE. I HAVE ALL MY RECORDS.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 17, 2021
WHEN I ACCELERATE MY CAR MAKES A LOUD HUMMING NOISE AND WILL NOT SHIFT - THEN WHEN IT FINALLY DOES SHIFT IT FLUCTUATES SPEED AND DOESN'T MAINTAIN SPEED. IT'S NOT SAFE GETTIN ON THE EXPRESSWAY OR WHEN YOU CHANGE LANES AND TRY TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC AROUND YOU. AT FIRST IT WOULD BE SOMETIMES. NOW IT IS MORE CONSTANT
Engine, Jan 13, 2021
WHILE DRIVING HOME ON US HIGHWAY. SPEED OF 55 MPH POSTED SPEED LIMIT. THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK LOUDLY AND IT LOST POWER. I ALMOST GOT HIT GETTING IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. OIL LIGHT WAS ON. CHECKED THE OIL AND ADDED 3 QUARTS. STARTED ENGINE AGAIN AND OIL LIGHT WENT OUT AND KNOCKING WAS REDUCED. DROVE ANOTHER 4 MILES AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO KNOCK LOUDLY AGAIN AND IT LOST OF POWER AGAIN. BARLEY MADE IT HOME BY COASTING DOWNHILL. RECENT OIL CHANGE AND HAVE MAINT RECORDS. NO LEAKAGE, NO SMOKE FROM TAIL PIPE. OIL PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON UNTIL IT WAS OUT OF OIL. I READ MANY POSTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME EXACT THING AS WHAT HAPPEN TO ME.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 12, 2021
CATALYTIC OVERHEATING, BURNT OUT THE SPARK PLUGS AND HARNESS. CAR LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN ABOUT 20MPH WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. ALL OTHER 2016 KIA SOUL WITH 1.6L I-4 DOHC GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION (GDI) HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THIS SERIES OF VIN SHOULD BE INCLUDED AND COVERED AS WELL. CAN LEAD TO TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT NECESSARY. DEALERSHIP NOW WANTS $2000 TO FIX THIS ISSUE THAT MAY HAVE ALREADY DONE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THIS WOULD LEAVE US FOOTING THE BILL FOR REPLACEMENT ENGINE THAT IS NEEDED LATER BECAUSE OF DAMAGE DONE WHEN MOTOR WAS BURNING GAS TOO HOT. THIS KIA SOUL NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THE RECALL ALREADY IN INSISTENCE.
Engine, Jan 11, 2021
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY VEHICLE BEGAN RATTLING AND STOPPED RUNNING. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY TO ASSESS THE ISSUE AND IT SEEMED AS IF THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A MONTH AND A HALF PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND THE ENGINE OIL WAS FINE AS WELL AS THERE WAS STILL 2,000 MILES TO GO BEFORE THE NEXT OIL CHANGE. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, IT SEEMS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2016 KIA SOULS FOR THE 1.6L ENGINE VERSION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE THE 2.0L ENGINE. MORE INVESTIGATION SHOWS THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD WITH BOTH VERSIONS OF THE 2016 KIA SOUL, BUT THE 2.0L VERSION HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THE KIA RECALL I AM REFERRING TO IS: 19V120000 IN WHICH "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." I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED.
Power train, Jan 2, 2021
LAST YEAR I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO REPROGRAM THE PCM DUE TO THE RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED IN THE MAIL RELATED TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATING ISSUE. EVER SINCE I GOT THAT DONE, I NOW EXPERIENCE VERY HIGH IDLE IN COLD TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SINCE LAST YEAR UNTIL TODAY WHEN IT DROPPED BELOW 50 DEGREES. THE CODE IS P050A AND KIA HAS NO RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.
Power train, Engine, Dec 29, 2020
LAST MONTH I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN ECU UPDATE WHICH KIA IS CALLING A 'PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN' FOR THE CARS COMPUTER SYSTEM TO PUT IT INTO LIMP HOME MODE, NOW A MONTH LATER WHILE ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN I TURNED ONTO A STREET 2 NIGHTS IN A ROW THE OIL LIGHT WAS FLASHING BUT WENT OFF AFTER I MADE IT THROUGH THE TURN, AND I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL THE SECOND NIGHT AND THE DIPSTICK HAD LITTLE TO NO VISIBLE OIL ON IT BUT THE OIL LIGHT STILL DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN DRIVING OR WHEN IDILING ONLY WHEN TURNING WITH MOMENTUM, BUT THE 2.0 ENGINES ARE KNOWN TO DESTROY THEMSELVES DUE TO ROD BERING DAMAGE AND THAT UPDATE THEY DID SERVED TO FIVE AND EARLY ALERT AS TO WHEN IT DETECTS KNOCK BUT THESE ENGINES ARE ALSO KNOWN TO BURN OIL AND THE 2014-2015 MODEL YEARS ARE RECALLED FOR ENGINE FIRES BUT KIA SHOULD RECALL ALL THESE ENGINES SINCE THEY BURN OIL AND ARE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE OIL LIGHT IS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE OIL IS CRITICALLY LOW AND NOW ENGINE DAMAGE MAY ALREADY BE PRESENT ON TOP OF THE KNOWN DEFECT IN THESE ENGINES.
Engine, Dec 27, 2020
MY 2016 KIA SOUL HAS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MALFUNCTION. NO MECHANIC HAS DETERMINED WHAT IS THE CAUSE AND HOW TO CORRECT THIS MATTER. THE CAR HAS PROBLEMS WITH IDLING, AND PERFORMANCE. THE CAR HAS ONLY 37K MILES. AFTER SPENDING OVER $300, I WAS TOLD SORRY WE HAVE NO ANSWER. JUST IGNORE THE PROBLEM. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT CAUSES A FIRE OR BREAKS DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY? THE INTERNET IS INUNDATED WITH THE SAME ISSUE. KIA DEALERSHIPS CAN'T SEE MY CAR, BECAUSE THEY HAVE TOO MANY RECALLED CARS FOR ENGINE FIRES. WHAT IF MY CAR EXPLODES??? CATCHES FIRE? THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I WANT IT RECALLED.
Engine, Dec 22, 2020
2016 KIA SOUL 2.0 ENGINE LOSES POWER INTERMITTING ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTING OIL LIGHT AND POSSIBLY RODS KNOCKING THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING
Engine, Dec 19, 2020
I HAD RECEIVED MY LAST AN OIL CHANGE ON 8/3/2020 AT 78,901 MILES ON 10/20/2020 MY CARS OIL LIGHT TURNED ON WHILE IDLING, I TURNED DOWN MY MUSIC AND HEARD THE ENGINE HAD A SLIGHT RATTLE. I DROVE LESS THAN 6 MILES TRYING TO GET TO THE NEAREST SERVICE LOCATION AND THE ENGINE STALLED CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. UPON INSPECTING THE DIPSTICK IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS LITTLE OIL ON MY DIPSTICK AND I WAS SITTING AT LESS THAN 81,500 MILES. I FILLED THE ENGINE WITH OIL IN HOPES TO GET IT GOING AND IT DID TURN ON BUT WAS MAKING AN EVEN LOUDER RATTLING NOISE. CHECKING THE DIPSTICK AGAIN, PIECES OF METAL COULD BE SEEN IN THE VERY BLACK OIL. THIS IS A SIMILAR COMPLAINT TO OTHER ENGINE RECALLS KIA HAS PUT OUT FOR SIMILAR ENGINES PRODUCED DURING THE SAME TIME FRAME. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP AND NEITHER THEM NOR MY SERVICE AGREEMENT PROVIDER AGREED TO COVER REPAIR COSTS.
Suspension, Air bags, Structure, Dec 16, 2020, crash
THE CRASH AT ABOUT 2:30AM EARLY TUESDAY MORNING ON NOV. 24, 2020, ON HER WAY HOME FROM HER NEARBY 2ND SHIFT JOB, MY WIFE'S 2016 KIA SOL WAS HIT HARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A CAR BEING PURSUED BY POLICE. LUCKILY, AND POSSIBLY BECAUSE MY WIFE IS SHORT AND SITS HIGH, SHE APPEARS UNINJURED ALTHOUGH VISIBLY SHAKEN AND VERY NERVOUS ABOUT NIGHT DRIVING. MY WIFE HAD PULLED HER CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE 4+ LANE ROAD WHEN SHE HEARD SIRENS. WHILE PULLED OVER WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE PERPETRATOR'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PUSHED HER CAR SEVERAL FEET FURTHER TO THE RIGHT, CRUMPLING THE DOORS AND BREAKING OFF THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AND SUSPENSION FROM THE IMPACT. THE POLICE REPORT SHOWED THAT THE PERPETRATOR'S VEHICLE APPROACHED HER CAR FROM THE FRONT LEFT, BUT THE VEHICLE HIT THE VERY SHORT KIA SQUARELY AND ONLY IN THE TWO DRIVER'S SIDE DOORS WITH NO DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OR REAR FENDERS. CLEARLY NOT SIDESWIPED WHERE THE ENTIRE SIDE WOULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. ALLSTATE INSURANCE TOTALED THE CAR AND PHOTOS FROM THE ACCIDENT SCENE AND TOWING YARD ARE ATTACHED, AS IS THE POLICE REPORT. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED! NONE OF THE KIA'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN LATE 2015 AND IT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY SERVICED SINCE THEN AT THE ORIGINAL KIA DEALER. THEY RECENTLY UPDATED THE CAR'S COMPUTER UNDER A KIA RECALL. ON DEC. 4, 2020, I CONTACTED THE KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER (KAYLEE C AT 949-468-4689) AND ASKED WHY THE AIRBAGS FAILED. AFTER LOOKING AT PHOTOS I SENT HER AND FROM THE COPART LOT, SHE QUICKLY SAID THE CAR WAS "SIDESWIPED AND NOT HIT HARD ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS". HER RESPONSE WAS PROTECTING KIA LINE AS ANY REVIEW OF THE PHOTOS SHOWS THAT HE CAR WAS HIT FROM THE SIDE VERY HARD AND NOT SIDESWIPED. I ASK THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS INCIDENT AS IT'S UNLIKELY THAT ONLY MY VEHICLE HAS THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL FLAW.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 14, 2020
WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE CODE THAT POPPED UP WHEN I USED MY READER TO READ THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THAT POPPED UP TWO DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING. IT SAID IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE KIA LADY TOOK MY VIN AND SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS BUT EVERYONE WITH MY CAR WAS CALLING IN ABOUT IT. AND THE PART ITSELF IS 1200 DOLLARS. HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE EXACT SAME THING WHICH ALSO SAYS IT CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL. AS A MOTHER WITH A TODDLER WHO CHOSE THIS CAR BASED ON ITS AFFORDABILITY AND SAFETY FEATURES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ISSUE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. THE CAR IS A 2016 KIA. THERES SHOULD BE NO REASON THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY 3000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A PART THAT EVERYONE'S HAVING TO REPLACE OR YOUR CAR WILL LITERALLY BREAK DOWN FOR GOOD. THE PO50A CODE.
Engine, Dec 10, 2020
KIA ISSUED A RECALL FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE. AFTER HAVING A KIA DEALER INSTALL THE SOFTWARE UPDATE MY 2016 KIA SOUL BEGAN EXPERIENCING ENGINE STALLING. THIS WAS IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS DAMAGED, CAUSING MY ISSUE. THEY ARE ALSO CLAIMING NO ERROR CODES HAVE BEEN DETECTED, EVEN THOUGH MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE. MY ENGINE ALSO HAD A KNOCK BEFORE THE SOFTWARE UPDATED. THE KNOCK OCCURRED DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CHECK FOR ENGINE DAMAGE, EVEN THOUGH THE SOFTWARE RECALL STATES THEY WILL REPAIR ENGINE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAULTY SOFTWARE. THERE ARE ALSO RECALLS ON SIMILAR YEAR KIA SOUL VEHICLES THAT INVOLVE THE FAULTY SOFTWARE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGE. THIS VEHICLE CONDITION IS DANGEROUS AND IS GOING TO GET PEOPLE INJURED OR KILLED.