2020 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 381 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 9 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 6 people were injured and 8 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineApr 13, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
Campaign 21V259000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
381 reports, newest first.
Power train, May 17, 2021
Purchased car on 7/16/19 with 13 miles. On 1/26/20 the car had 6,764 miles when the car started to appear as though it was in neutral while driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour. Even when giving it gas the RPM would increase and engine sounded revved up but transmission was not working. Then it would sporadically kick in enough that I put my 4 ways on, got off the interstate (81) and limped that car home because the car would not go more that 20 MPH once it came to a full stop, it couldn't even make it up the very small grade to get onto my driveway. Called KIA roadside and it was towed to the dealer, Fred Beans Mechanicsburg PA. Told it needed a new transmission, got car back a month later 2/25/20. On 4/19/21, car has 14,953 miles and the same exact thing happens, I'm on Interstate 83 and the car starts lunging, going in and out of neutral. Once at a full stop car would limp along till reaching a total MPH of 20. Car was towed to Fred Beans KIA, Mechanicsburg PA and yes the transmission again. Dealer said transmission was replaced , this time it took 2 weeks, got the car back on 5/1/21. I asked why does this keep happening and the dealership refused to provide any information, shrugged their shoulders. The attendant at the service counter just kept saying I just work here and don't know anything about the cars! Very scary situation, I or anyone driving with this problem could cause a terrible accident and even a fatal accident. The first time this happened could have been manufacture defect but the second time creates a question as to the potential harm this vehicle can cause to all drivers. No explanation and no trust in this car's dependability. I am not able to financially unload this car at this time. Worst car I have ever purchased and I have purchased many brand new cars but first and last time for KIA.
Steering, May 10, 2021
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE KEY AROUND. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JAMMED. IT TOOK ME OVER 1 HRS TO FINALLY UNNAMED THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE.
Power train, Forward collision avoidance, May 3, 2021
WE PURCHASED A 2020 KIA SOUL IN JANUARY 2020, WITH 11 MILES ON IT. EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS, UNTIL ONE DAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND SHE ALMOST WRECKED, THANKFULLY SHE JERKED THE WHEEL HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK IT LOOSE, BUT IN DOING SO THE SPEEDO CLUSTER GLAD SHATTERED. IT WAS FIXED BUT THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO BLAME US SAYING SOMEONE HAD TO OF PUNCHED IT. BUT WHEN LOOKING AT THE GLASS CLUSTER IT'S OBVIOUS THAT NOT EVEN A BABY'S HAND COULD FIT DOWN INTO THE CLUSTER TO HIT THE GLASS. THEN AT 20K MILES ALMOST EXACTLY, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF IT, TOOK ABOUT 2 WEEKS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT STARTED REVVING UP AND WOULD JERK LIKE IT WAS BEING DOWN SHIFTED WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. SINCE THEN WE'VE PUT ABOUT 9K MILES ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION AND IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS 2 RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, ONE WAS FOR AN ELECTRONIC UPDATE, THE OTHER WAS FOR THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY RECALLS POSTED, THIS IS THE WORST NEW CAR I'VE EVER OWNED
Other or unspecified, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, May 2, 2021
STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT, LIGHT TURNED GREEN. PRESSED GAS AND DASHBOARD SYMBOLS CAME ON AND CAR DIED. TRIED STARTING AGAIN AND IT WAS DEAD. PUSHED IT TO PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO JUMP IT. DIDNT JUMP.. PUSHED TO AUTO ZONE. TESTED BATTERY IT WAS AT 10%. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A BATTERY. USED A JUMP BOX AND CAR STARTED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME.
Engine, Apr 28, 2021
IN MAY 2020, FOUR MONTHS AFTER LEASING NEW CAR, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING IT (WHEEL LOCKED AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN). LUCKILY ONLY ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND NOT HIGHWAY. CAR MADE SLIGHT ENGINE SOUNDS, BUT NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS INDICATORS AT ALL AT ANY POINT.. MANAGED TO DRIVE CAR 10 MINUTES HOME (IT STALLED AGAIN). TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP. ENGINE (ONE CYLINDER) HAD TO BE REPLACED WAS TOLD PUT TOGETHER INCORRECTLY AT FACTORY, AND THAT OIL WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY USED UP, ENGINE COULD HAVE EXPLODED. CONFIRMED COULD HAVE STALLED ON HIGHWAY. REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. ASSURED TRANSMISSION FINE AND SAFE TO DRIVE. REPORTED TO KIA CORPORATE RIGHT AWAY AND ASKED THAT CONVERSATION BE RECORDED.. IN APRIL 2021 LEARN OF RECALL FOR SOUL THAT SEEMS TO DESCRIBE THE SAME ISSUE. WENT IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTANENCE, TOLD THAT IT WAS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM AND A DIFFERENT MODEL.
Engine, Apr 24, 2021
THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND THE ENGINE RE-STARTED. THE CAR HAD 6,595 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND THE FIRST SERVICE WAS DUE AT 7,500 MILES. AFTER THIS STALLING INCIDENT, IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN, EVERY TIME I HAD TO STOP AFTER THAT, AT A LIGHT OR INTERSECTION, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE NEXT DAY, DRIVING AT 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET, LOUD RATTLING AND METALLIC SOUNDS CAME FROM THE ENGINE. I CHECKED THE OIL. THERE WAS NO TRACE OF OIL ON THE DIPSTICK. I PUT IN 2 QUARTS OF OIL, AND THE DIPSTICK SHOWED THE SUMP WAS NOW FULL. I CHECKED THE TAILPIPE AND FOUND A CARBON DEPOSIT ON THE INSIDE, INDICATING THE BURNING OF OIL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT - KIRBY KIA IN VENTURA CA - AND THEY DIAGNOSED A SEVERE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WITH EVIDENCE OF METAL SHAVINGS AFTER REMOVING THE VALVE COVER, AND IN THE OIL FILTER. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THEY PROVIDED ME WITH A COMPLIMENTARY RENTAL CAR FOR 10 DAYS, THEN A LOANER, AND RETURNED MY VEHICLE TO ME AFTER 21 DAYS. IN THE PAPERWORK THEY GAVE ME ON RETURNING MY VEHICLE IT STATES THEY INSTALLED A REMANUFACTURED LONG BLOCK ENGINE AND INTAKE MANIFOLD. AT NO POINT IN THIS WHOLE PROCEDURE WAS I ASKED TO CONSENT TO THE ENGINE BEING REPLACED, AND I SIGNED NO DOCUMENT AUTHORIZING THIS TO BE DONE. AT THE END, I WROTE THAT MY SIGNATURE ONLY INDICATED MY CAR HAD BEEN RETURNED TO ME. NO APOLOGY WAS EXPRESSED TO ME BY KIA FOR THE MAJOR INCONVENIENCE THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE IN THIS NEW CAR HAD CAUSED ME, EXCEPT WHEN I INFORMED THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DEALERSHIP OF THIS FACT, THEY CALLED ME TO EXPRESS REGRET.
Power train, Apr 23, 2021
ON MARCH 2ND. WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2020 KIA SOUL S. WE WERE DRIVING ON I95NORTH. THE RPM'S KEPT PULSING, WE TOOK THE CAR OFF OF CRUISE AND IT SEEMED BETTER FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER THE FEW MINUTES THE PULSING RETURNED, GIVING IT THE GAS THE RPM'S WENT UP BUT OUR SPEED WAS SLOWING. WE GOT IN THE INSIDE LANE PLANNING ON GETTING OFF THE NEXT EXIT. THE ENGINE STARTED RACING WITH NO CHANGE IN OUR SPEED. WE GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT STATE ROAD 527 IN SOUTH CAROLINA. WE HAD TO PRACTICALLY FLOOR IT TO GET OFF THE ROAD. WE PULL TO THE SIDE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CAR AT THIS POINT HAD 8006 MILES ON IT. WE COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR AT ALL AT THIS POINT. IT TOOK A FEW HOURS, BUT THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSET DEALER, IN FLORENCE SC. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM, THE DEALER CALLED TO LET US KNOW THAT KIA HAD APPROVED SUBSTITUTE TRANSPORTATION. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE DEALER PICKED US UP AND DROVE US TO GET A VEHICLE. WE UNLOADED MOST OF OUR BELONGINGS FROM OUR CAR TO THE RENTAL AND CONTINUED OUR DELAYED JOURNEY TO MASSACHUSETTS. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TWICE, AND LEFT MESSAGES. AFTER THE SECOND CALL, I DID GET A CALL BACK. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WAS ON BACKORDER AND SHOULD BE DELIVERED MAY 11TH. AFTER READING MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THIS SITE, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE AND IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM NOW SEEING THAT THE 2020 SOUL HAS AN ENGINE RECALL. OBVIOUSLY THESE VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS.
Engine, Apr 22, 2021
ENGINE EXPERIENCED TOTAL FAILURE AT 14,510 MILES. KIA KEPT VEHICLE OVER 60 DAYS AND RETURNED VEHICLE TO ME WITH FURTHER DAMAGE TO BODY
Engine, Apr 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DANBURY KIA (100A FEDERAL RD, DANBURY, CT 06810, (203) 730-5737) AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,706.
Power train, Apr 14, 2021
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW THEY HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN THEY ARE SAYING . THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE RPMS WENT THROUGH THE ROOF AND THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED TO DIE .
Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2021
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC START STOP START IS ON WHEN I STOP AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS IT SHOULD, WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE IT MAKES A WHINING NOISE FOR A FEW SECONDS. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN GOING UP MY DRIVEWAY. HAVE READ THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN A LOT OF PEOPLE'S 2020 KIA SOUL'S AND NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW OR HAVE A FIX.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 6, 2021
BOUGHT BRAND NEW. AT 32K MILES (4MONTHS AFTER 30KTUNE UP) ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO EARNHARDT KIA IN PHX. WHO INITIALLY STATED THERE WAS 'SOMETHING BROKEN IN THE TRANSMISSION' AFTER A FEW HOURS THEY THEN STATED THE CAR HAD 'INTERNALLY OVERHEATED AND THERE WAS COMBUSTIBLE GASES IN THE RADIATOR. THE THERMOSTAT NEVER INDICATED OVERHEATING. COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS BONE DRY (AFTER FILLING IT THE DAY BEFORE). AFTER 31 DAYS AT KIA A NEW HEAD GASKET WAS PUT ON.. THOUGH I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS GETTING A NEW ENGINE. I ASKED THE DEALER ON EACH CALL... WHAT ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION WHEREAS I WAS TOLD KOA WOULD MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WOULD BE FIXED BEFORE RETURNED. CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON 2/21. ON 4/1 AFTER DRIVING 380(+/-) MILES FROM PHX TO SAN DIEGO TO SEE MY MARINE DEPLOY, THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE, RPMS SKYROCKETED AND CAR BARELY MADE IT UP HILL. SURGING CONTINUED, UNTIL IT BEGAN TO SLIP AND I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. CAR TOWED TO ESCONDIDO KIA WHO KINDLY GAVE ME A LOANER. NOW BACK IN AZ, I AM TOLD THAT WHEN IT'S FIXED, TRANSPORT TO ME IS UNLIKELY AND IF APPROVED KIA DOES NOT GUARANTEE AGAINST ANY DAMAGE DURING TRANSPORT. ITS A NEW CAR! DUE TO MEDICAL NEEDS HERE, DRIVING 6.5 HOURS THERE AND THEN BACK JUST ISN'T FEASIBLE. KIA DOESNT CARE. I WILL BE OUT OF THIS CAR ASAP AND YOU CAN BET MY NEXT WILL NOT BE A KILLER KIA!
Engine, Mar 31, 2021
BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST OF 2019 WHEN THE 2020 MODEL WAS FIRST RELEASED. AROUND 20,000 MILES STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A HEAVY STUTTER IN THE ENGINE AT LOW RPMS. EVENTUALLY IT PROGRESSED OVER ABOUT A WEEK, AND THE CAR WOULD DIE AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN. WHEN PARKED IT DIES AT RANDOM, YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL THE ENGINE STRUGGLE. IF YOU WATCH THE RPMS YOU CAN SEE IT VISIBLY FLUCTUATING, BETWEEN ABOUT 500 AND 800 RPM'S THEN AT RANDOM IT WILL BOG HARD AND DIE. IF YOU KICK ON THE A/C WHILE STOPPED, YOU CAN WATCH IT BOG, WHICH ABOUT 100-200 RPMS IS NORMAL THEN IT SHOULD IDLE UP AGAIN. HOWEVER IT BOGS ABOUT 500 RPMS AND WILL SOMETIMES DIE. I WANTED THE ALTERNATOR, AND COMPRESSOR CHECKED. TOOK IT TO KALIDY KIA IN EDMOND OKLAHOMA AND THEY TOLD ME MULTIPLE TIMES THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT OR THAT THE INTAKE VALVE WAS DIRTY, WHICH AT 20,000 MILES IS RIDICULOUS. TOLD ME I WAS USING BAD GAS, AND STILL TO THIS DAY WON'T LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM EVEN UNDER WARRANTY. NO TELLING WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
Steering, Mar 31, 2021
THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY KIA SOUL 2020 HAMMER. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AS THE STEERING WHEN BECAME STUCK..JAMMED. CALLED A TOWN TRUCK TO TOWED INTO THE KIA DEALER FOR REPAIRS.
Power train, Mar 31, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO 'SURGE,' THE RPM VARYING ERRATICALLY BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM. WE GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT'WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED BUT THE CAR REMAINED STATIONARY. FINALLY, WITH THE RPM AT ABOUT 4000, WE WERE ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE INTO A PARKING LOT. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE GOT A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPT ANALYZED THE PROBLEM, AND SAID WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE NEW 'SOFT' DATE TO RECEIVE THE TRANSMISSION IS 13 APR, ALMOST SIX WEEKS AFTER THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2 MAR. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON IT.
Power train, Mar 29, 2021
I OWN A 2020 KIA SOUL, IT HAS ~2300 MILES AND I HAD IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, I HAD IT FLOORED AND GOT UP TO MAYBE 50 MPH, LUCKILY IT WAS RUSH HOUR AND TRAFFIC WAS CRAWLING OTHERWISE I WOULD'VE BEEN RUN OVER. L WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I RAN ERROR CODES AND THERE WERE TWO RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. KIA'S HAD THE CAR SINCE MARCH 3RD, THEY PROVIDED A RENTAL WHICH IS NICE. I'M TOLD THERE ARE 4 - 5 OTHER KIA'S THERE THAT NEED NEW TRANSMISSIONS. I WISH I COULD JUST GET OUT OF THE CAR NOW.
Engine, Mar 29, 2021
THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME UP AND THE 2020 KIA SOUL LOST POWER. CAR TOP SPEED WAS 8 MPH. DEALER CHARGED ME $137 FOR REPAIRS.
Exterior lighting, Mar 29, 2021
MY KIA 2020 SOUL, THE PARKING LIGHTS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE REAR LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. LIGHTS BULB WERE OUT.
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 29, 2021
MY KIA SOUL 2020, THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME UP, THE PARKING LIGHTS, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHTS, THE REAR BACK RIGHT SIGNAL LIGHTS, THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THE BREAKS SYSTEM ALL OF THEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS.
Engine, Mar 23, 2021
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A KIA DEALER IN JUNE OF 2020. IN MARCH OF 2021, WITH ABOUT 12,300 MILES THE FOLLOWING HAPPENED. WAS DRIVING THE CAR NOT ON THE FREEWAY AND THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED, NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE EVER DISPLAYED. ONCE THE CAR STOPPED, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT RESTARTED AND MOVED IT A VERY SHORT DISTANCE WHERE I PARKED IT. AFTER THE RESTART, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CAR STOPPED AGAIN, WHEN RESTARTED, JUST THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED KIA ROAD ASSISTANCE AND IT WAS TOWED TO A KIA DEALER. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER TODAY THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE WHICH WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. EXPECTED REPAIR TIME IS AT LEAST THREE WEEKS AS THE ENGINE HAS TO BE SPECIAL ORDERED. I REITERATE THAT NOT ONLY DID NO WARNING LIGHTS EVER CAME ON UNTIL THE INCIDENT I DESCRIBED. KIA'S UVO ALSO SENT ME REGULAR EMAILS TELLING THE THE CARS HEALTH WAS PERFECT! THE WAY THAT THE CAR JUST STOPPED AND DIED WHILE DRIVING COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS IF I WAS NOT ON A STREET WITH A LOW SPEED LIMIT.
Power train, Mar 10, 2021
PURCHASED A 2020 KIA SOUL JAN 2020. 2/15/21 I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT HIT THE GAS AND REALIZE THERE'S NO POWER. HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. GO TO DEALERSHIP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON THE WHOLE TIME. THEY TELL ME THE WHOLE OF KIA'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS ARE DOWN AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY CAN LOOK AT MY CAR. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LOANER AND I HAD TO RENT A CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THEY TELL ME THE MECHANIC SCANNED THE CAR AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NO LONGER ON. I'M OUT $125 FOR THE RENTAL CAR. I PICK UP THE CAR. 3/3/21 I'M ABOUT TO DRIVE ONTO THE FREEWAY. I COME TO A STOP BEFORE ENTERING THE SLIP ROAD AND THE ENGINE TURNS OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE AND AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE GUY TELLS ME HE CAN'T LOOK AT IT TILL TOMORROW. I SAID I'M NOT GETTING ANOTHER RENTAL AND THEN HAVE YOU TELL ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT TOMORROW, SO HE TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO HOOKED IT UP.TO A DEVICE. HE CAME BACK AND SAID IT HAD SHOWN THAT IT NEEDS A NEW PCM. I ASKED WHAT THAT WAS AND HE SAID IT'S BASICALLY THE BRAIN OF THE COMPUTER. (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) THE CAR'S BEEN IN THE SHOP SIX DAYS NOW, THE DEALERSHIP IS PAYING FOR THE RENTAL. THE ODOMETER READS 8900 MILES.
Engine, Mar 10, 2021, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (LIFETIME KIA 4170 US-64, MURPHY, NC 28906;(828) 835-9200) WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT HAD FAILED HOWEVER NO REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THAT WHILE THEIR SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHEN THEY HEARD A POP NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN LOSS ALL POWER AND A NEARBY DRIVER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE DRIVER COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE THEN BEGAN TO GROW FAIRLY QUICKLY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT OUT THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAD SPOKEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. *DT
Power train, Mar 9, 2021
WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE RPMS ON THE VEHICLE STARTED RANDOMLY FLUCTUATING. THE ISSUE GOT WORSE AND THEY BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 7 AND 8 ALONG WITH ENGINE REVVING. THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OFF OF AN EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY COME TO A STOP TO CALL A DEALERSHIP TO ASK IF IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT AS LONG AS THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WASN'T FLASHING, I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. I GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE ISSUE WAS EVEN WORSE, ENGINE REVVING, RPMS FLUCTUATING CHAOTICALLY. I THEN COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. I PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WAS THANKFULLY ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE BEFORE STOPPING. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO WHERE I LIVE, 95 MILES AWAY. IT HAS BEEN AT THE GOSSETT KIA DEALERSHIP IN MEMPHIS, TN SINCE SATURDAY AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. I AM AFRAID IT WILL BE COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A MAJOR TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 5,000 MILES.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2021
2 TRANSMISSION FAILS IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS. WHEN RUNNING, IT EFFECTS THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER IN DAILY DRIVING ROUTINE.
Power train, Mar 1, 2021
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CREATING A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE ENGINE REVVING UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS THE TIRES WERE SPINNING ON BLACK ICE OR A FROZEN FROST ON THE PAVEMENT. NOPE, IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN ON VERY DRY SECTIONS OF THE HIGHWAY. MAYBE IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SURGE. NOPE, IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AFTER TURNING IT OFF. THE CAR BEGAN SLOWING ON A LONG UPHILL GRADE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING "A PROBLEM HAS BEEN DETECTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT" WAS DISPLAYED. I PULLED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR - REVERSE, DRIVE, OR MANUAL SHIFT MODE GEARS 1, 2, 3, AND 4 - NOTHING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. SAME RESULTS. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF DOING THIS, THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED INTO AN UNDER-POWERED GEAR AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE IN THE EMERGENCY LANE A MILE TO THE NEXT EXIT. IT HAD A LIGHTED INTERSECTION AT THE END OF IT AND I HAD TO COME TO A STOP. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE AGAIN. I ENDED UP BLOCKING THE RAMP AS I SAT THERE FOR AN HOUR TRYING TO GET THE CAR MOBILE AGAIN. I WAS AFRAID THAT I WAS GOING TO GET REAR-ENDED. EVENTUALLY IT RE-ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A SAFE PARKING AREA OUT OF TRAFFIC AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. KIA IS GOING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT I WILL NOT TRUST THE RELIABILITY OF IT ONCE I HAVE THE VEHICLE BACK. I'M VERY WORRIED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOW VERY UNSAFE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT FAILED AGAIN LATE AT NIGHT IN AN UNPOPULATED AREA WITH NO CELL SERVICE DURING A BLIZZARD AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING? THIS IS CREATING A POTENTIALLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED.