NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Kia Soul. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated there was an abnormal fuel odor inside of the vehicle. Additionally, the brake lights were inoperable prior to replacing the rear taillight housings. After replacing the brake lamp housings, the contact became aware that the brake lamps remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the abs module failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was warned that the vehicle was at risk of catching on fire. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was smoking, and the wires were melting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not covered by recall or warranty. The approximate failure mileage 109,000.
WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR, IT STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, ETC., GEARED IN DRIVE AND LOW IDLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN RESTARTED IT PROCEEDS AT A SLOW CRAWL AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE OR WILL ACCELERATE NORMALLY IN 15 TO 30 SECONDS. HAD OIL, OIL FILTER AND ENGINE AIR FILTER REPLACED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT STALLS. AFTER SIX TIMES OF DYING AND NOT ACCELERATING, IT IS NOW PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND FEAR IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN ONE WEEK WITH NO PRIOR OPERATION ISSUES. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS BUT NO RESOLVES, JUST ASTRONOMICAL REPAIR BILLS WITH NO FIXES AND NO HELP FROM KIA, DEALERSHIPS OR THE GOVERNMENT.
IN 2018 I KNOWN MY 2012 SOUL 1.6L CONSUME TOO MUCH ENGINE OIL ABOUT 1QT FOR 1,000 MILES. I TOLD IT THE KIA ENGINEER. BUT THE ENGINEER SAID, IT IS CAUSED BY MILEAGE OVER 140,000. I HAD ADDED ENGINE OIL PRETTY OFTEN. I VISITED THE KIA A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER FOR ENGINE STALLING AND AND EXTRA OIL CONSUMING. I ASKED FOR RECALL 19V120000. BUT THEY SAID IT IS NOT FOR MY CAR. THEY TOLD OTHER REPAIR ABOUT $ 400 INSTEAD.
THE ENGINE MADE A POPPING SOUND AND BURST INTO FLAMES.
CLUNKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN TURNING RIGHT AND LEFT. FEELS LOOSE. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY.
While attempting to accelerate on the interstate (around 70 mph),car would not accelerate engine began to knock. No warning lights were illuminated. Took the vehicle to a local automotive repair and was informed that it had completely burned through the oil and the engine would need to be replaced. This would be the 2nd Engine I replaced Engine 2 years ago.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the contact was advised by the dealer that her vehicle could not be repaired at the moment. The contact stated that she had been waiting to receive an appointment date to have the vehicle repaired for over a year. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
UPON MY LAST SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME MY OIL WAS LOW. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER HAVING TO ADD OIL. I CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE ISSUE. LAST WEEK WE DROVE THE CAR APPROX 50 MILES HOME. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE IS GONE. THE CAR HAS 97,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED MYSELF FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS USING SYNTHETIC OIL.
I purchased the 2012 Kia Soul on 12-18-20 and I had vehicle less than a week and it was losing power so I parked it until I could get it looked at on approx 02-03-21 the engine was disassembled by mechanic and found catalytic converter stopped up and piston failure after that time I found out about recall we contacted Kia about issue and was told they would not look at it because it is not driveable to take to Kia and they would not honor recall because cop ecu was not updated well engine already failed so we couldn't drive it there and recall said they would inspect vehicle and repair up to changing engine if necessary but they wouldn't even look at this one because engine had already failed and my vin number is under recall. I don't think this is right.
TRIED STARTING THE CAR ONE MORNING AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS BLACK. NO READINGS FOR ANY OF THE GAUGES AND SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. CAR WAS DRIVABLE AFTER RELEASING THE GEAR WITH THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE, BUT NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WORKING. COULDN'T SEE ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, HEAT GAUGE BECAUSE IT WASN'T MOVING OR LIT UP.
ON NOV 30TH 2020 MY 2012 KIA SOUL BROKE DOWN AT ABOUT 8:00 PM ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY HEADED SOUTH ON 16 TOWARDS TACOMA. I HAD TO HAVE AAA TOW IT TO MY EX HUSBAND'S HOUSE. IM NOT FAMILIAR WITH CARS BUT HAD JUST PUT OIL IN IT AND GET REGULAR CHECK UPS BUT TO ME IT SOUNDED LIKE MY ENGINE BLEW. I COULD BARELY GET OFF THE HIGHWAY ENOUGH SO I WASN'T HIT BY PASSING TRUCKS. I WASN'T TURNING BUT I WAS GOING 60 MPH WHICH WAS THE SPEED LIMIT. I HAVR DOCUMENTATION OF AAA PICKING IT UP BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I'VE BEEN FINDING RIDES TO WORK SINCE THIS HAPPENED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMAL TICKING SOUND WITHOUT WARNING. AS THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE STALLED ALSO WITHOUT WARNING. UPON RESTART OF THE ENGINE, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS ALERTED BY A FELLOW MOTORIST THAT HER VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE(FIRE ORIGIN UNKNOWN). THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE CONTACT'S MOTHER BELIEVED THAT A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED BUT WAS NOT CERTAIN; NO INJURIES WERE SUFFERED DUE TO THE FIRE. DUE TO THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AT THE SCENE AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOW YARD. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.
MY 2012 KIA SOUL POWER STEERING IS ALMOST LOCK IT IS VERY HARD TO TURN
MY CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF GAS STATION WON'T CRANK BACK UP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WERNER KIA (2755 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 632-4044) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.*DT*JB
WHILE DRIVING CAR IS RANDOMLY STALLING . VISITED SEVERAL SERVICE INCLUDE KIA SERVICE AS WELL NOBODY KNOWS WHATS WRONG. IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN DURING DRIVING THE CAR JUST STALLS ALL OF THE SUDDEN.
I DISCOVERED THIS RECALL (SC176) (19V120) ONLINE AND WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY THE MANUFACTURE. THE ENGINE THROUGH A PISTON ROD JUST AS THE RECALL STATES THAT COULD HAPPEN AND IT DID. WE REGULARLY CHANGED THE OIL AND KIA IS NOT GOING TO HONOR THIS RECALL.
I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR IN APRIL AND WITH REGISTRATION PAPERS I RECEIVED RECALL PAPERS STATING 2 RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS LEGAL TO SELL VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING IT FIXED.?? NEXT I. TAKE MY VEHICLE TO KIA DEALER ON MONDAY AUGUST 3 TO FIX RECALLS THEY.SAID.NO CODES SHOW.. I DRIVE HOME 45 MINI AWAY. CAR DIES. INEXT MORNING.IT.DIES.AGAIN WONT START.. I LOOKS UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE.IS A.WIRE BURING THROUGH MY FUS BOX WHICH WAS NOT THERE BEFORE AND NOW I HAVE NO.POWER TO MY VEHICLE AND SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT I KNOW THAT WIRE WASN'T THERE BEFORE.
MY 2012 KIA SOUL HAS STARTED TO MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. ON TOP OF THIS THE STEERING HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE WHEN DRIVING. WHILE DRIVING THE WIND BLEW AT THE CAR AND THE STEERING BEING SO LOOSE CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL AND CRASH. LUCKY FOR ME THERE WASN'T ANOTHER CAR AROUND OR IT WOULD HAVE HIT ME HEAD ON. IT'S HARD TO CONTROL IT ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON ALSO NOW. I'M NOT SURE WHY THAT IS HAPPENING. I HOPE IT WORKS IN CASE THIS STEERING ISSUE CAUSES ME TO WRECK. I NEED THE CAR TO DRIVE TO WORK AND DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY DEALERSHIP TO EVEN LOOK AT IT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HAS BECOME VERY NERVE-WRACKING DUE TO STEERING BEING SO LOOSE. I HAVE READ THAT EVERYO E WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON A CURVE AND WHEN MAKING TURNS AND GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.
7/22/20 - CAR DRIVEN TO FIRESTONE STORE #005738, NEWPORT, KY TO PURCHASE 2 NEW TIRES AND AN ENGINE COURTESY CHECK WAS PERFORMED - FIRESTONE ID #7046930 - NO ENGINE LIGHTS, NO SAFETY WARNINGS, MILEAGE 77,071 MILES ON CAR. 7/27/20 - THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE BEING DRIVEN - CAR WAS TOWED TO FIRESTONE, MASON, OH. 7/29/20 - THEY EXAMINED THE CAR, MILEAGE 77,398. THE ENGINE HAD A ROD BLOW THROUGH THE OIL PAN CAUSING ALL OF THE OIL TO DRAIN FROM THE CAR. THEY ALSO RAN A DIAGNOSITC ON THE CAR AND THE MECHANIC GOT A READING OF CODES: P0300 - RANDOM MULTIPLE PISTONS MIS FIRE, P0303 - CYLANDER #3 MIS FIRING. THIS IS SIMILAR TO A CURRENT RECALL ON 2012-2016 KIA SOULS - RECALL #19V120000. [VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.6LGASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION (GDI) ENGINES. HIGH EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURES MAY DAMAGE CALYTIC CONVERTER POSSIBLY RESUTLING IN ABNORMAL ENGINE COMBUSTION AND DAMAGE TO ONE OR MORE OF THE ENGINE'S PISTONS AND POSSIBLE PISTON CONNECTING ROD FAILURE.] PER KIA, CONSEQUENCES OF THIS POSSIBLE CONVERTER FAILURE CAN CAUSE THE ROD TO PUNCTURE THE ENGINE AND CAUSE THE OIL TO DRAIN OUT. WE CHECKED WITH THE RECALL SITE TO VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE VIN# WAS LISTED FOR THE RECALL. THE KIA DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY BECUASE THE P0420 CODE DID NOT DISPLAY. THEY DID NOT VISUALLY INSPECT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR COULD NOT RUN A HEAT TEST ON THE ENGINE SINCE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THIS VEHICLE BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE RECALL BECUASE WHAT HAPPEND TO OUR VEHICLE IS THE SAME AS WHAT HAPPENS TO VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
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
REFRIGERANT OIL LEAKING FROM AC COMPRESSOR
BLUE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE WHEN CAR IS IN USE.
CLUNKING WHEN TURNING, NOW THE STEERING COLUMN IS LOOSE
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.
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 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
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
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.
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE DETECTED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
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.
MY CAR IS STALLING A LOT I CHANGE THE FUEL INJECTORS AND IT KEEPS STALLING OUT.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED THE EMISSIONS TEST DUE TO THE WARNING LIGHT BEING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL CAP WAS REPLACED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS NO LONGER DISPLAYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
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
CAR IS IN P AS RK. CAR IS NOT MOVING. CAR IS NOT ALREADY STARTED. OFTEN THE CAR WON'T START. INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON WHEN KEY IS PLACED IN IGNITION, BUT WONT TURN OVER. YOU HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SHIFTER OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WILL EVENTUALLY START. CAR GURUS HAS OVER 150 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. IT APPEARS IT'S A COIL OF SOME TYPE. MULTIPLE VEHICLES VARIOUS YEARS. HE DEALERSHIPS OFTEN JUST RECOMMEND REPLACING STARTER OR BATTERY. BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS. IT'S A PRODUCT DEFECT. SHOULD BE A RECALL.
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
I OWN A 2012 KIA SOUL + WITH 39,000 MILES ON IT. I RECENTLY HEARD A CLUNKING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING. RESEARCH SHOWS IT TO BE THE STEERING COUPLER. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THIS COUPLER IN OTHER KIA MODELS BUT NOT THE 2012 KIA SOUL. THE DANGERS OF LOOSING STEERING BECAUSE OF THIS COUPLER ARE THE SAME NO MATTER WHAT VEHICLE YOU ARE DRIVING I THEREFORE CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THE 2012 KIA SOUL AS WELL AS ANY MODELS WITH THIS SAME COUPLER. SEEMS TO ME KIA IS GETTING OFF THE HOOK FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND I HOPE YOU WILL SEE THAT THE DANGERS INVOLVING THE FAILURE OF THIS PART IS SAFETY MATTER THAT DESERVES A RECALL FOR THE 2012 MODEL AS IT HAS FOR OTHER MODELS WITH THE SAME COUPLER.
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with an audible alarm. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently, and the interior lights were independently turning on. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service s Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 $1630. REPLACED CONVERTER IN 4/2018 AND AGAIN IN 3/2019 AT REPUTABLE SHOP. DEALERSHIP IS STATING THE CAR IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL SINCE I AM "OUT OF WARRANTY". CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH P3301 AND P3303 FAILURE. ACCORDING TO RECALL I HAVE A STORED P0420 CODE AND ACTIVE P300X CODES. THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE SHORT BLOCK ACCORDING TO THE RECALL DOCUMENTS. DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO ISSUE A TECH LINE AND HONOR RECALL. NOHERE ON THE PAPERWORK DOES IT STATE THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE IN "WARRANTY"- IF THAT WAS THE CASE WHY DID THEY INFORM ME IN 9/2019 THERE WAS A RECALL AND MY COMPUTER SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED.- I WOULD BE OUT OF "WARRANTY" NOWHERE ON THE RECALL PAPERWORK KIA FILED DOES IT STATE THAT ONLY KIA CAN REPLACE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. VERY FRUSTRATING THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT CONSUMER DRIVEN. I HAVE ESCALATED THIS TO KIA CORPORATE AND AM WAITING FOR THEIR RESPONSE TO SEE IF THEY WILL HONOR THEIR RECALL.
BOUGHT A 2012 KIA SOUL FROM GRAHAM'S DEALERSHIP IN ONTARIO, OHIO IN 2016, I STARTED GETTING A KNOCKING SOUND FROM MY MOTOR ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO AND TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT FOR A RECALLAND SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUES AND GAVE ME A TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE WHICH HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT I ASKED. THE SYSTEMS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AS I WAS BUYING FOUR QUARTS A WEEK FOR A 1.7 LITER ENGINE SO I GOT IT IN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE MOTOR WAS BAD ENOUGH FOR THEM TO BELIEVE CONSIDERING IT IS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE SOUNDING SO GRAHAM'S CALLS KIA AND THEY SAY THEY'D REPLACE IT WITH A NEW MOTOR (THIS WAS SAID ON 12/11/20). BRIAN AT GRAHAM'S AUTO MALL SAID HE WOULD CALL IN THE MORNING WITH THE DATE FOR IT TO BE REPLACED. I GET THE CALL THE NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT GOING TO DO THE RECALL EVEN THO I WAS TOLD IT WAS GOING TO BE DONE AND THAN CHANGED THE NEXT DAY. BRIAN SAID THEY'RE WAS BASICALLY NOTHING TO BE DONE WHICH I BELIEVE IS A COMPLETE LIE. I'VE BEEN A LOYAL CUSTOMER PAYING OVER 16,000$ 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
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.
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.
CLUNKING NOISE IN STEERING COLUMN. FAILURE OF STEERING COUPLING
2012 KIA SOUL NOW MAKING A CLUNKING, CLICKING OR POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT WITH SLIGHT PLAY IN THE WHEEL. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE WHAT IT COULD BE I HAVE DISCOVERED COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE WEB OF THE SAME ISSUE. PEOPLE BEING TOLD BY MECHANICS IF NOT FIXED IT MAY CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO STEERING FAILURE, BUT THAT KIA REFUSES TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR RECALL THESE VEHICLES DESPITE BEING AWARE OF THE ISSUE FOR YEARS NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED AND THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY REDUCED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER TROPHY KIA OF CARSON LOCATED AT 22020 RECREATION RD, CARSON, CA 90745, WHO RESET THE ENGINE SOFTWARE BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE ENGINE LATER EXPERIENCED A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.