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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph when the engine began to knock. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing engine replaced but was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that their vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000
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.
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.
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.
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.
I TOOK THE CAR TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL NUMBER 19V120 THEY DID AN EUC UPGRADE IN JUNE 2019. AFTER THAT THE CAR DEVELOPED KNOCKING NOISE FROM ENGINE AND STARTED CONSUMING MORE OIL THEN PREVIOUSLY 1 QT. PER 700 MILES. ON AUGUST 9, 2019 THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER BARELY MAKING IT UP THE HILL AT A STOP IDLE WAS ROUGH ENOUGH TO SHAKE THE CAR. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED NEED NEW ENGINE OIL ON SPARK PLUG 3&4 COMPRESSION ON 3&4 AT 90 AND 70.
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOUD POPPING NOISE IT IS GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY. THE LIGHTS FLICKER WHEN TURNED ON INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE.
CLICKING SOUND HEARD WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL WHETHER I'M DRIVING OR SITTING STILL.
I TOOK IN BECAUSE STEERING TO RIGHT, THERE IS A CLUCKING NOISE COMING FROM STEERING WHEEL, MY MECHANIC CHECKED ON FOUND NOTHING STATED WAS A DEALER RECALL BUT THERE IS ONE FOR KIA 2012 SOUL HOWEVER MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT. THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER VEHICLES.
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.
VEHICLE CUT OFF WHILE AWAITING LIGHT CHANGE. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START VEHICLE, OVER COURSE OF AN HOUR, VEHICLE SPIT OUT CLOUD OF BLACK SMUT BEFORE CUTTING OFF AGAIN.VEHICE WAS TOLLED FOLLOWING DAY. THE NEXT DAY I WAS INFORMED KIA WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS BACKING THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE AT 5 MPH, IT COMPLETELY STALLED AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF ANY WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOLSOM LAKE KIA (12751 FOLSOM BLVD, FOLSOM, CA 95630, (916) 846-9825) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED WITH CASE NUMBER: 13236089. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO COVER $2,000 TOWARDS THE REPAIR, WHICH WOULD MAKE THE CONTACT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REMAINING $3,700. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
I TOOK MY 2012 KIA SOUL INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE TWO RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF. ONE OF THE RECALLS INVOLVED HIGH EXHAUST TEMPERATURES WITHIN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY CAUSE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE TO THE PISTONS AND CONNECTING RODS, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL AND FAILURE. DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE CATALYTIC OVERHEATING PROTECTION ENGINE CONTROL UNIT LOGIC TO PREVENT OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND REPLACE THE CONVERTER IF IT HAS BEEN DAMAGED, ALSO ASSESSING AND REPAIRING RELATED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE AS NEEDED FREE OF CHARGE TO RESOLVE THE CONCERN. THEY DID AN ECU UPGRADE BUT AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL SERVICE THEY NOTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING PRIOR TO SERVICE. THEY DID NOT NOTIFY ME THAT THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING. A WEEK LATER I NOTICED THE ENGINE KNOCKING AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT ADDRESSED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE #2 ROD BEARING WAS BENT AND THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY ENGINE TO THE TUNE OF $5500. THEY STATED THAT THE BENT ROD WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE RECALL DEFECT BUT COULD NOT TELL ME ANY OTHER REASON FOR HOW IT WAS BENT EITHER. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AS PART OF THE RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED BLACK SMOKE EMERGING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ALONG WITH A STRONG BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO KIA OF BEDFORD (18180 ROCKSIDE RD, BEDFORD, OH 44146) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE; HOWEVER, NO CODES APPEARED FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHILE RESEARCHING THE FAILURE ONLINE, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
MY 2012 KIA SOUL'S ENGINE STARTED ON FIRE WITH NO WARNING WHILE MY 19 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING HOME ONLY TWO MILES ON A 35 MPH ROAD! THE FLAMES WHERE SO HOT BUT LUCKILY WE LIVE BY A FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH WAS THERE WITHIN MINUTES AND PUT IT OUT. WAITING ON KIA TO MAKE RIGHT!
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!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BIG RED SPORTS / IMPORTS (418 N INTERSTATE DR, NORMAN, OK 73072, 405-364-4400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT IT NEEDED A PISTON REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S MILEAGE MADE IT INELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE SAME INFORMATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM KIA, RECALL NUMBER 19V120. THE MORITZ DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE COP ECU LOGIC. WITHIN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED AND SAID WE NEED A NEW ENGINE, BUT HAVE REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER RECALL 19V120. WHICH STATES THAT THE ENGINE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER. THE KIA SOUL HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP BEFORE FOR JUST STOPPING IN THE ROAD. PUTTING MY DAUGHTERS IN DANGER EVERY TIME. ANY HELP I CAN GET GETTING THIS RESOLVED WITH KIA WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. I AM NOT SURE HOW MANY CUSTOMERS ARE NOT GETTING THIS RECALL HONORED, BUT KIA SHOULD WANT THEIR CUSTOMERS TO BE SAFE DRIVING THEIR VEHICLES.
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!
CATALYTIC RECALL- HARD TIME ACCELERATING. THE RPM STAYED AT 0 WHILE DRIVING. WENT THROUGH ALMOST AN ENTIRE TANK OF GAS WITHIN 4 HOURS. TOOK TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BUT MY VIN ISN'T ON THE LIST SO THEY WANT ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKED. EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL.
NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ON. AT RANDOM, ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER, BUT DOES NOT QUIT. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, CAR ONLY REACHES APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. OBSERVED TO HAPPEN AFTER TURNING IGNITION KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. HOWEVER, OCCURRENCE IS RANDOM, AND NO ENGINE WARNING CODE IS GIVEN. MECHANICS FIND NOTHING WRONG, DUE TO NO WARNING CODE.
MY CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE COVERED UNDER RECALL 19V120000, HOWEVER IT IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT RECALL NUMBER. HIGH EXHAUST TEMPERATURES WITHIN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY CAUSE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE TO THE PISTONS AND CONNECTING RODS, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL AND FAILURE. THERE IS ENGINE SHAVINGS IN MY OIL AND IT IS MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE. IT IS NO LONGER DRIVEABLE. I TOOK IT INTO KIA SERVICE PREVIOUSLY AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS RELATED TO THE ABOVE CONCERNS,
THIS PROBLEM IS STRANGE. I PURCHASED A USED 2012 KIA SOUL THIS YEAR. I TOOK IT TO HAVE THE 60K MAINTENANCE DONE. THE SERVICE AGENT AT 2 DIFFERENT PLACES VERIFIED AND ENTERED OUR VIN. IT DOESN'T EXIST IN THEIR SYSTEM. AFTER SEARCHING FOR MONTHS FOR SOME TYPE OF HELP WE FOUND THAT THE CAR WAS SOLD IN GUAM. IT IS AN AMERICAN STANDARD VEHICLE. IT WAS VERIFIED BY BOTH SERVICE ASSOCIATES. NOW THIS VEHICLE MAY BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL THAT HAS KILLED PEOPLE. I CAN'T HAVE THE WORK DONE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EXIST IN KIA'S SYSTEM. SO NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. NO ONE AT KIA KNOWS WHAT TO DO. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN DIFFERENT NUMBERS IN MULTIPLE COUNTRIES TO CALL. I CAN'T CALL ANY OF THEM. IT'S NOT AVAILABLE ON MY CARRIER OR ANY OF THE OTHER CARRIERS I'VE TRIED. THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT STAFF HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY MEANINGFUL HELP. WE ARE WORRIED THAT THE CAR WILL CATCH FIRE AT SOME RANDOM POINT. OUR ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES.
WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IT MAKES A POPPING NOISE AND SOMETIMES AS WELL IN OTHER GEARS CONTACTED THE DEALSHIP WHERE I GOT IT FROM IN 6/19 AND HE SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE, I CONTACTED BEFORE MY 30 DAY WARRANTY EXPIRED AS WELL BUT IT IS STILL DOING IT. I NOTICED IT DOING IT A FEW DAYS AFTER I GOT IT. THE NOISE APPEARS AFTER THE AUTO LOCK ,
THE STEERING WHEEL IS SHAKING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE ENGINE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THE ENGINE BURNED OIL CONSTANTLY AT A HIGH RATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BROWNS KIA (9030 LIBERIA AVE, MANASSAS, VA 20110, (703) 331-8080) TO BE DIAGNOSED AND AN UNKNOWN FAILURE CODE APPEARED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
MY CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO BE COVERED UNDER RECALL 19V120000, HOWEVER IT IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT RECALL NUMBER. HIGH EXHAUST TEMPERATURES WITHIN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAY CAUSE INTERNAL ENGINE DAMAGE TO THE PISTONS AND CONNECTING RODS, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE STALL AND FAILURE. MY VEHICLE STALLS WHEN OPERATING, SOMETIMES WHILE STOPPED, SOMETIMES WHILE ACCELERATING. I TOOK IT INTO KIA SERVICE PREVIOUSLY AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS RELATED TO THE ABOVE CONCERNS, BUT AT THE TIME A RECALL WAS NOT KNOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DUTCH MILLER KIA OF WV (335 MACCORKLE AVE, CHARLESTON, WV 25303) TO HAVE IT REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE STILL USED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROADWAY. UPON RAISING THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL EVERYWHERE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND ON THE ROAD SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. CHARLIE'S KIA (LOCATED AT 475 WESTERN AVE, AUGUSTA, ME 04330, (207) 622-6621) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PURCHASED FROM THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
OCCASIONALLY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN ON AND THEN TURN OFF. FOR ONLY A DAY OR TWO, I COULD HEAR A RATTLING SOUND UPON ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE NOISE BECAME MUCH LOUDER, THE ENGINE FAILED AND BEGAN SMOKING. THE CAR BECAME INOPERABLE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO AN AUTO SHOP WHERE THEY SHOWED ME THAT A PISTON ROD HAD PUNCTURED THE CAR'S ENGINE BLOCK. I LEARNED THAT THE CAR HAD BEEN RECALLED UNDER NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 19V120. I FOLLOWED RECALL INSTRUCTIONS AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE CAR. THEY STATED THAT THERE IS NO PROOF THAT THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KEFFER KIA (271 W PLAZA DR, MOORESVILLE, NC 28117 (833) 397-4171) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. *BF *AS
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HOWEVER THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE DETECTED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHICH LED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER TOWED THE VEHICLE TO CASA KIA 1374 GEORGE DIETER DR, EL PASO, TX 79936 (915) 856-2982 WHERE THE CONTACT WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RESULTS FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE RESULTS WAS SENT DIRECTLY TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THE REPAIRS WERE DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 178,000.
I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL REGARDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE REC ALL INDICATED THAT IF YOU HEAR A KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE THE NEEDED TO CHECK ENGINE TO SEE IF IT WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I TOOK VEHICLE TO 2 KIA DEALERSHIPS AND BOTH REFUSED TO LOOK AT ENGINE BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS MAKING KNOCKING NOISE
AFTER WORK ON 4/30/19, I WAS SPEAKING WITH THE PARKING DECK ATTENDANT. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, BUT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT STARTED SHAKING AND SOUNDING ROUGH, AS IF IT WERE STRUGGLING TO STAY ON. I DROVE IT FOR A FEW MILES, BUT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE MORE THAN 35 OR SO MPH. IT WAS SHAKING AND MAKING NOISE THE ENTIRE WAY. I ONLY DROVE ON THE INTERSTATE TO THE NEXT EXIT, SO THAT I COULD FIND AN OPEN PARKING LOT JUST IN CASE IT CUT OFF ON ME. I CALLED AAA AND GOT A TOW HOME DUE TO THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR. THE NEXT MORNING, AAA TOWED ME TO A AAA CAR CARE FACILITY AND I LET THEM DO REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT IGNITION COIL # 4 WAS BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO REPLACE ALL 4 COILS. I ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE BAD ONE, PLUS THE SPARK PLUGS AND AIR & CABIN FILTERS THAT THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED. HE SAID THAT THE OTHER 3 COILS SHOULD BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BEAVERTON KIA (12520 SW CANYON RD, BEAVERTON, OR 97005 (503) 526-2131) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A FRACTURED VALVE IN THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER QUOTED $6,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
MY 2012 KIA SOUL STEERING STARTED TO MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO FELT LOOSE . THE VEHICLE HAS 81,465 MILES ON IT. I FIRST NOTICED IT YESTERDAY. I BROUGHT THE SOUL TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY. THE STEERING COUPLING HAD FAILED (FP# 56315-2K000FFF). COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $432.60 AFTER THE KIA DEALERSHIP APPLIED A 15% COSTCO DISCOUNT. THE PART IS ONLY $7 BUT IT'S THE LABOR THAT INCREASES THE COST OF THE REPAIR. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM TO NHTSA. ANOTHER KIA VEHICLE (I BELIEVE THE OPTIMA) USES THE SAME COUPLER AND THAT VEHICLE HAS A RECALL NOTICE. THE 2012 SOUL USES THE SAME COUPLER AS THE RECALLED VEHICLE BUT DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. ANY 2012 SOUL THAT USES THIS COUPLING SHOULD BE RECALLED. LOSS OF STEERING COULD HAPPEN IF THIS COUPLING FAILS COMPLETELY. THE COUPLING THAT FAILED IN MY 2012 SOUL FELT SOFT AND COULD BE EASILY BE SQUEEZED. THE NEW COUPLING THAT REPLACED IT FELT MUCH HARDER. APPARENTLY, THE NEW COUPLING IS MADE FROM A DIFFERENT MATERIAL. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF THE FAILED COUPLING. THIS COUPLING SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE.
ON APR. 4TH, 2019 MY CAR HAD BROKE DOWN. AFTER GETTING A DIAGNOSTIC THE MECHANIC HAD ADVISED ME THAT THERE IS A HOLE IN MY ENGINE THAT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM OVERHEATING . A WEEK LATER ON APRIL 12, 2019 KIA RECALL NOTICES ON MY VEHICLE. THE LETTER, WHICH I RECEIVED ON APRIL 24, 2019, STATED THAT MY VEHICLE IS HAVING A SAFETY RECALL AS THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS THAT IT IS HAD THE ABNORMAL ENGINE COMBUSTION. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED KIA AND THEY TOWED MY CAR TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. TWO DAYS LATER I WILL SAVE A CALL FROM TODD, THE MECHANIC AT KIA, WHO STATED MY REPAIR HAS BEEN DENIED TO CONTACT CONSUMER AFFAIRS . I SPOKE WITH THEM NUMEROUS TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT MY REPAIR WAS DENIED BECAUSE I HAVE NO WARRANTY ON MY ENGINE. FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, A WARRANTY IS NOT NEEDED ON A SAFETY RECALL AND THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS WHICH THEY SAID THEY CAN DO IT FOR $4100. THIS IS ABSURD. I HAVE BEEN SO INCONVENIENCED AND MISTREATED, ENGINES EXPLODING IS NOT A MINOR PROBLEM WITH A CAR AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO PROVIDE ME A PROPER SOLUTION. TO ME IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE REPAIRS ARE AN OUT OF POCKET COST MEANING NO ONE AT THE COMPANY WILL GET PAID TO REPAIR IT AND THEY ARE GIVING ME THE SHORT END OF THE STICK. THE RECALL LETTER INDICATED IF I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS DE THE RECALL LETTER INDICATED IF I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE ST NO COST TO ME, BUT THEN ASK ME TO PAY $4100. PLEASE HELP ME. ATTACHED I HAVE ATTACHED THE PICTURE OF THE MY ENGINE CLEARLY SHOWN WITH A HOLE IN IT WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING THAT OFTEN HAPPENS TO VEHICLES. I WANT MY RECALL LETTER HONORED ASAP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO AND OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WORSENED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO BILL BRYANT KIA (9039 US-441, LEESBURG, FL 34788), BUT THE CONTACT WAS TOLD TO LEAVE SINCE SHE DID NOT HAVE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.