2018 KIA SOUL Complaints

My 2018 Kia Soul with the 2.0L Nu GDI engine is experiencing severe oil consumption of approximately 1 quart every 300–400 miles. The engine and lubrication system are available for inspection upon request. My check engine light is currently on. The dealer performed several recalls on the vehicle, including PI2107 (KSDS), SC226, and CS2311A, but refused to perform the required oil-consumption test described in TSB ENG 222 (Rev 8). The service technician stated that because the oil-consumption test is “not on the VIN,” they would not perform it under warranty. I was told I could pay $250 out of pocket for the test, but that even if the test confirmed a defect, the dealership would not cover any repairs. I was also told to “run the car until the motor seizes up” before they would help. This instruction is unsafe and contradicts Kia’s own safety systems, including KSDS, which is specifically designed to prevent engine seizure while driving. Driving a vehicle with rapid oil loss until the engine seizes can cause sudden loss of power, loss of steering assist, and a crash hazard. The problem is ongoing and repeatable, but the dealer refused to diagnose it properly. I am reporting this because the dealership refused to perform required safety-related diagnostics and instructed me to operate the vehicle until catastrophic engine failure occurs, creating a significant safety hazard for me and other motorists.

My car was fine one day the next day without warnings was driving on highway and it starting riding sluggish making a rough noise I had pull over to the side of highway turn car off started back up drove home and that was the day my nightmare started. I took my car to the dealership and had a diagnosis performed and they said i need a new engine 8000.00. on 07/25/2024my car was having similar problems the y said it was a knock sensor they fixed that problem. Now I'm02 without transportation. this engine has has a lot of issues. can anybody help with this problem.

My KIA Soul 2018 caught on file while driving. The whole engine was in flames. I didn't want to die because my car has a manufacturing issue that KIA was not aware about. The dealership I've purchased the car from denied to give me a copy of the mechanical inspection done at the dealership Stonebriar Chevrolet in Frisco, TX. The flames started under the car and made its way to the engine, smoke was coming from the AC vents. People were able to put the fire down before it got to the gas tank. Due to the seriousness of the damage, the car stopped working and we left it on the side of the road.

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from underneath the hood. The check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a blown engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

The engine seized up at 165,000 miles. According to one [XXX] at Trinity Automotive in Fairfield, Ohio, it's a known issue. According to [XXX] at PrebCo in Eaton, Ohio, the issue is related to low-pressure piston rings. Compression tests showed between 0 psi in one cylinder and between 55 and 58 psi in the other three cylinders. These issues have been verified at Matt Castrucci Service Center. With a GDI engine, I had been chasing down the usage of too much oil for several months. I get oil changes at 3,000 miles, and I would be 1/2 quart to 1 quart low at 3,000 miles. Dealership service staff in Beavercreek, Ohio, said that Kia considers the usage of one additional quart of oil per 1,000 miles to be "acceptable" - that makes zero sense. I was told that they would do a piston soak, and they directed me to a formal procedure on Kia's website. I used this process, and it definitely cleaned out all of the carbon. This did not fix the issue. Taking my youngest daughter to a dinner following her high school national honors society induction, I experienced an engine knock as I accelerated onto the I75 north. It felt like a strong jolt back. The 2018 Kia Soul Plus has been a 3,100-pound roadside decoration since November 2025. I still owe $14,000 on this loan, and I cannot afford an additional car payment. Replacement of the engine will be $8,500. Kia customer service told me this is an out-of-pocket expense as their warranty ended at 150,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IT DOWN THE HIGHWAY Purchased 8/5 from reseller, who had driver it over 200 miles with no issues. Had it inspected that day and no issues found. Scheduled appt w/ Clay Cooley Kia to drop off 8/12 to have warranty recalls addressed. Clay Cooley inspected and found no issues, verified in good shape; work completed 8/14. On 8/18, after driving it less than 183 miles, the vehicle COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN on the highway. The check engine light came on immediately before the car shut down, but that was all. It was incredibly dangerous. Searched online and discovered that this has been a know issue with Kia Souls. Discovered online that this was a known issue, and had previously been the focus of a class action lawsuit. Contacted Kia corporate who mandated I take it back to Clay Cooley Kia. Clay Cooley Kia refused to repair it, and Kia Corporate refused to handle further.

Unknown...the car goes into limp mode suddenly...my battery was boiling an shot liquid out of it, prior to this my other battery leaked an the alternator was bad ....when this happens suddenly you have no steering, an if course the boiling battery may explode....I've had this car checked over several times since begining of January with everything checking out fine but this still happening

I am submitting this complaint regarding failure to complete a federally mandated safety recall and the subsequent release of my vehicle in an unsafe condition after prolonged dealer custody. Vehicle Information provided above Safety Recall Information Recall Type: Federal airbag safety recall Recall Notice Received: 2023 Summary of Safety Concern I delivered my vehicle to authorized Kia dealerships for completion of a federally mandated airbag safety recall. The vehicle remained in dealership custody for approximately seven months without completion of the recall. During this period, the dealerships demanded payment for diagnostics and asserted that recall-related issues were “warranty-related” or “customer responsibility,” which effectively blocked completion of the safety recall. Despite my continued communication and willingness to proceed with recall repair, the recall was not completed. Kia declined to authorize repairs necessary to complete the recall. Vehicle Released Unrepaired and Unsafe The dealership ultimately demanded that I remove the vehicle without completing the safety recall. Upon retrieval of the vehicle, I discovered: Missing and/or altered vehicle components Extensive interior water damage These conditions were not present when the vehicle was delivered and occurred while the vehicle was in the dealership’s exclusive custody. The vehicle was released in a materially worse and potentially unsafe condition. Ongoing Safety Risk The federal safety recall remains unresolved. Electrical systems and safety components may be compromised. The vehicle is currently unsafe to operate, and repair is no longer a reasonable remedy. Basis for NHTSA Review This complaint concerns: Obstruction and noncompletion of a federal safety recall Improper conditioning of recall repairs on payment Release of a recalled vehicle without repair Potential compromise of safety systems while in dealer custody

A Kia franchise dealership demanded payment for diagnostics in order to perform a federal airbag safety recall, which I refused. After the dealer’s involvement, the vehicle’s diagnostic/OBD port became unreadable, preventing recall completion. A second Kia dealer states they cannot complete the recall and wants thousands of dollars just to attempt diagnosis. The vehicle has been out of service for over six months with an open safety recall. I believe the recall process has been obstructed.

Driving on freeway,two pieces of paint, flaking flew onto my windshield obstructing my view. Pulled over to see what happened and it was paint on my hood was flaking off. The paint was stuck to my windshield. My safety was definitely at risk as paint blocked my view.