2014 KIA SOUL Complaints

Car displays a check engine light. The check engine light reports an issue with the catalytic converter. Car has began to shut off randomly when coming to or at a stop (for example: at a red light).

The vehicle had a strange smell ever since we got it a few years back. Earlier in the month, the headlight and dashlight would flicker with the turn signal. We looked it up and set up an apppointment with a local Kia dealership for recall on this issue. Then this week, the engine suddenly quit while the car was parked. The vehicle wouldn't start at all. Kia was notified and they said that there was another recall on engine SC200 on this vehicle that was just announced earlier this year. Online lookup also revealed that the smell issue can be from burning oil or a leak into catalytic converter. Other Kia cars from the same years have also said to have had these issues. Then an OBD II check showed the codes 7E8 and 7E9 which has been noted online by other customers as engine problem recall for which Kia has replaced their engine free of charge.

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the daughter was driving approximately 40 mph the vehicle crashed into the rear end of another vehicle. During the crash, the front end sustained severe damage and the vehicle was destroyed but the driver-side air bag did not deploy and the front driver-side seat belt malfunctioned and did not secure the occupant causing the driver's head to make contact with the steering wheel. The driver sustained a head injury that required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined and the local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 94,000.

While driving on the highway in cruise control, the engine suddenly went into a lower gear and lost acceleration. Since then, the car has had difficulty accelerating and struggles to get up to speeds over 60mph. I had the car checked out and was told it was a clogged catalytic converter and that it needed to be replaced. Prior to the highway incident, the oil light would come on frequently and oil would have to be added every two to three weeks. The dealer has inspected the car for the engine recall and found no issues even though the car was experiencing oil loss when it was taken to the dealer. The car has 110,000 miles.

While I was driving on the highway, I heard a loud banging coming from the front of my car. I took it to a repair shop and was told it needed a valve replacement but it was only a matter of time before I would need to replace the engine. I did have the valve job done at great expense to me. However the engine light came on and despite having each of the problems fixed generated by the codes that came up, the engine light never went off. Now I understand there is an engine recall and the problems described are exactly what is wrong with my car e.g. engine light is on, check oil light flickering on, gasoline/fuel odor. I also had the catalytic converter replaced at my expense, only to find out there was a recall on that too. I need to have my engine replaced. This is a safety issue. Kia needs to make good on its promise.

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle would idle when coming to a complete stop and there was a heat source coming from the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was serviced for a manufacturer's product improvement campaign software updates for the engine control unit and knock sensor detection system however, the failure recurred after the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) and a manufacturer's product improvement campaign software update however, the failure occurred. The contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving at 60 mph, there was a rattling sound heard then the vehicle loss motive power without warning. The instrument panel light and front driver’s and passenger’s side headlights flickered on and off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that there was a rod bearing knocking code that appeared on the code reader however, there were no oil leaks found. An oil consumption test was performed which found that the vehicle consumed a quart of oil for every thousand miles. An engine test was also performed, which the vehicle passed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no warranty coverage and advised the contact to drive the vehicle until the engine seized. The failure mileage was 93,000.

I was traveling back home from Dandridge, TN in July 2019. As I was going down the interstate at 70MPH, the engine made a very loud noise and the vehicle began to shake. I promptly pulled over to the shoulder and shut off the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville. They had the car for three months before I received a phone call in September 2019. I was on my way to Florida with a friend, and Rusty Wallace Kia informed me that the engine had “threw a rod” and cut the oil lines. The recall is related to this exact issue. Rusty Wallace Kia then replaced the engine without my written permission. They called to inform me of this about a month later. I did receive mail from Kia Consumer Affairs alerting me of the recall a few months later. I have since contacted Consumer Affairs and they let me know they would be contacting Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville to discuss getting the repair payed for so I can get my car back. I received an email just today (several months later) from the service manager, Allison Richard’s, saying that I am responsible for the cost of the repairs. The recall paperwork in the mail states the engine will be replaced and the KDS software updated. As of today, Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville is refusing to release my car back to me (which is paid in full and I have the title in hand), and Allison also stated that consumer affairs said they wouldn’t help. I am needing my car back as soon as possible, and any help is appreciated. Thank you.

IN THE PAST YEAR FROM FEB LAST YEAR TILL TODAY I HAVE BOUGHT 2 SET OF LIGHTBULBS. THE 1ST SET LASTED A YEAR THE 2ND SET I BOUGHT 2/1/21 AND IT JUST BURNT OUT AGAIN. I AM NOT BUYING CHEAP BULBS EITHER.

My car caught fire upon a drive home. Had to call fire department and extinguished it myself before fire department arrival. Took vehicle to local Kia dealership to have them check car. Documentation of charting from fire. They told me it’s because I needed new snow tires. I purchased new tires. Months later my engine started knocking and vehicle is not drivable. I have filed a national claim with Kia due to safety recall on 4/21/21. I have sent pictures and report. I leave multiple voicemails. No one is calling me back. Case number 14128806. Case manager is Jesse. Twice I’ve been told his supervisor will call me back and no one has. Fire occurred in 2018- engine blew in 2021