2016 KIA SOUL Complaints

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle went into limp mode with reduced speed. The contact stated that while driving approximately 73 MPH the vehicle decelerated to 43 MPH. The vehicle lost power and shut off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where an oil change was performed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer; Kia Country of Charleston (2361 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29414, (843)573-2300) where the code was reset. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Prior to completing the Kia Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software upgrade to add a Knock Sensor Detections System (KSDS) on my 2016 Kia Soul, my engine completely failed. After towing the vehicle to an auto repair show, my mechanic told me he won't repair my Kia as it was under warranty. I then towed my Kia to the dealership, I was informed that my piston rod had catastrophic failure and I needed to purchase a new engine ($10,800). According to the product improvement campaign, the vehicle has the potential of suffering damage of the exact failure I had. Kia claims that because my engine failed prior to getting the software upgrade, that I am required to pay for a new engine. There was no deadline to complete the software upgrade, nor was I notified in the letter that if my engine failed prior to, I would be held liable. Kia has a known product defect (MFG Recall SC176; NHTSA Recall 19V-120). My engine failed in the exact same manner as described in the recall. My vehicle only has 86,000 miles on it. My Kia has been at the dealership since July 6, 2021. I did receive a copy of the recall notice in Sept. of 2021. I called the dealership again, and they said no, my engine isn't covered, but they could replace my engine for 6000$ now. Then I got a call from the dealership that they could not find an engine, and it would take 3 months to get an engine.

I took my car into the dealer for the COP logic recall with the ECU. Ever since that fix, every time I start my car when it’s cold outside it idles high. If the ambient temperature goes below 50 degrees or so when I turn the key to start the car the RPM jumps to almost 4K at cold it stays high for about a minute until it eventually settles around 1k. It only does this when it’s cold out and it never did it before that fix. Sometimes it will set off the MIL with the code P050A when this happens.

For a week or two when I turned the heated seat on I would often feel a very intense heat from the seat back when it started up for a period of time. I had just recently had a back injury so I thought perhaps my back was being overly sensitive. Finally on the 27th just after I started driving the car in the morning I felt the burning feeling on my back again and stuck my hand behind me to feel the seat. I felt burning on my hand and pain and yanked my hand away immediately, pulled over, and looked behind me at the seat, in time to see a curl of smoke coming out of a small hole on the back of the seat. I also found that the palm of my hand had a small mark beneath the base of my thumb where I had felt the burning pain. It took at least half an hour for the burning sensation to fade. I also detected an odor of smoke for a bit afterward. I had no warning that this was going to happen other than the burning feeling the heated seat had started to generate upon my back- no warning lights or such. I have not had any service done on the problem yet though I intend to contact Kia soon; so the car is currently in the same state although obviously I don't turn the heated seat on anymore since I don't want things in my car to be on fire.

RIGHT TURN SIGNAL ALWAYS FLICKERS DURING USE. I CHANGE THE TURN SIGNAL BULB MONTHLY BUT IT NEVER LAST MORE THAN A FEW DAYS WORKING IF NOT AT ALL. I HAVE CONFIRMED THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BULBS AS I HAVE CHECKED THE BULB WITH THE LEFT SIDE.

Prior to completing the Kia Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software upgrade to add a Knock Sensor Detections System (KSDS) on my 2016 Kia Soul+, my engine completely failed. After towing the vehicle to the dealership, I was informed that my piston rod had catastrophic failure and I needed to purchase a new engine ($4,000). According to the product improvement campaign, the vehicle has the potential of suffering damage of the exact failure I had. Kia claims that because my engine failed prior to getting the software upgrade, that I am required to pay for a new engine. There was no deadline to complete the software upgrade, nor was I notified in the letter that if my engine failed prior to, I would be held liable. Kia has a known product defect (MFG Recall SC176; NHTSA Recall 19V-120), but my VIN isn't affected. However, my engine failed in the exact same manner as described in the recall. My vehicle only has 52,000 miles on it and out of factory warranty by 3.5 months when this occurred.

Having a problem since 4/2021 with engine light coming on, diagnosis showing catalytic converter issue (code P0420) engine and exhaust not performing correctly, dealer requested assistance due to known recall problem with system and Kia has not responded. Could be fire and crash risk due to the problem.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 70-75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. This was the fourth recurring failure where the dealer had replaced the catalytic converter on three separate occasions. The vehicle was towed a fourth time to the dealer. The dealer did not diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to another dealer, Hutchinson Kia of Macon (3931 River Pl Dr, Macon, GA 31210) where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had melted and caused the engine to fail, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the only current recall was for the piston rod and that the vehicle did not meet the recall requirement or the warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

Catalytic converter failed after only ba few years, other VINS of the same year were recalled for this already

My check engine light was continually going on and off for a month took it t get it check found out it was converter and their a recall for converter . Took to the Kia dealership with check engine light on to have this taken care they did only a reboot of the engine and light was off so I thought the problem was solve bit the very next day the light was back on went again to the check engine light and again they said it was the catalyst converter took it back to dealership and told their was no more recall on my vehicle I told them about the problem and recall they didn't fix and was told it cost me to do diagnostic test and I week to do that I told I can't be with out a car that long so it was nothing they can do I left and now my check engine light coming on more frequently I might have this fix myself I don't want more engine or worst but why should I pay when this was be taken of them I received a recall notice for same thing 2 days ago and they still won't fix it free of charge what going on and now what shall I do?