2016 Kia Soul ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving on a road trip from Charleston, South Carolina to Florida in January of 2023 the factory installed catalytic converter failed (front facing) clogging the exhaust system and damaging the engine (engine now experiences blow by and pistons rings have been damaged). A recall for the overheating of the catalytic converter was marked as repaired before I bought the car. However, I believe that either the update was not done to the on-board computer or that a damaged catalytic converter was not replaced. This directly led to the subsequent failure in question and has since damaged my engine. At the time of the incident, an investigation of both catalytic converters revealed heavy sediment deposits and the core of the filtering component of the front facing unit had become so corroded that a chunck of it had broken loose and become lodged in the connecting hose that linked it to the rest of the exhaust system, leaving the entire system blocked. Because I bought the car used, I wasn't aware of the recall history at the time of purchase. Nor was I given a vehicle history report or receipts for any work that had previously been done. When I pulled a vehicle history report shortly after the incident I was unable to accertain what the actual repairs to the car were previous to my ownership, just that it had been taken to a Kia dealership for service with dates listed. The issues still remain and I am unable to afford the lengthy and very expensive repairs suggested by multiple mechanics to correct them. I also still owe money on the note as the result of having to deal with a predatory business to secure financing in the first place. I hate to think I was taken advantage of but I can't help but feel like the catalytic converter should have been changed during that previously marked recall repair and clearly wasn't. Please help me figure out what went wrong here and if possible help me remedy this situation, especially if there was indeed fraud involved. Thank you

Rcall SC176 I have tried multiple times to schedule the required recall repair for my Kia, but my local dealer has not responded to phone calls or emails. I cannot travel to another state to complete this recall. Kia has not provided a reasonable option to complete the safety repair. I am requesting assistance to get this recall completed safely and locally, and at no cost.

The vehicle started losing power and then stalled just as we pulled onto our road to our home, no light indicators were on and it started back up, but the traffic behind us causing slowing and potential risk to us and others. When restarted it would not accelerate appropriately and at that time we were able to put it in neutral and push it the remaining way, again causing a VERY dangerous situation. Upon inspection it was noticed that the oil was barely readable. We added 4 quarts (the vehicle has routine oil changes and is not due for another month or 1,000 miles) and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Upon restarting, the engine started making a loud pinging sound and oil was noticed coming out around the butterfly valve. At that time the cabin air filter and engine air filter was changed, butterfly valve cleaned and another quart of oil with valvoline stop leak added. Engine started and ran decent. Used car next day after rechecking oil, after about 15 minutes of driving it stalled once again, in traffic and pinging was tremendous, black smoke from the exhaust. The vehicle is the only vehicle we have, ONLY transport to work and have now lost out on 4vdays. We need this addressed. This is ridiculous that our VIN isn't included in the recalls that are experiencing the exact issues in the exact year makes and models. Help please!!!

I am writing to formally express my concerns and dissatisfaction regarding the handling of Recall SC176 on my 2016 Kia Soul. The vehicle is currently at the Kia, yet there are significant discrepancies and unresolved issues related to the recall service history and the persistent problem described in the recall notice. Issues and Concerns: Lack of Recall Service Documentation: According to Kia Motors’ service line (800-333-4542), recall service for SC176 was reportedly performed on 12/13/2019 at 60,160 miles. However, I recently pulled the Carfax report, and there is no mention of any recall-related maintenance being performed on this date. Instead, the report lists unrelated services such as tire balancing, detailing, etc. Why is the recall repair not documented on Carfax, and why is there no proof of this critical work being completed? Persistence of Recall Issue: Despite the alleged completion of the recall work, the issue described in Recall SC176—excessive oil consumption—persists. The engine light remains on, and I have had to purchase oil by the case to maintain proper levels since taking the car into the shop on 4/7/2022. No corrections were made during this visit, and there was no mention of the recall despite the vehicle’s ongoing symptoms. Inadequate Responses from Dealership and Corporate: When I inquired at Greenway Kia North, I was informed that the recall would not be honored because "no goodwill was offered." This explanation is vague and unsatisfactory, especially given the seriousness of the issue and the safety implications of the recall. Safety Incident Due to Recall Issue: On [XXX], my vehicle stalled in the middle of the busy intersection. The car had to be towed to a trusted mechanic and later towed again to Greenway Kia when I learned of the recall which is not even listed on the car's official report. This dangerous incident underscores of the unresolved recall issue and the risk it poses to my safety and others on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle entered limp mode on a dangerous rode in central Florida and would not accelerate over 20 mph. We had the vehicle towed 70 miles at the expense of $350 outside of coverage by our auto insurance. The dealership advised this was a failure of the catalytic converter which was just changed in Dec 2021 under a Kia recall campaign. They’re now saying it is not under warranty as they only cover 12 months 12,000 miles.

Reoccurring check engine light for the omissions system. Damage to the catalytic converter, diagnostic codes. Poor gas mileage and abnormal engine combustion. Oil is burning extremely fast in engine, having to get oil changes more frequently. Incident where vehicle was driving, came to a complete stop and would not accelerate in the middle of heavy traffic. Had to replace all 4 fuel injections and spark plugs due to how ineffective the GDI engine runs.

Intermittent problem with acceleration. Very occasionally, 200+ miles between episodes, while accelerating, the car slows down. When this happens the gas pedal fades similar to brake fade when brakes are about to fail. It lasts 2-3 seconds and then returns to normal. There are no error codes. Has occurred while driving on the freeway and when accelerating from a stop. There have been 5-10 incidences of this in the past 12 months, because the problem is so intermittent, mechanics are unable to reproduce it. We have replaced the throttle position sensor The local Kia dealer and independent mechanics are unable to shed any light on why this may occur. An internet search found other owners of Kia cars with similar complaints

With the ac running it will accelerate it stalls out

Motor burns excessive oil; took vehicle to Kia dealership in October 2023. I told to get a full.synthetic oil change, and to return in 1000 miles to check the oil consumption. After an oil consumption test, if the vehicle is burning excessive oil, I told that my vehicle to my dealership to file a claim under the manufacturer's warranty to replace my motor/ engine needs to have a top engine cleanout at $500. If my vehicle fails this test, I am to return the vehicle to receive a new motor/ engine under the manufacturer's warranty. This is preposterous!

My engine light malfunctioned, never lit up to report a clogged catalytic converter.

While driving the vehicle the car shuts off

The vehicle suddenly stalls while in traffic without notice. It has to be put in on park, turned completely off, and then restarted. People behind my car almost rear end my vehicle causing a collision. Highly unsafe. This has happened numerous times usually after being stopped at a traffic light or stop sign.

I have a Kia Soul that is under the engine warranty recall. I was able to drive my vehicle while working with Kia to document issues with my engine. Today I was informed that my catalytic converters are clogged and that is what is causing my vehicle issues, not my engine. The only way my catalytic converters could be clogged would be from faulty engine, but Kia is denying any issue with my engine (that is under warranty) and instructing me to continue driving my vehicle. My vehicle is unable to maintain speed, shakes violently after running 5 minutes, and dies frequently. It is not a safe vehicle to drive on the road.

KIA Soul had a malfunction with the Catalytic converter and a bad injector which damaged the pinions and the sparks plug of the vehicle causing thousands of dollars in repair.

Engine stalled on me while going 60mph on the freeway to almost 20 mph. Check Engine light flashed twice. Engine is now knocking.

I was heading home on the highway when I noticed the car was having trouble accelerating.  I was taking the exit to my house when I heard the knocking in the engine start.  I was half a mile from my house so I continued slowly as the acceleration issues continued. As I was getting closer to my house the oil light came on.  I parked the car in the driveway and turned it off immediately. A cursory inspection indicates that the engine has suffered catastrophic damage. There is high end a “tapping” sound coming from the top side, even while briefly idling the engine, indicating damage in the area of lifter/s and/or camshaft lobe/s. Inspection of the engine oil presents metallic particles. Finally, we observed that an uncharacteristic and excessive pressure is coming from the crankcase when the oil filler cap is removed while the engine is idling. This is consistent with the GDI engine failure mode - lack of lubrication between piston rings and cylinder walls due to fuel thinned oil caused by high-pressure fuel pump Fortunately, since I exited the highway and the failure occurred close to home, the dangerous stall condition that is a typical failure mode of the GDI engine did not occur in this particular instance.  Nevertheless, severe damage to the motor has been observed.  The fact that the engine began “knocking” prior to the low oil indicator lamp illuminating would indicate that the engine was damaged due to the thin oil/fuel mixture rather than the engine being completely deficient in lubricating engine oil. Internet research has brought to our attention the issues and the precedent-setting class action lawsuits, that Kia Inc. has been forced to contend with due to the inherent design problems of the Theta II, GDI 1.6L, and 2.0L engines - direct injection (DI) system and high-pressure fuel pump issues causing the engine failure through piston ring “blowby” and subsequent thinning of the engine oil. I contacted KIA and I still have the Soul in my possession.

Excessive oil burning engine stalled on the highway wont accelerate

While driving, my car's engine simply died while driving and refused to start back, giving a battery light and the oil light on the dash. A local mechanic is assuming the issues seen here are related to a recall for this model's GDI. Thankfully I was able to safely push it into a nearby parking lot to be towed. That said, my only car is now out of service until the Kia dealer can look at it to confirm if it was related to the recall, about 2-3 weeks for this one

I just bought the car. Test drive went fine. I was driving the car when the engine rpms stopped working. I could not get the car to increase speed. I was going up a small hill at 35mph when the car just stopped dead in the road. Luckily I was not in traffic. I repeatedly tried to start the car . Finally it started but the driving was the same. I limped home with my flashers on and have not driven it since. I have an app on 8/5 with a kia dealer. They told me I had to drive the car there. I couldn't have it towed. Hopefully I will make it. This problem doesn't happen all the time. I have driven it when it starts up and no check engine light comes on and the rpms are normal and it drives fine. I feel if the engine heats up that's when the problem occurs. It car only stopped that one time. That was enough for me.

Cylinder 3 went out in the engine and car seized. Prior to this the car burned through oil very quickly and the entire car would shake. Kia of El Cajon said it was not an engine issue, my car was totaled and I sold it for scraps. Very disappointed with the service during this time.

Vehicle looses power. Sounds muffled and noisy. Engine knocking. Does not shift as it should. Engine gets hot, dash board got hot yesterday. Where is the oil going? No check engine lights. Started approx a month after I had the kia dealer do the computer update. Seems to occur with hills, Excelleration, when it has to work. I had a tune up, fluids changed, mechanic gave up. Kia said I had to take it to a kia dealer.

I WAS ON MY INTO WORK AND MY VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DONE ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS TOLD SOMETHING POPPED OUT UNDER NEATH MY VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. SOME SORT OF A ROD THAT MUST OF CAME OFF. I HAD THIS TOWED TO OUR COMPANY MECHANIC AND THEY SAID THAT I MIGHT HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE ENGINE.

MY CAR EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TRAVEL OVER 50 MPH. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR CODE THROWN. BROUGHT TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND AFTER 3 WEEKS DISCOVERED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED AND MELTED. REPLACED 90 DAYS AGO. SECOND IS NOW DESTROYED AND MELTED. WANTS TO INSTALL THE THIRD. SAYS MOTOR IS FINE, NOT RUNNING RICH OR LEAN. NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME AND THEY JUST HAVE TO KEEP UP WITH THIS $3,000 REPAIR EVERY 3 MONTHS AS IT FAILS. VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CONVERTER BEING CLOGGED CAUSES IT TO SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. KIA SAYS NOTHING THEY CAN DO, JUST NEED TO KEEP REPLACING THE CONVERTER EVERY FEW MONTHS. A CONVERTER RATED TO LAST 10+ YEARS. HIGHLY UNUSUAL. SPOKE TO OTHER MECHANICS AND THEY BELIEVED THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CONVERTER FOR THIS REASON BUT MY BIN SHOWS NO RECALL. PLEASE HELP.

8/1/20 DRIVING ON HWY 231 AT 65MPH WHEN MY CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS STALLING, PULLED OVER AND TURNED ENGINE OFF.IT WOULD CRANK BUT ONLY GO APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OR REV TO ABOUT 2000 RPM, THEN JUST PUTTER OUT. AT TUFFYS WHERE IT WAS SAID "NOTHING WAS CODING". SAID NEEDED KNEW FUEL PUMP FOR $1600. THAT WAS REPLACED BUT WAS NOT THE ISSUE.HE SAID THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ASSOCIATED W/ CAR AND TO GET IT TO THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP.I IMMEDIATELY STARTED RESEARCHING AN FOUND RECALL 19V120000, I CALLED KIA 800# AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED W/ CAR AND THAT THEIR SEARCH IS VIN SPECIFIC AND WAS NO ACTIVE RECALLS ON THIS CAR. I CONTINUED TO RESEARCH, CALLED BACK AND YES INDEED THERE WAS A RECALL. CAR ARRIVED THERE FRIDAY 8/7/20 AT 9:30 AM. SPOKE W/ CHUCK AND WAS NOT GIVEN ANY DETAILS THOUGH I CALLED HIM DAILY.FOLLOWING FRIDAY(8/14/20) I SPOKE W/ JARED WHO SAID THEY WERN'T SURE BUT IT WAS LOOKING LIKE POSSIBLY A RECALL ISSUE BUT THAT THEY WEREN'T SURE AND TO CALL BACK AND THEY COULD GET ME SET UP W/ A RENTAL CAR BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIKELY NEEDED REPLACING. AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER A WOMEN LEFT ME A VOICEMAIL ASKING ME TO GET RECEIPTS OF ALL OIL CHANGES DONE ON VEHICLE. I STILL HAD NO EXPLANATION ON WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY CAR.GAVE 2 RECEIPTS BUT WAS NOT REALLY SURE THE PERTINENCE IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE RECALL. KIA SAYS THE ONLY RECALL WAS FOR A SYSTEM UPDATE. WHEN ASKED HIM IF THIS HAD BEEN DONE HE SAID NO. BUT I HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN TOLD BY ROBERT AT 1800 KIA THAT THIS HAD BEEN DONE.I TOLD JARED THIS AND HE SAID "WE PROBABLY JUST TOLD TECH SUPPORT THAT" WHEN I DEMANDED TO KNOW IF SYSTEM UPDATE HAD BEEN DONE HE PUT ME ON HOLD, THEN REPLIED '"OH WELL THAT WAS JUST DONE". HE SAID BUT NONE OF THIS HAS ANYTHING TO DO W/ UR CAR. WHEN ASKED WTF THE ACTAL PROBLEM WAS HE SAID ENGINE WAS KNOCKING DUE TO MY LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND NEEDED A NEW ENGINE BUT IN NO WAY DUE TO A RECALL

VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON STEERING WHEEL GOT HOT