2020 Kia Soul UNKNOWN OR OTHER

This issue is a significant safety concern. The vehicle intermittently loses propulsion, causing a sudden forward lurch, and then abruptly regains power, pushing me back into the seat. This unexpected deceleration and surge can create a dangerous situation in traffic and may lead to an accident if it occurs while merging, crossing intersections, or driving at highway speeds. In addition, I am experiencing significant engine oil loss between regular oil changes. This week, just before my scheduled service, I found the engine to be approximately two quarts low. There were no warning lights indicating low oil or pressure. I only became aware of the issue after hearing noticeable engine ticking, at which point I immediately parked the vehicle and have not driven it since. I added two quarts of oil due to concern over potential engine damage caused by operating at a low oil level. I have contacted my dealership to report the oil loss and the engine noise, and I am currently waiting for a return call as I had to leave a message. This level of oil consumption is abnormal and concerning, especially combined with the lack of warning indicators. I believe this condition may pose a safety risk and could potentially lead to engine failure while driving. I have recorded video showing the amount of oil needed, the dipstick readings before and after adding oil, and the process of topping up the engine. I also have receipts for the oil I purchased. I can provide all documentation upon request. Based on my research, this appears to be a documented issue reported by multiple vehicle owners, and it is known to require corrective repair. I checked my VIN on the manufacturer’s recall website and confirmed that there are currently no open recalls associated with my vehicle. However, despite the absence of an official recall, the issues I am experiencing are safety‑related and require investigation and correction.

My 2020 Kia Soul is suffering catastrophic engine failure from a known safety recall defect involving the piston oil rings. I received a safety recall notice from Kia on July 5, 2021 warning that defective piston oil rings could cause engine damage and engine fires. I brought the vehicle to a Kia dealer for recall service on July 5, 2021 and again on February 1, 2022 for the same safety recall. Kia did not replace the engine and did not explain what repairs were performed. Now, despite having complied with both recall repairs, my engine is knocking, burning oil, losing power, and the check engine light is blinking. The vehicle has stalled in traffic, creating a serious safety risk. I am afraid to drive it due to the risk of engine failure and fire. The Kia dealer is now telling me the engine needs to be replaced at a cost of $5,000 or more, or I must replace the vehicle. They claim the recall was already performed and the vehicle is no longer under warranty, even though the same recalled defect has now caused engine failure. This appears to be a defective and ineffective recall remedy that did not correct the safety defect and has resulted in dangerous engine failure.

Mapping system will not update. Vehicle is dangerous.

I'd been having issues where the entirety of my oil reservoir would burn off before I was due for an oil change, which would result in my car having issues starting and running while driving on the road. I've had two separate mechanics not associated with Kia that have told me to take it to Kia and have told me about recalls on my vehicle for the same issues I'm having. I took it to Kia multiple times about the issue, and was given a 1000 mile oil consumption test which passed and then was told that there's nothing they could do for me as I passed the consumption test so in their eye's there isn't a problem.

Paint is bubbling and peeling off in large sections down to the primer coat. The paint is shedding. Paint does not appear to have adhered to the E-coat.

Kia initially refused to honor engine-related safety recalls on my vehicle (including Recall No. 21V259). Only after I filed a complaint with higher authorities did Kia agree to replace my engine. After completing this recall repair, Kia suddenly claimed my vehicle’s ignition “needs replacement” and is attempting to charge me $1,200. This is deeply concerning because: •Kia ran multiple diagnostic tests before the recall repair and never reported any ignition issues. •There was no ignition damage when Kia received my vehicle. •I believe this claim is either false or the result of tampering, and may be retaliation for my prior complaint. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate Kia’s handling of this matter and ensure consumers are protected from false charges and retaliation when exercising their right to safe recall repairs. Thank you for your attention. Please let me know if you need additional documentation.

Paint bubbling on both side of the car. Kia claims there is no defect in their paint however it seems to be a known problem with the white Kia soul.

I am filing a complaint about my paint. It is fading and on the roof and hood.

ON NOVEMBER 29,2024 i FOUND A PAINT BUBBLE under the door handle of the rear passenger side of my Snow Pearl white Kia Soul. The primer is visible underneath and intact but the area is cracking and peeling thereby enlarging quickly. I have read online that others have had this problem. I called the dealer and waiting for a call back from the manager. Thank you

Unknown. Im honestly not sure if this complaint would fit in this category. I have contacted Kia multiple times and have gotten no response. I had my Kia updated with the anti theft system and i have gotten denied insurance more than once due to the fact that the update does not include a passive engine immobilizer. Im honestly at a loss as to what to do since insurance companies have been a struggle to talk to due to the fact that my car is a kia soul and doesn’t have the right equipment. I really need this fix as i feel unsafe driving without insurance and it is not my fault or even under my control.

My vehicle was stolen this morning from my home. I was not notified of a defect causing it to be stolen easily. Glass left in parking spot where car had been parked.

The auto start-stop function sometimes will not restart. This time it happened in the middle of traffic at an intersection, and I had to put the car in park and restart it before I could move. This could cause a collision in busy traffic times or if people are not paying attention. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer at this time. During the time it shut off, the battery light and oil light came on, but I just had the car serviced three weeks ago and was told it passed their inspection (I only go to my manufacturer's dealership for service). The oil light and battery light shut off and did not reappear again after restarting the car. The vehicle can be available for inspection depending on time and date. This happened once before about a year ago, but the dealership said nothing was wrong with the vehicle.

My car was stolen using a usb cord. The manufacturer needs to correct this error in design. There are internet videos detailing how to steal these cars. The consumer is left to foot the expense of this design error.

Unknown

My issue is constant engine stalling. It is a very scary experience.

When pulling out into traffic the car started to go, RPMs spiked all the way and the car just died… I shut it off, and all was fine…. Then I stopped to get gas, and when the auto stop/start kicked in, the car didn’t restart… the oil pressure light turned on, battery light, and check engine light all at the same time. Would not let me shift into park. I had to push the shift release to let me put it into park. I was then able to shut off the car properly and start it just fine, and no lights active. This all happened around 19,000 miles. The last 2 times I’ve been in for an oil change, there has been 2 recalls completed , and now this new recall related to the oil piston.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving the vehicle was slow to move and stalled. The oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the oil was dirty, the oil level was low, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The Vin was included in NHTSA Campaign number: 21V259000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, declined to offer any assistance for the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

The car started knocking at 65 mph while excelling to 70 the engine then had a loud bang and the engine block broke apart and spilled oil on to manifold almost starting a fire I have been informed that the engine is recalled for piston rings. This is an extremely dangerous situation. LUCKILY I managed to exit highway and not engulfed in flames. So far Kia has been unwilling to assist me and I also purchased an extended warranty with Automotive Protective Corporation in Atlanta Ga. and no body is helping me.

6/4/2021 Returning from picking up my children in Maryland, my vehicle stalls out at MD 137 in Hereford. The idle stop and go system repeatedly engages and disengages, the engine continued to sputter and rev. I took the vehicle to the nearest service station, as all the Kia service techs no longer were working past 4 PM. I was able to have a Jiffy Lube service tech read the code P0420 (which has been a previous issue with catalytic converters wearing out at 80,000 miles for previous Souls) as well as several codes for the Camshaft sensor and Crankshaft.

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS ON A CITY STREET ABOUT TO GO ON HIGHWAY RAMP. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND AS USUAL ISG (IDLE STOP AND GO) FEATURE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, BUT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I MOVED MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, THE CAR DID NOT START AGAIN, INSTEAD THERE WAS AN ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY AND OIL LIGHTS THAT WENT ON. THERE WERE CARS BEHIND ME. THANKFULLY, SINCE I WAS ON A HILL I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TOWARDS THE CURB ALLOWING THE CARS BEHIND ME TO PASS. AFTER THAT I USED MY CAR KEY TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF AND THEN TURN ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE STARTED AGAIN. IN THE PAST I HAVEN'T HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISG (IDLE STOP AND GO) FEATURE, BUT NOW I'M WORRIED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY OR IF I CANNOT START THE CAR WITH MY KEY.

4/3/20 AT 6,959 MILEAGE, TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP 'CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THEIR COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC CODE FOR COOLANT COLD S5ART ERROR, KIA HAS NO REPAIR AT THIS TIME. HAVE PERIODICALLY CHECKED WITH DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, STILL NO REPAIR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. HAVE INVOICE # K1CS392579 FROM MENTOR KIA, MENTOR, OH 44060 - SAME RESPONSE FROM PURCHASING DEALERSHIP, HALEEN KIA IN NORTH OLMSTED, OH ON 4/24/20 AND KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN CALIFORNIA ON 4/24/20. NOT COMFORTABLE WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON CONSTANTLY! *TR

WHEN THE ISG (AUTOMATIC STOP/START) COMES OUT (LIFT FOOT OFF OF BREAK PEDAL), THE CAR MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN COMING OUT OF ISG. OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS HAVE FOUND SAME THING. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN COMING OUT OF A FULL STOP, AFTER THE ISG ENGAGES, THEN DISENGAGES (THIS IS WHERE SOUND OCCURS). CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AFTER EVERY ISG STOP.

WHILE AT MY KIA DEALERSHIP ON 6/17/20 FOR A ROUTINE VEHICLE INSPECTION, KIA STAFF TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAD "TWO SAFETY RECALLS (SA409 AND SA424)." I ASKED WHY KIA HAD NOT TOLD ME ABOUT THE "SAFETY RECALLS". THEY TOLD ME THAT: "WE DON'T KNOW THAT THEY EXIST UNLESS YOU BRING YOUR VEHICLE IN HERE. THEN, WHEN WE CHECK OUR RECORDS, WE FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS". IF THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE, BOTH KIA AND NHTSA HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LAPSE IN THEIR PROCEDURES. HOW WAS I AS THE CAR'S OWNER SUPPOSED TO LEARN ABOUT THE UNADDRESSED "SAFETY RECALLS"? YESTERDAY, I SENT EMAILS TO KIA' S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN IRVINE, CA. THEY DO NOT REPLY. SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE "SAFETY RECALL" CODE NUMBERS MEAN, I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, OR, HOW LONG THE ISSUE(S) HAD BEEN PRESENT. PLEASE REPLY AND PLEASE, CONTACT KIA TO APPRISE THEM OF THE CARELESS MANNER IN WHICH KIA STAFF HANDLED THIS MATTER. *TR

GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK WE RAN THROUGH THE END OF THE HOUSE. THIS HAPPEN WHILE TURNING IN OUR DRIVEWAY

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT THE ROOF OF MY CAR. I OPENED THE SUNROOF COVER AND DISCOVERED MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED BUT STILL INTACT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THERE WAS NO SIGN OF DEBRIS HITTING THE SUNROOF OR ANY PART OF THE ROOF. THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED, WHICH I NEVER KNEW IT COULD DO, BUT READING FURTHER ON THE INTERNET IT CAN AND DOES HAPPEN.