Page 2 of 4 · complaints 51–100 of 194

2011 Kia Soul complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2011 record →

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 21, 2023110,000 milesNJ

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 20, 2023PA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Electrical System
Filed May 14, 2023NC

Brake lamps and park light issues. Wiring harness seems to be overheating causing lamps to keep blowing. No park lights working at all so it seems to be a electrical issue.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 15, 2023AZ

After getting fuel, the car stalls immediately. I have to push the gas petal and give it several pushes to get it to go. Sometimes it stalls while driving. It will turn off randomly especially after pressing the break pedal. It turns off, and all the warning lights turn on. Then it totally turns off all sources of power to it. Bluetooth microphone has not worked since I got it with 30 miles on it. Now it has 136,000.

Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2023120,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the vehicle had not been repaired. Shortly after the electronic stability control, ABS, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle began to emit an abnormal smoke odor from inside near the engine compartment. The contact called the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and that the HECU had failed and needed to be repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer to turn off and not drive the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 8, 2022139,000 milesAR

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 15, 2021IL

On November 18th, 2021, at 7.20 AM while driving at posted speed limit of 45mph, the hood on my 2011 Kia Soul suddenly flew open, hitting the window, causing me to slow down and stop on the side of the road. After inspecting the destroyed hood, hinges and severally damaged roof, I proceeded to secure the hood so I can get back to my home and begin the process of working this out. To my knowledge, there have been no recalls or complainants on the hood latch mechanism that should have prevented this. I was the only occupant at the time and could have resulted in serious injury or even death, if there were more cars at the time who knows what the outcome would have been. Unknow about reproducing the issue. The vehicle has now been estimated 2 times by the insurance company and still ongoing. No warning lamps of any kind were given. As of today I am still dealing with the Insurance company as they are not wanting to pay what the estimate is, leaving me stranded. Kia needs to make this right and step in.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 14, 2021270,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the cruise control failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that the ESC warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V114000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the Vin was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 270,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 29, 2021163,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PARKING BRAKE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO UNPLUGGED THE CRUISE CONTROL UNIT. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE DIAGNOSIS OR WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED BERT OGDEN HARLINGEN KIA (8321 W EXPY 83, HARLINGEN, TX 78552) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

Power Train
Filed Jan 26, 202180,000 milesAL

MY 2011 KIA SOUL I BOUGHT OFF OF A FRIEND. IT DROVE GREAT ONLY HAD 80000 MILES. HOWEVER WHEN I GOT IT 3RD GEAR WOULD SOMETIMES BE HARD TO GET IN GEAR AND GRIND. I JUST REACHED 100000 MILES AND I GOT UP FOR WORK TODAY AND IT WONT GO INTO GEAR IN FIRST OR REVERSE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND SEEMS ITS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS. IM HOPING ITS NOT MY TRANSMISSION BUT IM GOING TO SHOP IN AN HOUR. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FOR THIS VEHICLE. EVEN THE MILES ON MY CAR A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE NEEDED. THIS STARTED ON A INTERSTATE SHIFTING COMING OFF OF THE RAMP 5TH GEAR I COULDNT GET IT IN I HAD TO FORCE IT.

Engine
Filed Jan 19, 2021TX

MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING OFF AND ONE NO PROBLEM DRIVING THE PROBLEM IS WHEN I PUT GAS IN CAR THE CAR WANT START UNTIL I GIVE IT GAS A LITTLE. I DON'T HAVE PROBLEM TO CRANK CAR. AND AFTER I CRANK MY CAR AFTER I PUMP THE GAS TO START IT. THERE IS NO PROBLEM ONLY WHEN I GET GAS. IT GOES OFF MAYBE AFTER A LONG WHILE BUT THEN COME BACK ON WHEN GAS GET TO LOW AND THEN PROBLEM STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. I HAVE ASK KIA DEALER ABOUT RECALLS ALL THE TIME THEY SAY ALL RECALLS ON VEHICLE ARE DONE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT FUEL PROBLEM OR PIPE THAT CAUSE FIRES ON VECHICLE. I READ AS RECENT AS JAN 18 THERE WAS RECALL IN ANOTHER COUNTRY ON THIS .THE LIGHT WENT OFF JAN 15 BUT CAME BACK ON JAN18

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 5, 2021200,000 milesTX

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT CONSTANTLY REVERSE LOCKS. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND THE SEAT BELT OFTEN RESERVE LOCKS WITHOUT A JERK OR SUDDEN STOP INCIDENT. IT USUALLY IS DISCOVERED WHEN TRYING TO PUT A SEATBELT ON.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 27, 2020CA

IN THE 9 YEARS SINCE PURCHASE I'VE REPLACED MY HEADLIGHTS 13 TIMES. THEY GENERALLY BURN OUT WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER SO NOW I JUST REPLACE BOTH WHEN ONE GOES OUT. I HAVE TO KEEP SPARES IN THE GLOVE BOX BECAUSE ON ONE OCCASION THEY BOTH WENT OUT ON THE SAME DAY.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 27, 2020CA

THERES SOMETHING REALLY WRONG WITH MY ENGINE AND OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUE. I'VE BEEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WONT FIX IT BECAUSE THERES NO RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED. THE SENSOR LIGHTS KEEP TURNING ON AND ONCE I CHECK IT IT SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG, BUT THE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND IT WILL TURN OFF WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT, ALSO THE SMELL OF THE ENGINE SMELLS LIKE ITS BURNING AND THE CAR GET REALLY HOT AS IF THE HEATER WAS ON.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Nov 2, 2020130,000 milesVA

1. THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. 2. I REPLACED THE MAP LIGHT. IT JUST STOPPED WORKING AND I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE I ORDERED MYSELF. A LOCAL GARAGE DID THE WORK, NOT A DEALER.

Engine
Filed Oct 28, 2020190,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AT NIGHT TIME, HER NEIGHBOR INFORMED HER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VAN GRIFFITH KIA (4301 E US HWY 377, GRANBURY, TX 76049; (817) 573-0400) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 9/16/2020 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. *LN*JB

Electrical System
Filed Sep 2, 2020TX

CAR WAS IDLE FOR ONLY 3 DAYS BATTERY WAS ONLY 12 30 DAYS OLD CAR WONT START NOT MATTER LIGHT WERE ON, RADIO WOULD PLAY AIR WOULD COME ON. CAR COULD BLOW HORN AND ALL, CAR JUST WOULD GET GAS OR ANYTHING AT ALL. CALL MY TOW HE JUMP HER AND BOOM SHE START RIGHT AWAY. WENT TO JOHNSON AUTOMATIVE ON CALDER AND HE DID HER RUN SHE WAS FINE SAID WAS BATTERY BUT I DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING ON IN VECHIL ALL SHE WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY PER HURRICANE LAURA NO FILTER NOITHING SHOWED UP AT ALL BUT BATTERY BUT SHE ONLY JUST BOUGHT BATTERY LAST YEAR SO HMM

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights
Filed Aug 31, 2020200,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR A SIMILAR FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 2020118,000 milesOH

BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN DEPRESSED. BREAK LIGHT SWITCH NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. ESC/STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUOUS WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STOPPED. TAIL LIGHTS BURN OUT EVERY 6-12 MONTH, AS WELL AS HEAD LAMPS BURNING OUT OFTEN.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 18, 202069,000 milesVA

KIS CONSUMING OIL, THE OIL INDICATOR DOESN'T TURN ON UNTIL AFTER THE OIL STICK SHOWS NO OIL IN THE ENGINE AND THEN IT ONLY BLINKS OCCASIONALLY.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 17, 202081,000 milesAZ

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND ON AZ SR 95 AT 45 MPH. OTHER VEHICLE WAS NORTH BOUND AND MADE A "U" TURN IN FRONT OF ME. I COULD NOT AVOID HITTING HIM BROADSIDE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 10, 202075,000 milesNE

THE HORN ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO, I CAN NOT FIND A REASON FOR THIS. DOES NOT MATER IF CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT, WEITHER IT IS TURNING OR NOT. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS, SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT I WISH IT WOULD HAVE WORKED IN SOME SERIOUS DRIVING SITUATIONS AND IT DID NOT.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Nov 24, 201996,000 milesME

HAD JUST STARTED DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, HADN'T EVEN SHIFTED INTO 4 TH GEAR, AND THE REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. NO INTENSE HEAT OR COLD, NO FLYING DEBRIS.

Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2019114,000 milesTX

ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019, I WAS DRIVING FROM KATY, TX TO NEW ORLEANS, LA TRAVELING WITH MY 2-YEAR-OLD SON ON I-10. APPROXIMATELY 51 MILES OUTSIDE OF LAFAYETTE, 2011 KIA SOUL LOSES ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED IN THE PASSING LANE. RPM AND MPH GOES TO 0 AND ALL LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASHBOARD. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IN CAR. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENT. COASTS ONTO SHOULD AND TURNS CAR OFF. RESTARTS CAR AND IT STARTS FINE. CAR CONTINUES WITH THIS ISSUE PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AND HAPPENING MORE OFTEN WITH AT ONE POINT STATE TROOPERS WERE CALLED OUT. AFTER SEEING A TOTAL OF 3 DEALERSHIPS, ONE OF WHICH I WENT TO FOR A SECOND TIME, AND ONE FIRESTONE (MIKE AT FIRESTONE ACTUALLY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD) IT'S DETERMINED TO BE BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2019...NO WORD ON WHAT ELSE IS AT ISSUE AS IT'S A LETS SEE IF THE PROBLEM IS FIXED GAME WITH KIA...IT'S NOW WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 AND AFTER REPLACING ONE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 7...I AM TOLD THAT THE SECOND IS BAD TWO DAYS LATER. PLEASE HELP!

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 17, 2019106,000 milesDE

MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT GO OUT WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, AND THEY ARE CONSTANTLY ON WHILE DRIVING.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 20, 2019202,000 milesFL

GAS PEDAL STICKS. WHEN I GO TO ACCELERATE IT DOESN'T GO I HAVE TO PRESS DOWN HARDER ON THE PEDAL BUT PULLS OFF FASTER THEN IT'S SUPPOSE TO .

Power Train
Filed May 20, 201985,000 milesVA

THE LINE HOLDING MY AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE FLUID IS LEAKING AT SUCH A RAPID RATE THAT MY CAR IS NOT DRIVEABLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON IN MY CAR UNTIL I WAS UNABLE TO SAFELY OPERATE MY VEHICLE AND SWITCH GEARS ON A HIGHWAY. THE PART IS SEVERELY LOW NATIONWIDE, POTENTIALLY ON BACK ORDER.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 11, 2019177,000 milesAL

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT JUST CUT OFF ON ME. NO WARNING SIGNS, NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH, ALL GUAGES WERE FINE. I TOWED IT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY I EXAMINED IT TO SEE WHY IT DID THAT. I NOTICED THE WATER PUMP LEAKING SO I CHANGED THAT WITH THE TIMING BELT AND THERMOSTAT BUT IT KEPT OVER HEATING. I HAD A PRESSURE CHECK AND AIR POCKET CHECK AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK FINE. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AND NOTHING IS SHOWING UP. WHAT IF I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT DID THIS?

Unknown or Other
Filed May 7, 201960,000 milesMD

MY HORN INTERMITTENTLY WORKS - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ON BLOGS MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME ISSUE.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 23, 201957,000 milesSC

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A CAR FAILED TO YIELD CAME ACROSS THE INTERSECTION AND I IMPACTED THE PASSAGER SIDE OF HER VEHICLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 6, 201994,000 milesPA

SO I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE SHUT MY CAR OFF. I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND SHUT MY GARAGE DOOR. I TOOK GARBAGE BAGS OUT TO MY SHED AND RETURNED TO THE GARAGE SAT DOWN ON CHAIR TO TAKE OFF MY BOOTS AND I HEARD LOUD GLASS SHATTER SOUND. I LOOKED AROUND AND NOTICED MY REAR WINDOW WAS BLOWN OUT! I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. NO CAUSE OTHER THEN POSSIBLE REAR DEFROST ISSUE. WHICH I HAD THEM ON PRIOR TO PARKING.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 28, 2019160,000 milesAR

INTERMITTENT HORN. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. IN DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE! DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS SITTING, DRIVING, TURNING, ANYTHING. THE HORN ONLY SEEMS TO WORK WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. VERY DANGEROUS!

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 1, 2019110,850 milesGA

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE AT ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR SHE. IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR IMMEDIACY MADE A LOUD POP, LIKE A GUN SHOT AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I WAS STRANDED FOR AWHILE. I DID GET A TOW TO A MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET MY CAR FIXED IN FLORIDA SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO GEORGIA WHERE I RESIDE. A MECHANIC IN VWRGIA CURRENTLY HAS THE CAR AND AGREES THE MOTOR IS BLOWN. HE REMOVED THE OIL PAN AND THE CAR DOES HAVE OIL. BELIEF IS THAT THE OIL PUMP FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS HAD NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AT ALL AND I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR SINCE PURCHASE IN 2011. AWFULLY STRANGE THAT THE 2012 MODELS ARE UNDER RECALL WITH THE SAME ENGINE SIZE BUT NOT THE 2011. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 21. 2019.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 8, 2019170,000 milesOK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SOUL. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING 75 MPH. THE CONTACT WHILE TRYING TO GET OUT THE WAY WAS STRUCK A SECOND TIME, WHICH CAUSED HER TO CRASH INTO A DIFFERENT VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. *BF *TR

Engine
Filed Feb 6, 2019108,500 milesMN

HEAD-GASKETS AND/OR THERMOSTATS FAILING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND LOW MILES. I AM ON 2ND HEAD-GASKET AND 4TH THERMOSTAT AND ONLY AT 109000 MI. TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND TWICE WHILE AROUND TOWN. FLUID LEVELS WERE GOOD AND OTHER MAINTENANCE DONE REGULARLY. I HAVE TALKED WITH MULTIPLE KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY START BY SAYING THAT IS NOT NORMAL THEN AFTER LOOKING OVER THE CAR SAYING ITS A NORMAL THING FOR SOULS. THESE FAILURES HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT EACH TIME ONCE THE THERMOSTAT STICKS CLOSED. NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS AND TEMP GAUGE ONLY SHOWED THE OVERHEAT 2 OUT OF FOUR TIMES. THEY SEEM TO BE FAILING FAIRLY REGULARLY AROUND 20000 MI.

Suspension
Filed Jan 22, 2019145,000 milesWA

LOUD CLUNK IN RIGHT REAR OF CAR PROBABLY THE TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS LOUD CLUNK WHILE DRIVING AND HATTING ANY BUMP IN THE ROAD

Engine
Filed Dec 29, 201872,735 milesIN

THE CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT TWICE . THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 54029 AND DATE OF 1/17/17. LESS THAN SIX MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS SLIPPING ON TAKEOFF. THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THIS TIME IT 72735 AND DATE OF 12/28/18 . THE BILL FOR THE FIRST TIME WAS 1445.79 . IT IS REDICULOUS THAT IT GOES OUT SO SOON. I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT KIA USES A VALVE ON THE SLAVE CYLINDER THAT CAUSES SLIPPING.

Engine
Filed Dec 16, 2018124,026 milesFL

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE , I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AS I WAS PULLING OFF THE HIWAY AND THE MOTOR QUIT RUNNING. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE.I FOUND OUT THE NEXT DAY THAT THE MOTOR HAD LOCKED UP. THE MOTOR HAD OIL IN IT AND THE WATER WAS NOT LOW. THE MECHANIC SAID THE OIL PUMP WAS PROBLEY BAD. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE.SO NOW THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH A BLOWN MOTOR AND I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR FOR ANOTHER 18 MONTHS.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 29, 2018151,000 milesOH

A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAD ISSUES OPENING AFTER BEING UNLOCKED. THIS WAS FRUSTRATING, BUT NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE DOOR HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING A COUPLE TIMES. THIS SAME ISSUE WAS RECALLED IN THE KIA SORENTO AT THE END OF 2017 FOR THE SAME REPORTED ISSUE AND THE SAME PART REPLACEMENT. KIA HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE ISSUE AS MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SORENTO RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THIS WAS NOT A MAJOR ISSUE UNTIL THE DOOR STARTED OPENEING WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY KIA AND FIXED IN ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 15, 2018105,500 milesOH

WHEN TURNING CAR ON IT THE ENGINE MAKES A KNOCKING SOUND. CAR IS LOSING ACCELERATION ON ROADS ESPECIALLY EXPRESSWAY. ALSO, THE ENGINE PINGS OR KNOCKS WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF. I HAVE EVEN HEARD THE ENGINE KNOCK WHILE IN MOTION. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD MOLDING GARNISH LH LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND HIT ANOTHER CAR! LOSING THIS MOLDING GARNISH CAUSES AIR TO LEAK INTO THE WINDSHIELD.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 2, 2018107,000 milesNY

107000 MILES ON THE CAR. STARTED CAR IN THE MORNING AND IT MADE A WHINING NOISE. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT BECAUSE IT WAS COLDER THAN IT HAD BEEN. AFTER WARMING UP A FEW MINUTES DROVE DOWN MY ROAD ABOUT A MILE AND THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. TURNED AROUND AT WENT BACK HOME. POPPED THE HOOD AND SMELLED STRONG BURNING SMELL. PROBLEM WAS FOUND TO BE THE ALERNATOR. WHEN I PULLED IT TO REPLACE IT NOTICED THAT THE WINDINGS INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR WERE BURT AND CHARED/MELTED.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Sep 7, 201855,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FRACTURED. THE POLICE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS POTENTIALLY INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 12862172. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 12, 201850,000 milesPA

SUNROOF IS NOT USABLE AS IT COMES OFF OF THE TRACKS. UNABLE TO CLOSE TIGHT ENOUGH DUE TO DAMAGE WHICH PROMOTES LEAKING.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Jun 18, 201812,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE EXACT ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 28, 2018AP

I WAS UNAWARE THAT MY CAR WAS UNDER A RECALL. I AM ACTIVE DUTY AIR FORCE AND DID NOT RECEIVE AN EMAIL STATING MY CAR NEEDED TO BE FIXED. I FOUND OUT THROUGH MY PCS WEBSITE.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 23, 2018FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, BACK, AND NECK, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, AND WAS LATER TOWED TO A TOWING FACILITY. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 6, 2018112,000 milesFL

I WAS CHECKING MY VIN AND IT SAYS IT HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT WE HAVE NO INFORMATION FROM THE KIA DEALER ABOUT IT WE HAVE THIS CAR FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW AND STILL WE HAVE NO NEWS ABOUT THIS RECALL FROM KIA DEALER

Engine
Filed Dec 9, 2017IL

THE CAR WON'T START AFTER PUTTING GAS IN SEVERAL TIMES . AFTER 3 TRIES AND AROUND 10-14 MINUTES IT WILL START. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE REGARDING THIS HAOOENEDIJF TO KIA SOULS .

Engine
Filed Sep 11, 20172,500 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS GEARED INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE RPMS INCREASED TO OVER 2,000 RPMS. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT TO RESET THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MENTOR KIA IN MENTOR, OHIO, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.

Power Train1 injured
Filed Aug 1, 201756,300 milesCA

I PURCHASED KIA SOUL PLUS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 2 MONTHS AGO FROM ORIGINAL OWNER WITH 53,000 MILES. VEHICLE "LAGGED" MOMENTARILY WHILE TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTED. I ASSUMED CHARACTERISTIC OF CAR. APPROX. 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING CAR WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITH MY FIANC' @ APPROX. 65MPH THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY & DRASTICALLY DOWNSHIFTED INTO (I BELIEVE) 2ND OR 3RD GEAR, WITH NO PROVOCATION ON MY PART. IF MY FIANC AND I WERE NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS, THE SUDDEN CHANGE OF SPEED, OUR HEADS WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY HIT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. MY FIANC' IS SCHEDULED FOR SPINAL CORD SURGERY SOMETIME THIS MONTH (AUGUST). HER NEURO-SURGEON INFORMED US THAT ANOTHER SIMILAR SITUATION COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE HER TO BE QUADRIPLEGIC, OR EVEN DEATH. I IMMEDIATELY EXITED FREEWAY, HOWEVER, CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST 2ND (OR 3RD) GEAR, LIMITING CAR TO 30 TO 35MPH DRIVING HOME ON SIDE STREETS. CAR WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, AND NEXT DAY DROVE NORMAL AGAIN, FOR ONE WEEK. ON JULY 31, 2017 WHILE TAKING CAR TO CITRUS KIA IN ONTARIO, CA, FOR EVALUATION OF TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE DID SAME THING AGAIN. SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT DRASTICALLY SLOWING DOWN CAR TO 35MPH. AGAIN, WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST 2ND (OR 3RD) GEAR. I WAS ONLY OCCUPANT. AWARE OF KIA'S TSB #033 OUTLINING TCM'S UPGRADE ON TRANSMISSIONS BUILT PRIOR TO AUG. 2010, (MINE BUILT JUNE 2010) THE SERVICE WRITER AT CITRUS KIA STATED UPGRADE WAS DONE IN OCT. 2010. I AM ANXIOUSLY AWAITING THEIR FINDINGS. HOPEFULLY TODAY. (8/1/2017) KIA'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY IS 100,000 MILES

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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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