https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the KIA Soul. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 06:36:03 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2178454 Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT My 2015 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced sudden catastrophic engine failure: loud pop, knocking, and immediate loss of power. The engine has a hole in piston #2 and a hole in valve #3. This is a known safety defect included in the Hyundai/Kia Theta II engine settlement. My vehicle has KSDS update installed, but Kia and the dealership are denying warranty repair unless a specific code (P1326) or https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2178045 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT When car is turning a right, the car turns off. When car is parked & stearing isnt straight car wont turn on. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2178304 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Kia Soul 2016 white color. The factory paint is peeling off completely. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2178254 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Description of Incident: On February 13, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) on Calvine Road in Elk Grove, CA. A vehicle suddenly merged into my path. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal failed to depress or engage normally. Despite the imminent collision, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to provide any alert, and t https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2178255 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Description of Incident: On February 13, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) on Calvine Road in Elk Grove, CA. A vehicle suddenly merged into my path. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal failed to depress or engage normally. Despite the imminent collision, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to provide any alert, and t https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2178256 Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Description of Incident: On February 13, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) on Calvine Road in Elk Grove, CA. A vehicle suddenly merged into my path. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal failed to depress or engage normally. Despite the imminent collision, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to provide any alert, and t https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2177458 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT SUBJECT: Engine → Stall → Loss of power while driving: While driving normally, the vehicle began losing power and could not accelerate properly. The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle repeatedly entered a reduced-power condition where it could barely maintain speed. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period of ti https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2177459 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT SUBJECT: Engine → Stall → Loss of power while driving: While driving normally, the vehicle began losing power and could not accelerate properly. The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle repeatedly entered a reduced-power condition where it could barely maintain speed. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period of ti https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2177460 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT SUBJECT: Engine → Stall → Loss of power while driving: While driving normally, the vehicle began losing power and could not accelerate properly. The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle repeatedly entered a reduced-power condition where it could barely maintain speed. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period of ti https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2177678 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT I believe my car has been burning oil. The oil was empty at our last oil change only about 60,000 miles on car and we have had to keep adding oil to the car since then. I got extra concerned also when I saw alot of kia souls same year have gotten recalled for oil consumption, yet my vin number wasnt included... I have dropped a document in the comments with what the dealership said about it as wel https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2177223 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT My car suddenly cut off while I'm driving putting me and others at risk in traffic and then my mechanic confirmed that its due to a defect in the engine with the piston. When I looked it up there is a recall for this on my type of car but not for my specific car VIN https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2177335 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT We are the 2nd owner of 2021 Kia Soul bought in July 2025. Took to a dealership for open recalls shortly after purchase. After supposedly passing the piston ring recall (NHTSA 21V259) for the next several months after it had severe oil consumption but other wise drove fine. Then immediately after our last oil change on Feb 13, 2026, less than 10 miles later the car stalled and was knocking badly. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2177231 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The airbag in this 2023 Kia Soul vehicle had a faulty airbag deployment. The steering wheel airbag exploded upon a minor impact of under 20 mph and no other airbags deployed. The steering wheel airbag never fully deployed or made driver contact, it just simply exploded. The dealership was notified, but declined to research the car immediately following the impact and said that was not part of th https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176977 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Unknown...the car goes into limp mode suddenly...my battery was boiling an shot liquid out of it, prior to this my other battery leaked an the alternator was bad ....when this happens suddenly you have no steering, an if course the boiling battery may explode....I've had this car checked over several times since begining of January with everything checking out fine but this still happening https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176978 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Unknown...the car goes into limp mode suddenly...my battery was boiling an shot liquid out of it, prior to this my other battery leaked an the alternator was bad ....when this happens suddenly you have no steering, an if course the boiling battery may explode....I've had this car checked over several times since begining of January with everything checking out fine but this still happening https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176979 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Unknown...the car goes into limp mode suddenly...my battery was boiling an shot liquid out of it, prior to this my other battery leaked an the alternator was bad ....when this happens suddenly you have no steering, an if course the boiling battery may explode....I've had this car checked over several times since begining of January with everything checking out fine but this still happening https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176997 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT This vehicle was seriously damaged in a crash. No airbags deployed. The vehicle was totaled. Another vehicle went through red light and crashed into my car. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176698 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, while making a right turn, the right turn signal blinked extremely fast. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the left turn signal blinked normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176768 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Description of Incident: On February 9, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul on Calvine Road and Winterberry in Elk Grove, CA. A vehicle suddenly merged into my path. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal failed to depress or engage normally. Despite the imminent collision, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to provide any alert, and https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176769 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Description of Incident: On February 9, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul on Calvine Road and Winterberry in Elk Grove, CA. A vehicle suddenly merged into my path. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal failed to depress or engage normally. Despite the imminent collision, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to provide any alert, and https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176770 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Description of Incident: On February 9, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul on Calvine Road and Winterberry in Elk Grove, CA. A vehicle suddenly merged into my path. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal failed to depress or engage normally. Despite the imminent collision, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to provide any alert, and https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176073 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the local dealer for Service Campaign SC334 - Brake Line Corrosion. The vehicle was repaired after 35 days, but the failure recurred. While driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the brakes became inope https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2176074 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the local dealer for Service Campaign SC334 - Brake Line Corrosion. The vehicle was repaired after 35 days, but the failure recurred. While driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the brakes became inope https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2175357 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Owned vehicle for 1 year. On [XXX} the vehicle kept Stalling and wouldn't accelerate. Drove to service station. Had 4 coils and spark plugs replaced. Car was still not right- compression test confirmed engine failure. Had car towed to KIA dealer Matt Blatt rt 37 Toms River, NJ. Their diagnostic shows 3rd cylinder failure top engine. Class action lawsuit on engine failure coverage is for bot https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2175313 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT I have put my 3rd Catalytic Convertor on this car. It looses power going uphill. Which is not safe. Just had 3rd on replaced yesterday Feb. 9, 2026. The mechanic said there is too much oil going to the engine. Mechanic said next thing would be replacing the engine. Why does my 2016 not have a recall on the engine. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2174999 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The transmission on the vehicle has gone bad twice since we purchased it used. The car has 34,400 miles on it. The problem puts the driver in an unsafe situation as the problem causes the car to lose power while at high speeds. The piston rings have also been replaced as part of the recall. Kia just keeps replacing these parts with more defective parts. I have videos if you want them. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2175000 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The transmission on the vehicle has gone bad twice since we purchased it used. The car has 34,400 miles on it. The problem puts the driver in an unsafe situation as the problem causes the car to lose power while at high speeds. The piston rings have also been replaced as part of the recall. Kia just keeps replacing these parts with more defective parts. I have videos if you want them. https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2174445 Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT I paid almost 3,500 dollars and Kia kept my car two months and I’m still having transmission issues and now they are asking for service receipts. After I picked up my vehicle from the original transmission repair I was back in less than 7 days because transmission was roughly jumping in gear and shifting horribly with burning smell. The technician noticed the problem and immediately took my car to https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2173703 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving under normal conditions, the check engine light began flashing and the vehicle suddenly lost power and entered limp mode. Acceleration was severely limited, making it difficult to maintain speed in traffic. The vehicle was later diagnosed with diagnostic trouble code P1326, which is associated with engine rod bearing failure. This caused an unexpected loss of engine power and create https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul https://plaincars.com/make/kia-soul#complaint-2173704 Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving under normal conditions, the check engine light began flashing and the vehicle suddenly lost power and entered limp mode. Acceleration was severely limited, making it difficult to maintain speed in traffic. The vehicle was later diagnosed with diagnostic trouble code P1326, which is associated with engine rod bearing failure. This caused an unexpected loss of engine power and create