2012 Kia Soul: engine failure

Filed Jan 19, 2026 · Engine · AZ

On Oct. 14, 2025, this vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure while driving approx. 70 mph on a highway. While in the passing lane, the vehicle began to lose power, shake, and wouldn’t accelerate. The check engine light came on just moments before a loud explosive noise came from the engine, and a burning smell came through the vents - the engine completely shut down. This failure occurred with other vehicles on the roadway, creating a serious safety risk. I was forced to quickly maneuver the disabled vehicle across multiple lanes of traffic to reach the right shoulder, where I called for roadside assistance. The vehicle was inoperable from that point forward, it would not turn on, and was towed from the scene. There were no warning signs prior to this event. The vehicle had been operating normally before the incident - I had recently checked the oil levels, there were no warning lights, no drivability issues, and no known mechanical problems before the sudden failure. This led me to find the vehicle was subject to an open safety recall addressing engine damage consistent with this failure; the federal safety agency Recall 19V120000. On Oct. 27th, the vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership in Prescott Valley, AZ for recall inspection. The dealership advised the connecting rods failed and blew 3 holes through the engine block, confirming catastrophic internal engine damage. The manufacturer required a recall-related software update be performed before reviewing the engine failure under the recall. The software update was completed in Nov., but the manufacturer later declined to repair or replace the engine. Kia Corp. refuses to address the safety recall entirely, and instead repeatedly mischaracterizes the issue as a warranty matter - they are unwilling to provide a written explanation of how the failure falls outside the scope of the safety recall 19V120000, despite the failure matching the recall’s described defect & consequences.

Filed Sep 19, 2024 · Engine · 135,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal chain rattling sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the unrepaired recall of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the recall notification was never received. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · MO

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a local dealer to have the vehicle checked due to recall, the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact was contacted by the dealer and was advised that the check engine warning light was illuminated and that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed and that the vehicle needed a BGC Fuel Induction service. The contact picked up the vehicle and was advised by the dealer to drive the vehicle for 100 miles and then return the vehicle to the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that after picking up the vehicle, she was driving at approximately 30 MPH, when the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. The contact had the vehicle towed to the same dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that her daughter called the dealer to check on the repair status of the vehicle and was advised that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Nov 11, 2023 · Engine · WA

I was driving at night down a major highway when the car stopped dead. I towed it to a repair shop and they told me that the engine was completely gone. They informed me that there was a class actions case on Kias due to engine failure. I need my Kia to have the engine replaced and covered under this situation as it totally does not work anymore and from what I am told it is a catastrophic occurrence happening to many, many Kias. Who can I contact about getting this fixed?

Filed Sep 8, 2023 · Engine · CA

The car experienced a sudden catastrophic engine failure. We had just pulled out of the driveway and were on our residential street, so there was no accident, we were able to pull over and stop the vehicle without incident. It was towed to the Kia dealer (Premier Kia of Carlsbad 5331 Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad, CA 92008). After detailed inspection by one of their service technicians they determined that the cause of the engine failure was the same connecting rod bearing failure that other years/classes of Kia Soul have experienced. The dealer initiated a claim with Kia to try to get the extended warranty and engine replacement covered for my vehicle since it was exactly the same issue they have seen with the vehicles covered in the legal settlement (Techline case #15756680). However, Kia has denied responsibility for what is clearly a defect in the engine affecting other Kia owners not currently being reimbursed for their loss by previous recalls and legal settlements.

Filed Jun 5, 2023 · Engine · AZ · fire

While driving down the freeway, the engine began to smoke and caught fire. My husband and kids were in the car but were fortunately able to pull over without physical injuries. Our insurance company held the car and a third party company (hired by Kia) concluded “ the origin of the fire is in the engine compartment at the exhaust manifold. The cause of the fire is internal engine failure resulting in a hole in the block allowing oil to escape and ignite on contact with heated exhaust components”. There were no warnings, check engine light, etc. Kia pointed us towards a class action lawsuit but when you search our VIN # on Kia’s website, there’s are no recalls or issues reported, which is clearly false. Our family escaped serious injury/death but it could have easily been a different story. I will not stay silent and let this happen to other families. I am going to continue to advocate for my family until Kia listens.

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Engine · OK

2012 Kia Soul 4dr wagon engine fail no warning lights sudden strange noise driving on highway with grandbabies. Heard a strange noise under hood then the vehicle lost acceleration and right before shutting down and dying the oil light came on and car went dead. No warning to any problem. Had the oil changed and double checked new oil was replaced. When I opened the hood and checked the oil their was no oil in vehicle it was as if it was drained out yet have no oil leaks to show it leaked out. If the oil disappears and no warning lights show no oil and car just dies on highway that is engine failure and burning up engine leading to fires and danger to drivers and passengers. 2012 Kia Soul 75,262 miles well maintained should not just be driving along engine malfunction and die and oil has disappeared. Let alone possibility needing new engine. Very scary and not safe to drive as the vehicle immediately dies on busy highway so by given no warning till last second the drivers behind me had no warning and luckily no accident was caused but possible it could be a serious problem. Apparently other people are having same engine issue reading online forum that several incidents missing oil and engine failure with little or no warning but hearing strange noise and engine shutting down and oil missing.

Filed Mar 17, 2023 · Engine · 99,760 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to his place of employment. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 99,760.

Filed Feb 20, 2023 · Engine · KS

We were driving and the car just shutdown, luckily at a stop sign. Wouldn't turn back on, and nothing when we tried to jump it. Had it towed to the nearest service center in town and were told a rod punctured the block and the engine is blown. The service center said they had seen this happen before and to contact a Kia dealership to check on a recall. I talked to the Kia dealership in Topeka, KS and they said Kia had been denying requests to replace the engine, if the recall update had not been done. We never received any information about the car having a recall or needing an update, so therefore it was never performed.

Filed Dec 30, 2022 · Engine · NJ

Recall 19V120 received 4-12-19 was addressed by Burlington Kia in May 2019. The COP ECU logic was upgraded. The car was not running well in 2022 - hesitating, misfiring, but it did not throw a code so no one could diagnose the issue. Spark plugs were changed but that did not solve the issue. The check engine light came on in Oct 2022 and the diagnosis was that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. I called the Kia Consumer Assistance number, filed a claim with them, and waited for close to two months for a response. The basis of the claim is that they did not resolve the issue with the COP logic upgrade and the catalytic converter should be replaced, at no cost to us, per the recall notice. The claim was denied by Kia. We ended up replacing the catalytic converter at Burlington Kia, at a cost of $2201.88. We picked up the car, drove it for two days, and it began running rough again, hesitating and stalling. The check engine light came on again. We took it back to Burlington Kia who now diagnosed it as needing new spark plugs which will be another $300 expense. We are waiting for it to be repaired. Our concerns now is that when we pick it up again, it's not just going to be a spark plug issue and the catalytic converter fail, which was never corrected in the recall, will cause engine failure, or worse, an engine fire as there is a similar recall on other Kia models underway now. We are looking for reimbursement from Kia for the catalytic converter fail, per the recall notice and a guarantee that them not replacing the converter with the 2019 recall will not result in engine damage.

Filed Dec 6, 2022 · Engine · 144,481 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact pulled off the roadway and attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated she had not noticed any warning lights or audible alarms. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer denied the engine replacement request. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 144,481. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Nov 29, 2022 · Engine · SC

Oil plug loosened and fell out resulting in engine failure.