2012 Kia Soul: sudden loss of power

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 Nov 21, 2025 · Engine · IN

P1326 code followed by loss of power (limp mode) followed by multiple misfires and loss of compression in cylinder 2. Loss of power going up a hill on interstate with a full car one under age 10. Dealer and firestone states no compression in cylinder 2 and says needs engine.

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

My car stalls and the engine light frequently stays on, my car is driving sluggish every since I got the recall adjustment my car has declined in performance and the engine light started coming on more frequently up until now, it's loud at and experiencing a great lost of power ,the computer is giving the code PO420 reading as bank 1 oxygen sensor , I had intended changing out both sensors, but wasn't sure if it's a damaged engine effecting the Cadillac converter from the 2019 recall, # 19V120000 giving a false reading.

Filed Nov 28, 2022 · Engine · NJ

Recall 19V120 was received on 4-12-19 for our 2012 Kia Soul. We had the COP ECU logic taken care of at our dealer on 5-21-19, per the recall notice instructions. In October 2022 we took the car back to the dealer when it threw a code and began losing power at certain speeds. Kia diagnosed it as needing a new catalytic converter. We contacted the Consumer Assistance Center at Kia to file a complaint as the recall notice clearly states that Kia will replace the catalytic converter and/or engine as part of this recall if applicable. We've had claim number 15122079 opened with Kia for resolution for over a month and cannot get this resolved. We keep being advised it's still under review after waiting on hold for over an hour each time. Called today (11-28-22) and advised the representative that we need an answer today and I've been on hold for over 2 hours. We are looking for Kia to replace the catalytic converter/engine (if damaged) free of charge to us as a result of this recall. It's apparent that the COP ECU logic upgrade did not prevent the catalytic converter failure and other Kia owners may be experiencing the same issue now.

Filed Oct 27, 2022 · Engine · FL

While driving in traffic, the engine began making a clicking sound and the vehicle lost power. I was barely able to coast out of the traffic lane onto the shoulder. The vehicle is available for inspection. My safety and that of other drivers was put at risk since the vehicle lost acceleration while I was driving in traffic. The problem was confirmed by the dealer. The dealer charged me for a diagnostic analysis to confirm the problem. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the loss of power.

Filed Oct 23, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · MO

"play" and clicking noises in steering wheel have increasingly gotten much worse and noisier, clicking and clunking on turns. I feel like any moment my steering is going to go out and I am going to put everyone in my car and around me at risk. Called dealership and they said it is a common problem which I researched and found that the coupler in steering wheel fails. Kia used the same part in presvious years same model and even years afterward and those years were recalled but not my year. Makes no sense. The next issue was I was driving on the highway at 70 and all of a sudden lost power and car would not accelerate beyond a speed of 45 mph. Black smoke came out of my tail pipe and I limped home at 20 mph. Mo engine warning lights but I could smell something was hit like melted plastic. After letting the car sit a couple hours, I started it and it sounds like there is a hole in the exhaust all of a sudden. There lots of black ish grey soot under my car as if a balloon burst with soot in it from underneath the car somewhere. I called the dealer and described the issue and all they did was look up my vin and tell me there is no recall and that I must have gotten bad gas somewhere.

Filed Jun 20, 2022 · Engine · WA

A loud thumping noise accompanied by a large amount of smoke in exhaust along with sudden loss of engine power while traveling at highway speeds. Oil was spewing from a hole that was blown through engine block.

Filed Jan 12, 2022 · Brakes · FL · crash · fire

Loss of power to brakes while braking at low speed resulting in a crash, air bag deployment and blowout of driver airbag. Driver sustained chemical burns, and abdomen bruising. The fire department extinguished a small fire . The KIA is a almost total loss .

Filed May 19, 2021 · Engine · AR

I purchased the 2012 Kia Soul on 12-18-20 and I had vehicle less than a week and it was losing power so I parked it until I could get it looked at on approx 02-03-21 the engine was disassembled by mechanic and found catalytic converter stopped up and piston failure after that time I found out about recall we contacted Kia about issue and was told they would not look at it because it is not driveable to take to Kia and they would not honor recall because cop ecu was not updated well engine already failed so we couldn't drive it there and recall said they would inspect vehicle and repair up to changing engine if necessary but they wouldn't even look at this one because engine had already failed and my vin number is under recall. I don't think this is right.

Filed Apr 7, 2021 · Engine · 147,750 miles · OK

My vehicle's malfunction light came on and it began to lose power off and on going down the turnpike. Since then, it sometimes won't start even though it sounds like it is going to. It continues to have these problems intermittently. When a diagnostic tool was hooked up to it, it brought up the following codes: p0420 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold), p0336 (crankshaft position sensor "a" circuit range/performance. I believe this may be related to recall #19v120000.

Filed Jan 2, 2020 · Engine · 172,000 miles · IL

Car lost power on highway and was unable to accelerate. Check engine light was flashing. Had car towed to gerald kia north aurora to have them evaluate car to see if it was a result of the catalytic converter recall. In 9/ 2017 dealership advised me that the catalytic converter needed replacement with a stored error code of p0420. I was told there was no rush to replace the converter since it was related to emissions. I was quoted a repair fee of $1630. Replaced converter in 4/2018 and again in 3/2019 at reputable shop. Dealership is stating the car is not eligible for the recall since I am "out of warranty". Car was diagnosed with p3301 and p3303 failure. According to recall I have a stored p0420 code and active p300x codes. They should replace the short block according to the recall documents. Dealership is refusing to issue a tech line and honor recall. Nohere on the paperwork does it state that the vehicle needs to be in "warranty"- if that was the case why did they inform me in 9/2019 there was a recall and my computer software needed to be updated.- I would be out of "warranty" nowhere on the recall paperwork kia filed does it state that only kia can replace a catalytic converter. Very frustrating that the dealership is not consumer driven. I have escalated this to kia corporate and am waiting for their response to see if they will honor their recall.

Filed Aug 10, 2019 · Engine · 160,000 miles · CA

I took the car to the kia dealership for recall number 19v120 they did an euc upgrade in june 2019. After that the car developed knocking noise from engine and started consuming more oil then previously 1 qt. Per 700 miles. On august 9, 2019 the car suddenly lost power barely making it up the hill at a stop idle was rough enough to shake the car. The car was diagnosed need new engine oil on spark plug 3&4 compression on 3&4 at 90 and 70.