2012 Kia Soul: excessive oil consumption

Filed May 12, 2026 · Engine · 84,213 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled and failed to accelerate with the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the contact’s spouse had added oil to the vehicle. The vehicle was able to restart, and additional oil had to be delivered to the contact to refill the vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed by a dealer for further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 84,213.

Filed May 17, 2025 · Engine · TN

The engine has gunk in the motor. Can not clean it. Uses oil. Noise from the engine.

Filed May 2, 2023 · Airbags, Engine · 90,000 miles · MO · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle. During the crash no air bags deployed. The driver sustained a minor neck injury which did not require medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. In a second incident, the vehicle crashed down an embankment, and again no airbags had deployed. The driver sustained a minor neck injury that did not require medical treatment. Recently while operating the vehicle the check engine light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and the engine was burning excessive oil and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Dec 7, 2022 · Engine · CA

1.Excessive Oil consumption - Yes available for inspection. 2. I'm afraid of where the oil could be going in my engine and what that might cause. 3.Went to Kia and showed proof of oil consumption, employee seemed familiar with the engine problem but I was told there is no recall on this and I should trade the car in. "just not here." he said. 4. Only after 1,500 miles my oil lamp flashed on.

Filed Oct 28, 2021 · Engine · TX

Approximately six months ago, my check engine light came on and I took my car to a local mechanic. He said that I needed an oil change and my oil level seemed a bit low even though it wasn’t at the 5000 mile mark yet, so I should keep an eye on oil consumption. Around 3500 miles after this oil change, my check engine light came on again. I took my car back to the mechanic at Midas and he informed me that my car was consuming oil due to faulty seals around the pistons, and I would need to make a warranty claim to KIA. The dealership immediately knew what the issue was and agreed to make an appointment to replace the engine, but called back and informed me I needed to do an oil consumption test and would have to pay for an additional oil change from the dealership. I agreed and after driving 1000 miles I brought my car back. The dealership confirms it is burning over a quart of oil every 1000 miles, but now they claim the engine will not be covered unless it seizes up while I am driving. Their suggestion is I replace the engine on my own dime or put more oil in every few thousand miles until it seizes and causes a potentially fatal accident. As I have been researching online, I have found several people with similar issues, and many who’s cars HAVE seized while they were driving highway speeds. It seems as though KIA’s plan to keep costs low is to hope anyone with an engine claim dies in the crash when it inevitably seizes up. Burning over a quart of oil every 1000 miles and suggesting I pump more oil in to get burned up is hardly environmentally friendly or healthy for the air we breathe. There should be a recall for Kia engines because this is obviously a widespread and well known issue, but for some reason KIA was allowed to get away with recalling a fraction of the cars they should and letting the rest of us risk our lives waiting for our engine to seize up going 75MPH!

Filed Oct 25, 2021 · Engine · FL

While attempting to accelerate on the interstate (around 70 mph), the engine began to knock. No warning lights were illuminated. Took the vehicle to a local automotive repair and was informed that it had completely burned through the oil and the engine would need to be replaced. The technician advised that there is a technical service bulletin out for the issue in question as it relates to excessive oil consumption for affected vehicles. The engine could have failed at any point and we were advised it was unsafe to drive. As stated earlier, there were no warning lights and no reason to believe anything was wrong with the car prior to this incident as it has had routine oil changes and maintenance. The problem was detected at a Tires Plus location but the car is being towed to the dealer to confirm the issue this week. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else.

Filed Dec 9, 2020 · Engine · 125,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light had illuminated and the speed of the vehicle had suddenly reduced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer trophy kia of carson located at 22020 recreation rd, carson, ca 90745, who reset the engine software but the failure continued to occur. The engine later experienced a loud knocking noise and excessive oil consumption. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v120000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Oct 6, 2020 · Engine · 10,000 miles · FL

My kia soul 2012 has been having problem a with over the limit oil consumption that started in 2015. In the owners manual and in crown kia where I bought the car said that I can change oil on every 5000 miles. Over time it started burning more and more oil that it was needed to add and change oil every 1000 miles. Reputable mechanic in the area told me kia soul have that defect of burning excessive oil and it was due to defected valve guides and piston rings.

Filed Sep 10, 2020 · Engine · 58,000 miles · CO

On or about june 27, 2013, I had about 58,000 miles on my vehicle and while on the freeway I noticed a slight hesitation and then a light knocking in the engine. Engine light came on, so I had the code read and it idicated that the knock sensor was bad. I had it replaced and still had the knocking niose and engine light on. Had the code read again and it idicated that it was the knock sensor, so I replaced it again. Engine light went out but the knocking continued for several months. Then it started stalling at stops, also engine was running odd and not having power. Engine light came back on and this time the code indicated that it was the crank sensor. I replaced it and the odd running stopped. The engine still stalls on occasion it stalls even while driving. I've had both recalls completed on my vehicle, and was told by: arapahoe kia, (9701 e arapahoe rd, centennial, co 80112) after the catalitic converter recall was completed, that I should get the engine flushed and if it still continued, I had to have engine replaced at my cost. To say the least, that after 241,436 miles, it is still knocking, using oil. I think the catalitic converter had something to do with this issue, but you know how dealerships treat customers, like they don't know anything. I'm a mechical engineer inspector, so good luck with your kia souls, I think there should be a recall on all 1.6l engines.

Filed Jul 21, 2020 · Engine · GA

Burning oil, mechanic did another engine flush to clean buildup, after I picked up the car, check engine light came on and now it's the catalytic converter, mechanic stated it needs to be replaced. I continued to have problems with burning oil with this engine and now the cat needs replacing, this is a very expensive repair, I love my soul but this engine has been nothing but trouble

Filed Jun 5, 2020 · Engine · 220,000 miles · VA

In early 2016, my vehicle began burning oil at an alarming rate. November the same year I ended up having to get my engine replaced at about 120,000 miles. In 2019, the same issue began to occur. I have to put oil in my car multiple times every week. A family member who works for kia brought our attention to a recall on the catalytic converter that can cause converter and engine damage due to overheating. On jan 28 2020 I took the kia soul to stevens kia in harrisonburg va for the recall. We explained the issues we were having and pulled up the information about the recall possibly causing engine damage. They said they were unaware of that issue and that they don't believe it would cause the engine to burn off oil. Kia's information specifically says that it can cause the vehicle to overheat, burn off oil, and ultimately lead to engine failure. I still have to add oil to my vehicle multiple times during the week as it is damaged and hasn't been repaired. It is getting to the point where I'm scared it's going to leave me stranded somewhere or worse. I need to know what I have to do for kia to address the situation without contradicting their own information on the recall.

Filed Oct 21, 2019 · Engine · 123,000 miles · MO

Before taking the vehicle in for the recall it was burning oil. It would be completely empty after just 2000 miles of getting my oil change. I took it in to get the recall fixed. They replaced the computer as well as the catalytic converter. It still continues to burn the oil the same as it did before. They told me they couldn't do anything especially since it has 123000 miles now.