2012 Kia Soul: won't start

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

On 12/ 22/ 2025 I went to start the 2012 KIA Soul and it would act like it would start but, it would not turn over. Battery was fine checked it. Let it set a moment and tried it again would not start. Called a wrecker and towed it in. The service guy tried and couldn't get it to start either. He ran a diagnostic on it, there were not type of codes, no check engine light nothing. He had it for until 1/5/2026 and when they went to check it it started right up. They drove it for 20 miles to check to see if it would cut off while driving, it didn't. It starts now but for how long. Here's the strange thing, I drove it 20 minutes away and I noticed that the counter for when You fill up with gas states how many miles you have left to go before fill up was counting UP not DOWN. So I think it could be the computer or electrical, I thought it was the fuel pump at first. Still no warning signals nothing.

Filed Jan 28, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

Was stalling, would loose power, now will not start. Found a recall ( engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic converter # 19v120000.) same problems. Towed to local kia, they say not under recall list. This recall is only for engine size 1.6. My engine is a 2.0. But they said catalytic converter needs replaced. Although car is aged only has about 55,000 miles. Catalytic converter should not be an issue. I believe the 2.0 engine needs to be added to the recall list.

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 Mar 19, 2021 · Engine · 170,000 miles · VA

As I was driving on the street, the car cut off in the middle of an intersection. Another motorist helped push car to safety. The car would not start without a jump, and when it was running, the engine was shaking. The check engine light was on and blinking. There was a smell coming from the exhaust.

Filed Mar 10, 2021 · 170,000 miles · FL

My car shut off in the middle of gas station won't crank back up

Filed Jan 7, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · GA

Upon my last service at the dealership they told me my oil was low. This was the first time ever having to add oil. I continued to monitor the issue. Last week we drove the car approx 50 miles home. The next morning the car would not start at all. We had it towed to the dealer and they told me the engine is gone. The car has 97,000 miles and has been maintained myself for the last 6 years using synthetic oil.

Filed Aug 8, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 112,000 miles · KS

I just bought my car in april and with registration papers I received recall papers stating 2 recalls for my vehicle I didn't think it was legal to sell vehicle without having it fixed.?? Next I. Take my vehicle to kia dealer on monday august 3 to fix recalls they.said.no codes show.. I drive home 45 mini away. Car dies. Inext morning.it.dies.again wont start.. I looks under the hood and there.is a.wire buring through my fus box which was not there before and now I have no.power to my vehicle and something isn't right I know that wire wasn't there before.

Filed Jun 9, 2020 · Engine · 119,000 miles · OR

I was driving my car on the freeway, I got off on my exit. When I came up to the red light my car stalled and shut off. I turned my car back on and it wouldn't start so I tried again and it turned on but had a ticking sound. I got home and checked my oil and my oil was completely gone. I didn't have any oil light or engine light on. I took my car in and there is a recall sc176. Kia said my engine wasn't affected due to the recall. They said they don't know the cause of the problem and would have to tear the engine apart. They recommended I replace with a engine long block and it wouldn't be covered under the recall. Everything described in the recall is exactly what happened when I was driving. Im very lucky I wasn't on the freeway when this occurred because I had my 3 young children in the car with me.

Filed Mar 26, 2020 · Engine · 128,000 miles · MI

Vehicle was driven for aprox. 45 min at freeway speeds of 70 MPH upon exiting the free way the vehicle stalled. There was no accident and I was able to coast the vehicle to a parking lot, at that time the 2012 kia soul would not start. A few hours later I was able to start the vehicle, there was a very bad banging sound from the engine, I was able to drive it a short distance to the auto parts store to test the check engine light. There was a code for p0420 "catalyst system efficiency below threshold". I was told not to drive the vehicle any further. I had the vehicle towed to a kia service (where it currently is). They are claiming that it does not fall within the recall for the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v120000 - kia recall # sc176 this recall seems to be the same issue.

Filed Feb 21, 2020 · Electrical · 68,000 miles · KS

Car is in p as rk. Car is not moving. Car is not already started. Often the car won't start. Interior lights come on when key is placed in ignition, but wont turn over. You have to wiggle the shifter or turn the steering wheel. It will eventually start. Car gurus has over 150 identical complaints. It appears it's a coil of some type. Multiple vehicles various years. He dealerships often just recommend replacing starter or battery. But the issue remains. It's a product defect. Should be a recall.

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · Engine · 140,000 miles · MO

On 2-2-17 I was driving on state highway ee, which is a 2 lane blacktop when my kia engine died, I coasted to a nearby driveway and got off of the roadway the best I could, a tow truck had to be called, as the engine would not start. The catalystic converter had blown apart and was clogging the exhaust.. In doing research, I see there is a recall on the 1.6 engines, but mine is a 2.0, why are there no recalls on the 2.0 ?

Filed Apr 10, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 134,000 miles · NY

First 2 times car didn't start on initial try, car started, tach dial wasn't functioning and car didn't want to go more than 25 MPH. Car taken to kia where they said car was fine but needed fuel inhectors cleaned and a serpentine belt. 2 weeks later car stalls at stop light, tach dial not functioning and car doesn't want to accelerate past 25 MPH. Called kia they were closing and would call back, never did. 1 week later at stop light again and car stalls, restart, tach dial not functioning, car doesn't want to accelerate again. Taken to kia where scanner was put on and stated all was fine, even though the tach still was not functioning. Shut car off and restarted and all was fine.....