2014 Kia Soul: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Apr 3, 2025 · Engine · 120,000 miles · ND

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed with cruise control activated, the RPM's suddenly increased to over 4,000 and the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she was previously informed that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced prior to the failure; however, the catalytic convertor had not been replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jun 24, 2021 · Engine · TX

While driving on the highway in cruise control, the engine suddenly went into a lower gear and lost acceleration. Since then, the car has had difficulty accelerating and struggles to get up to speeds over 60mph. I had the car checked out and was told it was a clogged catalytic converter and that it needed to be replaced. Prior to the highway incident, the oil light would come on frequently and oil would have to be added every two to three weeks. The dealer has inspected the car for the engine recall and found no issues even though the car was experiencing oil loss when it was taken to the dealer. The car has 110,000 miles.

Filed Dec 21, 2020 · Engine · 102,000 miles · AR · fire

Traveling down the interstate at 75 MPH...had cruise control on and started to hear a loud rattling noise then a pop resulting in vehicle becoming immobilized with oil all over the ground. Vehicle towed home. Engine had throw a rod resulting in hole in the engine block and drain pan - has 102,000 miles well maintained

Filed Dec 8, 2020 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 134,000 miles · OK · fire

The cruise control was on my car started to excelerate and rev to high RPM without the engine shifting gears.. Then my service engine light and oil light came on the car making this horrible noise, I pulled over and the engine was barreling black smoke. I have been on the phone with kia reporting this, but they wanted $800 to tow it to the closest dealership, and it's kias recall fault that this happened. So my car which was still on the side of the road last week, is probably picked up and impounded by now....kia should take ownership, tow my car and fix it, or I will be more than happy to let my car go buy, file bankruptcy and never buy another kia. I have never been notified of but only one recall which I had my car serviced at that time in 2019 for that. This is total unresponsive responsibility by kia

Filed Dec 8, 2020 · Engine · 130,000 miles · MO

While driving on a state highway at 70 MPH on cruise control, I was coming up an incline when my car suddenly started to decelerate. I tried to increase my speed by applying the acceleration pedal. The rpms increased without an increase in acceleration. I immediately put my hazards on as I was on a major highway with cars flying by me and attempted to get to the side of the road. My car would barely go 20-30 MPH and my car started to "rumble" or "shake" as if I was severely out of alignment. My engine and oil light also came on at the same time as the deceleration. The engine light continually flashed. When I checked the oil, it was almost empty and my husband had just changed the oil less than 30 days ago. We have also been having to increase how many times we're having to add oil because I'm burning through it very quickly and I only drive back and forth to work. When I'd broken down, I was nowhere near a town or city and I had my 3 children in the car. I was scared and nervous trying to drive on a major highway only able to go 25 MPH with my car shaking. Once I was able to get a tow, my battery died. The tow truck driver jumped the battery and turned the car on and my exhaust started billowing smoke out. My car won't drive now to get to a mechanic and im too scared to drive it. Ive already had 2 recalls on this car and I'd gone to kia before those recalls for those issues. I had to wait for the recalls for kia to fix it. This car just needs to be completely taken off the roads! Between the lights shutting off and the electrical fire in my engine (which was another recall!) I will never purchase another kia! I do not feel safe owning one ever again!

Filed Dec 6, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 67,500 miles · UT

November 25th on my way to work I started hearing a rattle while driving on hwy 30. About a mile from my house. The noise didn't seam to be present while RPM was under 3,000rpm so I decided to be cautious of RPM and not push my car too much that morning. As I pulled into the parking lot the engine stopped, and the oil light flickered. I started the car and parked it. After work the car started fine but as I pulled into the road I heard the rattle again so I went to the nearest place I could to buy oil. Before checking I purchased a quart and found out I had enough oil in the car. The rattle was still present so I purchased oil, filter and decided no harm would come from refreshing the oil in the car. I kept my RPM under 3,000 on my way home and experienced some sudden speed shifts while using cruise control, but kept a slow and steady pace. At the top of a hill near my home the engine made some louder noises and stopped that is the first time the check engine light came on. I bumped the car into neutral and costed into my driveway. I later towed my car to it's parking spot, not wanting to make a potential issues worse. After consulting with a mechanic, he. Suggested an oil change may be the first action to fix the issues. I changed the oil in place and recorded my attempts to start the vehicle after. Mechanic consultant said the first attempt after oil change sounded like a knock that he did not think would be a long term issue. But the second attempt started into a lower rod knock and advised to not attempt to start the car again until it's in a shop with proper diagnostic equipment.

Filed Oct 22, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 125,000 miles · MA

In july 2020 I was helping the national guard in the covid-19 response and on my way to the unit, I drove for about 3 minutes on the highway and then my car stalled. I was going 63 MPH and then 40 MPH. I had to pull over and was a little stunned as it was very dangerous to do so. I eventually was able to pull over safely. I towed my car to firestone and they said the exhaust manifold had to be changed. I paid over $800 for this. On september 7, 2020, my car stalled again. I was driving on the masspike on cruise control at 65 MPH and when tried to increase my speed to switch lanes, the car did not accelerate. I then, let go of the pedal and tried to press it again, except this time, my car accelerated but the car was shaking. My engine light was blinking and then when I got to a point to stop, my car shut off on me. In both scenarios, I got my oil changed right before the issues. In july I did the oil change and three days later my car stalled. In august I got my oil changed and my car stalled two weeks later on sept. 7th. Now my entire engine has to be replaced and that costs over $8000! This is ridiculous and I will never buy a kia again. They wont even tell me how it happened because they don't know how it happened. So the cause is unknown. I cannot believe this happened. I bought the car used in 2018 at 35,000 miles and now it is at 125,000 miles. It looks like the only option is to fork out $8,000 or to throw out the car! Kia will not cover anything wrong with it and they say it has nothing to do with the recall but the symptoms of the car are an exact replica of what is happening with the recall. Maybe they just do not want to admit that the engines are defective. I have seen so many complaints about this and nothing good happens. Kia, you should be ashamed of yourselves for allowing this to go on for so long.

Filed Aug 25, 2020 · Engine · 87,700 miles · TN

Car began losing power while driving (using cruise control) on busy highway (city, 4 lanes of traffic; 8/23/2020). Driver immediately stopped driving car and tried to find safe location to stop. Car started making loud noises from engine. Car was towed to kia dealership (8/24/2020). Kia employee reported hearing the noise upon starting the car, and stated he knew immediately that a rod malfunctioned and oil leaked into engine. Kia did not do further inspection. Engine/car is totaled and cannot be driven. Kia quoted $7,400 repair. Said this was caused by lack of oil change from owner. Car has regular oil changes with paperwork to confirm user maintenance. Kia souls with 1.6l engine have a recall for the same issue. Car's last oil change was approximately 2500 miles ago.

Filed Feb 21, 2019 · 90,000 miles · AL · fire

Driving 65 (the speed limit) using cruise control on hwy 78. Car sounded like transmission was bogging down heard a pop and saw smoke. Pulled over to the side lifted the hood and saw flames. Called 911 and watched the car burn up. No time to grab anything but a postal key.

Filed Jul 11, 2018 · Engine · 78,500 miles · NC · fire

My car engine exploded and car caught fire. Kia said they will not do anything about it. The engine was making a lawn mower noise prior with no check engine light then a few days later the engine blew. I was in cruise control when all this happened. By the time I made my way to the edge of the road my car was fully engulfed.

Filed Mar 19, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 78,500 miles · NC · fire

My kia soul 2014 just blew up and caught fire. The engine was a 4 cylinder gdi. The car went up in flames. The engine blew loud and as I came to a halt the entire car was on fire. Then the gas tank exploded. I was in cruise control going up a hip noticed the engine riveting hard and then the car engine made that loud bang and then in 12 minutes car was engulfed and gas tank blew as the fire department arrived.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 4,388 miles · TX

Cruise control randomly cut off. Then ESC and ABS lights come on and disables anti-lock brakes system and stability control. Best guess faulty brake switch.