2014 Kia Soul: engine failure

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Engine · RI

this vehicle was service with a new engine in 2021 by the kia dealer in South Attleboro mass the car began to start loosing power on 10/15/ 2026 it now needs a new engine again I call the kia dealer to see if it had warranted and they said because it has 198 thousand miles the warranted is gone I don't understand how is a new engine last for only 3 years . no explanation after that please I need someone to let me know what is really happening with these Kia"s cause my 2018 also have the same problem and is not because of oil cause it has been service by the kia dealer itself . although I hav notice also that after service my oil will drop easily and I would have to put more oil in it can anyone get back to me now I have two Kias one 2014 and 2018 with engine problem in the same month.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Engine · TX

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power and came to a complete stop. After cooling down for approximately 10 minutes, the vehicle was restarted; however, smoke emanated from the engine bay and entered the cabin, and the vehicle stalled in traffic without warning. The rod bearing engine failure warning light was illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the technician inspected the vehicle but refused to perform repairs due to the high mileage. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

l have a 2014 grey Kia soul with engine problems engine recall. The car has stopped multiple times. The KSDS is already installed since my Kia in limp mode can’t got past 40mph. Its engine recall P1326 knock sensor rod bearing engine recall. Everything on car is up to date oil change last month and all other car parts. Smoke come inside car and outside my 2014 Kia soul making very very dangerous to drive. Its safety issue because of my Kia engine recall. Please please need Kia to give me a free new engine cause of these factors for safety please. Need free engine recall.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Engine · WI

Writing to get some relief and a recall for my expenses due to a failed catalytic converter. The same issue was reported and recalled on the 1.6l engine in 2019. 19V120.Mine is 2014 kia soul 2.0l engine. I am showing multiple other reports on this site which had the same issues as well. 11736089 and 1700997. Catalytic converter failure. No codes. Sluggish acceleration, rotten egg smell, high fuel consumption and oil consumption. When merging onto highway, engine redesign to between 3-4000 reps before it goes into overdrive have to jam the accelerator to go. Took to mechanic and while they were doing a test drive, could not get the car to go. Narrowly not getting into an accident with the approaching truck behind them. Vehicle has regular maintenance and is well taken care of. Good thing i got it taken care of before engine failure. All of the combustion gases from the failed catalytic converter could have cost me a new engine, or worse my life. Reached out to kia corporate customer service with no help offered. They tout extended warranties on their cars. But will not honor them. Have the converter and it is clear as day , that it was reaching high temperatures and malfunctioning. What help can you offer?

Filed May 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · VA

COMPONENT FAILURE: The engine, power train, and speed control systems failed due to the known Nu 2.0L GDI connecting rod bearing defect. SAFETY RISK: My [XXX] daughter was driving in heavy rush-hour traffic when the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and entered a 20 MPH "limp mode." This sudden deceleration created an immediate and severe risk of a rear-end collision, endangering my daughter and surrounding motorists. DEALER CONFIRMATION: The failure was officially confirmed by Flow Kia of Charlottesville (RO #XXX). On Dec 3, 2025, the dealer confirmed active DTC P1326 (KSDS) and documented failed cylinder compression (as low as 150 PSI; min spec is 178 PSI). The dealer issued a written diagnosis stating: "engine replacement is required." MANUFACTURER CONDUCT: Despite their own dealer's written diagnosis and the active P1326 safety code, Kia Corporate issued a bad-faith warranty denial. The dealer also unlawfully charged me $165 for the mandatory KSDS warranty diagnostics. SUMMARY: This is a textbook safety failure under the federal safety agency Investigation EA 21-003. Kia's refusal to replace the engine under the court-supervised Engine Litigation II settlement represents a systemic failure by the manufacturer to remedy a known safety hazard. 51-page evidence packet attached. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 18, 2026 · Engine · FL

Car had recall and new engine was put in April 2024. I’ve had the new engine for 25 months. It started doing the exact same thing as before when engine went out. No power, limp mode, engine violently shaking, rods knocking. Engine light came on. I parked it immediately and called dealership. They said it’s a refurbished engine not new so it does not have the full warranty. This new engine wasn’t new I just found that out this morning. Upon further research in Kia forums, these replacements blew up too. Like we all got the same engines that blew up. Can anything be done about this? This would be the 3rd engine in this Kia. It only had 30k miles on the new motor. Engines last longer than that. I’m now stuck as a travel nurse with finding another vehicle. This is just wrong. I missed work trying to find a car. Has there been any complaints about the replacement motors seizing up and blowing? Online searches show it happening to a lot of people with these Kia souls. Idk what your company does but everyone said to let you know. Idk how that helps but here it is. Can anything be done? My mechanic came by to look at it and said the motor is blown. It has an appointment at dealership for official diagnosis of blown motor.

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · VA

Summary of Safety Defect: While my 16 year old daughter was driving our 2014 Kia Soul in December 2025, the car suddenly lost power in traffic and would not go over 20 mph; the check engine light came on and the vehicle entered limp mode. The sudden drop in power created a high anxiety, hazardous situation for my daughter, who had only had her license for a week, during rush hour traffic. The vehicle was unsafe to operate and had to be towed. Details of the Incident: Diagnostic trouble code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) was confirmed by the Kia dealership. P1326 is part of Kia’s known engine defect population and is tied to safety related engine failures. The dealership documented oil consumption, oil fouled spark plugs, and compression readings below Kia’s minimum specification on all cylinders. The dealership concluded in writing that engine replacement is required. Despite this, Kia denied warranty coverage based solely on a bearing clearance test, without completing the full diagnostic process required under the KSDS settlement. The vehicle remains unsafe and inoperable. Why This Is a Safety Issue: The sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate above ~20 mph created a dangerous situation for my daughter and surrounding traffic. This is a known defect pattern in Kia vehicles covered under the KSDS program. The failure occurred without warning and could have resulted in a collision. Requested Action: I am reporting this because Kia has not responded to my two complaints nor properly addressed a safety related engine defect that is already part of a national settlement. The incomplete diagnostic process and denial of coverage leave the vehicle unsafe and unusable. I request that the federal safety agency review this incident as part of the ongoing safety concerns involving Kia GDI engines and P1326 related failures.

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

In June 2024, my 2014 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced a sudden engine failure without warning. I was driving on a busy road when the engine began sputtering and quickly stalled. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be towed. I had it inspected at a Kia dealership, who diagnosed the issue as complete engine failure but have not provided me with a full diagnostic report despite multiple requests. This type of failure is consistent with the known defects in the Theta II engine that have triggered recalls and extended warranties in similar Kia models. Although Kia has denied coverage for my vehicle, I believe this is a related safety issue. The vehicle stalled unexpectedly, creating a hazardous condition on the road. I was traveling with my toddler in the back seat and felt our safety was at risk. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this failure is not an isolated incident and should be investigated. Kia has refused to acknowledge a defect, but the symptoms match those in previous recalls for other Soul and Forte models with similar engines. I have also attached documentation showing service history and repair costs, and I am happy to make the vehicle available for inspection. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · TX

On [XXX], my 2014 Kia Soul received the PI2002A Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) ECU update at Southwest Kia, 39650 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway South, Dallas, TX 75237. After the update, the engine sustained catastrophic damage (a hole in the block). Southwest Kia informed me that Kia denied the engine replacement under warranty, which is inconsistent with the official PI2002A bulletins (the federal safety agency #MC-10172065 and MC-10189615). These bulletins clearly state that the short block warranty is extended and that engine replacement is covered for this type of failure. I am requesting an immediate review of my case, a written explanation for the denial, and a timeline for resolution, as my vehicle is currently inoperable. Attached are service records, photos of the engine damage, and copies of the PI2002A bulletins for reference. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Engine · OH

My VIN number was included as part of the engine recall up to 150,000 miles. My car sat at the dealership and the engine replacement was denied because the leaking piston were not cover as part of the engine recall. I even called Kia directly and they would not cover the engine replacement. The excessive oil consumption starter at 93K, the engine failed at 120,000 mile and 7 years old. I bought the vehicle brand new and I changed my oil faithfully. I think they denied the engine replacement because they started getting all these other engine recalls. The car was very reliable and no other major problems until this.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · OH

Ive tried to get my recalls fixed since I bought the car 2 years ago, Jeff Wyler Kia Eastgate Ohio has given me the run around, at least 5 attempts of no call backs or prolonged appointment dates not having me on record, my car breaks down I pay for diagnostic blown engine, I pay to have it towed to Jeff Wyler Kia Eastgate Ohio, it's been there for 5 weeks and they still have not done a diagnostic on it. They are saying they never received my driver's license, then it was proof of ownership, they won't call me back or email. I'm just so frustrated because Kia the main company actually has sent me many letters to get it fixed I call them and they told me their wasn't even a diagnostic done, they tried reaching out to them. Should I tow my car to a different dealer? I'm not sure what to do anymore, I'm almost afraid now they'll say they can't cover it for same reason, my trust is gone at this point with the dealership. I recently had a full knee replacement and getting in and out of my daughter's car has been very hard on me, I asked for a loaner and they said they don't provide them there and I have to pay. I've already put in so much money on this car at this point I feel cheated or targeted for some reason. They treat me like I'm trying to get something for free, they aren't paying out of their pocket. My car is still sitting there soon to be 6 weeks and don't know what to do, the treatment of this dealership is beyond horrible and I don't trust them. it's not my fault this happened I'm sorry for everyone involved especially Kia , it must be a lot, Thank you for listening to me , I hope you have a great day [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 16, 2025 · Engine · NY

In 2023 I had my car repaired at a Kia dealership due to the federal safety agency Recall Number: 19V120, KIA Customer Care Case Number: [XXX]. It mentioned in recall that the engines may need to be replaced. Even though the engine had made grinding noises when I brought the vehicle in for repair on that recall, the Kia dealership told me my engine did not need to be replaced. However, on [XXX] as I was driving, the car began making loud grinding noises, the check engine & oil light came on and white smoke was coming out of the back. I immediately pulled into a gas station & shut the engine off. After waiting several minutes, I tried to restart the engine and it would not start. The battery had gotten weak. I got a jumpstart from a customer at the gas station, and when the engine turned over a large cloud of white smoke came out of the back, so I turned it off again and called for roadside assistance who towed the car to my home. I had the vehicle towed to a local garage on 6/14/2025. I believe this engine failure is part of the ongoing issues with defective Kia engines. And also stems from the issues from the recall mentioned above because when I took the car to the service center for that recall, it was vibrating and making a lot of noise at that time, and I believe damage had already started to happen to the engine. I contacted Kia 6/16/2025 and they claimed that I was out of warranty and that everything would be out of my pocket, but I think this engine should be covered under all the recalls and the class action lawsuits because it’s a safety hazard when your car shuts down in the middle of a highway. I never received any letters from Kia except when I contacted them about the federal safety agency Recall Number: 19V120. The case number for that issue is Case Number: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) Vehicle is at local garage.