2014 Kia Soul: engine overheating

Filed Nov 22, 2025 · Engine · CA

Subject: Reimbursement Request for Engine Defect Repairs - VIN [XXX] Dear Kia Consumer Assistance Center, I am requesting full reimbursement for repairs necessitated by the known engine defect in my 2014 Kia Soul with the 2.0L VEHICLE INFORMATION: •Year/Model: 2014 Kia Soul Plus •Current Mileage: 145,861 •Owner: [XXX] EXPENSES INCURRED DUE TO ENGINE DEFECT: 1.Oil Change - $152.34 (November 21, 2025) Jiffy Lube work order #410 documents excessive oil consumption with notation "1/2 QUART LOW ON OIL. CHECK YOUR OIL OFTEN" despite oil change only 46 days prior. 2.Oil Change - Valvoline (Oct 6, 2025) Full Synthetic Oil Change $0.00 Because they gave me a oil change for free because my oil light came on the next day. Valvoline 5W30 Full Synthetic Oil API SP 4.20 QT Valvoline Oil Filter 3.Oil Change – Valvoline - $106.00 (Oct 5, 2025) Full Synthetic Oil Change Valvoline 5W20 Full Synthetic Oil 4.DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE Firestone - $110.99 (ENGINE ANALYSIS Sept 6, 2025) * POSSIBLE BOTTOM END DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE FROM OVERHEATING** NEEDS TO GO TO ENGINE SHOP** DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE (ENGINE ANALYSIS) **HEARS SQUEAKING WHEN ACCELARTING. CUSTOMER WAS DRIVING UP THE GRAPE VINE AND CAR HAD SHUT OFF. CAR ALSO TAKES A WHILE TO GET UP TO SPEED.** 5. Catalytic Converter Replacement - $1,100 (Sept 6, 2025) oThe catalytic converter failed due to excessive exhaust temperatures caused by the engine defect. Per Kia TSB and recall documentation, high exhaust gas temperatures damage the catalytic converter, resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to engine pistons. 6. Autozone - $26.99 (Aug 28, 2025) oCataclean Fuel & Exhaust oSystem Cleaner 7. Valvoline - $140.00 (May 11, 2025) Complete Fuel System $19.99 8.Spark Plug Replacement & Tune-Up - $391.81 (March 29, 2025) Engine diagnostic codes (P0302, P0300 I request full reimbursement for these expenses totaling $2,011.13. Kia of Downtown Los Angeles will do the oil consumption test 11/24/2025. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Engine · FL

Catalytic converter overheated. Motor stalled. Wallace Kia, Stuart, Florida ran diagnostics on my vehicle. I brought it into Wallace Kia, Stuart, to get it fixed via the recall. They refused to do it. They said that the catalytic converter overheated and the motor has damage. I don't understand why they won't honor the recall and fix my car. They wanted me to pay for the diagnostics, but they won't send me an invoice.

Filed Sep 24, 2024 · Lights · 100,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at night, the front passenger’s side low-beam headlight failed to illuminate as needed. The contact stated that while activating the high-beam headlights, the driver’s side high-beam headlight failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the driver’s and passenger’s side headlight assemblies had overheated and melted. The headlight assemblies and light bulbs were replaced but the failure eventually reoccurred. The contact stated that the light bulbs and headlight assemblies were replaced on several occasions. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2024 · Engine · 139,762 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure increased significantly while driving. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the catalytic converter was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling), where the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic was upgraded. Additionally, the contact was provided an estimate for the catalytic converter repair; however, the contact declined to pay a fee for the repair because the recall repair included replacing the catalytic converter if damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 139,762.

Filed Jan 6, 2023 · Engine · NJ

I purchased the vehicle new (2014 KIA Soul, 1.6 liter) and in 2019 (85,000), under the federal safety agency Recall ID: 19V120000, I took the vehicle to a dealer who allegedly effected the repair, claiming, according to KIA, the catalytic converter was ok. I had a warranty on the vehicle to 120,000 miles. At 125,000 miles, today, the catalytic converter is damaged structurally probably due to overheat, specifically the issue that prompted the recall. I feel that the dealership may have not properly performed the software change and/or failed to identify damage to the catalytic converter. Understand that the vehicle was driven sparingly, low annual mileage, as my wife, the driver, was disabled in 2014 and subsequently only used the vehicle mainly for local errands.

Filed Nov 10, 2021 · Engine · UT

I took my 2014 Kia Soul into the dealer to have them do the 2 open recalls on the car, the one to update the knock sensor logic detection system and they also replaced the catalytic converter. 2 days later after picking up the car & only driving it 50 miles, the engine blew (head gasket blew) and it overheated all the way & there was white smoke coming out and the oil was milky. The dealer said that I would not be getting a new engine (like the recall said) and that I could have the had the head gasket replaced for around $1500 or that I could pay from $5000 to 8000 for a replacement engine. I feel really let down because it seems like the dealer acted in bad faith and didn't even contact Kia about providing me with a new engine. Before the engine blew, the KSLD system did nothing to alert us (because I think the engine was already messed up) Any help you can provide would be great. Thank you

Filed Sep 3, 2021 · Engine · CA

I took my 2014 soul to get recall done in San Leandro on 01APR21.No repairs done except coil that I paid for.Today 03SEP21 I took my 2015 soul in(same issue as b4 little power)and they are telling me my catalytic converter needs changing. To my understanding when I had them check the safety recall The repairs would of happened then ,Dealers will upgrade the catalytic overheating protection engine control unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced. All repairs will be done for free.This was not done to my 2014 soul.

Filed Aug 25, 2021 · Engine · WI

The engine started overheating when the vehicle reached over 150,000 miles. The oil in the car is burning rapidly. I have to check the engine oil daily and when on the freeway every hour because the oil is burning rapidly. When there is no oil the engine shuts down. The engine is overheating and I am afraid of an engine fire. I am constantly putting oil in the car because it is burning out rapidly. I am not sure why. There is a recall but I am not sure if I can get it because of the mileage on my car.

Filed Jun 9, 2021 · Engine · IL

My issue has to deal with the catalytic converter. I received a safety recall letter dated 4/12/2019 which stated I had a defect related directly to the converter. I brought the car in within days of this letter to get the upgrade to the Catalytic overheating protection unit. starting in Feb of 2021 my engine light goes on, and stays on for a few days, then goes off again for a week . this has repeated itself since then. Ive since brought the car in twice explaining this issue, only to be told on my 2nd trip that my catalytic converter is clogged. I explained I have the safety recall later which states "Kia will upgrade the catalytic overheating protection logic in the engine control unit (ECU), and if necessary replace the catalytic converter and/or engine at no cost to you". The response from both the dealer and KIA has been, "that campaign has ended, and the repairs are your responsibility". My argument is, how can a safety recall that is directly related to my defect ever be expired?. The car has been diagnosed as having a clogged converter. I've been advised by a lawyer to reach out here to see if i can get any answers regarding the recall letter and if its valid for the life of the vehicle.

Filed Sep 21, 2020 · Engine · 106,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 kia soul. The contact stated the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the engine was consuming oil prematurely. The contact also found that the catalytic converter was overheating due to the premature oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved failure code: p0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold. The manufacture was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed Jul 5, 2020 · Engine · OH

My 2014 kia soul, VIN# [xxx], broke down on 12/26/2019, only had 33,766 miles on it. The dealership said the downstream catalytic converter was clogged, for an internal melt down due to high exhaust temperature. Dealership said the downstream catalytic converter is not covered under warranty. This vehicle had the recall sc176 for ecu catalytic overheating protection (cop) logic update done on 05/08/2019 at 32,461 miles, invoice # k1cs806584, the recall says 'the catalytic converter may become damaged due to overheating caused by an excessive increase of exhaust gas temperatures'. The dealership should have detected the catalytic converter was failing and replaced it when they did the recall inspection but they didn't. Now only 1300 miles after, the catalytic converter failed. Catalytic converter should last 100k+ miles. Less than a week and 130 miles after the rear converter repair, I had front catalytic converter failed at 33892 miles. (invoice # k1cs829713, 1/23/2020, it is repaired under emission warranty. I filed a claim at the kia recall department for a reimbursement of $1485.58 for the repair I paid, case#13505076, but the claim was denied on 2/8 said they can only reimburse if the repair is done before the recall. When they did the recall inspection, they should have discovered the damage and have it repaired under recall, but they failed to do so and now I have to pay for it only 1300 miles after. The recall is a fraud, all they did is flash the ecu. Redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 20, 2020 · Engine · 75,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 kia soul. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle slowed and stopped without warning. The vehicle was pulled to the side of the roadway, turned off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter overheated and damaged the engine. The vehicle was towed to the warner kia located at (501 7th st, parkersburg, wv 26101). The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 19v120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.