2014 Kia Soul: stuck in gear or won't shift

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 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 May 8, 2026 · Engine · OH

There is a rod knocking in the engine now. Car has always been properly maintained. There are no oil leaks or anything. The car now will not shift, loses power while going up hill, and is burning oil like crazy. Had the car looked at and was told the engine now needs to be replaced.

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 Jul 22, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · IN

My vehicles KSDS sensor was updated per recall. 2 months later the catalytic converter, PCV valve, and spark plugs needed replaced. After replacing and paying out of pocket in 01/2024, the check engine light began coming on as well as oil light. Vehicle began losing power and going into limp mode. Was taken to KIA and knock sensor was replaced 06/15/2024. Less than 3 weeks later the check engine light was on again, loss of power and check engine began flashing. Towed to Kia again to be told that I have to replace the engine out of pocket. This is a huge safety concern, considering the loss of power and all issues with Kia soul for any recalls or warranties have been the same issues with my vehicle. Vehicle had roughly 96k miles at first knock sensor replacement and approximately 104k at final issue.

Filed Jan 15, 2024 · Engine · IN

Knock sensor and glow sensor is stuck on. Knock sensor has been replaced. Vehicle is still in limp mode. Has no exceleration. Engine light flashing. Have takin it to a Kia dealer and they can't find anything.

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Engine · 207,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH uphill, the vehicle went into LIMP mode. The contact veered to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that there was oil leaking onto the camshaft and onto the manifold. The contact stated that she replaced the valve cover gasket, the spark plugs, and the engine valve stem oil seal sets; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that cylinder #2 and cylinder #4 were misfiring, and the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) as the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.

Filed Mar 9, 2023 · Engine · 127,000 miles · CO

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that oil had to be added once every month. The contact then received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The contact stated that a software update was performed. The contact stated that shortly after receiving the repair, while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shifted into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that due to the warranty limitations and recall repairs that were performed, the engine would not be replaced free of charge. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2023 · Engine · 206,975 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to AutoZone where a diagnostic test was performed and produced an unknown code indicating failure with the O2 sensor. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the contact requested that a diagnostic test be performed due to the check engine warning light being illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that five recall repairs were performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, due to inclement weather, she was unaware that while driving, the vehicle went into Limp Mode. The contact also stated that while attempting to accelerate, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the vehicle had gone into Limp Mode due to a KSDS software update. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist due to the vehicle being out of warranty. The contact was informed that her case would be escalated. The failure mileage was approximately 206,975.

Filed Dec 5, 2022 · Engine · MA

Vehicle has engine knocking and cylinder misfires believed to have been caused by a previous recall/ system update. Kia was supposed to have updated their KSDS (Knock sensor detection system) in my 2014 Kia Soul. I was driving the Kia Soul to work back in October 2021 when check engine light started flashing and vehicle started shaking. Vehicle then went into limp mode and shut off. Vehicle was towed to Balise Kia in West Springfield MA where they informed me no repairs would be covered because the previous update had not been installed. I was then told the vehicle had to be driven at least 100 miles in order to qualify for repairs to be covered but still at this time, vehicle is disabled and does not run or drive

Filed Apr 2, 2022 · Engine · MD

Complete engine failure at 120,000 miles. Engine will need replaced. Old engine will be sent back for core charge. The car went in for repairs at a local car repair shop. Kia dealership has done all the recalls on vehicle. No warning lights or noise prior to failure. Getting on the interstate and the vehicle started misfiring. Car went into limp mode and had to take the next exit to get to a safe spot to pull over. Got towed to local repair shop. They pulled the heads off and found gray gritty material sitting on the cylinders. There was also metal dust in oil.