2015 Kia Soul: engine failure

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Engine · VT

Sudden engine misfire and stall in major metropolitan area in high traffic. Diagnosis from my mechanic was failed valve and complete loss of compression to 2nd cylinder. Symptomatic of repeat catalytic converter issues leading to engine damage. Catalytic converter has been replaced twice-- once out of pocked and once under extended warranting for SC176/the federal safety agency 19V-120000 at a kia dealership. Engine light turned on just minutes before failure. I am now beyond the extended 150,000 warranty-- engine failed at 167,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Engine · 147,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had passed the inspection and no repairs were needed. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on a slightly inclined road, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, and other unknown engine failures. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

The vehicle is a 2015 Kia Soul with the 1.6L GDI engine. The check engine light came on solid, and a dealer later confirmed diagnostic trouble code P0420, indicating the catalyst system efficiency is below threshold on bank 1. The catalytic converter and engine are still on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. This condition matches the defect described in Kia’s SC176 safety recall for 2012–2016 Soul vehicles with the 1.6L GDI engine, in which overheating of the catalytic converter can lead to internal engine damage and even a fire. My concern is that a failing catalytic converter or related engine damage could lead to sudden loss of power, engine failure, or fire while driving, which puts my safety and the safety of others at risk. The problem has been confirmed by an authorized Kia dealer, which documented the solid check engine light and DTC P0420 on a written repair estimate. In that document, the dealer referenced recall SC176Y as the possible applicable recall and noted that it would need to contact Kia for coverage because the vehicle has a branded rebuilt title. To my knowledge, the manufacturer has not yet performed any SC176‑style ECU logic update, compression test, or catalytic converter/engine inspection on this vehicle, and the manufacturer has declined to escalate or review recall coverage for this defect. The check engine light and P0420 code remain the primary warning indicators, and they first appeared shortly before the dealer visit on the repair estimate date.

Filed May 27, 2026 · Engine · MN

The vehicle exhibited a severe mechanical engine knock, significant magnetic iron debris in the engine oil, and subsequently triggered diagnostic trouble code P1326 (Bearing Wear Limit Exceeded). This indicates imminent connecting rod bearing failure, which is a known defect subject to lifetime warranty extensions and safety recalls under the Hyundai/Kia Engine Litigation. This defect poses a severe safety risk, as it can cause sudden engine seizure, catastrophic loss of motive power at highway speeds, or an engine fire, creating an immediate crash hazard. The vehicle was presented to an authorized Kia dealership service center for diagnosis. The dealership completed a static "Bearing Clearance Test" (BCT) which resulted in a procedural pass. However, the authorized service advisor explicitly stated on a recorded voicemail that the engine "is having issues" and that the dealership "can't put on the ticket that everything is completely safe". Voicemail recording can be provided. Despite acknowledging on the record that the vehicle is unsafe to operate, the dealership and manufacturer refused to authorize the necessary engine replacement repair, citing the static test result. Furthermore, dealership staff instructed the consumer (myself) to continue operating the admittedly unsafe vehicle in traffic until a catastrophic failure occurs on the road to force a diagnostic test failure. The manufacturer's reliance on a test protocol that fails to identify physically disintegrating components, combined with instructing consumers to drive vehicles admitted to be unsafe, constitutes an extreme and ongoing safety hazard.

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Engine · ID

My 2015 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced sudden catastrophic engine failure: loud pop, knocking, and immediate loss of power. The engine has a hole in piston #2 and a hole in valve #3. This is a known safety defect included in the Hyundai/Kia Theta II engine settlement. My vehicle has KSDS update installed, but Kia and the dealership are denying warranty repair unless a specific code (P1326) or rod-bearing damage is found. The engine failure occurred without warning and placed me in danger. Kia's refusal to cover a known safety defect leaves an unsafe vehicle unrepaired. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Engine · NJ

Owned vehicle for 1 year. On [XXX} the vehicle kept Stalling and wouldn't accelerate. Drove to service station. Had 4 coils and spark plugs replaced. Car was still not right- compression test confirmed engine failure. Had car towed to KIA dealer Matt Blatt rt 37 Toms River, NJ. Their diagnostic shows 3rd cylinder failure top engine. Class action lawsuit on engine failure coverage is for bottom engine failure. Regardless the entire engine needs replacement. There's thousands of these cars with both top engine and bottom engine failure- yet they will not assist in replacement. It seems ridiculous to know the engines are bad and only cover the 1 area- when the entire engine needs to be replaced Regardless of engine failure location. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Engine · 123,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, with smoke coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot, where the engine overheated, and there was oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced. The contact stated that later, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 123,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2025 · Engine · TX

I am submitting this report regarding an ongoing issue with my Kia vehicle related to the recall for code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System / Engine Bearing Wear). The first time this issue occurred, Kia documented the problem and kept my vehicle overnight to perform what they referred to as an “engine soak.” I was informed that this procedure might resolve the engine performance and oil consumption problems. I was also advised that if the issue reoccurred within 15 years of vehicle ownership or before reaching 150,000 miles, Kia would replace the engine under the recall warranty. Recently, the same issue has reappeared, but Kia is now refusing to replace the engine, citing “gaps in maintenance” from the early years of my ownership. I explained that, at that time, my father performed all oil changes and maintenance at home to reduce costs, as I was a young driver living with my parents. Kia is requesting proof of oil or tool purchases from over ten years ago, which I no longer possess. Additionally, all vehicle-related documentation was left inside the car when it was stolen and broken into twice—incidents connected to the nationwide Kia theft issue that has been subject to another class-action lawsuit. As a result, I no longer have access to those records. During my initial visit, the Kia service representative, Jake, assured me that if the engine failed again and I maintained the vehicle properly, I would be covered for a full engine replacement. I have made every effort to comply with those terms, yet Kia corporate has denied my claim. I am requesting the federal safety agency’s assistance in resolving this matter and ensuring that Kia honors its recall obligations and prior representations made to me as a consumer.

Filed Sep 23, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · GA

The engine in my 2015 Kia Soul was replaced under warranty in June 2025. Only 3,568 miles later, the replacement engine failed. The vehicle displayed code P1326 and quickly lost oil, leaving it unsafe and undriveable on the road. This sudden failure created a serious safety hazard, as the vehicle stalled without warning and could not maintain safe operation. I was fortunate to be close to home and immediately turned back, narrowly avoiding a dangerous situation on a busy road. provide any assistance. Instead, they declined to repurchase or replace the vehicle, leaving me with an undriveable car and a $9,900 loan balance. This second catastrophic failure has not been inspected by a Kia dealership because Kia refused to take responsibility or even arrange for evaluation. This was not an isolated incident. Problems began on 11/27/2024, less than 3,000 miles after I purchased the vehicle, and have been ongoing ever since, including prior emergency towing events due to similar safety issues. Kia’s repeated failures to provide a lasting fix or safe remedy have left me without reliable transportation and have put both myself and other drivers at risk. I have full documentation of the June 2025 engine replacement, the subsequent failure, and Kia’s refusal to act. The vehicle remains available for inspection. Warning messages and engine lights appeared only after the failure had already occurred.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Engine · PA

The vehicle is burning through oil and now the garage I have taken the car to is saying it will need a new engine soon. Also I have never been notified of the recalls.

Filed Aug 18, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · OK

While my 80 yr old dad and 18 yr old daughter were driving on the highway to get to my uncle’s funeral. My dad had his cruise on, when he and my daughter started noticing a strange sound almost a knocking sound. But the next hill when the car went to go up the incline it kept reducing in speed. My dad took the cruise off and at that point had no power to keep traveling. So August 2nd the car threw a rod. My dad had a warranty plus an extended warranty with the company GWC. They missed my uncle funeral, sat on the side of the highway for an hour before the tow truck got there. A local dodge dealership has gotten the vehicle and have done a complete inspection. The safety of my dad and daughter were at risk do to the car malfunctioning on the highway. As well as them sitting on the side of highway. And now the stress of all of this on my dad’s health has started causing him to not be able to eat, if he does eat he will throw it up. His mental health is declining due to KIA and GWC denied to fix the car now. My dad has had to pay for towing, a U-Haul res talk to get home, the Dodge dealership has gotten to do full inspection. Unknown if any warning lights or messages before hand. He bought the car with cash and it had 70,177 miles on it, when rod blew it had 78,784. He bought it used from a local dealership on or about Sept 16th 2022. Extended warranty paid for was 36 months. 1month shy of the extended warranty expiring.

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · ID

On [XXX] around [XXX], we were headed westbound on [XXX] toward Boise when the car began making a clanking sound. In less than a minute, the car was pouring smoke, clanking stopped and car completely failed. I coasted to side of freeway, car would not turn over, i did not try more than once for fear of further damage or starting a fire. When tow driver came and car was moved, it exposed a giant puddle of oil and pieces of what looked like MELTED metal. The tow driver stated it was a connection rod piece and engine is likely shot. I immediately scheduled a service ticket to have it looked at my local Kia Dealership. They confirmed that i experienced a catastrophic engine failure and that it matched the exact recall SC176 issue. They attempted to contact and file a claim under both the recall and the powertrain warranty and were denied both by KIA, due to negligence of the owner. I had a passenger with me who has severe medical conditions. It was in 90's in desert like heat. It took 4-5 hours to have it towed and get out of the heat. We almost got into an accident when the car malfunctioned. There were ZERO warning notifications or lights on the dashboard until the car completely went disabled while coasting to the side of the freeway. No warning chugs. No previous issues with smoke/warning lights/ nothing prior. This literally happened out of no where and now I am being told by KIA they will not repair because its MY JOB to look into recalls. I have lived at the same address for the whole time i owned the car. I have printed records and digital records from my local DMV to prove it. I have written and digital proof that i properly maintenance my vehicle on time AND that i paid for synthetic oil rather than just the lowest possible choice they offered. I have proof that I was notified for the recall regarding the steering issue in 2017 and that i immediately made a service appt with my local dealership to have it address. I received NO notice for any other recall INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN