2015 Kia Soul: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Recall sc176 incomplete- while driving in an unincorperated area in [xxx] ([xxx] in [xxx] county) the vehicle suddenly lost engine power and due to the sudden loss of engine power the vehicle was difficult to stop on a dangerous curve. The vehicle would not start back up. The cruve was situated in such a manor that it was unsafe to try to push it into the side as it was a steep ditch leaving the vhicle completely disabled in the complete dark. Even with the flashers on other motorists including a semi tractor trailer nearly crashed into the disabled vehicle multiple times. While escaping the dangerous situation on foot I noticed the muffler was emmiting smoke and a strong odor. I was able to retain the services of a local towing company to provide immediate emergency response where they had to use multiple units with cones and amber lights and flagmen with strobes to set up a saftey zone to protect oncomming motorists while they cleared the immediate saftey hazard. That week I had a local mechanic shop check on the no start condition. They removed, charged, and bench tested the battery finding it to perform at an acceptable amperage. Upon inspecting the no start condition found the motor to be lockrd. They noted an incomplete saftey recall upon checking the VIN and advised the vehicle needs to go to an authorized dealer for recall service. At that point the vehicle was pushed into an outdoor storage lot and the key returned pending transport. I talked to a lady at the kia dealer in [xxx] where it was mentioned they only had 2 technicians and it would be a while to get it looked at, so I called the next closest dealer which is [xxx]. On the phone they told me to bring the car for recall inspection. Instead of processing the recall they text me mentioning diag fees and costs and tried to get me to trade it in instead. I feel duped having it towed there for recall based on there words just for them to try to get me to trade it in. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b

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 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 Jan 13, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · SC

The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle began to hesitate and lose power while driving, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. The problem involves the engine and powertrain. A Kia dealer inspected the vehicle and found a timing-related engine fault code (P0014). The dealer stated the condition is consistent with the Kia engine bearing failure recall and referenced recall SC200PS, but said this VIN was not included. The vehicle has reduced power and cannot be safely driven. This creates a safety risk because the engine can lose power without warning while the vehicle is in motion. Warning lights were present before and during the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection.

Filed Dec 13, 2025 · NY

My Kia’s engine light came on. It was my catalyst converter verified by my mechanic and 2 other people. My my car lost power. I took to my mechanic. Well he told me it was a recall issue and I’d have to take it to Kia. In December 1 it was towed into Kia , central ave, Albany, NY. Yesterday I was told my car was finally finished after trying to reach the service center for days. When I talked to the service man and asked what was done on the car, he said everything but the converter. Told me recalls were done. Not if the converter wasn’t done. He said there was no light on. If it’s a recall why does a light need to be on? I need my car but I’m afraid to drive what I feel has not been fixed. I’m heading this AM to pick it up and worried. I’ve been getting nothing but a run around. I won’t know anything they did do. I know something about brakes, and steering. I know the converter wasn’t done no even done even though the car lost power, and I called the recall center, had it towed up to Kia, they kept it since December 2nd but what I sent in for was not fixed. Please help me.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Engine · PA

Kia soul engines are known for burning through oil very quickly. the recall does not include my car because i have a 2.0L engine. The excessive oil consumption of my engine completely melted the inside of my catalytic converter. my car only has 106,000 miles, so this shouldn't be an issue. I had my check engine light come on, so the mechanic told me to use different gas and turned the light off. My catalytic converter being completely blocked and melted is directly related to the oil consumption of the engine. i had two mechanics comfirm this. I experienced a major loss of power, and inability to accelerate normally, which can be very dangerous. I was trying to accelerate uphill on a road with little shoulder space or many places to turn around, and my car STOPPED and the check engine light started blinking. Very unsafe, if my car won't let me accelerate and i come to an unexpected dead stop, it could cause accidents. I can't believe my car isn't included in the recall, it has the same issues as the 1.6L engine. I now have to put out thousands to get my catalytic converter replaced, and with the engine burning oil, it'll ruin a new catalytic converter faster than normal.

Filed Aug 13, 2025 · Engine · WA

Unknown. Even while the car was still under warranty And under 130,000 miles, it's needed the catalytic converter replaced twice already. It burns/leaks oil to the point where it gets bone dry but will still run just with lost power. Sometimes it has a loud raddle when you first start the vehicle, only for a brief couple of seconds but it could be the lifters potentially. CRANKSHAFT & cams throw codes,

Filed Jan 20, 2024 · Engine · CA

My car lost power going up hill on Interstate 5 and ended up seizing up. I could not bring the car to highway speeds I had to drive home using side roads. A mechanic said the car appears to be consuming oil and degraded the catalytic converter. I had to have my catalytic converter replaced. I had the recall done on my car for the catalytic converter issue identified for 2015 Kia Souls. I attempted to get repair from my dealer, Gweke Kia, under this recall but they refused and said I would be charged for the repair and diagnosis. I asked for an oil consumption study to see if the car qualifies engine repairs or replacement under my warranty but they informed me they would charge me approximately $1200 for an oil consumption study.

Filed Jan 13, 2024 · Engine · MD

Car lost power and had to be pulled over. Mechanic saw recall for catalytic converter however Kia website claims my VIN is not under recall.

Filed Apr 5, 2023 · Engine · MO

My 2015 Kia Soul ! has been losing power upon acceleration for around 6 months now. We have had two different mechanic shops attempt repairs. First repair found a broken spark plug. Kia Soul continued to lose power upon acceleration and a second repair shop found a bent engine valve. All engine valves were repaired/replaced. After the engine valve repairs, around a month later, Kia Soul loses all power upon acceleration over 4,000 rpm or at an incline, absolutely no power when pressing the accelerator and this caused an instant safety issue for the owner/driver. The owner/driver was on the highway driving around 70 mph when the Kia Soul lost power and she had to maneuver onto the side of a busy highway three times to shut off the Kia Soul and re-start it to get power again. (Shutting off the vehicle and re-starting it temporarily fixes the power issue.) The owner/driver was almost hit by other cars twice trying to get to the side of the highway since there was absolutely no power and no way to accelerate. There were and are still no warning lights, no engine lights, no codes, absolutely nothing stating that anything is wrong with this Kia Soul. This Kia Soul also dumps 100% of its oil at random times. It will throw engine codes of O-ring 1 and 3 at random times not at the same time as the oil dumping. The owner has checked the oil level if the Kia Soul right before driving the vehicle and she has had the vehicle dump its oil during a drive and go into "limp mode" where it loses its power and will not go over a certain RPM to protect the integrity of the engine. The owner has had this happen twice since a KIA dealership did computer reprogramming after the latest recall. There is absolutely no warning, engine codes with this as well. The last time happened on a highway as well and safety was also and issue trying to get off the highway at 45 mph. There is no warning for when it loses power putting its driver in danger of getting hit by other cars.

Filed Apr 3, 2023 · Engine · NC

The engine keeps burning oil, and is clogging up the catalytic converter causing the car to lose power. The car can’t go above 50mph and cannot go up inclines without the rpm at around 5-6. It has been going on since April 2022 and I bought the car in November 2021 from Paramount Kia of Asheville @ 80,000miles. They have done 5 oil consumption tests and 2 overnight soaks which has still yet to fix the problem. The car needs a new engine, and catalytic converter which would be around $10,000. They sold me the car for $17,000 and I still owe $11,000.

Filed Feb 6, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · 138,489 miles · LA

Vehicle began shuddering violently, with the check engine light alternating between blinking and staying lit. The oil light randomly lighting up for literally a fraction of a second despite oil levels in acceptable range. Excessive yet random consumption of oil. Severe loss of horsepower, especially upon acceleration from a dead stop. No/low compression on two cylinders. Catalytic converter needs replacing for 2nd time in 365 days. Safety Recalls not showing in system (VIN lookup), yet recently presented by dealership. Safety Recalls P12002B ECU Update KSDS 2.0L GDI, SA206 PS/EV Rear Center Seatbelt Cover, SC125 Pinion Plug Inspection Repair, & SC155 STR Gear Pinion Plug Group B. Some recalls not informed of in a timely manner. Kia Dealership & local muffler shop are the only ones to look at car. Kia Dealership stated didn't know what was wrong with Kia vehicle after a week of diagnostic testing, said to drive it elsewhere to have plugs, wires, packs & catalytic converter replaced, then return for further troubleshooting. Dealership continuing to "find" different reasons why vehicle isn't covered under extended warranty to replace engine. All issues confirmed by dealership & muffler shop, all warning lights remain on, driving vehicle as-is is a danger to self & other drivers due to engine stalling/random loss of power whilst turning, accelerating, etc. Safety Recalls not being presented in a timely manner could result in accidents and/or deaths.