2017 Kia Soul: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 11, 2023 · Engine · 83,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started to hesitate then stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle but was only able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence and then towed the vehicle to the local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2021 · Engine · MO

Upon startup one day, the engine began knocking. It was turned off and towed. Both an independent service center and Kia dealer have confirmed connecting rod failure, and the need for a total engine replacement. The vehicle is still available for inspection at this time. Fortunately, the issue began when the engine was turned on so the car was not moving at the time of failure, but had it begun on the highway or had a portion of the rod perforated the engine, it could have led to immediate loss of power while in motion and/or leaking oil. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to failure, and the engine had been maintained according to manufacturer guidelines. Periodically prior to this occurrence, the engine did demonstrate temporary reductions in power when accelerating, like it was hesitating to rev up beyond idle speed. However, the local Kia dealer was unable to diagnose the problem at that time (53,293 miles), and simply said to come back if it got worse, giving me the phone number for Kia Roadside Service. Although the loss of power was always temporary and infrequent, it could be a bit surprising when making a right turn into moving traffic, or a left turn across traffic because the car did not move into the traffic as fast as usual, which could have led to a collision with oncoming traffic. Fortunately it never lasted more than a second or two at a time. These symptoms returned the day prior to engine failure in greater frequency and duration. This type of failure is highly unusual for a vehicle of this age (4 years old) and mileage (67,000 miles), and Kia has denied warranty coverage, even though engine issues began before expiration of the warranty.

Filed Mar 24, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 73,835 miles · KY

So even since I have had the car it sometimes would hesitate when I would accelerate and I would sometimes feel like I was pressing the gas and getting little to no actual response from the vehicle. Then a few days ago my engine blew with no warning sign, my oil and coolant were empty even though I know all my fluids were fine. I do commute to work and I know that's harder on a vehicle but none of my other cars which have all been older models have ever given me an issue like what happened to me with this one. Seems odd if anything. When I was starting up my car leaving work it just randomly started with the noises and then the entire way home it got worse I did not drive it after that I tried everything to get it to the dealership however it had to be towed there. I noticed a bunch of fluid coming out on my parking lot when we got it moved, not sure what caused any of this or how my engine blew.

Filed Jul 16, 2020 · Engine · 82,000 miles · IN

Took off from stop sign got up to 55 MPH and engine blew. No warning lights. No check engine light. Nothing. It just blew. Oil pressure gauge was normal. It didn't make any kind of noise or hesitation. I was driving on a state highway on a straight stretch of road and was traveling slightly downhill when it blew. It was 5:20 am when it happened.

Filed Aug 15, 2019 · Acceleration, Body · 600 miles · CA

The front door on the drivers side doesn't latch or lock completely when the door is closed/shut from inside. Many times when exiting the vehicle from the drivers seat I discover the door hadn't been latched at all because I can open the door without using the door handle, it will open with a slight push from my arm. I worry the door will open when it's moving causing an accident and injuries from falling out of the vehicle. A second safety issue with my kia soul is the hesitation and slowness of acceleration when entering the freeway and merging into traffic. With the gas pedal pressed to the floor, a safe speed can't be attained for 2-3 minutes causing other vehicles to slam on their brakes, reduce speed or change lanes to avoid hitting the back or side of my vehicle. This is the reason I no longer drive on the freeway and take the long route instead. Thirdly, when backing out of a parking spot, the backup camera fails to engage about a quarter of the time and I must rely solely on sideview and rearview mirrors. Incidents occurred from a dead stop up to 50 miles per hour.