2018 Kia Soul: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Engine · LA

My 2018 Kia Soul has failed on oil consumption test and needs and engine replacement. Kia knows of these issues with these cars but will not cover the engine replacement cost bc the class action suit does not cover oil consumption failure only rod bearings. This will be an issue sooner or later with the oil problem. Kia has several recalls on other vehicles for the exact same thing.

Filed May 4, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · DC

I am writing to report safety concerns regarding my 2018 Kia Soul Plus. I have been experiencing several engine issues, including knocking noises, hesitation during acceleration, excessive oil consumption, and an active check engine light. Recently, while driving with my daughter, the vehicle began shaking and the check engine light flashed three times. Although I strictly adhere to the recommended maintenance schedule, these issues persist. My mechanic identified code P0455, but a smoke test did not reveal a leak. Additionally, despite having a full tune-up in August [2025] at 105,636 miles, I am being told I require another tune-up due to engine misfires. I am concerned about the frequency of these repairs and the overall safety of the vehicle’s engine.

Filed Apr 15, 2026 · Engine · OH

My car was fine one day the next day without warnings was driving on highway and it starting riding sluggish making a rough noise I had pull over to the side of highway turn car off started back up drove home and that was the day my nightmare started. I took my car to the dealership and had a diagnosis performed and they said i need a new engine 8000.00. on 07/25/2024my car was having similar problems the y said it was a knock sensor they fixed that problem. Now I'm02 without transportation. this engine has has a lot of issues. can anybody help with this problem.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · 95,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from underneath the hood. The check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a blown engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2026 · Engine · OH

The engine seized up at 165,000 miles. According to one [XXX] at Trinity Automotive in Fairfield, Ohio, it's a known issue. According to [XXX] at PrebCo in Eaton, Ohio, the issue is related to low-pressure piston rings. Compression tests showed between 0 psi in one cylinder and between 55 and 58 psi in the other three cylinders. These issues have been verified at Matt Castrucci Service Center. With a GDI engine, I had been chasing down the usage of too much oil for several months. I get oil changes at 3,000 miles, and I would be 1/2 quart to 1 quart low at 3,000 miles. Dealership service staff in Beavercreek, Ohio, said that Kia considers the usage of one additional quart of oil per 1,000 miles to be "acceptable" - that makes zero sense. I was told that they would do a piston soak, and they directed me to a formal procedure on Kia's website. I used this process, and it definitely cleaned out all of the carbon. This did not fix the issue. Taking my youngest daughter to a dinner following her high school national honors society induction, I experienced an engine knock as I accelerated onto the I75 north. It felt like a strong jolt back. The 2018 Kia Soul Plus has been a 3,100-pound roadside decoration since November 2025. I still owe $14,000 on this loan, and I cannot afford an additional car payment. Replacement of the engine will be $8,500. Kia customer service told me this is an out-of-pocket expense as their warranty ended at 150,000 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 16, 2025 · Engine · OR

Was going down the freeway the check engine light came on pulled over and found there to be no oil on the dip stick and I had just checked it a week ago. Now the engine is knocking due to the oil consumption.

Filed Dec 8, 2025 · Engine · NY

9/25/25 Car would not accelerate on exit ramp and engine seized just as I pulled into Romeo Kia Kingston Car Repair Center, causing a dangerous driving situation. No prior noise or warning lights for the 6 years I have owned the car. 10/6/25 per Jared Illg, District Kia Mgr., “Although, my 2018 Kia Soul 2.0 engine is under the Class Action Settlement, my car is not under extended warranty, because I did not have the KSDS software update.” I did not receive any mailings over the years, but two August, 2025 re-notifications. •Kia KSDS software 2018 update (172/953), why wasn't update performed by Romeo Auto Group Dealership before I purchased car? •Kia’s parent company, Hyundai Motor Group removed the KSDS update requirement for its lifetime engine warranty, why hasn’t Kia? •The Romeo Auto Group Dealership owned this car and used it as a Lease Car. I am second owner, why didn't I get a Transferable / Powertrain warranty? •Why would I get a limited warranty knowing the Kia Soul has faulty 2.0 engines since 2012, defects that arise in the car that originate from the factory; resulting in numerous lawsuits and class action settlements. This is not a case of owner neglect; I have taken excellent care of my 2018 Kia Soul. •I did not receive TSB-19 and TSB 222 which refers to known defects of all these connected components: excessive oil consumption, defective piston rings, and rod bearing failure; resulting in catastrophic engine failure. My mechanic has installed a used 53,000 mi. used engine. I now have a debt of $8,817.91 for a 2018 Kia Soul I have owned for six (6) years. I am so stressed this has a disastrous impact on my financial situation. Desired resolution: I am asking for Kia America, Inc. to reimburse me my expenses of $8,817.91 (replacement engine, towing, and car rentals; attached) and provide the extended Warranty for 150,000 mi.

Filed Nov 3, 2025 · Engine · NJ

On 8/12/25, my 2018 Kia Soul (approx. 126,000 miles) suddenly began shuddering at low RPM with a flashing check engine light, near-stalling, and smoke from the exhaust. A warning message appeared for an engine control issue. Prior to failure, the engine intermittently knocked and displayed an oil pressure warning light. The engine burned oil at an excessive rate between routine oil changes. At the Kia dealership, diagnostic codes P0300 and P0303 were found. The dealer reported a burnt valve and seized starter, estimating $2,960 for valve repair or $6,437 for engine replacement, and stated these were not covered under Kia’s extended warranty or E2 Class Action Settlement because no P1326 code appeared. However, the symptoms match the rod bearing wear defect already covered under the E2 settlement. The dealer refused to perform the bearing clearance test (Kia’s required diagnostic for this defect) without payment, even though the settlement and extended warranty specify Kia must cover all inspection, diagnostic, and repair costs for potential rod bearing failures within the 15-year/150,000-mile coverage period. The engine failure created a serious safety risk when the vehicle lost power and nearly stalled in traffic. The burnt valve and seized starter are likely secondary effects of bearing-related long block failure. Kia’s refusal to inspect the vehicle without charge contradicts the settlement’s intent and prevents proper diagnosis of a known defect. I request that the federal safety agency investigate Kia’s handling of inspection and warranty coverage for vehicles showing these symptoms but lacking code P1326.

Filed Sep 4, 2025 · Engine · OK

Out of no where my engine just started knocking. No engine light came on, no oil light came on, no warnings at all. I just got an oil change 12/18/2024, with 2 top offs 04/23/25 and 07/23/25. And August 24 th my engine started knocking. I took it to Midtown kia on 08/25/25 and they told me Kia customer care won't cover the engine recall.

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Engine · IN

I have owned this car now, for 3 years and uh, in those 3 years, I have had to add a quart of oil to it every week. There is a problem with oil consumption. It does not burn it and it does not leak it. And uh, apparently, kia says there is no problem. So in my opinion, the 1.6 l Kia engine is garbage. It has blow by if I take the oil cap off. The oil cap will sit there and rattle and blow off. Now it sou ds like it is getting ready to blow the motor, it has a rod knocking.

Filed Mar 24, 2025 · Engine · AZ

While climbing a hill, the engine began to sputter and lose power immediately, throwing multiple CEL codes. I was barely able to get it off the side of the road and shut the engine off. We were very lucky to be driving at a time when the road was not as busy as usual and experienced no collisions, though we were stranded on the side of a road with no cellular service for 2 hours before we could get towed. A mechanic reviewed the engine and suggested the piston rings blew and there was oil leaking from the exhaust manifold. Smoke was pouring from the rear of the engine, likely from it burning through the exhaust manifold, and the back of the engine was covered in oil and dripping out what oil was left in the engine at a rapid pace on the side of the road. This aligns with known issues for these engines involving oil consumption at unreasonable rates and the class action settlement for rod knock issues. The vehicle is able to be inspected. I am not comfortable starting the car as it continues to make horrible noises. The CEL codes produced were multiple misfires and individual cylinder misfires, P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303. The CEL illuminated after the engine lost power and made the noises, flashing repeatedly along with the oil indicator light. The oil light had not illuminated at all prior to indicate an issue with oil levels or pressure. Oil was present in the vehicle at acceptable levels approximately 95 minutes or 100 miles prior to the failure. Only the mechanic hired has looked at the engine so far.

Filed Jan 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact had to add one quart of oil per week. The battery was replaced on three occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to exceed 57 MPH while driving. There was an abnormal creaking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was no oil in the oil pan, but there was no indication of a leak. The oil light was illuminated. The contact stated that the engine was limp, and the starter was becoming inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine was becoming inoperable, and an engine replacement was recommended. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Kia of Naples (3325 Westview Dr, Naples, FL 34104) for an oil consumption and rod bearing test. The manufacturer was contacted and extended the warranty to 150,000 and declined to replace the engine due to missing maintenance records. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.