2019 Kia Soul: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NY

1. An independent mechanic diagnosed a fuel injector that was stuck open, allowing excessive gasoline to enter the engine and causing flooding. The mechanic also identified issues with the crankshaft position sensor, ignition coils, spark plugs, and coolant temperature sensor. I don't know if it available for inspection upon request. We replaced one of the fuel injectors out of four. 2. While driving the car started to stutter and white smoke came out of the back of the car. There was a distinct gasoline smell. After pulling over to the side of the highway, and turning off the engine, it would not start again. The engine turning off created a potentially dangerous situation for the driver and surrounding drivers on the highway during rush hour, particularly given the lack of warning indicators. The car required a tow 3. Yes. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and initially performed repairs that allowed the engine to start. However, significant white exhaust smoke remained. Upon further diagnosis, the mechanic reported that a fuel injector was stuck open and flooding the engine with gasoline. He stated that this type of failure is common in Kia Soul cars. 4. The car was inspected and diagnosed by an independent automotive repair shop, 360 Mechanic Inc. There has been no reported inspection by Kia, law enforcement, or an insurance representative. 5. Prior to the breakdown, the car experienced shaking at higher speeds. The exact date these symptoms first appeared is unknown. No check engine light or other dashboard warning indicators appeared before or during the breakdown.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Engine · 59,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a burning odor and smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. Additionally, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact pulled over and checked the engine oil level, and the dipstick indicated that the engine oil level was extremely low. The contact stated that engine oil was added to the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it failed the oil consumption test; however, the manufacturer declined to replace the engine and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI · fire

Engine and engine components caught fire while driving. This put my husbands life at risk and could have caused harm to other drivers if he was driving on a busier road. Car fire could have completely engulfed the car and caused harm or even death. Fire department was called to assist with extinguishing the fire and to ensure that further danger did not persist.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Engine · PA

In february 2025 I had taken to the garage the first moment the check engine light came on and had to have the catalytic convertor replaced, costing me over 4300.00 It could have caught on fire the garage said. I have all documention and reciepts for all work since I have had the vehicle I am the 2nd owner and still making payments on this. I have kept up to date on every oil change and have the proof of that also. The car has been burning oil excessively and now the garage has determined it needs a engine replacement or rebuild costing over 5000.00 and the car only has 93,000 miles on it. I know KIA is known for issues with their engines burning excessive oil , but i found no recalls of it for my VIN.

Filed Jun 10, 2025 · Engine · 65,000 miles · RI · fire

The contact owned a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 50 MPH, the brakes failed to operate upon depression as heavy, black smoke began to emit from the under the hood of the vehicle. The contact's daughter managed to pull off to the shoulder of the highway as all occupants quickly exited the vehicle. The vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames as police arrived immediately on the scene. The fire department also arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed but when the contact called for a copy, he was informed that the report was not yet produced. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard were the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact went to view the vehicle and linked the failure the engine's connecting rod which he saw hanging from what remained of the engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

Filed Mar 26, 2025 · Engine · 115,932 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the RPM revved extremely high, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 65 MPH. Additionally, the check engine warning light flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the contact saw smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that either cylinder #1 or the entire engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,932.

Filed Sep 22, 2024 · Engine · TX

There is white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. The car is running in distress. We changed the spark plugs because there was oil on the original spark plugs. We took the car to Auto Zone for engine diagnosis. Their tests report Ignition coil failure in the power train system.. They report cylinder 2 misfire detected. They also diagnosed that the left rear vehicle speed sensor failed in the anti-lock brake system.

Filed Sep 12, 2024 · 110,000 miles · MO · fire

My 2019 Kia Soul caught fire while I was driving it. I was driving and all of a sudden there was a light knocking sound in the engine. I was going up a slight hill and the knocking got super loud and then something went bang in the engine, the abs and engine lights started flashing and I pulled over. The lady who was traveling behind me, pulled in front of me, ran up to my door and yelled at me to get out and run away from the car as it was on fire. Within 30 seconds the car was completely engulfed. Total loss.

Filed Aug 24, 2024 · Engine · MO · fire

I was driving home from work on the highway. The check engine light came on. I made a mental note to tell my son, who is a mechanic. The engine stalled out. I had enough momentum to take the exit from the highway and turn onto a side street before the car quit rolling. A helpful dog walker informed me that it wouldn't restart because it was on fire underneath. Luckily, superman drove by and put the fire out before the vehicle or even the engine were fully engulfed. My son & friend (also a mechanic) arrived and peered at the engine... their opinion was that oil on the catalytic converter started the fire. The car has been towed to their shop while I investigate my options.

Filed Apr 22, 2024 · Visibility · TX

Safety at risk:yes Lack of visibility Problem has not been reproduced by dealer. Smells are only warning signs: Smell is like rubber but not very strong. WARNING SIGNS OF the PROBLEM: Turned on heat and EXTREMELY HOT HEAT CAME OUT OF VENTS; turned A/c and EXTREMELY HOT HEAT CAME OUT OF VENTS in both cases turned the vehicle off. After 5 minutes, i started to drive with A/c later there was still HOT heat coming out vent since i had URGENT appointment. After the appointment, over an hour, drove car and A/C worked fine. : April 16th, Turned on defrost for front windows. Instead of defrost, windows fogged up completely and i was unable to see and pulled over to side of road. As i pulled over, BLACK SMOKE CAME OUT OF A/c vents and began to fill up the car with black smoke. There is a smell that happns right before the smoke comes out. April 17 took to Classic Kia. Unable to find the problem. Vehicle returned to me. :April 18 drove 4 miles. No problem. Drove 12 miles. The smells started and black smoke started coming through A/c vent and i drove home and parked. Called dealership told problem.

Filed Mar 3, 2024 · Engine · 136,779 miles · CA · fire

Last year my car started knocking and there was a smoldering smell. I expected Kia to consider the function of the rod knock sensor which caused P1326code. I advised capitol kia of both knocking noises and a significant burning smell. Per an extended warranty, if the rod bearings go bad, then the engine should be replaced. Capitol Kia avoided the latter and was not fully compliant with maintaining driver's safety. Only the rod knock sensor was replaced replaced, and the sensor shows bad rod bearings over and over and over ( 3 times ) Due to incompetence at Capitol Kia, Steven's Creek Kia checked on the second event and another RBCT was done to justify it's Kia's position that the rod bearings are functional. So Far, have been sent away twice, pending a now 3rd.. The sensor was replaced 3 weeks ago and I only drove the car two weeks before a new P1326 rod bearing code was shown just last week. Well knowing that the Rod Knock senor is designed to place the car into limp mode to circumvent catastrophe, it behooves the company, on behalf of consumer safety; and, integrity to the federal safety agency safety, to visually inspect the rod bearings to assure consumer confidence. This is especially after multiple rod knock sensor issues. Given that Rod bearing problems can cause catastrophic injury to the driver, the federal safety agency needs to mandate the company to visually inspect the bearings and show the consumer pictorial evidence of a clearly unworn rod bearing per incident, after an initial knock sensor change. All evidence as such should be faithfully tracked by Kia and the federal safety agency. This is especially as Kia is using a test to indicate normal functioning for bearings assumed to be among a lot of defective bearings. It follows logically that rod bearings which pass a RBCT ( Rod Bearing Clearance Test ), after a code is found, will be functioning just short of causing a catastrophic event. It should be noted that the warranty is to maintain consumer safety not to facilitate new events by default.

Filed Jan 30, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · CT · fire

Engine failure fluid leek and wire burning smells engine burst into flames from the under carriage of the engine. The contact wants to see if there are any recalls and if so should the car be sold at msrp price.