My engine has suffered a mechanical failure that makes the vehicle stall or lose power while driving, creating a massive highway safety hazard. Kia is using a software update loophole to deny fixing a physical, dangerous manufacturing defect.
2019 Kia Soul: engine stalls while driving
20 of the 140 complaints about the 2019 Kia Soul describe engine stalls while driving.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- typical mileage
- 73,000
- recalls
- 0
Engine stalls while driving by model year
What owners say
My engine has suffered a mechanical failure that makes the vehicle stall or lose power while driving, creating a massive highway safety hazard. Kia is using a software update loophole to deny fixing a physical, dangerous manufacturing defect.
I have a code of P0420 show up on a vehicle diagnostic test. This is directly related to recall SA363 ECU LOGIC . The engine light kept coming on. I was driving on the highway and the car stalled and then stopped as I was coming off the exit.
Vehicle: 2019 Kia Soul 2.0L GDI VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 92,200 The engine and connecting rod bearings failed — a known defect in Kia’s Theta II GDI engines. The vehicle began making a loud knocking noise and would stall when turning to start the engine within days of purchase. This is consistent with the same defect addressed in Kia’s KSDS / PI2107 Product Improvement Campaign and Theta II Engine class-action settlement. Component failed: Engine. The engine is available for inspection. Safety risk: The engine stalls unpredictably, creating a major risk of collision or being stranded in traffic. The stalling has occurred more than once, and the car is unsafe to drive, per Moritz Kia. Confirmed by: Moritz Kia Fort Worth, which diagnosed internal engine failure and quoted $6,230 for replacement. Kia Consumer Affairs refused to open a case or perform the recall, claiming it was “past due,” though the vehicle is within the 15-year/150,000-mile lifetime warranty coverage. Maintenance history: CARFAX confirms regular oil and filter changes, most recently on 05/30/2025, proving the vehicle was properly maintained. Inspection: Completed by Kia dealership; no outside inspection yet. Warning symptoms: Engine knocking and stalling Summary: Kia is refusing recall service and case creation despite this being a known manufacturing defect, not a maintenance issue. The KSDS system only detects failure after it occurs and does not fix the defect. This creates a continuing safety hazard for consumers. Kia consumer affairs dates of contact and reference numbers: 09/11/2025-#2563091, 10/15/2025-25603091 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
started smelling burning oil intermittently shortly after purchase as new vehicle. When checked by service at Kia, could not find anything. Then vehicle started to stall on multiple occasions while on the road. Spent $1500 at Kia to try and fix it. Service folks couldn't find the problem. Vehicle stopped working and car won't start now. These are the same exact symptoms under this recall for Kia Souls from 2021-2023- SC336 Recall which his known to result in fire or destruction of engine. Date below is approximate date when car stopped working.
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact purchased the vehicle four months ago. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal and stalled. The contact was close to the residence and pushed the vehicle to the driveway. The contact called the Salesperson and informed the Salesperson of the failure. The Salesperson stopped by the residence and took the vehicle away. An independent mechanic hired by the Salesperson informed the contact that the failure was related to the engine. The contact had purchased a 2013 Ford Fusion from the same dealer and while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and there was a large amount of oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was then replaced by the 2019 Kia Soul. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Engine shut off while driving, Would not restart, vehicle VIN included in PI2107 campaign, Kia refused to cover repair. This is a serious safety hazard.
On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, my engine stalled and would not start. AAA looked at it and tried to jump it, and could not get it to start. I was stranded an hour and a half away from home, so I had to have it towed to my home. On Monday, September 22nd 2025, I had a mechanic come look at my car. He ran diagnostics,a compression test, replaced my spark plugs, literally every test he could do, and said there was an issue with my engine. I know there was a class-action lawsuit against Kia, and tried to find out of my car qualifies for the extended warranty, but upon searching my VIN, was told it does not. Even though I have all the same symptoms. And I have been excessively burning oil for a few months, having to put about two (2) quarts of oil in my car a week.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that cylinder #3 was faulty. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 67,000.
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.
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH and attempting to overtake a Commercial Semi-Truck, the vehicle suddenly lost automotive power and started to decelerate. The vehicle coasted to the side of the road and stalled. The vehicle was later towed to a nearby dealer who diagnosed that the fuel injectors had failed and were stuck in the fully opened position. The fuel injectors were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,754.
I have a 2019 Kia Soul and the engine has had issues over the past year regarding it stalling and losing power. These engines are prone to have oil circulation issues which can cause catastrophic engine failure due to lack of adequate lubrication inside the cylinder(s). My engine has cut off and lost power while driving on several occasions recently. If this happens, it can cause someone to smash into us on the interstate causing a possible fatal accident. I am terrified to drive my vehicle because of this issue. The VIN for my vehicle is: [XXX] . I purchased this vehicle new in 2020 our Kia dealer in Goose Creek, SC. I have heard of many of these engines being replaced by Kia and feel that this issue directly affects my vehicle. Please help us get this issue resolved. Thank You INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Service bulletins that may apply
- Owner renotification (PI2107
- Excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines
- Owner renotification (PI2107)
- Product improvement campaign: subsequent repair action: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326...
- Owner renotification (PI2107)
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: nu 2.OL GDI sulev ECU emissions logic improvement (SC251)
- Pitstop: low oil pressure at idle after gamma 1.6L GDI short block engine replacement
- Voluntary emissions service campaign: owner notification
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2019 Kia Soul stalling
Is engine stalls while driving a common problem on the 2019 Kia Soul?
20 of 140 owner complaints about the 2019 Kia Soul (14%) mention engine stalls while driving. The model year with the most reports is 2016.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2019 Kia Soul?
There are 0 recalls and 33 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2019 Kia Soul
Oil consumption 39Engine failure 26Check engine light 23Knocking 17Fire or smoke 16Loss of power 9Overheating 6No deployment 5Won't start 5
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