2021 Kia Soul: engine overheating

Filed May 28, 2026 · Engine · CA

2021 Kia Soul | VIN: [XXX] | Recall SC336 (the federal safety agency 25V099) | Kia America Case No. XXX DEALER: Team Kia of El Cajon, 541 N. Johnson Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020 SYMPTOMS: Rapid oil consumption, abnormal engine noise, overheating, vehicle stalling at complete stops, difficulty restarting. All symptoms are explicitly documented in SC336 TSB (Rev 6, 10/21/2025) as consequences of defective piston oil rings. DEALER CONDUCT ISSUES: 1. CHARGED $280 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO PERFORM A RECALL. Owner confirmed open recall on VIN before arrival. Dealer required $280 diagnostic payment as condition of recall service, in violation of 49 U.S.C. 30120. 2. 24-HOUR TSB PROTOCOL VIOLATION. SC336 TSB requires engine vibration inspection no sooner than 24 hours after R/O open date. R/O opened May 16 at 7:38 AM. Inspection report also dated May 16 with no timestamp. If test ran same day, PASS result is invalid under Kia's own guidelines. 3. FAILED TO OPEN REQUIRED TECHLINE CASE. SC336 TSB Page 2 states: if engine noise is present and inspection results in PASS, dealer must open a Techline case. Owner continues to experience engine noise. Dealer has not provided a Techline case number despite two written requests. 4. DEMANDING $2,500 FOR RECALL-RELATED SYMPTOMS. Dealer is attributing stalling and oil consumption to a separate camshaft issue and demanding $2,500 more. SC336 TSB documents that piston ring damage causes cascading engine damage including timing components. 5. OWNER IS [XXX] , drives for Uber. Vehicle out of service 12+ days. Lost income and rental costs incurred. Kia America corporate (Case XXX) has been copied on correspondence but has not responded. Requesting the federal safety agency review of this dealer's SC336 recall compliance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2021 Kia Soul experienced repeated overheating despite replacement of major cooling system components including the thermostat and water pump. The vehicle continued to overheat and was later diagnosed by a Kia dealership with engine damage requiring full engine replacement. This failure occurred around 105,000 miles. The symptoms and failure pattern are consistent with known issues affecting similar Kia engines, yet my VIN is not included in any recall. I am concerned this represents a broader defect that may not be fully captured in current recalls.

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Engine · MS

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started losing automotive power. The message that the engine was overheating warning was flashing on the instrument panel with an audible chime. The contact pulled over but was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact stated that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and was advised by the dealer that the engine failure was not related to the recall, and the dealer refused to perform the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · HI

Contact Information: •Name: [XXX] •Contact: Phone: [XXX] Email: [XXX] •Location: Hawaii Vehicle Information: •Year / Make / Model: 2021 Kia Soul S •VIN: [XXX] •Mileage: 133,000 miles Recall Reference: •Verified the federal safety agency recall for VIN: [XXX] Kia Consumer Affairs Case Number: XXX ⸻ Complaint Description 1.I received a notification of an the federal safety agency safety recall for this vehicle. In February 2025, I responded to that notification by contacting Kia. My husband followed up in March 2025 with the dealer, but we did not receive any follow-up regarding inspection or repair. 2.On Tuesday, 12/16/2025, I contacted the dealership again; I was told someone from the service department (believed to be named Colton) would call me back. I have not yet received a callback. 3.Today, I visited the dealer in person. The service department did not document the symptoms reported in my Kia Consumer Affairs case #XXX. 4.The earliest the dealer can see the car is Friday at 9:30 a.m., despite confirming that the car is part of an active safety recall. 5.Current symptoms include: •Engine overheating •Excessive oil consumption (1 quart lost in days) •Check engine light illuminated •Blue smoke from the exhaust •Engine rattling / vibration •A/C inoperable 6.The vehicle is unsafe to drive due to these symptoms. 7.Kia Consumer Affairs, via Gina, stated: •The dealer does not have loaner vehicles available •If I rent a vehicle, Kia will only reimburse $43.19 per day, and I must go through a reimbursement process 8.Given the known safety concerns of the recall and the severity of current symptoms, the dealer must be responsible for providing a safe vehicle immediately while inspection and repairs are addressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 22, 2025 · Engine · FL

We are experiencing problems consistent with the issues identified in recall SC336, which pertains to defective piston rings potentially leading to increased oil consumption and engine damage. Specifically, for an extended period of time we have encountered significant oil consumption, the check engine light turning on repeatedly, engine overheating, and abnormal temperature gauge readings. Additionally, our vehicle has stalled multiple times while driving, lost power, and exhibited jerky acceleration, along with strange noises from the engine. These stalling incidents, in particular, were extremely frightening and created unsafe conditions on the road for our traveling family. We previously contacted members of Kia’s corporate office in early April 2025 (we can forward email), but unfortunately, we initially never received a response from Kia with respect to our email. We brought our vehicle to Wesley Chapel Kia for the recall service on June 9th; however, no repairs were made. Our engine was not replaced. We were told our vehicle passed the vibration test, which we find insufficient. The check engine light returned shortly after the visit to address the recall. We are aware that Kia changed the procedure for the recall inspection after the initial recall was announced. We have read accounts online from other Kia owners whose vehicles originally failed the recall inspection and were due for engine replacement—only to pass under the new testing protocol. This shift in procedure was never explained to us during our recall appointment, and we have serious concerns about the effectiveness of the updated remedy program. The lack of transparency and the unresolved issues with our vehicle leave us deeply dissatisfied and looking for answers. We are seeking assistance in understanding what steps we can take to ensure the safety and reliability of our vehicle and to hold the manufacturer accountable for following through on their recall commitments.

Filed Jun 2, 2025 · Engine · MI

Engine overheating and leaking oil due to faulty piston ring, kia will only check the vehicle when its cold and claims its passes their tests. The car only acts up when runing for 30 mins or so