Kia Soul check engine light comes on

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine · 230,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that prior to the dealer visit, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the dealer had not successfully completed the recall repair, because the check engine warning light remained illuminated when the vehicle was retrieved. The contact informed the dealer that the recall instructions required a catalytic converter inspection and a diagnostic scan to read and clear the trouble codes; however, the dealer responded by claiming that the recall parameters only authorized a software update. The failure mileage was 230,000.

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine · AZ

My vehicle was towed to the dealer to address a recall. Campaign 19V120/SC176. I advised them I had codes #300, 303 &304. I requested a compression test & documentation of the findings. They instead cleared the codes, addressed the ksds software update & declared the car "fixed". Upon leaving, the engine lost power (in traffic) & the check engine light returned. I limped the car back & again requested a compression test which they did not perform even after pulling codes of a "misfire". They pulled the plugs & advised replacement as well as replacement of the coils for $1,200. I believe I'm entitled to knowing the health of the engine by means of a compression test & possible short block replacement if it's deemed necessary (per recall SC176)

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

My 2021 Kia Soul Turbo with the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) has an ongoing transmission failure. It has difficulty reversing and accelerating, and the check engine light is on. This creates a safety risk when pulling into traffic or backing up. In September 2026, Westside Kia (Katy, TX) did not identify the root cause and offered only non-warranty repairs, which I paid for and which did not fix the problem. On [XXX], Joe Myers Kia (Houston, TX) diagnosed a failed transmission shift actuator (part #43810-2D205) and quoted $2,777.39. I am the original owner at about 76,500 miles, within Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Kia denied coverage, saying the actuator falls under the expired basic warranty (Kia case #[XXX]). Kia has previously issued Service Action SA396 (DCT replacement on 2019-2020 Soul for harsh shifting and transmission-related check engine lights), TSB TRA083 (7-speed DCT judder), and TSB TRA085 (DCT actuator rod adjustment), indicating known problems with this transmission. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Engine · VT

Sudden engine misfire and stall in major metropolitan area in high traffic. Diagnosis from my mechanic was failed valve and complete loss of compression to 2nd cylinder. Symptomatic of repeat catalytic converter issues leading to engine damage. Catalytic converter has been replaced twice-- once out of pocked and once under extended warranting for SC176/the federal safety agency 19V-120000 at a kia dealership. Engine light turned on just minutes before failure. I am now beyond the extended 150,000 warranty-- engine failed at 167,000.

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 Oct 30, 2026 · Engine · 122,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under Kia Campaign Number: SC176 (Engine Control Unit (ECU) Logic Improvement). A compression test was performed by the dealer, and it was determined that the cylinder compression was low, which indicated an engine failure. However, the dealer determined that only the catalytic converter would be replaced because DTC: P030X was not retrieved. The contact stated that the service campaign repair was not adequate for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone but confirmed the assessment of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · RI

**Vehicle:** 2018 Kia Soul\ **Mileage:** Approximately 198,000 miles 1\. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?** The engine appears to have experienced a serious malfunction, and the vehicle is no longer moving. I believe the engine may have failed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. 2\. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?** There is no immediate safety risk at the moment because the vehicle is not being driven. However, an unexpected loss of engine power or the inability to move could create a dangerous situation if it occurred in traffic. 3\. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?** No. The vehicle has not been inspected or diagnosed by a dealer or independent service center. The exact cause of the failure has not been confirmed. 4\. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others?** No. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or any other party. 5\. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?** The check engine light came on, and the vehicle showed misfire codes for cylinder 1 and cylinder 3, along with an oxygen (O2) sensor code. The vehicle was also producing a significant amount of white smoke from the exhaust. These symptoms occurred before the vehicle stopped moving. The exact cause has not yet been determined because the vehicle has not been professionally inspected.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Engine · 33,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the engine was not replaced under the recall. While the contact's wife was driving 10 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering. The vehicle later lost motive power while the contact was driving. Upon inspection, the contact discovered there was no engine oil inside the engine. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly's and diagnosed with a cylinder #3 misfire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an oil change, but after 3,000 miles there was no oil in the engine. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times for oil consumption tests, and the spark plugs were replaced; however, the contact was informed that the engine could not be replaced under recall because the engine oil level was full at inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Engine · TN

My 2022 Kia Soul was previously serviced under Safety Recall SC336 (the federal safety agency Campaign 25V099000), and the dealership only uploaded the monitoring software. The safety recall remedy has now completely failed. The software's warning triggers are active: the oil light is flashing, the check engine light is flashing, and the engine is vibrating violently and failing to run. The manufacturer's remedy did not fix the physical defect, and the car is now dangerously disabled."

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Engine · CA

On XXX my 2020 Kia Soul while on the freeway, would not accelerate and silently stalled. The check engine, oil, and battery light all came on. Putting it into Park and then Drive again, the vehicle began shifting backwards. The vehicle could not be safely driven and was towed to Kearny Mesa Kia in [XXX]. The dealer diagnosed code P0017 (crankshaft position and camshaft position correlation). The technician found the exhaust camshaft out of sync because the pin on the CVVD gear had broken, which allowed the gear to spin on the camshaft. The recommended repair is replacement of the exhaust camshaft, CVVD gear and bolt, timing chain tensioner, and valve cover gasket, quoted at $3,285.34. A borescope inspection found no valve damage. The service advisor told me this is a common problem on these vehicles. An internal engine part failing like this at about 99,000 miles is a premature failure, not normal wear. A sudden loss of camshaft timing can cause stalling or a loss of power while driving, which is a safety risk. I am the third owner and bought the car used through Carvana at about 55,000 miles, so the powertrain warranty does not cover this repair. Kia America denied my request for goodwill assistance. I ask the federal safety agency to look into CVVD gear and camshaft timing failures on the 2020 Kia Soul 2.0L engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)