Kia Soul won't start problems

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 18, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Recall sc176 incomplete- while driving in an unincorperated area in [xxx] ([xxx] in [xxx] county) the vehicle suddenly lost engine power and due to the sudden loss of engine power the vehicle was difficult to stop on a dangerous curve. The vehicle would not start back up. The cruve was situated in such a manor that it was unsafe to try to push it into the side as it was a steep ditch leaving the vhicle completely disabled in the complete dark. Even with the flashers on other motorists including a semi tractor trailer nearly crashed into the disabled vehicle multiple times. While escaping the dangerous situation on foot I noticed the muffler was emmiting smoke and a strong odor. I was able to retain the services of a local towing company to provide immediate emergency response where they had to use multiple units with cones and amber lights and flagmen with strobes to set up a saftey zone to protect oncomming motorists while they cleared the immediate saftey hazard. That week I had a local mechanic shop check on the no start condition. They removed, charged, and bench tested the battery finding it to perform at an acceptable amperage. Upon inspecting the no start condition found the motor to be lockrd. They noted an incomplete saftey recall upon checking the VIN and advised the vehicle needs to go to an authorized dealer for recall service. At that point the vehicle was pushed into an outdoor storage lot and the key returned pending transport. I talked to a lady at the kia dealer in [xxx] where it was mentioned they only had 2 technicians and it would be a while to get it looked at, so I called the next closest dealer which is [xxx]. On the phone they told me to bring the car for recall inspection. Instead of processing the recall they text me mentioning diag fees and costs and tried to get me to trade it in instead. I feel duped having it towed there for recall based on there words just for them to try to get me to trade it in. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b

Filed Sep 27, 2026 · Engine · CA

Dear Kia Customer Care, I am writing to formally express my disappointment and serious concern regarding my 2016 Kia Soul, VIN [XXX], its engine failure, the applicable engine recall/warranty coverage, and my experience obtaining assistance and repairs through Kia. Most importantly, this situation involved more than an inconvenience or ordinary mechanical problem. My son's safety was placed at serious risk when my Kia abruptly lost power and became disabled in high-speed freeway traffic. XXX – Dangerous Freeway Breakdown On Saturday, XXXX, at approximately 9:30 p.m., my son, [XXX], was driving my Kia Soul on the [XXX] from [XXX] toward [XXX], for his 11:00 p.m. work shift. According to [XXX], the vehicle abruptly began losing speed and eventually came to a complete stop near the freeway median. The vehicle was left in an extremely dangerous position with high-speed traffic approaching nearby. [XXX] noticed that the check-engine light had illuminated. He repeatedly attempted to restart the vehicle, but it would not start. When [XXX] called me for assistance, I panicked because of the dangerous circumstances. My immediate concern was that my son or another motorist could be seriously injured. I contacted AAA for emergency roadside assistance. Because of the hazardous location, AAA contacted the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to assist until the tow truck arrived. [XXX] was instructed not to leave the vehicle because of the high-speed traffic surrounding him. AAA ultimately towed my Kia Soul to Kia Cerritos because it was the closest Kia dealership I could locate that offered an overnight vehicle drop-off. XXXX – Vehicle Received by Kia Cerritos On Sunday, XXX, a service representative contacted me to confirm that Kia Cerritos had received my vehicle. I was asked what had occurred the previous evening, and I explained the incident in detail. XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Engine · WA

My 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI has an unresolved engine-related safety and recall concern. The vehicle is associated with safety recall SC176 / the federal safety agency 19V120, which remains identified as incomplete in the vehicle’s recall records. Kia also sent a recall renotification stating that the recall had not been completed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership after experiencing engine knocking, difficulty accelerating, and a no-start condition. Repair Order #544458 documents the reported engine knocking, trouble accelerating, and inability to start. The repair order also states that the vehicle was towed out because Kia Techline declined the engine request due to related recall work not having been performed. The vehicle was released without the requested engine replacement or a completed resolution. The concern is that the vehicle experienced serious engine-related symptoms while an applicable safety recall was listed as incomplete, and the manufacturer’s authorization process did not result in a completed recall-related remedy. The vehicle was subsequently removed from the dealership. I request that the federal safety agency document and review this complaint, including whether the recall remedy and engine-related concerns are being appropriately addressed. The vehicle and supporting records may be available for inspection upon request. Supporting documentation includes the Kia recall letter, recall verification, dealership repair order, and communications concerning the manufacturer’s review.

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Engine · OH

The car stopped several times and had to be towed! One day the car just wouldn't start! My brother took it to the dealership and they said it needed a new engine!

Filed Jan 9, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · VA

On 12/ 22/ 2025 I went to start the 2012 KIA Soul and it would act like it would start but, it would not turn over. Battery was fine checked it. Let it set a moment and tried it again would not start. Called a wrecker and towed it in. The service guy tried and couldn't get it to start either. He ran a diagnostic on it, there were not type of codes, no check engine light nothing. He had it for until 1/5/2026 and when they went to check it it started right up. They drove it for 20 miles to check to see if it would cut off while driving, it didn't. It starts now but for how long. Here's the strange thing, I drove it 20 minutes away and I noticed that the counter for when You fill up with gas states how many miles you have left to go before fill up was counting UP not DOWN. So I think it could be the computer or electrical, I thought it was the fuel pump at first. Still no warning signals nothing.

Filed Dec 25, 2025 · Fuel system · NY

My car has been acting up almost every winter. Bought brand new and within two years would not start. Triple A had to get it started. Next winter it shook and the check engine light came on. There was a misfire. I called Kia of Queensbury and they just told me to keep the gas cap off for a bit and than drive it after putting it back on. I believe the fuel injectors were a problem at that point because at times when starting it would shake and it would lag in power. The check engine light did go off but it kept lagging and I had to put fuel in it more often. They did not diagnose it. The next winter it shook and felt like it was going to shut down. I took it in for diagnosis while it was under warranty. They denied anything was wrong. This winter it did it again. It shook and the check engine light came on. Even though I told Kia service in Queensbury NY that a computer said there was a misfire in cylinder 4 they insisted that if the check engine light was not flashing I could drive it. They wanted me to wait almost two weeks to get it diagnosed. Had I driven it as they stated I could have ruined the engine, it could have caused a fire or for me to have an accident. I called back told them it was shaking and dangerous to drive. They allowed me to take it in earlier. I had it towed in. Now that it is out of warranty and 64000 miles they admitted the fuel injectors had to be replaced and the spark plugs. Because of the issues I had experienced from the beginning, I believe the fuel injectors had been faulty for a long time and could have been a serious risk for myself and other drivers. It was dangerous. The fuel injectors and spark plugs have since been replaced out of pocket. I asked for the fuel injectors and spark plugs that were taken out of my vehicle to be given to me, but the service department did not comply with my request.

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Engine · OK

On the way back from Missouri to Oklahoma, while on the turnpike the engine made a clanking sound and lost acceleration power. The car shook some, luckily the car was able to steer of to the right side of the shoulder just before a bridge. Car came to a stop and would not start. It was snowing and a child was in the car. The closest person for help was 3 1/2 hours away. The hazard lights did work but the car was not started back up after the loud clunk and shaking. Was not sure what happened at that moment. Did not want any further damage to occur. Attempted to have the car towed closer to home was made. A decision was made to take it to the closes kia dealership. As we was trying to figure out what might have happened with the engine. We found there where multiple recall on the car. I was unaware of the recalls. 2 of the recalls are on the engine for piston rod damage. A family member whom is a mechanic believed that was what happened. I called Kia they confirmed the recalls were made. They said there was a fix. I never received the recall notices. They also asked me if I knew someone by the name [XXX] something. If the mail was in this person name but sent to my address. I would not have opened it or paid any attention other then sending it back with the mail man. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 29, 2025 · Engine · AZ

The vehicle had a catastrophic engine failure while driving in traffic. The engine would turn over making loud grinding noises but would not start, and the vehicle had to be towed. The engine had only 92,077 miles on it when it failed. Subsequent engine teardown found pieces of the connecting rod bearings which had disintegrated (see attached photos). This failure damaged the piston, crankshaft, valves, and cylinders. This engine has been the subject of a class action lawsuit due to a manufacturing defect of the connecting rod bearings and premature failures in thousands of engines. The engine is part of a class action lawsuit, but we are ineligible for the extended warranty since it had not yet received the knock sensor software update that was required by the lawsuit. However, this software update does not fix the defective connecting rod bearings and only provides a possible warning of an impending failure. I was never notified of this required update. This engine should have been part of a mandatory recall, but instead, KIA chose to release an update that made warranty eligibility impossible for customers who were unaware of its existence. This defective engine is a serious hazard and almost caused a major accident when the engine suddenly failed.

Filed Oct 27, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · CO

Since purchasing the vehicle, it just turns off while driving. It has NEVER stopped doing this. The dealership has consistently stated they are unable to repair as the diagnostic device does not register any code. Impossible as the car should have retained a code for this and so many other warning lights going off. Even so, Kia has the responsibility of fixing it all this time. I have shown screen shots where both lower level rows of warning lights and the one in the upper right corner are all on or a variation. There are people in my car witnessing these events. My family and myself are in eminent danger. The car is unreliable and unable to pass emissions with warning lights on or the car just shutting off. Kia continues to endanger us by forcing the car back onto the road without repairs, or so they say. They do not state what they have done other than taking off the front bumper and I believe they didn't even intend to tell me. I drive away it occurs again. You turn off the car; then, turn it back on and the lights go away temporarily. Kia Customer Care will only allow a service manager to communicate with, so if they are on vacation or out the car owner has no recourse and no car. Request a Kia field manager and refuse!!! Will only take action if diagnostic show code which it doesn't and I have witnesses the car just turns off. This is not the only Kia vehicle that have known to shut down. I have never received a notice of recall and it doesn't show, but my SUV SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND KIA HAS FAILED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. I have special road side assistance other than KIA as they are untrustworthy and must caravan if I have to travel. I should not be limited or live in fear of being killed in this vehicle. It has been towed, won't start,.....