2014 Kia Soul Driver assistance Problems

COMPONENT FAILURE: The engine, power train, and speed control systems failed due to the known Nu 2.0L GDI connecting rod bearing defect. SAFETY RISK: My [XXX] daughter was driving in heavy rush-hour traffic when the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and entered a 20 MPH "limp mode." This sudden deceleration created an immediate and severe risk of a rear-end collision, endangering my daughter and surrounding motorists. DEALER CONFIRMATION: The failure was officially confirmed by Flow Kia of Charlottesville (RO #XXX). On Dec 3, 2025, the dealer confirmed active DTC P1326 (KSDS) and documented failed cylinder compression (as low as 150 PSI; min spec is 178 PSI). The dealer issued a written diagnosis stating: "engine replacement is required." MANUFACTURER CONDUCT: Despite their own dealer's written diagnosis and the active P1326 safety code, Kia Corporate issued a bad-faith warranty denial. The dealer also unlawfully charged me $165 for the mandatory KSDS warranty diagnostics. SUMMARY: This is a textbook safety failure under NHTSA Investigation EA 21-003. Kia's refusal to replace the engine under the court-supervised Engine Litigation II settlement represents a systemic failure by the manufacturer to remedy a known safety hazard. 51-page evidence packet attached. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11740615

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

My car was not accelerating all the time I was pressing the pedal. a mechanic said it was the engine.

NHTSA ID

11719585

Incident

Jan 30, 2026

Summary of Safety Defect: While my 16 year old daughter was driving our 2014 Kia Soul in December 2025, the car suddenly lost power in traffic and would not go over 20 mph; the check engine light came on and the vehicle entered limp mode. The sudden drop in power created a high anxiety, hazardous situation for my daughter, who had only had her license for a week, during rush hour traffic. The vehicle was unsafe to operate and had to be towed. Details of the Incident: Diagnostic trouble code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System) was confirmed by the Kia dealership. P1326 is part of Kia’s known engine defect population and is tied to safety related engine failures. The dealership documented oil consumption, oil fouled spark plugs, and compression readings below Kia’s minimum specification on all cylinders. The dealership concluded in writing that engine replacement is required. Despite this, Kia denied warranty coverage based solely on a bearing clearance test, without completing the full diagnostic process required under the KSDS settlement. The vehicle remains unsafe and inoperable. Why This Is a Safety Issue: The sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate above ~20 mph created a dangerous situation for my daughter and surrounding traffic. This is a known defect pattern in Kia vehicles covered under the KSDS program. The failure occurred without warning and could have resulted in a collision. Requested Action: I am reporting this because Kia has not responded to my two complaints nor properly addressed a safety related engine defect that is already part of a national settlement. The incomplete diagnostic process and denial of coverage leave the vehicle unsafe and unusable. I request that NHTSA review this incident as part of the ongoing safety concerns involving Kia GDI engines and P1326 related failures.

NHTSA ID

11709713

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the ESC warning light illuminated and turned off and on. The contact was concerned that the vehicle might catch on fire while parked or while driving. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic electronic control unit needed to be replaced. The part was ordered, but the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 96,806.

NHTSA ID

11645562

Incident

Feb 27, 2025

Mileage

96,806 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle was slow to respond and failed to move. After the vehicle responded, the vehicle failed to exceed 35 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the heat sensor and protector shield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 116,119.

NHTSA ID

11520973

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

Mileage

116,119 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact immediately shifted into neutral (N). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then shifted into drive (D) and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer diagnosed that no issues were found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA ID

11510482

Incident

Mar 6, 2021

Mileage

41,000 mi

I own a Kia Soul. The catylitic converters went out. The car won't accelerate and the car got extremely hot. When I looked up Kia Soul recalls it showed that there was a recall on the converters also that some Kia Souls had gotten hot an caught on fire. I called Parkway Family Kia. They told me that it wasn't an active recall and that they couldn't do anything. I then called Demontrond Kia and got the same answer. I talked with the service manager Brian. What can I do to resolve this?

NHTSA ID

11504078

Incident

Jan 20, 2023

The engine is the system that is malfunctioned and yes it is available for inspection upon request. The vehicle accelerates at a slower pace than actual acceleration pressure put on pedal and then it lurches/jerks forward at a fast pace and then slows down and repeats that process over and over. Yes the problem has been confirmed. It has been inspected by the dealership. Yes the warning lamps that often illuminate are the check engine light and the oil light. They first appeared to my knowledge on 01/2020. I have been told numerous times by the Kia dealership where I get the vehicle serviced as well as Kia America Inc. Corporate Headquarters, that the engine has a malfunction and needs to be replaced. I attempted to have this problem fixed and I have missed work and spent thousands of dollars for this vehicle to work correctly.

NHTSA ID

11497288

Incident

Dec 11, 2022

On or about 10/11/22 while driving I completely lost control of the vehicle suddenly. I was unable to break or use my steering wheel. The vehicle rolled over twice and the front airbags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ID

11489607

Incident

Oct 11, 2022

Car has issues when starting up. When turning on, occasionally it will take time to completely turn on, its as if it’s not receiving enough power from battery, but then it will turn on with the traction control and engine light being on. I would have to turn it off and turn it back off for those light to turn off. I’ve also driven the car and it will turn off, but the light is still on, the engine just turned off. This will also happen when I’m idle and waiting to run the car. When driving, I feel something being moved and the traction light & engine light will turn on. Especially when I try to get more speed on the car. I’ve taken the car numerous times for this issue but each time they’ve told me nothing was wrong with it. I’ve replaced battery since this was what we thought the issue was initially. On the 3rd time I’ve taken the car to get fixed, i was told that the ECM is the issue. Took a month to get the piece and car fixed. Same day receiving it back, it was doing the same thing where it would not turn on properly and the traction control light is on. And now when driving the engine and traction light are both on more often.

NHTSA ID

11446537

Incident

Jan 16, 2021

My check engine light goes on and off and its reading catalytic converter there is a recall for that as well on kia souls

NHTSA ID

11441829

Incident

Nov 27, 2021

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 mph. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and told the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11426142

Incident

Jul 15, 2021

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE BACK OVER PREVENTION CAMERA MALFUNCTIONED AND THERE WAS NO IMAGE DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE BUT DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,230.

NHTSA ID

11415451

Incident

May 5, 2021

Mileage

67,230 mi

RECALL SC200 ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE SAFETY HAZARD. WHILE DRIVING AFTER I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AND GOT OFF ON MY EXIT, I HEARD A KNOCKING NOISE IN ENGINE, THEN OIL LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I GET MY OIL CHANGED ON THE REGULAR, SMELLED REALLY HOT HAD TO TURN OFF THE CAR IT SCARED ME BECAUSE IT ALSO STARTED TO DEACCELERATE WOULD NOT GO OVER LIKE 30 40 MPH. THE NOISE WAS TERRIBLE I WAS SO SCARED THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO EXPLODE I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. NOW AFTER THE KIA CONSUMER TOLD ME MULTIPLE TIMES THEY APPROVED THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT THE DEALERSHIP HAD SOME ISSUE DUE TO AN ECU KSDS UPDATE THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF AND IT WAS NEVER PREFORMED. SO SHE APOLOGIZED BY TELLING ME THE INFORMATION THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED MUTIPLE TIMES WAS INCORRECT AND I WOULD NEED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I READ OVER THE SC200 ENGINE INSPECTION TEST RECALL LETTER. IT ACTUALLY STATES THEY WILL PREFORM THE KSDS ECU SOFTWARE UPDATE IN ADDITION TO THIS RECALL. NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND. SENT ANOTHER ESCALATION BECAUSE THIS IS NOT FAULT OF MY OWN THE CAR IS BROKE DOWN AND ALSO NOT MY FAULT THEY GAVE ME THE WRONG INFORMATION (SO THEY SAY.) REGARDLESS THEY SHOULD REPLACE IT BECAUSE THEY ALREADY TOLD ME IT WAS APPROVED TO BE FIXED AND FOR A RENTAL. I HAVE STILL NOT GOTTEN ANY THING. I AM COMPLETELY

NHTSA ID

11415364

Incident

Apr 15, 2021

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON MY CAR STARTED TO EXCELERATE AND REV TO HIGH RPM WITHOUT THE ENGINE SHIFTING GEARS.. THEN MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON THE CAR MAKING THIS HORRIBLE NOISE, I PULLED OVER AND THE ENGINE WAS BARRELING BLACK SMOKE. I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH KIA REPORTING THIS, BUT THEY WANTED $800 TO TOW IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, AND IT'S KIAS RECALL FAULT THAT THIS HAPPENED. SO MY CAR WHICH WAS STILL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD LAST WEEK, IS PROBABLY PICKED UP AND IMPOUNDED BY NOW....KIA SHOULD TAKE OWNERSHIP, TOW MY CAR AND FIX IT, OR I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO LET MY CAR GO BUY, FILE BANKRUPTCY AND NEVER BUY ANOTHER KIA. I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF BUT ONLY ONE RECALL WHICH I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT THAT TIME IN 2019 FOR THAT. THIS IS TOTAL UNRESPONSIVE RESPONSIBILITY BY KIA

NHTSA ID

11378446

Incident

Nov 26, 2020

Mileage

134,000 mi

CHECK INLINE LIGHT IS ON AND IT KEEPS READING CATHOLIC CONVERTER AND IT WON'T GO OFF I SWITCHED MY GAS FROM 87 TO 93 AND DID A FUEL TREATMENT AND AT TIMES IT WON'T GO OVER 35 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING AND MY GAS RUNS OUT FAST I'VE GOTTEN A TUNE UP DONE AND A OIL CHANGE

NHTSA ID

11322300

Incident

Nov 5, 2019

Mileage

113,000 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, "55 MPH" SPEED LIMIT WAS 60 MPH MY ACCELERATION WENT OUT ON MY CAR AND I COULDN'T GO ANY FASTER THEN 20/25MPH. MY CAR STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A WEED EATER AND I NEVER GOT A SINGLE LIGHT FOR SOMETHING BEING WRONG. AS I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MY CARS ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING SOUND. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP CLOSE TO WERE I LIVE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD PIECES OF METAL FLAKES IN IT AND THAT IT WAS LOCKED. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS 3.5 QUARTS LOW OF OIL BUT I JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGE AND HAD ABOUT 3,500 MILES LEFT BEFORE I NEEDED MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. I'M WRITING ON HERE BECAUSE I CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY 2.0 ENGINE DIDN'T HAVE A RECALL ON IT, BUT AS I RESEARCH I CONTINUE TO FIND MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE A 2.0 ENGINE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OF THE RECALL ON THE 1.6 ENGINES.

NHTSA ID

11320711

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

76,000 mi

THURSDAY I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND CALLED KIA SERVICE AND THEY SAID AS LONG AS ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT FLASHING I WILL BE OK TO DRIVE IT SO THEY SCHEDULED MY APPT. FOR THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. SATURDAY I WAS DRIVING 45MPH ON A BUSY ROAD AND MY CAR STARTING MAKING TICKING NOISE & LOST POWER AND STEERING. I SMELLED A CHEMICAL SMELL SIMILAR TO GASOLINE. I HAD MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES FOR THE LIFE OF THIS CAR. CONNECTING ROD CAP TO PISTON ROD CAME OUT OF MY ENGINE. MY KIA IS @ DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS PROCESS. DIST.MGR HAS ALREADY DECLINED REPAIR. NOW WAITING FOR ESCALATION DEPT TO CONTACT ME. ITS NOW BEEN 19 DAYS. MY KIA IS A 2014 WITH THE 2.0 ENGINE. MY SON HAS A PHOTO OF THE CAP STICKING OUT OF THE ENGINE.(I WILL TRY TO UPLOAD ONCE I GET IT.) WHY DOES THE RECALL FOR THE ENGINE NOT PERTAIN TO ALL ENGINES WHEN THE SAME PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING? AND WHY HAS KIA NOT SENT EVERYONE LETTERS NOTIFYING OF THE RECALL ESPECIALLY WHEN A CRASH OR ENGINE FIRE IS POSSIBLE? IS THIS SAFE AND ACCEPTABLE WHEN HUMAN LIFE IS AT RISK? OR DO WE WAIT FOR THE FIRST PERSON TO DIE?

NHTSA ID

11310065

Incident

Feb 1, 2020

Mileage

111,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE RPMS ACCELERATED TO 4 WITHOUT WARNING UP 48.897 MILES. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTILATION INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL DORATY KIA (2925 MEDINA RD, MEDINA, OH 44256, (888) 628-4559), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.*DT *TR *BF

NHTSA ID

11288159

Incident

Sep 25, 2019

Mileage

48,000 mi

I TOOK THE CAR INTO KIA DEALERSHIP IN CAPE CORAL, FL. ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE CAR KEPT STALLING AND WOULD LOSE ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. I WANTED SERVICE DONE ON IT AND ALL RECALLS FIXED. THEY FIXED RECALLS AND PUT A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER IN IT TO SOLVE THE ENGINE FROM STALLING AND LOSE POWER. THEY TOLD ME THE CAR WAS FIXED. I PICKED IT UP AND DROVE IT ON THE HWY AND IT STALLED AT 75MPH AND TOTALLY HAD NOTHING AND HAD TO MANEUVER THE CAR OFF THE HWY WITH MY GRAND KIDS IN THE CAR. I MANAGED TO GET IT STARTED TO GET IT HOME AND IT STALLED AGAIN AT ALL THE STOP SIGNS AND WAS ALMOST T-BONED FROM THE SIDE. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CONVERTER HEATS UP AND THE FUEL IS NOT FEED INTO ENGINE RIGHT. IT WAS TOWED BACK TO KIA AND THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE HAS METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL FROM THE CONVERT GETTING HOT. I CANT BELIEVE THEY LET ME DRIVE THIS CAR OFF THE LOT KNOWING THAT THERE IS A RECALL # SC176... I ALMOST GOT KILLED WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. I SPOKE WITH CORPORATE AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL EXISTS!! I WAS HUNG UP ON DURING THE CONVERSATION WITH A CONSUMER AFFAIRS MGR. NAMED KAYLA... SHE TOLD ME THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW ENGINE! RECALL# SC176!! I NEED HELP! THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP SINCE MY FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR WHEN IT KEPT DYING ON THE ROAD AND WE ALMOST WAS KILLED OR IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. KIA IS NOT HONORING SC176 EVEN THOUGH IT STATES ON MY INVOICE THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW ENGINE BECAUSE OF THE CONVERTER FAILURE. ITS PRINTED ON THE INVOICE WITH THE WORK THAT WAS DONE ON IT. ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ACTIVE AND THE CAR SITS. I TOOK THE CAR INTO KIA TO SERVICE IT AND ALL THEY DID WAS THE OIL CHANGE W METAL....AND CONVERTER RECALL. BUT IT WAS TO LATE THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE FROM THE RECALLS OVERHEATING. THEY SAY ITS NOT THROWING THE RIGHT CODE FOR A NEW ENGINE SO THEY WONT FIX IT. I TALKED TO 3 PEOPLE .

NHTSA ID

11255263

Incident

Aug 30, 2019

Mileage

104,656 mi

PRETTY MUCH SINCE I HAVE HAD VEHICLE CAR JERKS AT TIME, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AT TIMES,THE FUEL NEEDLE DROPS UP AND DOWN TO EMPTY EVEN WHEN I JUST FILLED IT UP. AND RANG NUMBER TURNS TO LINES AND FLASHES LIKE CAR FUEL IS EMPTY EVEN THOUGH IT IS FULL. ALSO LEFT HEAD LIGHT IS BURNT I REPLACED THE BULB BUT IT DIDN'T FIX ISSUE. SO I THINK THE WHOLE HEAD LAMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS PURCHASED LIKE THIS. IT SEEMS THERE MIGHT BE A EMISSIONS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11254601

Incident

Nov 1, 2014

Mileage

5 mi

NO DESPEGA MAS DE 50 MILLAS POR HORA Y NO REBULUCIONA MUY VIEN SE SIENTE MUY FORSADO. TENGO 3 DIAS QUE NO LO MUEBO YA ME AL DILER Y ELLOS DICE QUE LA GARANTIA YA SE ACABO CON ELLOS. QUE TAMARA ALA COMPANIA QUE LOS ASE POR QUE ES DEFECTOR DE FABRICA

NHTSA ID

11252245

Incident

Aug 26, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRIECO KIA OF DELRAY BEACH (LOCATED AT 2255 FEDERAL HWY, DELRAY BEACH, FL 33483) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TECHNICIAN UPGRADED THE ECU MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE ACCELERATION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13175036. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11208683

Incident

May 6, 2019

Mileage

104,000 mi

COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE - 11-5-18 - ALL LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN. ALL OIL WAS GONE FROM ENGINE. CAR CANNOT EVEN BE MANUALLY CRANKED. SEEMS TO BE EXACT SAME ISSUE DISCOVERED WITH SAME YEAR 1.6L ENGINES, BUT WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL AS A 2.0L ENGINE FOR WHATEVER REASON. 3 MECHANICS HAVE QUOTED ME A $10K REPAIR INCLUDING AN ENTIRE NEW ENGINE. NO SALVAGE OR USED ENGINES AVAILABLE ANYWHERE.

NHTSA ID

11207357

Incident

Nov 5, 2018

Mileage

144,000 mi

ENGINE LOSES POWER AT TIMES FOR A SPLIT SECOND. ACCELERATION SOMETIMES CAUSES A LUNGING MOTION. ALSO HAS DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING SPEED WHILE CLIMBING SMALL HILLS. OIL RUNS DRY WITHIN A WEEK OF REFILL.

NHTSA ID

11194257

Incident

Apr 5, 2019

Mileage

141,000 mi