2014 Kia Soul Electrical Problems

The contact owned a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the contact became aware of a burning rubber odor and observed grey and brown smoke coming from underneath the front end of the vehicle. The contact stated that a fire had started underneath the front of the vehicle. The local Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was not filed. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. While exiting the vehicle, the vehicle continued rolling and the rear driver’s side tire ran over both feet. The contact had two severely bruised feet; however, medical assistance was not sought. The vehicle was not towed or taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be inspected. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000.

NHTSA ID

11751048

Incident

Jul 10, 2026

Mileage

107,000 mi

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 92,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11689730

Incident

Sep 25, 2025

Mileage

200,000 mi

Flickering lights on off while driving at night turn signal triggers it and does it randomly

NHTSA ID

11673102

Incident

Feb 15, 2015

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic where the mechanic discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a purchased from a Toyota dealer. An email was sent to the car salesman who sold the contact the vehicle. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 112,485, it was later discovered that the mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ID

11672500

Incident

Jul 8, 2025

Mileage

138,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle intermittently stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,000.

NHTSA ID

11658971

Incident

Mar 15, 2025

Mileage

89,000 mi

This vehicle was parked prior to the incident. The 2014 Kia Soul had been backed into parking space number 28 and pulled forward midway through the space where it appears the car was put back into park. It was here the occupant of the vehicle, Mr. Keith Nash perished in a fire that consumed his 2014 Kia Soul while taking his life. The 2014 Kia Soul has an open NHTSA recall 20V-750 and would have been eligible for settlement in the Kia Engine Class Action Settlement. [XXX] (C.D. Cal.) (https://kiaengineclasssettlement.com/CheckVIN). A copy of the Sharonville Police Report, [XXX] is attached along with the Sharonville Fire Department Incident type: [XXX] to this vehicle complaint. These reports go into great detail of this event. Based on this manufacture, and their parent company Hyundai’s history of non-collision fires and the hundreds of prior complaints on file with NHTSA, one might speculate that while in motion Mr. Nash noticed smoke from under the dash and put the car back into park. An engine fire can go from nothing to fully engulfing a vehicle in seconds, and as documented with these vehicles rendering the electronic door lock inoperable (as noted in the [XXX] incident in the rented 2019 Kia Soul). In a panic he placed his foot on the accelerator causing the motor to rev to a high RPM. It was noted in the report he seemed distorted and unable to escape, this is to be expected. This 2014 Kia Soul would have been one of the 13,114,339 vehicles recalled for non-collision engine fire according to the Center for Auto Safety Hyundai/Kia Fire and Engine Recalls 2010-2024 report, updated on March 28, 2024. Kia was aware of this incident as well as the owner’s insurance carrier Allstate insurance, yet they both failed to fie a complaint with NHTSA. This behavior is inexcusable and jeopardizes the safety of every American on the road and in close proximity to these manufactures’ vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11609041

Incident

Apr 19, 2017

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and slowing for a traffic signal, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking noise and failed to slow as needed. The contact started tapping the brake pedal and eventually the vehicle slowed down and stopped. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that the turn signals and unknown warning lights failed to function properly. The contact stated that when the electrical failures occurred, the area of the dashboard surrounding the instrument cluster would be very hot to the touch. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.

NHTSA ID

11584392

Incident

Apr 20, 2024

Mileage

91,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine light, oil light, and battery light remained illuminated and blinked off and on. Also, a knocking and ticking sound was coming from the engine compartment along with a burning oil odor. Additionally, the vehicle would not exceed speeds over 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was later taken to the local service center which determined that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

NHTSA ID

11547957

Incident

Sep 1, 2017

Mileage

23,000 mi

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact smelled an abnormal electrical burning odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11540768

Incident

Aug 25, 2022

Mileage

60,000 mi

This vehicle has a serious oil consumption issue. It was first noticed about three years ago and has been getting progressively worse. As of June 2023 it consumes a full oil tank in about 2500 miles. Oil warning indicators flash very briefly on occasion but the light does not come on until the oil is below the dipstick. I have had it looked at by my local mechanic and by the Kia dealer who sold the car. The Kia dealer did a test and said it did not meet their standards for a recall. There have been a number of times that the oil has gotten so low without indicator warning that the engine will start running rough. on 11/04/22 the engine began bucking and stopped running at high speed. It was brought to the dealer who stated "Active DTC P0300 and P0303. Swapped Cylinder 3 coil pack and cylinder 1 coil pack. Misfire followed. No signs of cylinder damage". They replaced four spark plugs and Cylinder 1 coil pack. They stated that the cause of the issue was inconclusive and they didn't think related to oil consumption. I have recently receive notice of a proposed class action lawsuit from "Kia Engine Class Settlement, POBOX 4133, Portland, OR, 97208-4133 1-800-944-1025. I confirmed that the VIN for this vehicle is included in the proposed case. It states very similar issues with many kia vehicles with the same engine. The lawsuit states "class vehicles have a defect that can cause engine seizure, stalling, engine failure, and possibly engine fire, and that some owners and lessees have been improperly denied repairs under the vehicle's warranty."

NHTSA ID

11525628

Incident

Nov 4, 2022

My car was stolen by a minor who had a USB cable and internet instructions. My car was lacking proper if any anti theft technology by Kia. Because Kia is aware of this issue and did nothing not only myself but anyone who drives a Kia is at risk for a theft or car jacking. The car was recovered and inspected by local police. No car should be made available for purchase without security features that keep you and your property safe. Who knows how things could have ended if there was a direct confrontation. If one is crazy enough to steal a car, one may be nuts enough to have a gun.

NHTSA ID

11520326

Incident

May 3, 2023

I brought my vehicle into an authorized dealer when my check engine light came on, having just been made aware of the recall notice when I took it in for an oil change earlier that day. He said the recall came about when cars of my make/model/year started catching fire out of nowhere due to engine issues. Given that my car is still under the mileage warranty, at 95k miles, the person at the dealership service center said it would likely be covered & the recall would qualify me for a new engine altogether. I got a call back a few days later that my catalytic converter was plugged, and that I would owe just under $3000 for the repair, as my vehicle did not show the correct diagnostic code to be covered. Once I spoke with KIA's corporate consumer satisfaction line, they agreed to bring the car out & retest it. The woman from the service center informed me that the whole engine does in fact need to be replaced now, not just the converter as they initially said, but that it still isn't spitting out the code necessary during diagnostic testing, to qualify it for a recall replacement. Under SC176, my issues exactly are being described as the symptoms & causation for the recall, and yet the diagnostic code does not match. My car is currently still at the dealership's service center, and I am getting some consultation as to whether or not this is a fix that's worth it, at this point.

NHTSA ID

11520017

Incident

Apr 26, 2023

Since I bought this car, I have experienced hesitation, stalling, high RPM idle, fluctuating idle, burning smell, lurching, running though gas very fast (not due to increased driving), engine noises, dash panel half lighting up, hard to accelerate when the headlights are on, or heat, or air con, odd noises..and through this entire time, check engine light comes on and off and on and off...along with my gas gauge saying empty when its full. I have reported ALL of this throughout the entire time since all bought it. Every single time they say "software update" and send me home with nothing ever fixed. EVER. Now again check engine and false fuel reading, hesitations, etc....again! This engine and fuel pump is bad and explains all of my complaints since 10kmiles. My car has under 80k mi on it, its been a lemon from the start. Hesitation with no pick-up at an intersection and noises....just beyond dangerous. I have not driven my car on the freeway in 5 years because itis not safe, but Kia NEVER checks out problems. They charge for inspection and say "software update". Its maddening.

NHTSA ID

11518079

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

A loud bang was heard while driving approx. 35 MPH on a clear day. The vehicle lost all power, smoke started coming from the hood area and the cabin began to fill with smoke. Driver pulled over, opened the hood and discovered the entire engine compartment in was engulfed in flames. Passersby tried to extinguish the flame with fire extinguishers, but it kept reigniting. The fire department arrived and put out the flames. This could have been life threatening if the driver did not get out of the vehicle. Amica Insurance's claims processors and an independent forensic investigator engaged by Amica Insurance have concluded the engine fire was the result of catastrophic engine failure. The forensic investigator noticed an outward bump in the oil pan and indicated this was likely the result of a separation of crankshaft and or piston rod elements. The investigator indicated he sees about 10 of these engine fires each month. Kia's special unit that addresses their engine fire problem has been notified and are dragging their feet. We have not heard anything from them after filing a claim on or about 3/22/2022. There were no warning signs prior to this catastrophic failure event. Gauges and warning systems were all normal. The engine and the engine compartment are a complete loss. Other damage occurred as the fire department worked to extinguish the fire. The forensic investigator and Amica's claims processor have declared the car a total loss.

NHTSA ID

11459335

Incident

Mar 18, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that her check engine light had been illuminated on her instrument panel. The contact initially took the vehicle to a dealer where the check engine light was reset; however, the light returned the next day. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where the battery was replaced; a week, the contact stated that corrosion had formed on the battery and that her vehicle had stalled while traveling at 45 MPH. She stated that several warning lights illuminated the instrument panel as the failure occurred. The contact restarted the vehicle and return home; the next day, the independent mechanic came to her home and performed another battery replacement. Despite the second replacement, the stalling failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed her that there were zero recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11454437

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

I am unaware of what is able to be inspected of the vehicle at this time due to the amount of damage. My own and other drivers’ safety was at risk when my car began smoking and eventually caught fire. Nothing has been reproduced, inspected, or confirmed by any manufacturer, dealer, or independent contractor. I had my car in park for 2 hours before I began my trip. When I started the car up in the parking lot, the engine ran for about 10 minutes before I left. Within 2 miles of driving, the check engine light came on and the engine started smoking. I pulled the car over as soon as I could do so safely, put the car in park, turned off the ignition, and evacuated the vehicle. Soon after, the car ignited into flames under the hood and I called 911. The fire department extinguished the fire and reported to me that it was an electrical fire.

NHTSA ID

11452830

Incident

Feb 18, 2022

My dash lights would flash bright and dim randomly while driving at first. A few weeks later my headlights would flicker from high beam to low beam and dash lights would still flicker. Now about a month into this my headlights still flicker but they have even turned off all while driving and I was told my brake lights go off as well ,dash lights still flicker and my a/c will not work/blow randomly so it seems to be involving electrical .

NHTSA ID

11431764

Incident

Aug 5, 2021

The vehicle had a strange smell ever since we got it a few years back. Earlier in the month, the headlight and dashlight would flicker with the turn signal. We looked it up and set up an apppointment with a local Kia dealership for recall on this issue. Then this week, the engine suddenly quit while the car was parked. The vehicle wouldn't start at all. Kia was notified and they said that there was another recall on engine SC200 on this vehicle that was just announced earlier this year. Online lookup also revealed that the smell issue can be from burning oil or a leak into catalytic converter. Other Kia cars from the same years have also said to have had these issues. Then an OBD II check showed the codes 7E8 and 7E9 which has been noted online by other customers as engine problem recall for which Kia has replaced their engine free of charge.

NHTSA ID

11422380

Incident

Jun 7, 2021

ABS LIGHT & BRAKE LIGHT AND OTHER DASH BOARD LIGHTS ARE ON, AND WONT TURN OFF. THERE IS A SOME SORT OF LEAK THAT I AM UNABLE TO FIND WHERE IT COME FROM. I TOOK IT IN FOR A SERVICE AND TO PERFORM RECALL P12002AQ WHICH THEY DID BUT KIA DID NOT ATTEND TO, OR ADDRESS THE BRAKE LIGHT & ABS LIGHT & UNIDENTIFIED LEAK REPORTED TO THEM AT THE TIME I BROUGHT CAR IN.. INSTEAD THEY WANTED TO CHARGE A VERY HIGH FEE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES WHICH ARE THE SIGNS OF WHAT HAS CAUSED FIRE PROBLEMS WITH THIS KIA MODEL

NHTSA ID

11415739

Incident

May 7, 2021

Mileage

9,023 mi

P050A ENGINE CODE KEEPS REOCCURRING WITH NO FIX FROM KIA. THEY KEEP SUGGESTING "FIXES" LIKE REPLACING THE COLD AIR INTAKE VALVE. CAI MECHANICAL BOARD. CLEANING THE CARBON IS REALLY PRICEY, BUT THE ERROR CODE JUST KEEPS COMING BACK. SEEMS TO BE EXTREMELY COMMON. CHECK ENGINE CODE KEEPS POPPING UP DESPITE EVERYTHING RUNNING FINE AND BEING CLEAN.

NHTSA ID

11404930

Incident

Mar 25, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT-OFF INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TROPHY KIA (22020 RECREATION KARSON CA 90745, 424-306-3311) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SLUGGISH A ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE OUT OF POCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,310. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TWICE FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS CHARGED FOR A NEW ENGINE AND DID NOT HONOR THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11403699

Incident

Dec 11, 2020

Mileage

126,310 mi

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE CAR TURNED OFF. I WAS GOING AROUND 70 MPH AND NOTICED WHEN THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH AND RADIO WENT OUT. I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE STILL DRIVING TO GET IT GOING AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT 4 DAYS AFTER WHILE THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AND RUNNING, AGAIN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND THE CAR HAD TO BE STARTED AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11387102

Incident

Jan 3, 2021

Mileage

117,000 mi

SINCE FIRST OIL CHANGE DONE WITH DELRAY FLORIDA KIA I COMPLAUOF KICKING SOUNDS IN ENGINE LOSS OF POWER OIL BURNING SMELLS OCCASIONALLY. I WAS TOLD EACH TIME THEY PUT ON COMPUTER N NOTHING WRONG. I BOUGHT NEW AT 11/2014 NOW OIL LIGHTS ENGINE LIGHTS FLASHING ON IRRATIONALLY CAR CONSUMING OIL NO LEAKS JUST EATING IOL NOW 2-3 QTS IN 2 MONTHS KNOCKING GETTING LOUDER BUT QUIETS SOME AFTER OIL CHANGE BUT LOSS OF POWER AND KNOCKING PERSISTS. OIL IS SCARY HOW MUCH IT'S CONSUMES I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINS OF THIS ISSUE FOR FIRST OIL CHANGE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER NO NEED TO CHANGE OIL MORE THAN 2X PER YEAR BUT I STILL DO REGULARLY 3-4,000 OR 3 MONTHS. I FEEL DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE TO CAR AND I AM SEEKING NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT. DEALERS NEVER DID IDENTIFY ISSUE SAID NO CODES GOING OFF. BUT I NOTICED IT FROM BEGINNING. ONCE THIS YEAR OIL WAS CHANGED I TOOK TO GET OIL DONE AND THEY SAID OIL WAS ALMOST EMPTY. I NEVER GOT OIL LIGHT. THEN NOR ENGINE LIGHT. THE ENGINE LIGHT WHEN ON THE DAY I TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE. THEY SAID THE ENGINE COULD HAVE CEASED. I STRONGLY FEEL I HAVE KEPT UP W MAINTENANCE BUT I FEEL I GOT A BAD CAR FROM THE START ONLY TO BE DISMISSED EACH TIME I COMPLAINED TO DEALER. ALSO THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BLOWS LIGHT BULBS CONSTANTLY AND HAD MOTOR IN WINDOW REPLACE W STATER UNDER WARRANTY MOST DRIVING IS LOCAL BUT MANY HWY

NHTSA ID

11383842

Incident

Dec 15, 2020

Mileage

3 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 75 NORTH IN MARIETTA, GA WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN FRONT OF AN 18 WHEELER. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE OFF THE NEXT EXIT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS LIT ON MY DASH AND THERE HAD NOT BEEN ANY LIT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. JUNE 2020 MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL #SC176. ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS POINT TOWARDS ENGINE DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11378258

Incident

Nov 28, 2020

Mileage

103,000 mi

WHEN USING A TURN SIGNAL WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, ONCE THE TURN SIGNAL RELEASES, THE HEADLIGHTS WILL FLICKER AND OFTEN GO OUT COMPLETELY. THIS HAPPENS IN TOWN, AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT IS DANGEROUS AT NIGHT, WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NECESSARY.

NHTSA ID

11377176

Incident

Nov 6, 2018

Mileage

35,000 mi