2017 Kia Soul Powertrain (other) Problems

The engine has structural manufacturer defect causing extreme internal engine oil consumption with zero external leaks, creating a severe risk of sudden oil starvation catastrophic mechanical engine failure. The severe oil consumption problem was confirmed by a certified national corporate service center (Firestone Auto Care). An intermittent P0420 catalytic converter warning is actively appearing on the dashboard, which is a documented consequence of internal engine oil burning. When attempting to get this mechanical defect diagnosed and repaired under the class-action parameters, manufacturer dealerships (Findlay Kia and Jim Marsh Kia) declined to schedule the mandatory manufacturer diagnostic testing, preventing a known vehicle defect from being resolved.

NHTSA ID

11750111

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

2017 KIA SOUL, at approximately 87,000 miles began to show intermittent oil warning lights under regular G-loads pointing to oil starvation issues.Vehicle was taken to KIA Dealer for oil change. Dealer stated that possible oil consumption would trigger a need to return to dealer before the 1000 mile marker for second round of warranty checks per TSB 222 rev 8 Excessive Oil Consumption Nu/GAMMA/theta/kappa engines. Dealer is claiming that PN Oil Pressure Switch 94750 37100 is culprit and wanting to charge for service and parts. Existing TSB 237, Oil Pressure Switch Replacement, which outlines that the lambda engines have this exact same PN covered under warranty at no cost to client. This should set precedent that the TSB needs to include the same engine types in TSB 222 as the issue seems to be recurrent in engine types across the fleet of KIA manufactured vehicles. KIA corporate has a letter outlining that the repairs are to be covered by dealers for the Oil Pressure Switch in question.

NHTSA ID

11737896

Incident

May 14, 2026

While driving under normal conditions, the check engine light began flashing and the vehicle suddenly lost power and entered limp mode. Acceleration was severely limited, making it difficult to maintain speed in traffic. The vehicle was later diagnosed with diagnostic trouble code P1326, which is associated with engine rod bearing failure. This caused an unexpected loss of engine power and created a safety risk while driving. The vehicle had to be taken to a dealership for inspection due to the severity of the power loss.

NHTSA ID

11715878

Incident

Jan 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a judder coming from the transmission. Additionally, while decelerating to come to a stop, the vehicle shook abnormally before accelerating while continuing to drive. The failure was intermittent. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who recommended that the transmission be replaced after completing several judder tests. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Beyer Kia (1125 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046); to be diagnosed, and the failure was duplicated; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,986.

NHTSA ID

11700026

Incident

Oct 7, 2024

Mileage

51,986 mi

Vehicle shut off on the highway and engine no seized however oil change was recently completed

NHTSA ID

11661776

Incident

May 2, 2025

Had oil changed and noticed car was stalling. Went to get car checked out and there was no oil. Replaced oil and car still had the same issue. Was notified that there was an issue with these cars and burning oil. Engine was replaced but car still has issues.

NHTSA ID

11571526

Incident

Dec 9, 2023

Dear Officer, I'm writing to report the powertrain and engine issue on my Green Kia Soul 2017 with a 1.6L engine. The engine misfired when I was driving on Interstate 26 with my whole family (including my wife, mom, and 4-year-old daughter). The speed was down first with no signal and then the car started to shake strongly. It was extremely dangerous as it would very likely have made a collision from the back. I was so scared after that. I couldn't imagine the consequences if the car crashed due to a sudden engine misfire on the interstate. Thank Goodness, we are blessed as there was an exit that led us to get off the interstate. After towing the car to the dealer for a full inspection, I was told to pay at least $6,600 to buy a new engine to fix this issue without a warranty. I do need your help on the engine issue. More importantly, I hope no more similar safety events happening to other drivers and their families. I greatly appreciate your immediate attention and response. Thank you very much. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11569125

Incident

Jan 20, 2024

The car will burn through almost a full 4 quarts of oil within 1000 miles. From reading online oil consumption issues are a common problem for 2014 through 2017 Kia Souls, but even some later models are having similar issues. Beyond the issue of the car burning that much oil that quick, the check oil light does not fully turn on even when the car was as the dealership put it, "Bone Dry" meaning that I as the driver had no idea that my engine could have seized up or stalled out at any moment. Also due to the fact that Kia Souls have an oil pressure driven timing chain the low oil issue extends down another level making engine stalling that much more likely. Though the most recent incendent occurred at around 94000 miles ot has been an ongoing problem for around 20000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11493161

Incident

Oct 28, 2022

My cars check engine light has come on at 87,659 miles with a p0420 code. My dealer has determined that this is a defective catalytic converter and because of the mileage it is not warrantied. In doing research the 2012-2016 Kia Soul with the 1.6 gdi engine. My car is a 2017 experiencing the same symptoms as the cars a year older. The recall campaign is 19v120000 with the NHTSA and SC 176 with KIA dating back to 04/17/2019. My cars model year being a 2017 had not been determined at that time to be effected as the mileage had not yet accumulated to the mileage of the previous years. Now that my 2017 car had reached the mileage in which previous cars where effected , it too is experiencing this defect. The safety issue lies in that when the car is driven it could overheat without any warning lights indicating that and overheating a cylinder, piston damage will occur leading to catastrophic failure that could launch a connecting rod out the side of the engine block and allow oil to spray onto hot exhaust manifold leading to a fire.I would like to see that the recall to cover added years (2017-2019) to this recall as this is a continuing safety issue. The dealership is not wanting to acknowledge and help in this matter so I am filing this complaint to document continuing failures to aid in extending model years covered.

NHTSA ID

11470552

Incident

Jun 22, 2022

GOT IN MY CAR SEPTEMBER 2020 AND HEARD KNOCKING UNDER HOOD. DRIVE IT TO THE PENZOIL LESS THAN 15 MINUTES AWAY AND I KNOCK GOT FASTER AND LOUDER. PENZOIL TOLD ME PARK IT AND TOW TO NEAREST KIA. EXTREMELY DISHEARTENING I'M 23 Y/O SINGLE MOTHER. NOW WITH A BROKEN CAR. 16000 IN DEBT FOR A YEAR AND HALF WORTH OF DRIVING LESS THAN 80000 ON ODOMETER JEEESHHH KIA . HOPEFULLY WE GET RECALL SOON

NHTSA ID

11415299

Incident

Sep 18, 2020

Mileage

79,477 mi

OIL LIGHT CAME ON, CHECKED OIL AND IT WAS LOW. ADDED OIL. THE NEXT DAY THE CAR LOSS COMPLETE POWER AND STALLED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ENGINE MADE A LOUD SOUND AND STOPPED. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE LOWER PART OF THE ENGINE BLOWED AT 82,509 MILES. REGULAR MAINTENANCE WAS DONE AT A DEALERSHIP IN OUR TOWN. EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT WAS PURCHASED HAD WENT OUT 1000 MILES BACK AND NOW WE ARE TOLD THE REGULAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER BECAUSE WE WERE THE 2ND OWNER. WE WERE TOLD ABOUT $9000 TO FIX THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA AND BECAUSE THEY DONT HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THIS VIN# THEY CAN'T HELP. EVEN THOUGH WHEN YOU GOOGLE ENGINE PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR THERE ARE PLENTY OF COMPLAINT ALL OVER THE INTERNET. IF THESE CARS ARE GIVING SO MUCH TROUBLE, WHY ISN'T THERE SOMETHING THEY CAN DO. I WORK WITH 2 PEOPLE THAT OWN KIA'S OF OTHER MODELS AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEIR MOTOR WAS REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE. I NEED HELP, PLEASE. WE FRONT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND MY DAUGHTER STILL OWES OVER $9000 ON THIS CAR.

NHTSA ID

11412962

Incident

Apr 19, 2021

Mileage

82,509 mi

WITH NO WARNING MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING, NO ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON, MY OIL CHANGES WERE UP-TO-DATE, AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ROD KNOCK WHICH IS WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE ON HERE IS SAYING. HOW IS THERE NOT ALREADY A RECALL ON THIS YEAR???

NHTSA ID

11406569

Incident

Oct 20, 2020

Mileage

89,000 mi

THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING IN TRAFFIC, STEERING AND BRAKING EFFECTED, QUICKLY ROLLED TO A STOP. ENGINE TOTALLY AND QUICKLY LOST ALL POWER. HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FOUND TO HAVE BROKEN BY KIA DEALER, AND REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11405840

Incident

Mar 20, 2021

Mileage

72,000 mi

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATION ALERTED WHILE DRIVING. HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED FOR AN EVALUATION. OIL WAS FULL BUT ENGINE FAILURE WAS DETECTED. NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. NO KNOCKING OR STALLING OF ENGINE. CAR STILL RUNS BUT I WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN FEAR OF CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. NOW OUT OF A CAR AND STILL OWE $8500 ON THE LOAN. 82,000 MILES ON CAR. OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE I'M THE SECOND OWNER. KIA SERVICE CENTER REPS LAUGHED AT ME. INFURIATING SITUATION. WAS TOLD MY OPTIONS WERE 'FIX IT OR DON'T' THANKS KIA.

NHTSA ID

11387891

Incident

Jan 13, 2021

Mileage

82,000 mi

MY SITUATION IS HAPPENING EVERYDAY WITH MY KIA SOUL 2017 IT CONSTANTLY SMOKES, IF FOGS UP MY WHOLE WINDSHIELD WHEN I TURN THE DEFROSTER ON IT SMELLS LIKE IT'S BURNING IT IS VERY FEARFUL I DON'T GO FAR I ONLY HAVE A EIGHT MILE DRIVE TO WORK AND I GO THROUGH THIS EVERYDAY AND NIGHT.MY WORRIES ARE VALID I FEEL BECAUSE I HAVE THE 2.0 ENGINE AND FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING THIS IS THE ENGINE THAT HAS BEEN CAUSING ALL OF THE FIRES THE POPPING SOUND HAS NOT STOPPED THIS IS A SECOND REPORT FOR ME AND I AM PLEADING FOR YOUR COMPANY TO PLEASE ADD 2017 KIA SOUL TO THE RECALL LIST THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID

11384560

Incident

Dec 22, 2020

MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT STEERS SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD,IT BOUNCES,HARD TO CONTROL,IT LOSES POWER IN 3RD GEAR,THE BRAKES DON'T WORK WELL AT ALL,ENGINE PINGS LOUDLY CONSTANTLY.I TOOK MY CAR TO CARFAX IN MODESTO CALIFORNIA WHOM I PURCHASED FROM AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG,TH S IR LIEING,LIVING, CAR WAS WRECKED AND PAINTED OVER ,ITS FULL OF OVER SPRAY,THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE,I WANT IT REPLACED WITH A NEW KIASOUL

NHTSA ID

11362960

Incident

Oct 5, 2020

Mileage

19,990 mi

MY 2017 KIA SHOWED NO SIGNS OF PROBLEMS UNTIL I WAS DRIVING TO STORE ON STATE ROAD 9 GOING 40 MPH AND WHILE IN DRIVE IN DIED OUT ON ME. I TURNED THE KEY OVER A FEW TIMES. IT FINALLY CAUGHT AND STARTED. I CONTINUED HOME AND IT DID THIS AGAIN. ONLY THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I GOT IT STARTED AND MOVED OFF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO MY MOTHERS. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT AGAIN IT WOULDNT START. MY STEP FATHER LOOKED AT IT AND THE PISTON HAD FLOWN IT TO THE SPARK PLUG. AND I WAS TOLD MY MOTER WAS BLOWN.

NHTSA ID

11352239

Incident

Jul 31, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

VEHICLE HAS ONLY 75K MILES ON IT MOTOR SPUN A BARRING ON BOTTOM IT DONE ALL THE THE THINGS ON THE LAST MOTOR RECALL BUT WAS ON DIFFRENT MODEL CONTACTED DEALER AN SHOWED IT WAS THE SAME MOTOR AN NOTHING HAS HAPPEN WANT HONOR WARNTY OR ANYTHING AN IM NOT THE FIRST PERSON HAVE TALKED TO SEVERY AN THEY CONTACTED KIA DEALER SHIPS PRIOR TO AN THEY GET THE SAME THING ONLY THING VEHICLE DONE WAS SAY LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MOTOR WAS KNOCKING VERY BAD AN KNOCK MOTOR SENSOR NEVER CAME ON EITHER IVE HOOKED CODE READER UP TO IT MY SELF NOTHING NOW THE CAR IS ABOUT TO HIT MY CREDIT DUE TO FAULTY MOTOR

NHTSA ID

11351378

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

Mileage

80,000 mi

WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE, AND GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AND BACK AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IT SHAKES THE WHOLE CAR.. DOES IT IF CAR IS COLD OR HOT BUT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE WHEN CAR IS NOT FULL HOT. UNSAFE WHEN PULLING INTO TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID

11300375

Incident

Dec 9, 2019

Mileage

15,000 mi