2012 KIA SOUL Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an abnormal chain rattling sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the unrepaired recall of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the recall notification was never received. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the engine was misfiring. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road for 20 minutes. The contact stated that he turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred a week later. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

Mileage: 149,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH the braking system suddenly activated causing the vehicle to abruptly stop. Smoke was then seen coming from under the front end of the vehicle. After the contact exited the vehicle flames and smoke began to engulf the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. The vehicle was later towed to the home. The extent of the damage to the vehicle and the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started making abnormal sounds before stalling. The vehicle was not drivable. The owner and a friend pushed the vehicle a short distance to the friend's residence. The contact stated an independent mechanic arrived at the location of the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The independent mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact spoke to the manufacturer and made them aware of the failure and was informed that the VIN was included in the recall. The contact towed the vehicle first to the residence and then to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The manufacturer informed the contact that due to the failure mileage; the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 222,114.

Mileage: 222,114

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was flashing. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle continued losing motive power. The contact stated that the engine did not rev while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact pulled off the highway and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that he restarted the vehicle however, while attempting to shift into drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired; however, the mechanic acknowledged the open recall of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the dealer did not perform the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 172,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while making a left turn a second vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the vehicle. During the crash no air bags deployed. The driver sustained a minor neck injury which did not require medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. In a second incident, the vehicle crashed down an embankment, and again no airbags had deployed. The driver sustained a minor neck injury that did not require medical treatment. Recently while operating the vehicle the check engine light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and the engine was burning excessive oil and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact retrieved DTC code: P0420 (Low catalyst system efficiency) using a handheld diagnostic tool and drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact reported that he informed the dealer that DTC code: P0420 (Low catalyst system efficiency) was related to the catalytic convertor. The dealer advised that they would replace the catalytic convertor if he paid for the spark plug replacement. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,951. The contact changed out the spark plugs but was still getting check engine lights for the catalytic converter. The manufacturer denied the contact's request for a rental car. No other assistance has been provided yet.

Mileage: 140,951

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed her that the spark plugs were flooded with oil. The independent mechanic replaced the spark plugs and the fuel cap gasket. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle with a damaged catalytic converter. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the engine seized. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to his place of employment. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 99,760.

Mileage: 99,760

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact pulled off the roadway and attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated she had not noticed any warning lights or audible alarms. The contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the manufacturer denied the engine replacement request. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 144,481. Parts distribution disconnect.

Mileage: 144,481

Oil plug loosened and fell out resulting in engine failure.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that he heard a knocking sound in the engine but overlooked the sound. The contact then received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Coolant) and referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V101000 (Engine). Additionally, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced. The contact then stated that the dealer declined to perform the recall repair because the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer offered to perform the repair once the engine was replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the decision was left to the dealer to determine what repair was needed. In addition, the contact stated that the manufacturer offered an option to cover half the cost for a trade-in, but the contact declined. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

Mileage: 146,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle then stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. Additionally, the contact stated that she smelled a strong fuel odor. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 5 MPH. The contact drove to her father's residence and parked the vehicle. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling) which she associated with the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,150.

Mileage: 190,150

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at unknown speed, the check engine warning light appeared illuminated. Shortly after the light illuminated, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who discovered that the vehicle was low on oil; however, there was no evidence of an oil leak. Oil was added, however, the vehicle failed to restart. The mechanic then diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where they confirmed the engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, after retrieving the vehicle, the failure was still present. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,378.

Mileage: 127,378

The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was leaking oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer performed an unknown repair; however, the vehicle later lost motive power. The vehicle was then taken to Community Kia of Bloomington (2200 S Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47401) where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine damage and connecting rod failure, which punctured the engine block. Community Kia of Bloomington informed the contact's daughter that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

The contact's daughter owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would stall with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact's daughter had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and the vehicle was diagnosed with a defective catalytic converter. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, upon a VIN search, she discovered that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

On 4/7/2022 I was advised by Mike at Auffenberg Kia Group in O'Fallon, IL (618)624-2277 that the problem with my car stalling and starting is the catalytic converter. I had my car towed to the Kia Dealership and the diagnostic code that the car was giving is P0335. After replacing the crankshaft sensor, the car continued to stall and struggle to startup. The service repairmen advised me that they spend 9.5 hours of diagnostic time with Kia troubleshooting the problem because everything was testing good. The service repair and kia decided that the issue is the catalytic converter. The kia service repairmen also advised me that they opened a case with kia, case number 14741430 to try to get the repair covered under the recall but Kia's district manager declined the repair. My engine is 2.0L and the recall is for engines 1.6L. I ask that Kia does the right thing and repair my vehicle.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the contact was advised by the dealer that her vehicle could not be repaired at the moment. The contact stated that she had been waiting to receive an appointment date to have the vehicle repaired for over a year. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph when the engine began to knock. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing engine replaced but was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that their vehicle was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000

Mileage: 130,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 25-55 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal ticking sound. The check engine warning light and the oil pressure warning light were illuminated. The contact stated he was able to continue to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a rod knock. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the recall repair was not completed as the dealer refused to replace the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with the dealer on the diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

Mileage: 126,000

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, a abnormal noise and odor appeared from the rear both driver and passenger side of the vehicle. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road, turn the vehicle off, wait for about 15 minutes, attempted to turn the vehicle back on when the noise became louder and the check engine warning illuminated. The vehicle then was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the command rod fractured and went through the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not drivable. In addition, a visible leak was noticed by the technician. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no recalls were under the VIN. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V12000 ( Engine, engine coolant ) as a possible solution to the failure however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximate 90,600.

Mileage: 90,600

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the mechanic cleared the warning light. There was no code for the catalytic converter. The vehicle was not repaired however, the recall was closed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 300,000.

Mileage: 300,000

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS EXCESSIVELY CONSUMING ENGINE OIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OCCASIONALLY THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER AND STALL WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD THE SPARK PLUGS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD PLACE A REQUEST WITH THE LOCAL DEALER TO PERFORM A FREE OIL CHANGE. THE DEALER DECLINED TO HONOR THE REQUEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 70,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A KNOCKING NOISE OCCURRED COMING FROM THE ENGINE AS WELL AS SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ENGINE AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS CLOSED TO THE DEALER AND COASTED INTO SPRITZER KIA CLEVELAND (3414 BROOKPARK RD, CLEVELAND, OH 44134) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A ROD WENT THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERRED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), HOWEVER HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,668

Mileage: 133,668

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND FAULT CODE: P0240 APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A MUFFLER SHOP. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

I BOUGHT A 2012 KIA SOUL FROM CAPITAL CITY KIA IN MONTPELIER, VERMONT JUST OVER A MONTH AGO. IT HAD 600 MILES ON IT. AFTER TWO WEEKS OF DRIVING IT VERY SELDOM, IT STOPPED OPERATING WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. THEY KEPT IT THERE FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND WORKED ON IT WHILE I WAITED AND THEN SENT ME ON MY WAY. THEY SAID IT WAS JUST LOOSE CONNECTIONS. A HALF AN HOUR LATER THE CAR QUITE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AGAIN AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN. THEY KEPT THE CAR FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS FRUSTRATED AND AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT SOME REASSURANCE THAT IT WAS TRULY FIXED. THEY SAID THEY DID EVERYTHING THEY COULD. I LEFT WITH THE CAR AND WENT INTO A STORE FOR A HALF OF AN HOUR AND WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE HOME, IT DIED AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SENT THEIR MOST EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS TO ME WHO EXPERIENCED STARTING IT UP AND THEN HAVING IT DIE AGAIN. THEY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AGAIN. UPON PICKING IT UP AFTER IT WAS WORKED ON, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A SPECIFIC THING( DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS OR HOW TO EXPLAIN) AND THAT IT WAS SET TO GO. YESTERDAY, WHILE I WAS OUT RUNNING ERRANDS IT DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT FOR AGAIN. KIA IN WILLISTON SAID THEY WOULD TAKE IT IN BUT I WOULD HAVE TO GET RIDE HOME, SO I ASKED TO HAVE IT TOED TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT IN MONTPELIER AND STATED THAT I WOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR EVER AGAIN, CITING THE DANGER OF HAVING IT QUIT AGAIN AND THIS TIME IN A DANGEROUS PLACE AND AT A DANGEROUS SPEED. CAPITAL CITY HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE CAR WITH A 2013, WITH HIGHER PAYMENTS. I DO NOT WANT THAT. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A CAR FROM KIA, AS I FEEL THAT THEIR PRODUCT IS INFERIOR AND THEIR SERVICE IS UNSATISFACTORY. I WOULD LIKE MY MONEY BACK AND I WOULD LIKE THAT CAR TO BE DESTROYED SO THAT NO ONE ELSE WILL EVERY BE IN DANGER WHILE DRIVING IT. *TR

Mileage: 1,200

VEHICLE SUFFERED SUDDEN LOSS OF PERFORMANCE, WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE SLUGGISH, RPM WOULD NOT GO BEYOND 2500 RPM, HAD TO GET VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, LOST DRIVEABILITY. *TT