2017 Kia Soul

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact also became aware of excessive oil consumption. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the costs. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after an independent mechanic started the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was deemed unrepairable due to insufficient engine oil records. The contact stated that the failure was related to an undisclosed recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

The issue involves the engine’s piston rings, which appear to be malfunctioning and causing excessive oil consumption. This has led to oil entering the combustion chamber and likely damaging the catalytic converter. The engine began consuming oil rapidly between oil changes — far more than normal — and has since developed engine knocking and performance issues. These symptoms are consistent with piston ring failure in other 2017 Kia Soul models that have been recalled, though my VIN is not currently included. • Component or system that failed: The likely failure is with the piston rings, which are allowing oil to burn inside the engine. This has begun to impact the catalytic converter as well. All parts remain installed and are available for inspection upon request. • Safety risks: This situation puts my safety and the safety of others at risk, as the engine could seize or stall unexpectedly due to low oil levels or catalytic converter failure. Excessive oil burning also increases the risk of internal engine fire and significantly affects emissions. • Has it been reproduced or confirmed? Yes. The issue has been confirmed by an independent mechanic, who documented abnormal oil loss, engine knocking, and suspected damage to the emissions system. • Has it been inspected by others? The vehicle has not been inspected by Kia, law enforcement, or insurance, but has been examined by a certified independent technician who suspects piston ring failure. • Warning lamps or symptoms: Yes. The check engine light came on, and engine performance began to decline. I also noticed knocking sounds and sluggish acceleration. These symptoms started a few months ago and progressively worsened. The oil was being consumed rapidly even though no visible leaks were found. • Assessment of incident and cause: Based on mechanic feedback and my experience, this appears to be a case of premature piston ring failure, which is causing oil to burn internally and is likely leading to catalytic damage.

The contact called on behalf of her neighbor who owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic replaced the starter. The contact stated while the neighbor was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The driver was unable to pull over to the side of the road. The driver was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with the assistance of bystanders. The vehicle was pushed to a business place parking lot, where the mobile mechanic diagnosed that the engine had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

My 2017 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) is experiencing piston ring failure, which has led to excessive oil consumption and the failure of my catalytic converter. The engine is a 2.0L Nu MPI—the same engine type covered under Kia recalls SC176 and SC200—but my VIN is currently excluded. This is a known manufacturing defect that causes oil to enter the combustion chamber, damaging the catalytic converter and violating emissions standards. The repair costs are unaffordable for my family, and Kia refuses to cover them despite California’s extended emissions warranty and identical symptoms to covered vehicles. Many other owners of 2017 Kia Souls with the same engine are also reporting these issues. I am requesting that NHTSA expand the recall to include my VIN and investigate Kia’s exclusion of affected vehicles with the same engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Engine failure/seizure with rod bearing failure! Yes, vehicle is available for inspection upon request. - Myself and my wife were driving through a busy intersection light when the engine failed and went into limp mode (Engine Control System) causing an abrupt stop in the middle of the intersection which forced multiple cars to have to slow down and break to not hit us. My wife is pregnant and a recent brain cancer survivor and this put all of our lives at risk! - Yes the problem has been confirmed by the Kia dealer with a full diagnostic inspection and confirmed reports of engine rod bearing failure. This is a known defect with this Kia engine. The car has never had any issues before and has always had regular maintenance and all software/recall updates applied in a timely manner! The car has never had any oil leaks, or leaks or issues of any kind until this day when the engine suddenly failed! All reports for maintenance history and recall updates are available. Many report this same issue online at around 100k mile range. My 2017 Kia Soul is at 108k miles. Metal shavings were found in the oil when the diagnostics were performed to further confirm this known reported engine defect. The oil was low but had never been low before and the oil or check engine light never have come on previously or leading up to this engine failure. - The vehicle and/or engine has been inspected by Kia the manufacturer/dealer. The dealer confirmed this is due to the known engine defect where a recall software update was issued and applied and is widely reported online by other owners. Police, and insurance have not inspected it because there was no accident and they do not cover engine failure/seizure. - As stated there were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms such as oil or check engine light ever in the history of the car or leading up to this failure. Just before the engine failed it began to make a slight knocking sound from the engine as widely known with this defect.

After driving about 2,000 miles after an oil change, the oil warning light comes on. This happens regardless of whether I use 3,000-mile or 5,000-mile oil. When I check the oil, it is completely gone. This issue started about a year ago, and now I always carry extra oil because I am worried. My car has a 2016-manufactured engine, but since it is a 2017 model, the dealership says it is not eligible for a recall and refuses to repair it. They told me that if I want a detailed inspection, I would have to pay for the inspection and repairs myself, even if it is an engine defect. I don’t know what to do. Please help me!