2017 Kia Soul

On or about June 20, 2022, I began an approximate 700 mile roundtrip from my home to the Oregon Sunstone Mines in SE Oregon. Approximately half way into the trip (and in the mountainous area where cell service is spotty at best and non-existant at most) my KIA Soul lost all propulsion beyond a top speed of 30MPH. With highway traffic, which consisted mostly of semi trucks and campers, trying to pass me on this two lane highway I was forced to impede the flow of traffic until I could find a place to pull to the side of the road. Once I pulled over I called my dealership to explain the problem. When I returned home I took the vehicle in to the dealership immediately. The problem was diagnosed as the Turbo which apparently got so hot it welded itself to the manifold. Since the vehicle was still under warranty the dealership kept the vehicle for repairs. It took 7 weeks to get my vehicle repaired and returned to me (at least 4 of those were without a loaner,) I embarked on another planned trip on August 15, 2022, of approximately 800 miles roundtrip. I only traveled 65 miles when the vehicle repeated its previous issue. I returned to the dealership and left the vehicle for repairs once more. As of September 6, 2022, I have been told the part is back order and the dealership is uncertain when or if it will be available. I believe this issue fits within a safety recall as it leaves drivers stranded in areas where services of any kind could be limited or unavailable and where the engine gets so hot it welds the parts together. We have been told the CEO of KIA is aware of this issue but has yet to recall the vehicles.

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, a cloud of black-colored smoke began to emit from the vehicle without warning. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal; however, the brakes failed to operate as needed. The contact used his emergency brake to stop and immediately exited the vehicle. Upon exiting the vehicle, the vehicle quickly caught fire; by the time the fire department arrived, the vehicle was incinerated. A fire report and police report were both filed, and no injuries were reported. The vehicle's remains were towed to an independent tow yard. The contact went to the unknown dealer where he was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

When I bought my car in 2018, I didn’t like the way it drives. I had to take it back the next day to return it, but the dealer in North Aurora Gerald Kia said they wouldn’t take it back & I paid cash. I’ve been taking it back and forth from Gerald North Aurora to Bob Rohrman in Schaumburg Il. They have been been telling me every time, there’s nothing wrong. I’m hearing several noises in the Suspenion. So finally I told Bob Rohrman dealer to check everything before my warranty runs out. So far nothing didn’t happen until after my warranty. So I paid for 4 tires, front brakes, rotors. They finally said that I needed an Arm Control & a Strut, with low mileage, but Im steady hearing noises. I know know what to do. After I paid cash & had start going to find out what’s wrong with my car, the service dept was never friendly or professional. I always was told there’s nothing wrong with my car and that I know better. I’ve been driving since 17 yrs old and I’m 68.

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Purchased used Kia Soul 2017 and extended warranty in October 2020, in Niles, Michigan. Engine failed at 44,000 miles (approx. May 2022) in San Diego, CA. Towed to Kia Dealer, El Cajon, CA. Waited four weeks for new engine to be installed (Purchase of extended warranty covered cost of replaced engine). Drove vehicle for one week and then total engine failure on second engine. Towed to Kia, El Cajon, CA. Dealer provided no explanation other than "engines come wrapped to us, and we don't know if it is good or bad before we put it in the car." Totally unacceptable. Luckily, engine failure happened as it was exiting the freeway (San Diego) and was able to safely get to the curb on both occasions. Because vehicle was needed to drive from San Diego to Michigan (moving), and Dealer has had vehicle since second engine failure, Dealer agreed to buy vehicle, which we agreed on. Purchase 7-14-22. We are no longer the owners of this vehicle, but hope the situation is noted with NHSA. Thank you.

Kia was supposed to send me recall notifications. However I am the second owner of the car and kia told me on the phone that they sent my recall notifications to the original owner. I currently have unprepared recalls on my car. I made an appointment with a dealership and they had a 2 month waiting list to get my car serviced. While waiting for that 2 months to go by, while driving on the highway at 65 mph, my engine seized due to one of their recalls. I almost crashed because of that. Now I'm trying to get my engine repaired due to a manufacturers defect and kia is refusing to fix it. I have exhausted all other options and don't know what to do. But this is definitely a safety issue.

The contact owned a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal, knocking noise would emit from the engine without warning. The contact notified the dealer and they informed him that the knocking noise was normal vehicle operation. The contact then stated that while driving at 60 MPH as the knocking noise persisted, the noise grew increasing louder without warning. The contact looked out of his rearview mirror and saw a cloud of white smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. As he pulled over, he inspected the hood and saw flames encroaching towards the front driver's seat. The contact instructed his girlfriend to exit the vehicle, as he went back to retrieve a cell phone, he burned the hairs off both arms, and his right leg, as well as some hair on his head and face. The contact called the authorities while the vehicle became engulfed in flames as his children's safety seat and strollers were inside the vehicle. The children were not in the vehicle at the time of the failure. The contact also stated that part of a highway sign was burned due to the fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and a police report was filed. The contact sought medical treatment at the scene where paramedics checked his vital signs and the burns to his body. The contact stated that both he and his girlfriend have suffered severe mental anguish as a result of the fire. The contact has suffered from traumatic dreams and hallucinations since the failure. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and deemed a total loss. The dealer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The contact then filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.