2018 Kia Soul

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and jerked while accelerating and experienced severe jerking while decelerating. The failure had occurred on several occasions. On June 18, 2024, the vehicle failed to accelerate or shift properly. On January 15, 2025, the vehicle shuddered violently and nearly stalled. On April 14, 2026, the vehicle was jerking, and the transmission shifted gears improperly. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and observed that the vehicle was consuming oil excessively. The dealer replaced the spark plugs and performed an induction cleaning and transmission valve service. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure after a 36-mile test drive, after the service. From May 27 to May 29, 2026, the vehicle failed to start and was towed to the dealer again, where a new short-block engine assembly was installed. On June 2, 2026, a technician discovered that there was no oil in the engine, resulting in a critical crankshaft failure code. Despite the short block replacement and oil correction, the powertrain failures persisted, and the vehicle failed to exceed 50 MPH. The vehicle violently stalled and jerked while accelerating and decelerating, creating a safety hazard. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 92,573.

On [XXX], my 2018 Kia Soul (VIN [XXX] ) displayed DTC P1326 with a blinking check engine light and went into limp mode. Ray’s Automotive documented P1326 in writing, added oil, and cleared the light only to allow safe transport. At Greenway Kia (Avenues), they charged $199 and refused to create a Vehicle Diagnosis Number (VDN) or perform the Bearing Clearance Test (BCT) unless they could reproduce the code. This directly contradicts Kia TSB PI2107Y/Z (Rev 1, 11/07/2024), which states: “A Vehicle Diagnosis Number (VDN) must be created with or without DTC P1326, after scanning for DTCs, prior to performing PI2107Y/Z.” Ray’s found low oil, but my next scheduled oil change was still 300 miles away. I refused to accept the vehicle back because limp mode is unsafe for my daughter (primary driver). The dealer recently told me to pick it up anyway. Kia Corporate opened Case #[XXX] after 2 separate 2-hour Kia recorded calls on June 1 and June 3, 2026, but continues to refuse the required diagnostic. This is a known manufacturing defect covered under Kia Product Improvement Campaign PI2107 and the class-action engine settlement. The refusal creates a serious safety risk for my daughter and family. Requested Action: Require Kia to follow the published TSB (VDN creation and Bearing Clearance Test with or without active code) and provide a rental vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Description of the Problem: My 2018 Kia Soul has a recurring and unresolved safety issue involving sudden loss of power while driving. The check-engine light repeatedly comes on, and at times the vehicle will hesitate or lose acceleration unexpectedly, creating a risk of being unable to maintain speed in traffic. Chronology: This issue has been occurring for over a year. I have taken the vehicle to the Kia dealership multiple times for the same problem. Each time, the dealership has either been unable to diagnose the cause or has returned the vehicle stating the issue was repaired, but the problem returns within weeks. Most recently, the dealership kept the vehicle for over a month and still could not identify or resolve the cause of the power loss or the recurring check-engine light. They then instructed me to pick up the car and drive it until the warning light comes back on, despite my reporting that the vehicle loses power while driving and is unsafe to operate. Safety Concern: The loss of power happens without warning and can leave me unable to accelerate or maintain speed. This has made it unsafe to drive in normal traffic conditions, such as merging onto highways or crossing intersections. I cannot safely operate the vehicle in its current condition. Attempts to Resolve: All service has been performed at the same Kia dealership since the car was purchased new. Despite multiple repair visits, including a month-long stay at the dealership, the problem remains unresolved. Kia Customer Care has been contacted, but the issue continues with no effective resolution or repair. Reason for NHTSA Complaint: Because the malfunction involves sudden power loss and repeated failure of the authorized dealership to diagnose or repair the issue, I am reporting this as a potential safety defect. I am concerned that this may reflect a broader problem affecting this vehicle model.

The vehicle has been well maintained. About 1.5 years ago, it experienced a fuel injector failure. All four injectors were replaced to ensure the health of the engine. Recently, while on an 8-hour trip, halfway through, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power on the highway, nearly resulting in a crash, and the check engine light illuminated. The car was towed to a Kia dealership, where they stated the engine had failed. Cylinders 3 and 4 have ring and valve damage. The car had been performing well with no issues or warning signs, such as a trouble light or high temperatures. All other diagnostics were rated green by Kia.

The vehicle has been well maintained. About 1.5 years ago, it experienced a fuel injector failure. All four injectors were replaced to ensure the health of the engine. Recently, while on an 8-hour trip, halfway through, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power on the highway, nearly resulting in a crash, and the check engine light illuminated. The car was towed to a Kia dealership, where they stated the engine had failed. Cylinders 3 and 4 have ring and valve damage. The car had been performing well with no issues or warning signs, such as a trouble light or high temperatures. All other diagnostics were rated green by Kia.

I have A 2018 Kia Soul I have been having problems with my oil running low and my oil and engine light coming on after I have had an oil change this has been going on since 12/21:2023 inhace taken my car to the dealearship over and over only for them to tell me I don’t have oil leak they have done oil consumption test and still said nothing was wrong with the vehicle continued to take to get oil change and same thing has kept happening finally paid for diagnostic after months of being told my car was fine to find out the oil was leaking to my catalytic converter now my catalytic converter has gone out on my 2018 Kia Soul and dealership quoted me A $5400 repair price I have 2 warranty and none cover exhaust repair Kia has given me the run around and also said my car wasn’t under recall but I am experiencing all the recall symptoms related to the 2018 Kia Soul base mode 1.6 engine

2018 KIA SOUL gas pedal stopped working while driving on interstate 695. On April 7, 2024 my car displayed the following warning message on the dash while I was driving on the beltway. “Transmission Temp high please stop safely”. The warning light went off, but I took my car to the Koons Kia service on April 9, 2024. A few days later I was informed by the dealer that the transmission needed to be replaced and that the engine had sludge. I was later informed that the clutch actuator also needed to be replaced. The Transmission was covered under warranty and Koons Kia allegedly did the repair. I picked my car up on April 17th. The very next day (April 18) the transmissions started making noise. I contacted the dealer on the 18th and reported the concern. They told me to bring the car back on Tuesday , April 23rd. At no time did anyone warn me of the potential safety issue. I do not know what the mechanics at Koons Kia did, but the car was worse and more dangerous after the repair. Unfortunately, on April 22,2024 while driving on interstate 695, my car started to lose power and suddenly slow down. Cars rushing by and my car would not accelerate when I applied the gas pedal. The warning message “ Transmission temp high stop safely “ appeared again. I pulled over on the shoulder until the car cooled off. This time there was a smell along with it. When the car cooled off, I slowly drove the rest of the way with my hazard lights on. I contacted Kia dealership, Kia roadside assistance, and Kia customer service. No one warned me of the extreme safety issue nor did they offer any assistance with getting me home or with getting car back to service department. My car is back at the dealership. But this is a major safety issue. The gas pedal stopped working without warning while I was on interstate 695 going well over 50mph. There were other cars zooming by. very dangerous. I could have been hurt or someone else could have been hurt.

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to maintain oil pressure, causing engine failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to maintain power and would stall after being started. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN nor the model vehicle was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

Bought this vehicle used with 32k miles. Have experienced a judder when accelerating since we purchased it. This a known issue with Kia. I sent it to a dealership and they replaced a fuel injector and said that was the problem, it's not. Got the car back and it is still malfunctioning. This issue was reported on this vehicle previously when it was brand new. I need this issue fixed.