NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
136 reports46,200 miles · Jul 11, 2025
Fuel System, Gasoline
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic receiving an undercoating, the independent mechanic performed an inspection of the vehicle. The contact stated that during the inspection, the independent mechanic identified that there was severe corrosion on the fuel tank…
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The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic receiving an undercoating, the independent mechanic performed an inspection of the vehicle. The contact stated that during the inspection, the independent mechanic identified that there was severe corrosion on the fuel tank straps. The contact was informed that the fuel tank straps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was scheduled for inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced an unknown recall however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 46,200.
NHTSA ODI #11672843
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2025
Engine
I tired to let the KIa dealer in Evans Ga know my Kia was consuming oil about a quart a week. They did an oil consumption test and stated it was within normal range. That’s 4 quarts of oil a month. This was done before the warranty ran out. Now they are saying it’s 14000 to replace the engine. I looked up the 2019 Kia Souls and …
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I tired to let the KIa dealer in Evans Ga know my Kia was consuming oil about a quart a week. They did an oil consumption test and stated it was within normal range. That’s 4 quarts of oil a month. This was done before the warranty ran out. Now they are saying it’s 14000 to replace the engine. I looked up the 2019 Kia Souls and there are recalls on this model and year but not by the VIN. It is now using 5 plus quarts of oil a month with no visible oil leak.
NHTSA ODI #11672373
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2025
Engine
Burning oil have to put a quart in every 500 miles
NHTSA ODI #11668529
65,000 miles · Jun 10, 2025
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
The contact owned a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 50 MPH, the brakes failed to operate upon depression as heavy, black smoke began to emit from the under the hood of the vehicle. The contact's daughter managed to pull off to the shoulder of the highway as all occupants quickly exited th…
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The contact owned a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at 50 MPH, the brakes failed to operate upon depression as heavy, black smoke began to emit from the under the hood of the vehicle. The contact's daughter managed to pull off to the shoulder of the highway as all occupants quickly exited the vehicle. The vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames as police arrived immediately on the scene. The fire department also arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported. A police report was filed but when the contact called for a copy, he was informed that the report was not yet produced. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard were the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact went to view the vehicle and linked the failure the engine's connecting rod which he saw hanging from what remained of the engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #11666014
Mileage unknown · May 19, 2025
Engine
Excessive oil consumption
NHTSA ODI #11661764
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2025
Engine
My 2019 Kia Soul has had excessive oil consumption issues since we bought it in 2022 or 2023. This week, the check engine light came on, and the mechanic says it is the catalytic converter. This could be a potential fire hazard if we don't take care of it, and the cost to do this is almost as much as the car is worth.
NHTSA ODI #11661316
Mileage unknown · May 15, 2025
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
My 2019 Kia Soul had an engine misfire, breaking down and requiring new spark plugs. My car has been consuming oil excessively for the past 8 months, causing me to change the oil myself once a week. The engine light has been on, leading me to fix both catalytic converters. The engine light came back on right after this and pulle…
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My 2019 Kia Soul had an engine misfire, breaking down and requiring new spark plugs. My car has been consuming oil excessively for the past 8 months, causing me to change the oil myself once a week. The engine light has been on, leading me to fix both catalytic converters. The engine light came back on right after this and pulled up two codes related to the camshaft position. I asked Kia for an oil consumption test and was told they do not perform that. The oil continues to burn excessively and requires constant changing. Other mechanics have informed me that this could lead to a serious fire hazard and engine issue, posing a high safety concern.
NHTSA ODI #11661126
67,000 miles · May 7, 2025
Engine
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that cylinder #3 wa…
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The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that cylinder #3 was faulty. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 67,000.
NHTSA ODI #11659550
106,000 miles · Apr 24, 2025
Engine
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine and oil warning lights became illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The contact stated that an abnormal clanking sound was coming from the engin…
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The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine and oil warning lights became illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The contact stated that an abnormal clanking sound was coming from the engine while driving at various speeds. The contact checked under the hood and discovered that the engine oil level was extremely low. The contact topped off the engine oil; however, the oil level was extremely low two days later. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
NHTSA ODI #11656542
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2025
Unknown Or Other
My car is burning oil fast. 3 times a month I have to add oil. Sometimes it doesn't even register on my dipstick. When I take my car to kia of muncie for a oil change, they keep saying its my oil pan gasket that needs resealed. I park my car in my garage, I have no oil spots in my garage. When I take my car to midas for a pi…
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My car is burning oil fast. 3 times a month I have to add oil. Sometimes it doesn't even register on my dipstick. When I take my car to kia of muncie for a oil change, they keep saying its my oil pan gasket that needs resealed. I park my car in my garage, I have no oil spots in my garage. When I take my car to midas for a pill change, they don't say anything about the oil pan gasket. I don't understand why my car keeps burning oil so fast.
NHTSA ODI #11651594
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.