2020 Kia Soul

The engine totally failed while driving without any warning. Zero warning lights came on and the car would not restart. I had it towed to the dealership where they reported that I needed a new engine which is not covered under warranty or recall repair even though its been recalled several times and half the people who own 2020 KIAs seem to have almost the same exact problems. The cars start to consume way too much oil and then the engines seem to fail not soon after so I brought the car back home since its over $8000. to replace just the engine! This vehicle is not paid off so its sitting at my house without being repaired or drivable. The dealership where I had it towed, Ray Skillman NE KIA, in Indianapolis charged me $200 for diagnostics yet never explained what was wrong with the car other than it needs a new engine.

My wife had went to the store and came out and went to pull out and the vehicle jerked forward and died. I went to see if it was a dead battery the vehicle would not jump. I called a tow truck and realized that the engine had completely failed. I took it to Parkside Kia in Knoxville Tennessee and they confirm that it was an engine failure there was a recall from Kia referencing SC209 Parkside Kia states that the recall was addressed on this vehicle but the dealership that I purchased the vehicle from had no record of that recall being done and they are stating that they will not goodwill it or repair the recall I understood from my research that even if the vehicle was fixed under that recall that there were some cases of it not being fixed and resulting in needing a complete engine my main concern was the fact that my wife could’ve been driving down the road and been in and a severe accident thankfully, she was just in a parking lot

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated that the check engine, low oil, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal rattling sound before the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to a stop but was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that an engine rod had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that vehicle was no longer under warranty. The failure mileage was 93,307.

Vehicle: 2020 Kia Soul VIN: [XXX] Component: Engine What happened: My 2020 Kia Soul experienced sudden engine failure at around 130k miles. I was driving when the oil light turned on, and within seconds the engine seized and locked up. The check engine light came on afterward. There were no prior warning signs, no check engine light, and the oil level was not dangerously low. This is the second Kia Soul I’ve owned that experienced this exact failure pattern—my previous 2014 Kia Soul also seized without warning. Kia is refusing to assist or escalate, despite the fact this issue closely mirrors Recall SC209 related to the 2.0L Nu MPI engine. I believe this is a serious safety issue and mechanical defect that deserves further investigation and may justify expanding existing recalls. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

First issue started in February when check engine light came on for camshaft position sensor A circuit. Took to Shawnee Mission Kia and was told that I just needed an oil change. Not even a mile away and the check engine light came back on. Took to where I purchased the vehicle from and they fixed the sensor. 4 months later, almost the exact same thing is happening. Check engine light came on for ignition coils, replaced. Check engine light off for 2 days. Check engine light pops back on, checked oil and there's like none so I added 2 quarts and had the code read. Comes back on for camshaft again. Took to dealer, Bob Sight Kia this time, have been told I need a whole new engine. My third party warranty is covering it, but not the rental. This issue is also pretty much what everyone else is going through with the recall... I just hit over my 5y/60k warranty... I think the recall needs to be broadened and isn't fully covering the issue.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the contact pulled over. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that there was no engine oil in the vehicle. The contact added engine oil, and upon starting the vehicle there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine. The contact scanned the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P1327 (Knock Sensor Issue). The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (ENGINE) as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,815,

I am submitting this formal complaint regarding Kia’s failure to honor engine-related recall repairs on my 2020 Kia Soul. Despite these recalls being publicly issued by Kia and clearly applicable to my vehicle, I have encountered significant obstacles in obtaining the necessary repairs. I have made multiple attempts to have the recall issues addressed. However, the required repairs have not been approved or completed. The extended warranty provider has also refused coverage, citing the recall as the manufacturer’s responsibility. This situation is unacceptable given the known safety risks associated with the affected engine components. The following safety recalls and campaigns have been identified for this vehicle: 1.NHTSA# 21V259 (SC209) Kia Motors America is recalling certain 2020–2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage. 2.NHTSA# 21V259 (SC209A) This is to advise that the piston-ring noise sensing software is now available for this safety recall campaign, even if you have already been to the dealer to have the recall repair performed. Kia America, Inc. has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2020–2021 MY Kia Soul vehicles. The defect can cause an engine stall which increases the risk of a crash, and in certain cases, may cause engine oil to leak onto a hot exhaust, thereby increasing the risk of a fire and injury. 3.Campaign# CS2306 (Dated 04/18/2023) Anti-Theft Software & Decal: SK3 Given the severity of these safety-related issues and the legal obligations manufacturers hold under federal recall enforcement, I respectfully request that Kia schedule and perform the necessary recall repairs at no cost and without delay. Please provide a resolution or confirmation within ten (10) business days from the date of this submission. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

Complaint Regarding Mechanical Failure and $315 Service Charge on Recent Vehicle Purchase I’m writing to formally express my concern and disappointment regarding the recent service experience involving my vehicle purchased on April 12, 2025. A few weeks after purchase, I returned to the dealership with concerns over a check engine light. I was reassured by your service department that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. However, the car recently died while I was driving on the highway, putting me in an unsafe situation and requiring a tow. Now I am being told that spark plugs need to be replaced before further diagnosis can occur, and that I am responsible for a $315 charge. The technician noted that cylinder 2’s spark plug was loose and melted—an issue that clearly could have caused the breakdown. This is not typical wear and tear. It’s something that either pre-existed at the time of purchase or should have been caught during the initial inspection when I brought the car in with concerns. I haven’t even made my second car payment, and I’m already dealing with a major mechanical failure. I feel I was sold a vehicle that was not properly inspected and that now I’m being asked to cover the cost of repairs that should fall under the responsibility as the seller. I respectfully request that the $315 service fee be waived and that the vehicle be fully inspected and repaired at no cost to me. I purchased this vehicle in good faith, and I expect the dealership to stand by its product.