NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
378 reports2,300 miles · Sep 20, 2020
SteeringSuspension
WHEN PARKED (BUT WITH THE POWER SET TO "RUN" OR THE ENGINE FULLY ON), IF YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, TYPICALLY TO ITS FULLEST EXTENT, THERE IS A LOUD "CLUNK" OR "CLANK" NOISE COMING FROM THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ONLY TOLD ME THE STEERING WAS "BROKE" AND T…
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WHEN PARKED (BUT WITH THE POWER SET TO "RUN" OR THE ENGINE FULLY ON), IF YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION, TYPICALLY TO ITS FULLEST EXTENT, THERE IS A LOUD "CLUNK" OR "CLANK" NOISE COMING FROM THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY ONLY TOLD ME THE STEERING WAS "BROKE" AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING SYSTEM UNDER WARRANTY. THE ISSUE STARTED AROUND 2300 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL VIDEOS SINCE THE ISSUE BEGAN. THE CAR HAS TO BE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION (FORWARD OR REVERSE) BUT UNDER 5MPH (ROUGHLY). AFTER WATCHING A FEW YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND DOING SOME FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS AS THOUGH PART OF THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE/DAMAGED "COUPLING GEAR" BETWEEN THE POWER/ELECTRIC ASSIST STEERING MOTORE AND THE STEERING COLUMN ITSELF. REGARDLESS, IT IS A SEVERE STEERING ISSUE THAT HAS LEAD TO A PREVIOUS RECALL IN OLDER KIAS AND SEVERAL ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA ODI #11360097
10,000 miles · Sep 17, 2020
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY AND COMING TO A STOP AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF . I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR TOOK OFF LIKE A ROCKET AND HIT A PARKED CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY . IT PUSHED THE PARKED VEHICLE FORWARD ABOUT 2 FEET UNTIL THE CAR STOPPED . THIS IS A DIRT DRIVEWAY. I GUESS WHAT HAPPENED IS THIS CARS START AND STOP FE…
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WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY AND COMING TO A STOP AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF . I LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR TOOK OFF LIKE A ROCKET AND HIT A PARKED CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY . IT PUSHED THE PARKED VEHICLE FORWARD ABOUT 2 FEET UNTIL THE CAR STOPPED . THIS IS A DIRT DRIVEWAY. I GUESS WHAT HAPPENED IS THIS CARS START AND STOP FEATURE WHICH TURNS THE MOTOR OFF WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP AND STARTS BACK UP WHEN YOU LET YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE . SOME KIA FEATURE THAT WENT HAYWIRE AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT . YOU CAN DISENGAGE THIS FEATURE BUT IT MUST BE DONE EVERY TIME YOU STOP AND TURN OFF HE VEHICLE . THE DEALER DID NOT EVEN WANT TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC TO MAKE SURE THE RADIATOR WAS NOT DAMAGED .
NHTSA ODI #11355620
6,200 miles · Aug 27, 2020
Exterior LightingVisibility/wiper
BRAND NEW CAR WITH 6K MILES AND WHEN IT RAINS THE HEADLIGHTS FILL UP WITH SO MUCH MOISTURE IT'S BLOCKING OUTPUT FROM THE LIGHT AND CAUSING FLICKERING WITH THE BULB INTERMINABLY. THIS IS CAUSING ME TO PULL OF THE ROAD DURING RAINFALL AND AT NIGHT AND I WAS INFORMED THIS IS NORMAL FOR KIA FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER AT WESLEY CHAPEL …
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BRAND NEW CAR WITH 6K MILES AND WHEN IT RAINS THE HEADLIGHTS FILL UP WITH SO MUCH MOISTURE IT'S BLOCKING OUTPUT FROM THE LIGHT AND CAUSING FLICKERING WITH THE BULB INTERMINABLY. THIS IS CAUSING ME TO PULL OF THE ROAD DURING RAINFALL AND AT NIGHT AND I WAS INFORMED THIS IS NORMAL FOR KIA FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER AT WESLEY CHAPEL KIA IN WESLEY CHAPEL FL. KIA REFUSED TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS UNDER PLATINUM WARRANTY ON A NEW CAR WHEN THEY HAVE A TSB OUT ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE
NHTSA ODI #11351547
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other
IN THE MORNINGS VEHICLE IS NOT STARTING. TAKES 20 TRIES...HAS OCCURED LAST 5 DAYS.
NHTSA ODI #11350744
3,400 miles · Jul 23, 2020
Exterior Lighting
MY ISSUE IS REGARDING THE INADEQUATE LIGHTING SUPPLIED BY THE HALOGEN LIGHTING IN MY 2020 KIA SOUL S. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T LIGHT THE ROAD FAR ENOUGH AHEAD TO GIVE THE DRIVER TIME TO REACT IF NEED BE. I FIND MYSELF DRIVING WITH MY BRIGHTS ON IN ORDER TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY H…
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MY ISSUE IS REGARDING THE INADEQUATE LIGHTING SUPPLIED BY THE HALOGEN LIGHTING IN MY 2020 KIA SOUL S. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T LIGHT THE ROAD FAR ENOUGH AHEAD TO GIVE THE DRIVER TIME TO REACT IF NEED BE. I FIND MYSELF DRIVING WITH MY BRIGHTS ON IN ORDER TO SEE WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. I CONTACTED THE KIA DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT FROM NUMEROUS OWNERS BUT THERE IS NO FIX AT THIS TIME. HE BELIEVES KIA IS WORKING ON A REMEDY THOUGH. I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE STOCK HALOGEN BULBS WITH A BETTER QUALITY, BRIGHTER AFTERMARKET BULB BUT NONE WERE AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE AS YET.
NHTSA ODI #11341207
Mileage unknown · Jun 18, 2020
Unknown Or Other
WHILE AT MY KIA DEALERSHIP ON 6/17/20 FOR A ROUTINE VEHICLE INSPECTION, KIA STAFF TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAD "TWO SAFETY RECALLS (SA409 AND SA424)." I ASKED WHY KIA HAD NOT TOLD ME ABOUT THE "SAFETY RECALLS". THEY TOLD ME THAT: "WE DON'T KNOW THAT THEY EXIST UNLESS YOU BRING YOUR VEHICLE IN HERE. THEN, WHEN WE CHECK OUR RECORDS,…
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WHILE AT MY KIA DEALERSHIP ON 6/17/20 FOR A ROUTINE VEHICLE INSPECTION, KIA STAFF TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAD "TWO SAFETY RECALLS (SA409 AND SA424)." I ASKED WHY KIA HAD NOT TOLD ME ABOUT THE "SAFETY RECALLS". THEY TOLD ME THAT: "WE DON'T KNOW THAT THEY EXIST UNLESS YOU BRING YOUR VEHICLE IN HERE. THEN, WHEN WE CHECK OUR RECORDS, WE FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS". IF THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE, BOTH KIA AND NHTSA HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LAPSE IN THEIR PROCEDURES. HOW WAS I AS THE CAR'S OWNER SUPPOSED TO LEARN ABOUT THE UNADDRESSED "SAFETY RECALLS"? YESTERDAY, I SENT EMAILS TO KIA' S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN IRVINE, CA. THEY DO NOT REPLY. SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE "SAFETY RECALL" CODE NUMBERS MEAN, I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, OR, HOW LONG THE ISSUE(S) HAD BEEN PRESENT. PLEASE REPLY AND PLEASE, CONTACT KIA TO APPRISE THEM OF THE CARELESS MANNER IN WHICH KIA STAFF HANDLED THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329534
9,200 miles · Jun 13, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2019 IN MARCH 2020 CAR TURNED OFF AS I WAS DRIVING I PUT IT IN PARK TURNED BACK ON WITH A LOUD NOISE CALLED THE SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS LOW ON OIL BUT THEY JUST CHANGED THE OIL 3 WEEKS PRIOR SO THEY ADDED MORE OIL TOLD ME TO COME BACK IN 30 DAYS AND A MONTH LATER IT SHUT OFF ON ME AGAIN SO I BROUGHT IT…
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BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2019 IN MARCH 2020 CAR TURNED OFF AS I WAS DRIVING I PUT IT IN PARK TURNED BACK ON WITH A LOUD NOISE CALLED THE SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS LOW ON OIL BUT THEY JUST CHANGED THE OIL 3 WEEKS PRIOR SO THEY ADDED MORE OIL TOLD ME TO COME BACK IN 30 DAYS AND A MONTH LATER IT SHUT OFF ON ME AGAIN SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE SO THEY ORDERED A NEW ENGINE AND SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE NEW ENGINE SO THEY HAD TO ORDER ANOTHER ENGINE I FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS MAYBE MORE I GOT MY CAR BACK ON JUNE 4TH I PICKED UP MY CAR AND ON MONDAY JUNE 8TH I TURNED ON MY CAR AND A MESSAGE ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CHECKED AND THE AUTO SHUT OFF LIGHT WAS BLINKING THE ABS LIGHT THE EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHT ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHERS WERE FLASHING AND THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 0 WHILE I WAS DRIVING I LEFT IT RUNNING AND AFTER A WHILE THEY ALL SHUT OFF AND SPEEDOMETER WORKED AND STEERING WHEEL FELT FINE WELL YESTERDAY IN FRIDAY JUNE 12TH I TURNED THE CAR ON AT 8AM AND ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AGAIN INCLUDING THE AUTO OF LIGHT THE SPEEDOMETER READ 0 WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AGAIN AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT AND SYSTEM MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN I TOOK A VIDEO THIS TIME BROUGHT IT BACK TO BEV SMITH KIA AND HAD NO CAR ALL DAY UNTIL I FINALLY ASKED ABOUT A LOANER AT 4:30PM WAS TOLD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A LOANER WAITED THERE FOR AN HOUR FOR THE LOANER BUT AT THIS POINT I DON'T EVEN WANT THE SOUL BACK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328644
2,300 miles · May 26, 2020
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND DECELERATED TO 3 MPH AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT AND VEHICLE OCCUPANT STRUCK THE DASHBOARD HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FUCCILLO KIA OF GREECE (4321 W RIDGE RD, ROCHESTER, …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND DECELERATED TO 3 MPH AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT AND VEHICLE OCCUPANT STRUCK THE DASHBOARD HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FUCCILLO KIA OF GREECE (4321 W RIDGE RD, ROCHESTER, NY 14626, (585) 720-8000) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS METAL SHAVINGS INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,300. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11326027
4,200 miles · May 15, 2020
Power Train
TRAVELING ON GARDEN STATE PKWY ABOUT 70 MPH. COULD FEEL THE CAR "BUCKING". THEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RACED AND REVVED TO HIGHEST LEVEL.WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. STARTED BUT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. KIA HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HAVE BEEN TOLD FULL TRANSMISSION …
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TRAVELING ON GARDEN STATE PKWY ABOUT 70 MPH. COULD FEEL THE CAR "BUCKING". THEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY RACED AND REVVED TO HIGHEST LEVEL.WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. STARTED BUT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR. RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. KIA HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HAVE BEEN TOLD FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT NECESSARY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324663
32,500 miles · May 11, 2020
Exterior Lighting
HEADLAMP SHUTTERS STOPPED WORKING, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF HIGH BEAMS, AND REDUCED LOW BEAM VISIBILITY. FIRST NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK STREET, AND WHEN HIGH BEAMS WERE TURNED ON, NOTHING HAPPENED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11324075
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.