2014 Kia SOUL: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TWO HOLES THROUGH THE SEAT. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE RENTAL AGENCY OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT DID NOT CALL THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS REMOVED FROM THE FLEET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18. UPDATED 1/29/14*CN..UPDATED 02-04-14 *BF

Owner-reported narrative. 18 miles reported. Look up ODI 10554720 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2014 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH, BRUISING AND BACK INJURIES. A SECOND PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISING AND A SPRAINED ARM. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568239 at NHTSA ↗

AS I WAS DRIVING I HAD A SUDDEN STOP AND MY CHILD WAS THROWN FROM HER SEAT AS FAR AS TO THE MIDDLE CONSOLE FROM THE BACK MIDDLE SEATBELT. UPON INVESTIGATING WHY THIS HAPPENED I NOTICED THAT THE SEATBELT RETENTION WAS IMPROPERLY WORKING. AS YOU PULL IT OUT IT WILL NOT RETRACT BACK INTO THE SEAT AS DESIGNED. I WAS SCARED AND HYSTERICAL BECAUSE LORD FORBID IF THERE WAS A COLLISION MY CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THROWN OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF COULD GET IT IN THE SHOP THAT DAY MARCH 31,2014 …

Owner-reported narrative. 3,980 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576877 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE HAD MY CAR TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WHICH STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TOO AND THEN THERE IS VERY LITTLE POWER IN 1, 2,AND 3RD GEARS THIS IS A MANUAL TRANS. I ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE SIDE BECAUSE OF PULLING FROM A STOP SIGH AND WENT TO GO AND LOOKED DOWN LIGHT WAS ON AND CAR DID NOT WANT TO MOVE. ITS VERY HARD TO GET A STICK SHIFT CAR TO START OUT IN 4TH GEAR. KIA SAYS THEY WANT ME HAPPY BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE CAR INSTEAD OFFERING FREE OIL CHANGES AND OTHER ITEMS BUT I WANT A SAFE CA…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,702 miles reported. Look up ODI 10578067 at NHTSA ↗

STEERING STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNED SLIGHTLY LEFT OR RIGHT. DEALER SAYS THE STEERING RACK NEEDS REPLACING. PART WILL NOT BE HERE UNTIL APRIL 30TH (1 MONTH). DEALER WILL NOT RELEASE THE CAR TO ME BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. KIA WILL NO LONGER TALK TO ME AT ALL ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR. ONLINE I SEE THAT PAST KIA SOUL'S HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10579438 at NHTSA ↗

I HAD AN EMERGENCY AND TRIED AT NIGHT TO UNLOCK ELECTRIC DOORS FOR MY PASSENGERS AND I. UPON ATTEMPTING TO MANAGE THE EMERGENCY AND UNLOCK THE DOOR FOR MY PASSENGERS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, I WAS GREATLY DELAYED BECAUSE THE "UNLOCK LIGHT IS NON FUNCTIONING" AND CAN'T BE SEEN IN THE DARK. THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM & I BELIEVE IT WARRANTS A RECALL BECAUSE THE DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT AS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS CORRECTING. THANKS GOD THERE WAS NO FIRE! PLEASE ADVISE AND ASSIST, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN…

Owner-reported narrative. 6 miles reported. Look up ODI 10586447 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN BRAKING, THERE IS FADING PEDAL FEEL WHEREBY BRAKING GRIP IS NOT LINEAR WITH PEDAL PRESSURE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10587791 at NHTSA ↗

THE FIRST PANEL OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF SHATTERED. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 8,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10592341 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2015-03-02 (March 2, 2015)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.

Consequence: If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.

Reported: 2017-09-29 (September 29, 2017)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.

Consequence: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.

Reported: 2019-02-22 (February 22, 2019)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.

Consequence: Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.

Reported: 2020-12-02 (December 2, 2020)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

Reported: 2022-02-18 (February 18, 2022)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.

Consequence: Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.