2012 KIA Soul other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Was stalling, would loose power, now will not start. Found a recall ( engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic converter # 19v120000.) same problems. Towed to local kia, they say not under recall list. This recall is only for engine size 1.6. My engine is a 2.0. But they said catalytic converter needs replaced. Although car is aged only has about 55,000 miles. Catalytic converter should not be an issue. I believe the 2.0 engine needs to be added to the recall list.

NHTSA complaint #11639106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

To Whom It May Concern, I need a Recall Letter send to me to get my 2012 Kia Soul repaired. My Catalytic Converter needs to be replace, and my engine is leaking oil and that will need to be replace, and the Pillars on the front of my car, on the right & left side, needs to be replace, they flew off my car while I was driving on [XXX]. I looked up the information on the computer, that the vehicle emission warranty extends beyond the manufacturer's. along with others emission control devices, Federal Law requires to replace a defective Catalytic Converter & Engine for up to 15 years or 150,000 miles, the miles on my car is 128, 684. I took my vehicle to get check by Brake World , on [XXX] they said I needed a CRankshaft Position Sensor & a new Catalytic Converter. I have the printed out receipt from Brake World. I did get my Crankshaft Position Sensor replace with a shop call ECONOMICAL AUTO CARE LLC. Do I get a refund for that, the price was 182.73, I got it done on [XXX}, I do have my receipt for that. I did take my vehicle to Kia Auto on 735 South Military Trial #C, West Palm Beach, Fl 33415, on [XXX]. I had a Recall Letter for the HECU, and the Dealer Al told me I needed my Catalytic Converter replace, but he did not put it on the receipt when I pick my car up & he did not let me know it was a recall on it, until I looked it up. My car was making a loud knocking noise & would cut off when I stopped at a red light and I had to keep on starting my car up every time and my vehicle would jerked and shake and the Engine Light comes on. So when I got the Catalytic Converter Sensor on it, the loud knocking noise stop, but the Engine Light stills comes on. But I still needs the Catalytic Converter replace on my car. So Please send me the Recall Letters for I can get my vehicle completed. Thank you & God Bless. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11610164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

a few months after buying the car (the car was bought used), the "check engine" icon appeared on the instrument panel, I immediately went to the car workshop, the employee said after checking that he did not see any problems. the icon disappeared from the dashboard. after a while the icon reappeared on the instrument panel. after that, I received a recall letter from the car manufacturer Kia, which stated that the car had a defect that could cause the car to catch fire. after that I contacted the dealer with this letter, the dealer informed me on the day of the application that there were no spare parts, they needed to be ordered, I asked them to order spare parts for me and agreed to wait a month. after a month on the appointed day - I contacted the dealer, but they did not solve my problem, informing me that the Kia manufacturer did not send spare parts. After some time, I wrote a letter to the car manufacturer Kia, and received a reply. I was asked to describe the problem (I described the problem during the application, clearly indicated all the details, the time when I applied, the location of the dealership, the problems with which I applied). it has been more than three weeks since I sent the follow-up letter and I have not been contacted by any Kia representative. Currently, I do not have the opportunity to operate another car. Every time I use this car, I put myself and my passengers, as well as those around me, and other cars at risk. I believe that the car manufacturing company significantly exposes me to danger, it is under threat. please help to solve this problem with an unscrupulous car manufacturer.

NHTSA complaint #11606003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle first started to have issue with the blower motor relay, unknowingly at the time, that was the issue I had brought it to numerous mechanics, told it’s my blower motor itself, then took it to Kia and was told it’s not and they put my old one back in and didn’t solve any issue, on my way home my check engine light came on, driving on the HWY at 70mph. I get off on my exit slow down to the speed of 40Mph stop at the red light and then my vehicle starts to stall, refused to go faster then 40mph and was fighting it, at 7rpms. Local shop said it was some sort of sensor, had another mechanic look at it and found that KIA hadn’t put my Cars Computer back on my vehicle, so it was just flapping around, once he reconnected it the issue disappeared. Following this I have had a ticking engine for 2/3 years. Local mechanic said it was my Engine lifters, so we replaced all 18. The noise never stopped. I brought it back and was told I need a replacement engine the long block specifically, I couldn’t afford to replace it, years later it’s still making this noise at start up, in idel and when driving and becomes louder when I accelerate. I have had a hard time getting my vehicle to accelerate to HWY speeds at an efficient and safe level, having to use hazard lights. My car has had a gas fuel leak, repaired. I had to get a rental car. The blower motor relay has to be replaced every 3/4 months since it failed the first time years ago in order for my AC/heat to work, I’m a single mother, who is disabled with a special needs child, and a very low fixed income, this is a major safety concern on top of the HECU recall, I have asked for a buy back or a refund or replacement vehicle and have been denied, or at least reimbursement for the costs associated. Kia is negligent and obviously doesn’t seem to care whatsoever about their customers or their safety. If I could afford it I would sue them. Fire hazard, engine fire, stalling, ect.

NHTSA complaint #11596578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The engines makes a weird chatter noise all the time

NHTSA complaint #11554605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2012 Kia Soul 4dr wagon engine fail no warning lights sudden strange noise driving on highway with grandbabies. Heard a strange noise under hood then the vehicle lost acceleration and right before shutting down and dying the oil light came on and car went dead. No warning to any problem. Had the oil changed and double checked new oil was replaced. When I opened the hood and checked the oil their was no oil in vehicle it was as if it was drained out yet have no oil leaks to show it leaked out. If the oil disappears and no warning lights show no oil and car just dies on highway that is engine failure and burning up engine leading to fires and danger to drivers and passengers. 2012 Kia Soul 75,262 miles well maintained should not just be driving along engine malfunction and die and oil has disappeared. Let alone possibility needing new engine. Very scary and not safe to drive as the vehicle immediately dies on busy highway so by given no warning till last second the drivers behind me had no warning and luckily no accident was caused but possible it could be a serious problem. Apparently other people are having same engine issue reading online forum that several incidents missing oil and engine failure with little or no warning but hearing strange noise and engine shutting down and oil missing.

NHTSA complaint #11517347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The series of events leading to my theory of what is wrong with my 2012 Kia Soul: 1. Steering coupler replacement in March of 2021 left my steering wheel sideways instead of straight, air bag light remains on, and traction control light as well. The after-market (I assume) cruise control is automatically on when car is started. Must turn off manually. 2. U-joint connecting to steering column fell onto my feet while driving in December of 2021. I slid it back on, but it slipped off approximately 4 more times in the next month before it was strongly secured. 3. Alignment performed in February 2022. Approximately 2 weeks after the alignment, my car started stuttering, if you will, prior to shifting into third gear. Then, again, prior to each shift into the higher gears. It stalled a few times in response to this action. While accelerating, the car begins to jerk severely, as if the brakes are being pumped. It doesn't do this immediately, but only begins once it's warmed up. Several sensors have been replaced. Fuel filter replaced. It's a standard, but the transmission was replaced after I purchased it in 2018. After hooking up to the code scanner at the parts store, the Steering Tilt Sensor is the code shown. My theory is this: When the steering coupler was replaced leaving my steering wheel in the turned position, and then aligning it with it in the wrong position, that threw the tilt code. Maybe it's jerking because it thinks I'm turning when I'm not, and it could possibly be engaging the abs to slow me down while it thinks I'm turning. Would I be wrong in assuming that if I get the steering wheel straightened, get another alignment, and clear the steering tilt sensor, my car will act normal again? I am uncertain what system or part failed, but it is definitely available to be inspected. I could have died when the u-joint fell off if I hadn't been almost to a stop sign every time. The problem continues, but has not been addressed or confirmed by a dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11515984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown. Piston rings have blown, oil leaking into muffler.

NHTSA complaint #11507549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

"play" and clicking noises in steering wheel have increasingly gotten much worse and noisier, clicking and clunking on turns. I feel like any moment my steering is going to go out and I am going to put everyone in my car and around me at risk. Called dealership and they said it is a common problem which I researched and found that the coupler in steering wheel fails. Kia used the same part in presvious years same model and even years afterward and those years were recalled but not my year. Makes no sense. The next issue was I was driving on the highway at 70 and all of a sudden lost power and car would not accelerate beyond a speed of 45 mph. Black smoke came out of my tail pipe and I limped home at 20 mph. Mo engine warning lights but I could smell something was hit like melted plastic. After letting the car sit a couple hours, I started it and it sounds like there is a hole in the exhaust all of a sudden. There lots of black ish grey soot under my car as if a balloon burst with soot in it from underneath the car somewhere. I called the dealer and described the issue and all they did was look up my vin and tell me there is no recall and that I must have gotten bad gas somewhere.

NHTSA complaint #11490443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car started ticking, small repair shop told me it was engine lifters, I paid $2000 to replace them. After replacing the engine lifters the mechanic said it would be quite and stop making the ticking noise on idle and acceleration. However 5 months later it was still ticking, low power, brought it back in and they said I need to replace the engine lock block. This mechanical defect is a recall on my vehicles make model and year however it’s VIN is not under the recall. Car will stall, doesn’t want to accelerate quickly, will shake, and tap, or tick noise from the engine at start, and the entire time car is running, th ticking increases when I accelerate.

NHTSA complaint #11487757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving on the highway and I went To pass someone and then all of the sudden my car did not switch gears when accelerating (which has always been an issue) and a big cloud of white smoke came out of my exhaust. My car has always had issues switching gears but this time was bad. I checked all of my fluids, they were fine and my car wasn’t over heated. Once I started My car again it was fine and no smoke came out but it is still struggling to switch gears. I just Took my car to get my tires changed and looked at for any issues last week and they changed my tires and said my car had no issues. I know 2012 Kia Soul 1.6 engines just got recalled for similar issues. I also Looked up to see if anyone else with the same car had this issues and a lot of people have had this happen to them.

NHTSA complaint #11487365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The electrical system on this vehicle is severely malfunctioning. Once the engine is started it will not allow me to take it out of gear. All of the indicator lights are on and flash. It is unsafe because the Kia dealership service center doesn't know how to fix it. I don't think it's safe to drive because what if I put it in drive & it would not stop or shift to neutral.

NHTSA complaint #11477485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

KIA did a "PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN" as a work around for a recall on the Kia Soul. they were in the middle of this when our engine did the problem that they are "Improving," Dealership won't do the improvement saying we have no open recalls, but we keep getting the letter telling us to do the product improvement campaign. Engine is failing due to this issue, but dealership just wants us to replace engine. KIA won't replace since we didn't do the PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN that the dealership said we aren't eligible for. PLEASE HELP. I have all letters from KIA.

NHTSA complaint #11447023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Steering clicks and feels loose when turning. Inspected by a repair shop and they said it was the steering coupler. It's my understanding this is a issue with most kia souls. This should be a recall item but 2012 year was not included. Very unsafe as steering can fail. Make this a recall.

NHTSA complaint #11441190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Still the original owner or our 2012 Kia Soul and experiencing issues with the flex coupler in the steering column. As with other 2012 owners why is there no recall for this year unlike the other Kia and Hyundais make and models??

NHTSA complaint #11441166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

engine piston fails, while drive metal from the piston where internal parts out and vehicle breaks down. no warning lamps illuminated

NHTSA complaint #11436276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Steering has clunking sound and loose feeling while turning the steering wheel. Research would suggest steering coupler faulty. This same part has been recalled in other Kia models but not in the particular model I own.

NHTSA complaint #11432592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Steering wheel vibrate uncontrollable when driving

NHTSA complaint #11426652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ESC LIGHT PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11426243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF GAS STATION WON'T CRANK BACK UP

NHTSA complaint #11400070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WITHIN TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING THE CAR, IT STALLS WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, ETC., GEARED IN DRIVE AND LOW IDLE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. WHEN RESTARTED IT PROCEEDS AT A SLOW CRAWL AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE OR WILL ACCELERATE NORMALLY IN 15 TO 30 SECONDS. HAD OIL, OIL FILTER AND ENGINE AIR FILTER REPLACED BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT STALLS. AFTER SIX TIMES OF DYING AND NOT ACCELERATING, IT IS NOW PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND FEAR IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN ONE WEEK WITH NO PRIOR OPERATION ISSUES. I HAVE READ COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE FROM OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS BUT NO RESOLVES, JUST ASTRONOMICAL REPAIR BILLS WITH NO FIXES AND NO HELP FROM KIA, DEALERSHIPS OR THE GOVERNMENT.

NHTSA complaint #11394588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE DRIVING CAR IS RANDOMLY STALLING . VISITED SEVERAL SERVICE INCLUDE KIA SERVICE AS WELL NOBODY KNOWS WHATS WRONG. IT'S DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN DURING DRIVING THE CAR JUST STALLS ALL OF THE SUDDEN.

NHTSA complaint #11355503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

REFRIGERANT OIL LEAKING FROM AC COMPRESSOR

NHTSA complaint #11342514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO MY CAR DIED AT A STOPLIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME. ALL ALONG THERE IS NO INDICATOR LIGHTS. THEN DIED WHILE DRIVING 3 DAYS LATER AT 35 MPH. I WENT TO AN AUTO ZONE TO GET A CHECK ON ITS COMPUTER BUT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS. DROVE IT A FEW DAYS , IT DIED AGAIN AT THE STOPLIGHT. IT BEGAN TO DO THIS EVERY FEW DAYS .NO INDICATION WHEN IT WOULD SHUT OFF AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS. I CALLED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND THERE WASN'T, I ALSO CHECKED ONLINE.WHEN IT DIED I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT JUST OFF THE ROAD OR AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS FOR A FEW MINUTES AND KEEP TRYING. THEN AFTER A FEW TIMES I STARTED NOTICING IT WOULD DIE AT THE INTERSECTION AND THEN MY RPM INDICATOR WOULD NOT WORK THEN THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ,I WOULD FIGHT WITH IT TO START OR IT WOULD START NORMALLY AND EVERYTHING WORKED FOR A WHILE AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALER MADE AN APPOINTMENT, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT ONE MECHANIC ASKED WHAT YEAR THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER VEHICLES..TODAY JUNE 5TH WHEN I WAS STUCK AT AN INTERSECTION I USED MY PHONE TO RECORD THAT IT STARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND THEN WHEN I DROVE IT I HAD TO FLOOR THE GAS AND THE RPM INDICATOR WASN'T WORKING AT ALL. THEN I WAS DRIVING FINALLY GOT IT TO SPEED AND IT DIED IN THE ROAD AT 55 WHILE DRIVING LUCKILY I COASTED OFF THE ROAD .AFTER A MINUTE I TAPED WHERE I WAS, HOW THE CAR WAS PULLED OFF CROOKED AND THEN IT STARTED NORMALLY, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ,RPM WORKED AND I GOT HOME. THE CAR DEALER SAID HE PROBABLY KNEW WHAT IT WAS DUE TO THE OTHER RECALLS BUT IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE. I CANNOT AFFORD A REPAIR DON'T WANT TO DIE EITHER. IF OTHER CARS WERE RECALLED MINE NEEDS TO BE. IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE I AM IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE MY CAR JUST DIES WHENEVER IT WANTS TO. I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD OFF MY PHONE BUT WILL GLADLY HAVE SOMEONE DO IT SOON TO REPORT IT AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11327448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HAD TO REPLACE ENGINE

NHTSA complaint #11301769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY UVO RADIO IS FINE 1 DAY AND THE NEXT DAY IT NO LONGER HAS SOUND AND THE CLOCK DOESN'T WORK, I HAVE DONE A HARD RESET WITH NO RESULTS. WHEN RESEARCHING HOW TO FIX, I FIND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SOULS, WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL FOR SO ,ANY COMPLAINTS ? I JUST GOT IN IT 1 DAY TO LEAVE HOME AND IT NO LONGER WILL WORK.. THE BACK UP CAMERA HASN'T WORKED FOREVER AND I BOUGHT THIS KIA BRAND NEW AND IN 2019 WHEN I WAS WASHING THE KIA AT THE CAR WASH THE COVER OF THE BACKUP CAMERA FELL OFF AND THEIR IS CORROSION ALL OVER IT, I WOULD THINK FROM A FAULTY SEAL

NHTSA complaint #11297674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN PUT IN REVERSE IT MAKES A POPPING NOISE AND SOMETIMES AS WELL IN OTHER GEARS CONTACTED THE DEALSHIP WHERE I GOT IT FROM IN 6/19 AND HE SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE, I CONTACTED BEFORE MY 30 DAY WARRANTY EXPIRED AS WELL BUT IT IS STILL DOING IT. I NOTICED IT DOING IT A FEW DAYS AFTER I GOT IT. THE NOISE APPEARS AFTER THE AUTO LOCK ,

NHTSA complaint #11234374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS PROBLEM IS STRANGE. I PURCHASED A USED 2012 KIA SOUL THIS YEAR. I TOOK IT TO HAVE THE 60K MAINTENANCE DONE. THE SERVICE AGENT AT 2 DIFFERENT PLACES VERIFIED AND ENTERED OUR VIN. IT DOESN'T EXIST IN THEIR SYSTEM. AFTER SEARCHING FOR MONTHS FOR SOME TYPE OF HELP WE FOUND THAT THE CAR WAS SOLD IN GUAM. IT IS AN AMERICAN STANDARD VEHICLE. IT WAS VERIFIED BY BOTH SERVICE ASSOCIATES. NOW THIS VEHICLE MAY BE SUBJECT TO A RECALL THAT HAS KILLED PEOPLE. I CAN'T HAVE THE WORK DONE BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EXIST IN KIA'S SYSTEM. SO NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. NO ONE AT KIA KNOWS WHAT TO DO. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN DIFFERENT NUMBERS IN MULTIPLE COUNTRIES TO CALL. I CAN'T CALL ANY OF THEM. IT'S NOT AVAILABLE ON MY CARRIER OR ANY OF THE OTHER CARRIERS I'VE TRIED. THE KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT STAFF HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE ANY MEANINGFUL HELP. WE ARE WORRIED THAT THE CAR WILL CATCH FIRE AT SOME RANDOM POINT. OUR ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON MULTIPLE TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #11221063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.