Kia boasts one of the lowest recall rates in the business. The personality-packed Soul, in particular, has earned high marks for dependability and safety. But every car has problems, including the Soul, and according to more than 400 complaints with the NHTSA, that especially includes the 2014 model.
What problems is the Kia Soul known for?
To list the big ones in brief:
- The engine may throw a rod
- Oil burns too quickly
- Sudden deceleration
- Assorted light issues
- Airbags may fail to deploy
Keep reading, and we’ll let you know what these problems entail and how to handle them.
5 Big Kia Soul Problems
Engine May Throw a Rod Through the Engine Block
This is a big one, affecting many 2014 Souls and potentially other year models. After 100,000 miles (where the standard warranty ends), the car will start to show signs with hiccups during acceleration before finally tossing a rod right through the engine block.
This problem typically has to do with factory debris in the engine, so there might be a recall in place on your car if this happens. If not, Kia has settled several class-action lawsuits, and you may be entitled to reimbursement and extended warranty. In any event, the only fix here is total engine replacement.
Oil Burns Too Quickly
Some Kia Soul drivers, many, but not all, being 2014 Soul owners, have complained of the engine burning through oil too fast, needing an oil change after just 2,000 miles. In many instances, these drivers have been told that the problem is catalytic converter failure.
It is difficult to say exactly what the problem is here or how to address it. Many of these complaints were only registered in the last year or two, even for six-year-old cars. The best bet right now is to report any such issues to the NHTSA and see if there’s a recall soon.
Sudden Deceleration
This might be related to, or overlap with, the previous issue. Many drivers have complained of knocking sounds coming from the engine, eventually followed by deceleration, and, on inspection, missing oil. In most instances, this seems to begin between 50,000 and 100,000 miles.
As with the previous problem, this is sort of a “mystery issue” at present. Short of replacing the entire engine, the best thing to do right now is report any problems you have to the NHTSA and hope for a recall.
Assorted Light Issues
Across several model years we’ve noted complaints including: All interior and exterior lights may flash on and off at random, headlights may not work, and warning lights may come on for no reason. In some instances, this has even drained the battery.
In some cases, the best fix for this problem is to install new light fixtures. In others, rewiring or software updates may be required. Check your warranty and check for recalls to see if your light issues are covered by Kia.
Airbags May Fail to Deploy
A number of Kia Soul drivers state that the airbags failed to deploy in an accident. The problem with this issue: You might not know if it affects you until it’s too late.
If you want to be sure that your airbags work, you could ask your mechanic to do an inspection, but then, there’s the risk that in the process of inspecting your airbags, they will become damaged. To be safe, check your model year to see if there is a pending recall.
Stay Informed, Be Prepared
It can be a little scary reading about some of these issues. But remember that while the 2014 Soul has over 400 complaints listed with the NHTSA, it sold more than 145,000 units in the U.S. that year.
The question comes down not only to how severe, but how common a problem is, and while the Kia Soul may have its share of issues, the fact is that they don’t affect the vast majority of drivers.
