About this problem
Engine failure complaints describe engines that knock, seize or stop running entirely, often with a sudden loss of power on the road. The usual mechanical cause is wear in the connecting rod bearings, which can follow from manufacturing debris, low oil or oil starvation. Once a bearing fails, the engine usually needs to be replaced. Some failures on these engines are covered by recalls or extended warranties.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Kia Soul since 2012, 1,479 (27.9%) describe engine knocking and failure, making it the most reported problem we track on the Soul. The reports cluster on the 2014, 2015 and 2016 model years, and the 2015 drew the most, with 285. It tends to show up at higher mileage: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 75,000 and 121,000 miles. 73 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. One recall is related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Owners of 2014 to 2016 Souls report knocking, loss of power and engines that failed, sometimes with fires. Many failures start with the catalytic converter overheating and breaking up. Kia recalled many of these engines.
How it gets fixed
Kia replaces damaged engines under recalls 19V120 and 20V750 and adds knock sensor software.
Typical cost: Free if covered. Otherwise a replacement engine costs $4,000 to $6,000.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"Bought a used 2014 Kia Soul in 12/2015 with 34,000 and put on 17,400 miles to date.approx. 12/27/18 heard a very slight knocking, tapping noise (had to turn the accessories off to hear it) and checked the oil level (which was fine-just had it changed)."
2014 Kia Soul, 51,500 miles
"Description of Incident: The engine has experienced a failure that causes oil to blow back from the engine, covering components both under and outside of the engine cover."
2015 Kia Soul, 144,000 miles
"Oil light came on, pulled over to check oil. As car slowed down the oil light started to blink, the check engine light came on, and the engine started to knock and misfire."
2016 Kia Soul, 53,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins
Kia has sent dealers 46 bulletins that mention this problem on the Soul. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published under SC336 titled Engine Inspection/Replacement and ECM Logic Improvement.
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ENGINE OIL FILLER CAP REPLACEMENT (SC224) - This bulletin provides information to replace the oil filler cap on some 2022MY Seltos (SP2) and Soul (SK3) vehicles produced in the date ranges ...
PITSTOP: DTC P0011/ P0014/ P0016/ P0017 DUE TO INCORRECT CAMSHAFT RELUCTOR WHEEL CONFIGURATION - This Pitstop provides information on some 2010-2013MY Soul (AM), 2014-2019MY Soul (PS), and 2020~MY Soul (SK3) vehicles equipped w...
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PISTON RING NOISE DTC P1327(SC209Y) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (SC209A) titled "ECM Logic...
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU...
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update...
Government investigations
Audit query AQ25001 · 2021–2023 · opened Aug 2025, closed Dec 2025
Defect petition DP18003 · 2012–2015 · opened Aug 2018, closed May 2019
Engineering analysis EA21003 · 2012–2016 · opened Dec 2021, closed Feb 2024
Preliminary evaluation PE19004 · 2012–2015 · opened Mar 2019, closed Dec 2021
Before you buy a Soul
- Ask for oil change records; long gaps are a red flag on these engines.
- Listen for knocking or ticking at idle and when accelerating.
- Check by VIN for open engine recalls and for any extended engine warranty.
Questions
Which Kia Soul years have engine knocking and failure?
Complaints are highest for the 2014, 2015, 2016 model years. The 2015 drew the most, with 285 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 99,000 miles, and half reported it between 75,000 and 121,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
Free if covered. Otherwise a replacement engine costs $4,000 to $6,000.