2016 Kia Soul

Component or system: Catalytic converter (exhaust emissions system). The converter is physically restricted due to substrate damage consistent with the defect identified in NHTSA Campaign 19V120 / Kia Recall SC176. The restriction limits engine RPM to approximately 3,000 under all conditions. The vehicle is available for inspection at any authorized Kia dealership. No DTC is stored because the restriction has not yet degraded catalytic efficiency below the ECU's threshold — the catalyst is still chemically functional but physically blocked. Safety risk: The RPM limitation prevents the vehicle from accelerating past ~3,000 RPM, creating a significant hazard when merging onto highways, passing in traffic, or climbing grades with risk of fire. The recall notice identifies the risk as "abnormal engine combustion and damage to pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure," which can result in sudden engine stall while in motion. The restriction is progressive and will worsen, increasing the likelihood of complete power loss. Reproduced or confirmed by a dealer: The vehicle was inspected at an authorized Kia dealer. The dealer scanned for DTCs, found none, and declined to perform the recall remedy (catalytic converter replacement) on the basis that P0420 had not been stored. The dealer confirmed catilitic converter was clogged.

Whistling noise and problem with acceleration over 35mph and drifting uphill. Although VIN number did not appear on the listed recall, the repair work recommended and partially completed by Kia repair dealer points directly to the description of an oil consumption problem that includes the 2016 Kia Soul. Some repairs done at Kia XXX and some done at Scott Kia in [XXX] (where I reside). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident Overview & Vehicle Record Vehicle: 2016 Kia Soul Purchase Date: June 30, 2024 (Purchased from AutoNation Plano as 2nd owner) Incident Date: June 19, 2025 (Stalled on road at 113,000 miles) Current Location: Group1 Kia South Austin (Towed on July 8, 2025) Diagnosis: Severe internal engine failure (rod bearing defect) Current Status: Warranty extension claim denied by dealership due to missing Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software update. We are 2nd user and this defects is due to manufectuer problem not user. Kia never issued recall regarding this matter.

The vehicle is burning oil. It creates residue in my engine which may make it dangerous to drive and ruin the catalytic converter, among other issues. I was first notified of this problem during my second oil change in 01/2026 at a Kwik Kar Lube & Tune, about 6 months after purchasing the vehicle in 06/2025. As of 05/2026, an oil warning lamp began to appear on the vehicle dashboard to notify me that the oil was low. I checked the oil stick, and there was burnt oil, albeit very little of it. I had gotten a full synthetic oil change, so it was not yet time to change my oil, but clearly this issue is causing premature oil loss.

I am reporting a safety concern related to NHTSA Recall 19V120 involving my Kia Soul. The recall identifies a defect related to catalytic converter overheating, which can lead to engine damage, stalling, and increased risk of fire. My vehicle is currently experiencing an illuminated check engine light and unsafe driving conditions. During service evaluation at Kia of Columbus, I was informed that my vehicle has a catalytic converter blockage contributing to these issues. However, I was also told that my vehicle does not qualify for recall repair because no engine code was detected during diagnostics. This is concerning, as the vehicle is actively exhibiting symptoms consistent with the recall condition, including a confirmed catalytic converter issue and an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp. Despite this, I was denied full recall coverage and instead offered a goodwill repair requiring me to pay 50% of the cost. I believe this situation represents a failure to properly apply recall criteria and raises concerns regarding customer safety, as the vehicle may be at risk for engine failure or fire. I am requesting further review of this matter and investigation into the handling of this recall by the servicing dealership.

While driving on a road trip from Charleston, South Carolina to Florida in January of 2023 the factory installed catalytic converter failed (front facing) clogging the exhaust system and damaging the engine (engine now experiences blow by and pistons rings have been damaged). A recall for the overheating of the catalytic converter was marked as repaired before I bought the car. However, I believe that either the update was not done to the on-board computer or that a damaged catalytic converter was not replaced. This directly led to the subsequent failure in question and has since damaged my engine. At the time of the incident, an investigation of both catalytic converters revealed heavy sediment deposits and the core of the filtering component of the front facing unit had become so corroded that a chunck of it had broken loose and become lodged in the connecting hose that linked it to the rest of the exhaust system, leaving the entire system blocked. Because I bought the car used, I wasn't aware of the recall history at the time of purchase. Nor was I given a vehicle history report or receipts for any work that had previously been done. When I pulled a vehicle history report shortly after the incident I was unable to accertain what the actual repairs to the car were previous to my ownership, just that it had been taken to a Kia dealership for service with dates listed. The issues still remain and I am unable to afford the lengthy and very expensive repairs suggested by multiple mechanics to correct them. I also still owe money on the note as the result of having to deal with a predatory business to secure financing in the first place. I hate to think I was taken advantage of but I can't help but feel like the catalytic converter should have been changed during that previously marked recall repair and clearly wasn't. Please help me figure out what went wrong here and if possible help me remedy this situation, especially if there was indeed fraud involved. Thank you

Rcall SC176 I have tried multiple times to schedule the required recall repair for my Kia, but my local dealer has not responded to phone calls or emails. I cannot travel to another state to complete this recall. Kia has not provided a reasonable option to complete the safety repair. I am requesting assistance to get this recall completed safely and locally, and at no cost.

While driving my 2016 Kia Soul Plus on the highway, smoke began coming from the rear of the vehicle. Within seconds, flames were visible. Other drivers flagged me down, and I was able to pull over. I evacuated three dogs from the car, but the vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames and was a total loss. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. There were no warning lights or unusual performance issues immediately before the fire started. The vehicle had not been modified and was in regular use. This incident posed a severe risk to my safety, the safety of my pets, and others on the road. My VIN currently shows no active recalls, but Kia has issued recalls for engine and electrical fire risks in other Soul models. The fire appears related to engine, electrical, or fuel system malfunction. I strongly believe this defect should be investigated for inclusion in Kia’s fire-related recalls.

The vehicle started losing power and then stalled just as we pulled onto our road to our home, no light indicators were on and it started back up, but the traffic behind us causing slowing and potential risk to us and others. When restarted it would not accelerate appropriately and at that time we were able to put it in neutral and push it the remaining way, again causing a VERY dangerous situation. Upon inspection it was noticed that the oil was barely readable. We added 4 quarts (the vehicle has routine oil changes and is not due for another month or 1,000 miles) and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Upon restarting, the engine started making a loud pinging sound and oil was noticed coming out around the butterfly valve. At that time the cabin air filter and engine air filter was changed, butterfly valve cleaned and another quart of oil with valvoline stop leak added. Engine started and ran decent. Used car next day after rechecking oil, after about 15 minutes of driving it stalled once again, in traffic and pinging was tremendous, black smoke from the exhaust. The vehicle is the only vehicle we have, ONLY transport to work and have now lost out on 4vdays. We need this addressed. This is ridiculous that our VIN isn't included in the recalls that are experiencing the exact issues in the exact year makes and models. Help please!!!