2016 Kia Soul

The catalytic converter, which is a known issue for Kia Soul models from 2012-2016 has started to show signs of failure- namely code P0420. This is despite having the apparent “fix” as detailed in Kia recall SC176, which was a mere software update. Now that the converter has shown signs of failure, Kia refuses to honor the replacement as stated in the recall since the vehicle is above 80,000 miles. Clearly, the recall did not fix the issue.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Cadalic converter we clogged due to carbon emissions. Oil is low and light flashes when below 15 mph even though the oil was changed at a Kia dealership less than 3 weeks ago. Oil leak is visible on engine. The car will also shake and jerk when driving. It would be available depending on the day. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My wife and kids have been stuck on the road twice now due to this issue during heave traffic. The car started shaking and my wife had trouble controlling the car. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealership said the issue was with the gdi (gasoline direct engine), that it was clogged due to heavy carbon emissions and needed to be cleaned. We paid for the cleaning and sill have the problem. They also stated they have seen this issue before. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes the dealership has looked at the car. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The oil light will flash on and off. So the engine like will come on at times.

While driving, my car's engine simply died while driving and refused to start back, giving a battery light and the oil light on the dash. A local mechanic is assuming the issues seen here are related to a recall for this model's GDI. Thankfully I was able to safely push it into a nearby parking lot to be towed. That said, my only car is now out of service until the Kia dealer can look at it to confirm if it was related to the recall, about 2-3 weeks for this one

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. Recall 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. Recall action 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.

I just bought the car. Test drive went fine. I was driving the car when the engine rpms stopped working. I could not get the car to increase speed. I was going up a small hill at 35mph when the car just stopped dead in the road. Luckily I was not in traffic. I repeatedly tried to start the car . Finally it started but the driving was the same. I limped home with my flashers on and have not driven it since. I have an app on 8/5 with a kia dealer. They told me I had to drive the car there. I couldn't have it towed. Hopefully I will make it. This problem doesn't happen all the time. I have driven it when it starts up and no check engine light comes on and the rpms are normal and it drives fine. I feel if the engine heats up that's when the problem occurs. It car only stopped that one time. That was enough for me.

I was heading home on the highway when I noticed the car was having trouble accelerating.  I was taking the exit to my house when I heard the knocking in the engine start.  I was half a mile from my house so I continued slowly as the acceleration issues continued. As I was getting closer to my house the oil light came on.  I parked the car in the driveway and turned it off immediately. A cursory inspection indicates that the engine has suffered catastrophic damage. There is high end a “tapping” sound coming from the top side, even while briefly idling the engine, indicating damage in the area of lifter/s and/or camshaft lobe/s. Inspection of the engine oil presents metallic particles. Finally, we observed that an uncharacteristic and excessive pressure is coming from the crankcase when the oil filler cap is removed while the engine is idling. This is consistent with the GDI engine failure mode - lack of lubrication between piston rings and cylinder walls due to fuel thinned oil caused by high-pressure fuel pump Fortunately, since I exited the highway and the failure occurred close to home, the dangerous stall condition that is a typical failure mode of the GDI engine did not occur in this particular instance.  Nevertheless, severe damage to the motor has been observed.  The fact that the engine began “knocking” prior to the low oil indicator lamp illuminating would indicate that the engine was damaged due to the thin oil/fuel mixture rather than the engine being completely deficient in lubricating engine oil. Internet research has brought to our attention the issues and the precedent-setting class action lawsuits, that Kia Inc. has been forced to contend with due to the inherent design problems of the Theta II, GDI 1.6L, and 2.0L engines - direct injection (DI) system and high-pressure fuel pump issues causing the engine failure through piston ring “blowby” and subsequent thinning of the engine oil. I contacted KIA and I still have the Soul in my possession.