Owners have reported 11 crashes, 7 fires and 12 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 KIA Soul. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints56
ENGINE
Owners report frequent engine failures in the 2019 Kia Soul, often linked to severe oil consumption and piston ring defects. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as engine stalling, knocking noises, and sudden power loss, with some incidents occurring at highway speeds. These issues commonly arise around 90,000 to 120,000 miles, often just beyond warranty coverage. Safety implications are significant, with reports of engine fires and sudden loss of power posing risks of accidents. Used car buyers should be aware of the potential for costly repairs, such as engine replacements, and the possibility of encountering unresolved defects.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 4 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints15
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 Kia Soul frequently report issues related to excessive oil consumption, with several complaints describing the need to add oil multiple times within short mileage intervals, often between 98,000 to 100,000 miles. Symptoms include burning oil smells, engine stalling, and in some cases, complete engine failure. Safety concerns are evident, as two complaints involve crashes, one due to brake and steering failure and another due to unintended vehicle movement, resulting in injury. Additionally, a fire incident is reported following engine noise and warning lights, leading to total vehicle loss. Prospective buyers should be aware of these patterns, particularly in vehicles with higher mileage.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 1 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints11
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 KIA Soul frequently report issues with airbag non-deployment during crashes, with eight complaints involving such incidents. Common symptoms described include airbags failing to deploy in frontal or side impacts, even in severe collisions. Injuries are reported in several cases, including head, neck, and back injuries, as well as bruising from steering wheel impact. The complaints span various mileage ranges, with one specific report mentioning approximately 120,000 miles. Buyers should be aware that these reports often involve significant safety implications, as the lack of airbag deployment is associated with multiple injuries.
Severity signals: 8 crash, 0 fire, 11 injury reports
Owner complaints9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several electrical issues with the 2019 KIA Soul, with complaints frequently mentioning problems related to the fan control switch overheating, resulting in melted components and, in one case, smoke from the dashboard. Multiple owners describe engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes accompanied by a lack of warning lights, low oil levels, or knocking sounds. One incident involved a crash due to the vehicle shutting off, and another detailed an engine fire. These issues typically occur around 60,000 to 81,000 miles. Potential buyers should be aware of these safety implications, including the risk of fire and loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints8
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2019 Kia Soul frequently report issues with the service brakes, with several complaints describing the brake pedal going to the floor and the vehicle failing to stop. Symptoms often include the brake pedal becoming unresponsive or requiring excessive force, sometimes accompanied by warning lights such as ABS and AED. These issues are noted at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 400 miles, and others around 73,000 to 80,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as two complaints involve crashes with injuries reported due to brake failure. Buyers should be aware of potential brake system malfunctions that could lead to loss of vehicle control.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints6
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 Kia Soul frequently report issues related to excessive oil consumption and power loss. Complaints describe symptoms such as sudden vibrations, delayed throttle response, and engine misfires, often accompanied by the check engine light. Several owners mention catalytic converter problems, with some noting these issues arise around 80,000 miles. There are reports of potential safety implications, including power loss at critical moments and the risk of fire due to oil consumption. Additionally, one owner reports a transmission failure at approximately 73,000 miles, further highlighting potential power train concerns.
Owner complaints5
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Kia Soul frequently report issues with the steering system, particularly involving the steering wheel coupling and coupler. Symptoms described include a loose or vibrating steering wheel, knocking sounds, and in some cases, a complete loss of power steering. These issues often occur at varying mileages, with one report at approximately 122,000 miles and another at 33,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, including near-loss of vehicle control and a high-speed incident involving a detached control arm. Additionally, one owner reports repeated thefts leading to steering column damage, highlighting a potential vulnerability in the vehicle's security.
Owner complaints3
FUEL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Kia Soul report issues with the fuel system, primarily involving severe corrosion on fuel tank straps and problems with fuel injectors. Complaints frequently mention sudden loss of power while driving at highway speeds, with vehicles stalling or failing to accelerate beyond certain speeds. These issues are noted at mileages around 37,754 to 56,000 miles. While no crashes or fires are reported, the sudden loss of power could pose safety risks, especially at high speeds. Used car buyers should be aware of these potential fuel system failures and consider inspecting these components before purchase.
Owner complaints3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2019 Kia Soul report two primary issues related to the engine and engine cooling system. Multiple complaints describe excessive oil consumption, with some owners needing to add quarts of oil weekly, even in the absence of visible leaks. This issue is noted at mileages around 90,000 to 99,000. Another significant issue involves a reported incident where the vehicle caught fire while driving, attributed to a connecting rod failure, at approximately 65,000 miles. This incident highlights potential safety risks, including fire hazards and loss of braking capability. Buyers considering this model should be aware of these issues, particularly at higher mileages.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 KIA Soul report issues with the fuel propulsion system, specifically concerning fuel injectors and engine response. One complaint describes fuel injectors getting stuck open, resulting in a flooded engine, with two out of four injectors identified as faulty in a vehicle under 18 months old. Another owner reports the vehicle stalling and delayed engine response when the gas pedal is pressed, particularly at low speeds or during turns, posing a potential safety risk in traffic situations. These issues occur relatively early in the vehicle's life, suggesting a pattern of early component failure. Buyers should be aware of these symptoms and consider the potential need for fuel system repairs.
