Dealing with a vehicle recall is stressful—especially when it involves something as critical as your engine. If you own a Kia Soul, you might have heard about the significant engine recalls affecting various model years. These aren’t minor issues; they involve fire risks, engine failures, and substantial safety concerns that deserve your immediate attention.
Let’s break down exactly what’s happening with the Kia Soul engine recalls, which vehicles are affected, and most importantly—what you need to do to keep yourself safe.
The Major Kia Soul Engine Recalls Explained
Kia has issued several major engine-related recalls for the Soul over recent years, each with different causes but similar dangerous outcomes: potential engine failure and fire risk.
2019 Catalytic Converter and Engine Recall (SC176)
This was the largest recall, affecting 378,967 Kia Soul vehicles from model years 2012-2016 with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines.
The problem? High exhaust temperatures could damage the catalytic converter, allowing particles to enter the engine combustion chamber. This creates abnormal combustion that damages pistons and can break connecting rods. When connecting rods break, they can punch holes in the engine block, letting oil escape and contact hot surfaces—creating a serious fire risk.
Warning signs include:
- Engine knocking sounds
- Check engine light illumination
- Reduced power or stalling
The fix involves upgrading the Catalytic Overheating Protection software, replacing damaged catalytic converters, and in severe cases, replacing entire engines.
2021 Piston Oil Ring Recall (SC209)
This recall affected 2020-2021 Soul and 2021 Seltos vehicles with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The problem stemmed from improperly heat-treated piston oil rings that could cause engine damage, stalling, and oil leaks that increase fire risk.
The remedy included engine inspection and replacement if necessary, plus new software to detect early signs of damage.
2023 Piston Ring Defect Recall (SC336)
The most recent major recall affects 83,621 Soul vehicles from 2021-2023 model years with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. This recall originated from defective piston oil rings from supplier Dongsuh Federal-Mogul that can damage cylinder walls, leading to increased oil consumption, engine damage, and fire risk.
What’s particularly concerning is that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an audit of this recall after receiving numerous complaints that the remedy isn’t effective or even available.
Warning Signs Your Kia Soul Engine May Be Affected
If you own a Kia Soul, be vigilant for these symptoms that could indicate a recall-related engine problem:
Immediate Action Required:
- Increasing oil consumption: If you’re constantly adding oil between changes, this is a major red flag for piston ring issues
- Strange engine noises: Knocking, tapping, or unusual sounds from the engine bay
- Warning lights: Check engine light, oil pressure warning, or malfunction indicator lamp
- Performance issues: Stalling, loss of power, or rough idling
Critical Safety Concerns:
- Engine seizure: Complete engine failure while driving
- Oil leaks: Visible oil puddles under your vehicle or burning oil smell
- Smoke or burning odors: These could signal imminent engine failure or fire risk
Many affected owners report joining the “jug in the trunk club”—keeping extra motor oil in their vehicles due to how quickly their engines consume it. Some vehicles burn through oil so fast that engine failure can happen between regular oil changes if not carefully monitored.
What to Do if Your Kia Soul is Affected
1. Check Your Vehicle’s Recall Status
First, determine if your Soul is included in any recalls:
- Visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter your VIN
- Use Kia’s recall lookup tool at owners.kia.com
- Call Kia Customer Care at 800-333-4542
2. Monitor Your Engine Closely
Even if you haven’t experienced symptoms yet:
- Check your oil levels every 1,000 miles or monthly
- Keep extra motor oil in your vehicle at all times
- Document any unusual symptoms or oil consumption patterns
3. Schedule a Dealer Inspection
If your vehicle is subject to recall:
- Contact your Kia dealer immediately to schedule the recall service
- Request all available software updates and inspections
- Get written documentation of all work performed
4. Maintain Detailed Records
Documentation is crucial for warranty claims:
- Save all maintenance receipts and service records
- Document oil consumption rates and any symptoms
- Keep copies of all recall-related communications
Warranty Coverage and Legal Settlements
Kia has implemented several warranty programs to address these widespread engine problems:
Extended Warranty Programs
Through a class action settlement, Kia provides a lifetime warranty coverage for the engine short block assembly (engine block, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, and bearings) for affected vehicles that complete required software updates. This coverage extends regardless of mileage or how many owners the car has had, provided there is no “exceptional neglect.”
Standard powertrain warranties have been extended to 10 years/100,000 miles for original owners with additional coverage for subsequent owners in many cases.
Additional Benefits
The Kia Engine Class Action Settlement provides:
- Reimbursement for rental cars (up to $40 per day) during recall repairs
- Full reimbursement for towing expenses related to qualifying engine repairs
- Free recall inspections
- Free loaner vehicles during extended repairs
Is Kia’s Recall Remedy Effective?
There are serious concerns about the effectiveness of Kia’s recall remedies. The NHTSA audit of the 2023 recall was triggered after receiving 47 complaints alleging:
- Inconsistent inspection results between dealerships
- Unavailability of replacement engines and software
- Failure to address the root cause of piston ring failures
One owner reported on Reddit that after passing the recall test twice, technicians still indicated “it was only a matter of time before the engine failed.” This suggests the current diagnostic procedures may not reliably identify affected vehicles before catastrophic failure occurs.
Comparison of Kia Soul Engine Recalls
| Recall | Model Years | Engine Type | Main Issue | Warning Signs | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC176 (2019) | 2012-2016 | 1.6L GDI | Catalytic converter damage leading to piston/connecting rod failure | Engine knocking, check engine light | Software update, catalytic converter replacement, engine replacement |
| SC209 (2021) | 2020-2021 | 2.0L Nu MPI | Improperly heat-treated piston oil rings | Oil consumption, engine noise | Engine inspection, engine replacement, PNSS software |
| SC336 (2023) | 2021-2023 | 2.0L Nu MPI | Defective piston oil rings damaging cylinders | Excessive oil consumption, knocking sounds | Engine inspection, software update, engine replacement |
What Should Prospective Kia Soul Buyers Know?
If you’re considering purchasing a Kia Soul, be especially cautious about:
Model Years to Approach with Caution:
- 2012-2016 models with 1.6L GDI engines (major catalytic converter recall)
- 2020-2023 models with 2.0L Nu MPI engines (ongoing piston ring issues)
Due Diligence Steps:
- Verify all recall work has been completed with documentation
- Research the specific engine type and its recall history
- Consider extended warranty options given the pattern of engine failures
- Factor potential repair costs and reliability concerns into your purchase decision
The Bigger Picture: Kia’s Engine Quality Issues
The Kia Soul engine recalls are part of a broader pattern of engine quality issues affecting both Kia and sister company Hyundai. These problems have resulted in:
- Multiple federal investigations into the adequacy of recall remedies
- Hundreds of millions in penalties and settlements
- Ongoing scrutiny of manufacturing quality control
- Challenges to consumer confidence in Korean automotive engines
The repeated failure of recall remedies—particularly evident in the current NHTSA audit—suggests systemic issues with Kia’s approach to addressing these engine defects. The fact that owners continue experiencing failures even after recall repairs indicates that the underlying manufacturing and quality control problems have not been fully resolved.
Protecting Yourself: Essential Steps for Soul Owners
If you own an affected Kia Soul:
- Don’t ignore warning signs – continued driving with engine problems can lead to catastrophic failure and fire risk
- Be proactive about maintenance – more frequent oil checks could save your engine
- Advocate for yourself – if a dealer dismisses your concerns, seek a second opinion or contact Kia directly
- Consider your options – weigh repair costs against vehicle value if you’re outside warranty coverage
- Stay informed – regularly check for recall updates at NHTSA.gov
The situation with Kia Soul engine recalls highlights how critical it is for manufacturers to maintain strict quality control in automotive manufacturing. While Kia has implemented multiple recall campaigns and extended warranty programs, the ongoing federal audit suggests these issues aren’t fully resolved.
Until these systemic issues are properly addressed, Kia Soul owners face continued risks of engine failure, potentially expensive repairs, and safety hazards that go well beyond typical car maintenance concerns.
