2019 Kia Soul inspection checklist

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON RTE 13 WITH MY 4 CHILDREN. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55MPH AND THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC IS BETWEEN 55-60 MPH...WHICH IS THE SPEED I WAS DRIVING. AS IM APPROACHING TO PROCEED PASS INTERSECTION RTE 13 & EDEN ALLEN RD THERE'S A CAR AT THE STOP SIGN WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR RTE 13 TO CLEAR BEFORE ENTERING. THE DRIVER DECIDED TO DASH OUT TO GO ACROSS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON MY BREAKS AND TRIED AVOIDING COLLISION BUT IT WASN'T ENOUGH TIME. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING MY UPPER BODY TO SLAM AGAINST STEERING WHEEL CAUSING INJURIES. MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS WHERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION. MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CALIBER COLLISON WHERE TO THIS DAY IM BEING TOLD THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AND THE REPAIRS ARE ALMOST COMPLETE. BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT MYSELF ALONG WITH 2 OF MY PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. TWO OF US ARE IN THERAPY. I SUBMITTED IMAGES BELOW BUT WAS UNSURE TO UPLOAD POLICE REPORT SINCE IT HAS SENSITIVE INFORMATION. EITHER CONTACT STATE FARM WITH MY NAME, ETC OR MY EMAIL FOR POLICE REPORT AND FURTHER INFORMATION.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“I was driving through a busy intersection when the vehicle stopped accelerating causing risk to myself and other drivers. I was able to get the vehicle through the intersection and pulled over. I turned the vehicle off and it would not restart. I had the vehicle towed to my local independent service center where a diagnostic was performed. It was found to be engine failure due to the connecting rod to the pistons. It resulted in a loud rod knock and white smoke from the engine. There were no warning lights or sounds or quality of driving prior to the failure until the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. Vehicle was regularly maintained. Kia is currently in a lawsuit due to engine failure but does not include my VIN even though it experienced the same exact cause of engine failure as many of their other vehicles. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representives.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Loss of Motive Power The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash. Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash. Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“SC182_DP - This document is the Dealer Principal Notification Letter advising that Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Safety Evaluation Service Campaign to determine whether the low pressure gasoline fuel line connector in certain 2019 Kia Soul vehicles produced in April and May 2018 is subject to leakage and risk of fire.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“SC182_DPSM - This document is the Dealer Parts and Service Manager letter notifying the dealers that Kia is conducting a Safety Evaluation Service Campaign to determine whether the low pressure gasoline fuel line connector in certain 2019 Kia Soul vehicles produced in April and May 2018 is subject to leakage and risk of fire.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“SC182_OWNR - This document is to notify the owners that Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Safety Evaluation Service Campaign to determine whether the low pressure gasoline fuel line connector in certain 2019 Kia Soul vehicles produced in April and May 2018 is subject to leakage and risk of fire.”

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“TSB: SAFETY EVALUATION SERVICE CAMPAIGN - GDI LOW PRESSURE FUEL LINE INSPECTION (SC182) - This bulletin provides information to inspect the low pressure fuel line quick connector to the Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) pump on some 2019MY Soul (PS) vehicles produced from April 2, 2018 through May 31, 2018, which may be subject to a fuel leakage and risk of fire. Kia has not received any reports from customers or dealers that this issue exists or has occurred in 2019 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Gamma 1.6L GDI, Gamma 1.6L Turbo and Nu 2.0L GDI engines. As a precaution, Kia wants to inspect vehicles produced during this time period to determine if any vehicles distributed to dealers may have a loose connector.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC334) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake line(s) in certain 2014-2019 MY Soul vehicles, manufactured from July 21, 2013 through December 24, 2018, that were originally sold in or are currently registered in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. In addition, an anti-corrosion material will be applied to the underbody components for added protection. ”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC334) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake line(s) in certain 2014-2019 MY Soul vehicles, manufactured from July 21, 2013 through December 24, 2018, that were originally sold in or are currently registered in states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. In addition, an anti-corrosion material will be applied to the underbody components for added protection.”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - This bulletin provides information to apply additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components, including inspection/replacement of the brake line(s), on certain 2014-2019MY Soul (PS) vehicles produced from July 21, 2013 through December 24, 2018, and were originally sold or are currently registered in one of the 28 states where heavy amounts of road salt are used: AK, CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WI and WV. ”

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to apply additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components, including inspection/replacement of the brake line(s), on certain 2014-2019MY Soul (PS) vehicles produced from July 21, 2013 through December 24, 2018, and were originally sold or are currently registered in one of the 28 states where heavy amounts of road salt are used. The 28 states where heavy amounts of road salt are used are: AK, CT, DC, DE, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VT, WI and WV. ”