2012 Kia Soul Electrical Problems

After a mechanic worked on your drivetrain, your brake light and low tire pressure light came on. When the mechanic tried to replace a fuse related to these warning lights, the fuse sparked and blew out. Kia has a recall on this fuse, but the dealership is refusing to perform the recall work and repair, claiming the independent mechanic caused the damage and demanding several thousand dollars in charges. The dealership is also refusing to perform a separate ABS system recall, claiming prior work was done on it despite your having no record of this.

Vehicle first started to have issue with the blower motor relay, unknowingly at the time, that was the issue I had brought it to numerous mechanics, told it’s my blower motor itself, then took it to Kia and was told it’s not and they put my old one back in and didn’t solve any issue, on my way home my check engine light came on, driving on the HWY at 70mph. I get off on my exit slow down to the speed of 40Mph stop at the red light and then my vehicle starts to stall, refused to go faster then 40mph and was fighting it, at 7rpms. Local shop said it was some sort of sensor, had another mechanic look at it and found that KIA hadn’t put my Cars Computer back on my vehicle, so it was just flapping around, once he reconnected it the issue disappeared. Following this I have had a ticking engine for 2/3 years. Local mechanic said it was my Engine lifters, so we replaced all 18. The noise never stopped. I brought it back and was told I need a replacement engine the long block specifically, I couldn’t afford to replace it, years later it’s still making this noise at start up, in idel and when driving and becomes louder when I accelerate. I have had a hard time getting my vehicle to accelerate to HWY speeds at an efficient and safe level, having to use hazard lights. My car has had a gas fuel leak, repaired. I had to get a rental car. The blower motor relay has to be replaced every 3/4 months since it failed the first time years ago in order for my AC/heat to work, I’m a single mother, who is disabled with a special needs child, and a very low fixed income, this is a major safety concern on top of the HECU recall, I have asked for a buy back or a refund or replacement vehicle and have been denied, or at least reimbursement for the costs associated. Kia is negligent and obviously doesn’t seem to care whatsoever about their customers or their safety. If I could afford it I would sue them. Fire hazard, engine fire, stalling, ect.

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to a local dealer to have the vehicle checked due to recall, NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact was contacted by the dealer and was advised that the check engine warning light was illuminated and that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed and that the vehicle needed a BGC Fuel Induction service. The contact picked up the vehicle and was advised by the dealer to drive the vehicle for 100 miles and then return the vehicle to the dealer to inspect the vehicle. The contact stated that after picking up the vehicle, she was driving at approximately 30 MPH, when the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. The contact had the vehicle towed to the same dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the dealer determined that the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that her daughter called the dealer to check on the repair status of the vehicle and was advised that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The series of events leading to my theory of what is wrong with my 2012 Kia Soul: 1. Steering coupler replacement in March of 2021 left my steering wheel sideways instead of straight, air bag light remains on, and traction control light as well. The after-market (I assume) cruise control is automatically on when car is started. Must turn off manually. 2. U-joint connecting to steering column fell onto my feet while driving in December of 2021. I slid it back on, but it slipped off approximately 4 more times in the next month before it was strongly secured. 3. Alignment performed in February 2022. Approximately 2 weeks after the alignment, my car started stuttering, if you will, prior to shifting into third gear. Then, again, prior to each shift into the higher gears. It stalled a few times in response to this action. While accelerating, the car begins to jerk severely, as if the brakes are being pumped. It doesn't do this immediately, but only begins once it's warmed up. Several sensors have been replaced. Fuel filter replaced. It's a standard, but the transmission was replaced after I purchased it in 2018. After hooking up to the code scanner at the parts store, the Steering Tilt Sensor is the code shown. My theory is this: When the steering coupler was replaced leaving my steering wheel in the turned position, and then aligning it with it in the wrong position, that threw the tilt code. Maybe it's jerking because it thinks I'm turning when I'm not, and it could possibly be engaging the abs to slow me down while it thinks I'm turning. Would I be wrong in assuming that if I get the steering wheel straightened, get another alignment, and clear the steering tilt sensor, my car will act normal again? I am uncertain what system or part failed, but it is definitely available to be inspected. I could have died when the u-joint fell off if I hadn't been almost to a stop sign every time. The problem continues, but has not been addressed or confirmed by a dealer.

UPON MY LAST SERVICE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME MY OIL WAS LOW. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER HAVING TO ADD OIL. I CONTINUED TO MONITOR THE ISSUE. LAST WEEK WE DROVE THE CAR APPROX 50 MILES HOME. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THE ENGINE IS GONE. THE CAR HAS 97,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED MYSELF FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS USING SYNTHETIC OIL.

TRIED STARTING THE CAR ONE MORNING AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD IS BLACK. NO READINGS FOR ANY OF THE GAUGES AND SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. CAR WAS DRIVABLE AFTER RELEASING THE GEAR WITH THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE, BUT NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WORKING. COULDN'T SEE ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, HEAT GAUGE BECAUSE IT WASN'T MOVING OR LIT UP.

I JUST BOUGHT MY CAR IN APRIL AND WITH REGISTRATION PAPERS I RECEIVED RECALL PAPERS STATING 2 RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS LEGAL TO SELL VEHICLE WITHOUT HAVING IT FIXED.?? NEXT I. TAKE MY VEHICLE TO KIA DEALER ON MONDAY AUGUST 3 TO FIX RECALLS THEY.SAID.NO CODES SHOW.. I DRIVE HOME 45 MINI AWAY. CAR DIES. INEXT MORNING.IT.DIES.AGAIN WONT START.. I LOOKS UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE.IS A.WIRE BURING THROUGH MY FUS BOX WHICH WAS NOT THERE BEFORE AND NOW I HAVE NO.POWER TO MY VEHICLE AND SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT I KNOW THAT WIRE WASN'T THERE BEFORE.

CAR IS IN P AS RK. CAR IS NOT MOVING. CAR IS NOT ALREADY STARTED. OFTEN THE CAR WON'T START. INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON WHEN KEY IS PLACED IN IGNITION, BUT WONT TURN OVER. YOU HAVE TO WIGGLE THE SHIFTER OR TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IT WILL EVENTUALLY START. CAR GURUS HAS OVER 150 IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS. IT APPEARS IT'S A COIL OF SOME TYPE. MULTIPLE VEHICLES VARIOUS YEARS. HE DEALERSHIPS OFTEN JUST RECOMMEND REPLACING STARTER OR BATTERY. BUT THE ISSUE REMAINS. IT'S A PRODUCT DEFECT. SHOULD BE A RECALL.

CAR IS JERKING/BUCKING AND MISFIRING WHILE IDLE AND WHEN DRIVING IT JERKS. CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY TURNS ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN.

NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ON. AT RANDOM, ENGINE WILL LOSE POWER, BUT DOES NOT QUIT. NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE, CAR ONLY REACHES APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. OBSERVED TO HAPPEN AFTER TURNING IGNITION KEY AND NOTHING HAPPENS. HOWEVER, OCCURRENCE IS RANDOM, AND NO ENGINE WARNING CODE IS GIVEN. MECHANICS FIND NOTHING WRONG, DUE TO NO WARNING CODE.

AFTER WORK ON 4/30/19, I WAS SPEAKING WITH THE PARKING DECK ATTENDANT. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, BUT I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT STARTED SHAKING AND SOUNDING ROUGH, AS IF IT WERE STRUGGLING TO STAY ON. I DROVE IT FOR A FEW MILES, BUT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE MORE THAN 35 OR SO MPH. IT WAS SHAKING AND MAKING NOISE THE ENTIRE WAY. I ONLY DROVE ON THE INTERSTATE TO THE NEXT EXIT, SO THAT I COULD FIND AN OPEN PARKING LOT JUST IN CASE IT CUT OFF ON ME. I CALLED AAA AND GOT A TOW HOME DUE TO THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR. THE NEXT MORNING, AAA TOWED ME TO A AAA CAR CARE FACILITY AND I LET THEM DO REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT IGNITION COIL # 4 WAS BAD AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO REPLACE ALL 4 COILS. I ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO REPLACE THE BAD ONE, PLUS THE SPARK PLUGS AND AIR & CABIN FILTERS THAT THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED. HE SAID THAT THE OTHER 3 COILS SHOULD BE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

CAR WAS GREAT UNTIL IT REACHED THE 100000 MILE MARK. THEN IT LOSES ALL POWER AND DIES WHILE GOING 65 TO 70 MPH ON FREEWAY! IT IS GOING TO GET ME KILLED! WHEN HAPPENS, THE RPM GAUGE QUICKLY PLUMMETS TO ZERO AND REMAINS THERE AT ZERO AFTER I GET IT RESTARTED. AFTER IT SITS FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES IT STARTS FINE WITH THE RPM GAUGE GIVING AN ACTUAL READING. THIS IS HAPPENING ABOUT 3 TIMES IN A 25 MILE SPAN!

MY 2012 KIA SOUL (BASE) WITH THE 1.6L GDI RECENTLY HAD A PROBLEM ON I-80 TRAVELING BETWEEN DES MOINES, IA AND DENVER, CO. (THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS) AFTER REACHING AROUND 65 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN MISFIRING EMMITING OBD ERROR CODE 0336 INDICATION A BAD CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I STOPPED AT THE NEAREST AUTOZONE, BOUGHT A APPROPRIATE REPLACEMENT, AND INSTALLED THE PART IN THE PARKING LOT. UPON IGNITION, THE CAR IMMIDIATELY BEGAN MISFIRING AND DIED. ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THE CAR STARTED AND MISFIRED; BUT IT SENT THE SAME 0336 CODE THEN THE TACHOMETER DIED. ALTHOUGH THE TECHOMETER DIED, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO IDLE (AND RUN) WITHOUT FURTHER MISFIRES. UPON SEEING THIS, I FIGURED IT WAS THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS (AS THE SYMPTOMS ARE VERY SIMILIAR). I FOUND, AND REPLACED BOTH ENGINE MOUNTED CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS, BUT NO NEW SYMPTOMS UNTILL I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE. DURING THE TEST DRIVE, THE VEHICLE EMMITED 3 OBD CODES, AND DIDNT START MISFIRING UNTIL THE TACHOMETER WENT OVER 3500 RPM. BY THEN, I WAS DOING A HIGHWAY TEST ON I-80 OUTSIDE LINCOLN, NE, AND THE CAR JUST DIED AT AROUND 55-65 MPH. IT EMMITED CODE 0336 FOR A BAD CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, 0565 FOR CRUISE CONTROL ON SIGNAL MALFUNCTION (I HAVE THE BASE MODEL, SO THERE IS NO CRUISE CONTROL), AND 0517 FOR BATTERY TEMPERATURE CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE INTERSTATE, AND BACK HOME WHERE THE PROBLEM CHANGED AGAIN. NOW IT MISFIRES UNTILL THE TACHOMETER HITS 3500, THEN THE TACHOMETER DIES AND THE VEHICLE APPEAR TO RUN NORMAL (DISPITE THE REOCCURING ODB2 CODES 0366, 0517, AND 0565) IT APPEARS THE ENGINE HEATED UP ENOUGH TO BURN OUT A BRAND NEW CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, AND CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE BATTERY. (AND POSSIBLY THE ECU AS IT NOW REPORTS MY NON-EXISTANT CRUISE CONTROL IS MALFUNCTIONING)

CAR WOULD NOT START, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WIRE COVERS AND WIRES WERE DISINIGRATED. IT WAS TAKEN TO SHOP AND REPAIRED. THEN TWO WEEKS LATER HAPPENED AGAIN, THEN AGAIN ON 5/10/18 THE CAR WOULD NOT START AGAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SHOP AND MECHANIC HAD ADVISED THAT IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE BUT DIFFERENT LOCATION, THIS TIME WAS WORSE AND WAS TOLD THAT IF THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STARTED THAT IT WOULD HAVE POSSIBLY CAUGHT ON FIRE AND ENDANGERING THE SAFETY TO MYSELF AND OTHER OCCUPANTS. WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT KIA USES A SOY BASED PEANUT OIL COATING FOR THE WIRES. HE INFORMED THAT THIS WOULD ATTRACT ANIMALS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $900 FOR THESE REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT KIA IS AWARE OF THIS AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS AS FAR AS HE IS AWARE OF.

12/28/17 PURCHASED CAR FROM KIA DEALERSHIP. 1/27/18 I WAS DRIVING APPROX 50 MPH DOWN A COUNTY ROAD AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD PANELLING FLEW OFF. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS LOOSE AS WELL. I AM TOLD NO WAY TO SECURE PASSENGER SIDE IT JUST HAS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. ALSO NOTICED A LOUD SCREECHING COMING FROM DRIVER SIDE EVERY TIME I APPLY THE BRAKE. 2/3/18 NEIGHBOR WAS DRIVING BEHIND ME DOWN A CITY STREET AND CALLED TO TELL ME REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE APPEARED WOBBLY. 2/6/18 DEALERSHIP SAID BAD WHEEL BEARING AND REPLACED BUT STILL HAD NOT ORDERED PANELLING. ALSO SAID NOISE WAS FINE IT WAS JUST CAUSED BY METALLIC STRUCTURE OF BRAKES AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. 2/7/18 THE STEREO WILL TURN ON BUT EVERYTHING IS BACK TO FACTORY PRESETS AND NO SOUND COMES OUT OF SPEAKERS.

2012 KIA SOUL WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON IT SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES AND THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS .

MY CAR'S HEATER ASSEMBLY CONTROL HAS FAILED AND IN DOING SO MY CAR'S HEATER DEFAULTED TO COLD AND FACE MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. KIA WANTS AN ASTRONOMICAL FEE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND EVEN MORE FOR THE PART AND INSTALLATION.

THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR THE RADIO HAD A SERVICE ADVISORY INSTEAD OF A RECALL, SO I WASN'T NOTIFIED BY MAIL. BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT IN ADDITION TO THE RADIO, IT AFFECTS THE BACKUP CAMERA AND EVENTUALLY THE DASHBOARD, MAKING BOTH OF THEM INOPERABLE. THE REPAIRMEN AT FORD KIA IN RICHMOND, CA TRIED TO PLAY THIS OFF LIKE IT'S NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM. BUT IF THE DASHBOARD CONTROLS ARE USELESS WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND YOU NEED TO TRY AND PULL OVER TO RESTART THE CAR, THAT IS A PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN. UPDATED 10/05/2017*JS

NOV. 2013 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THE ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING, I WENT TO KIA AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO ORDER A PART FOR IT BUT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT FROM KY TO INDIANAPOLIS IN WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING THEN THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING, I CALLED KIA DEALERSHIP IN ELIZABETHTOWN KY AND THEY SAID THEY HAD ORDERED THE ENTIRE CLUSTER BUT CAR WAS OKAY TO DRIVE, I WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY AND THE CAR STARTED BUT YOU COULD NOT ENGAGE THE GEAR SHIFT. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD CAR 3 WEEKS AND SAID IT IS FIXED. JANUARY 13TH 2014 STARTED ALL OVER WITH ODOMETER GOING OUT, TOOK IT BACK TO KIA AND THEY HAD TO ORDER YET ANOTHER CLUSTER (2ND IN 2 MONTHS) OKAY TO DRIVE CAR, I REFUSED AND REQUIRED THEM TO PROVIDE LOANER (WHICH IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE TAKEN OUT OF STATE). THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE BUT GOES TO ELECTRICAL, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE GLOVE COMPARTMENT BECAUSE THE LIGHT KEPT GOING ON AND OFF WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED. THEY SAID A SENSOR HAD GONE OUT AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE THING NOT JUST A BULB. *TR

FAULTY WIRING HARNESS. CAR WAS 3 WEEKS OLD.

THE RADIO FROZE AND I COULDN'T CHANGE THE STATION, PROGRAM, OR USE THE CD. NEXT THE BACKUP CAMERA WOULDN'T WORK. AFTER DRIVING FURTHER, THE SIGNALS AND LIGHTS ON THE DASH CEASED TO FUNCTION. I DIDN'T DRIVE MORE THAN 8 MILES GOING TO AND FROM WORK AND TO THE STORE. IT HAS RESET ITSELF SO FAR AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR 3-9 HOURS. THE KIA TOLL FREE NUMBER REFERRED ME TO THE DEALER IN RICHMOND, CA WHERE I BOUGHT THE USED CAR, BUT WAS TOLD IT CANNOT BE FIXED UNTIL THE CAR IS BROUGHT IN WHILE TROUBLE OCCURS. IT HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES SINCE JUNE 26, 2013. *TR

STARTED CAR SUNDAY AT 1:30 PM. NOTICES GAS GAUGE NEEDLE WAS BELOW EMPTY. BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE, PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE - NO INSTRUMENTATION AT ALL. TACH AT O, TEMP GAUGE AT O, FUEL GAUGE BELOW EMPTY. SHUT OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED ENGINE - STILL NO INSTRUMENTATION DROVE SLOWLY TO NEAREST GAS STATION TO FILL TANK (I DID NOT REMEMBER BUT I NEVER LAT THE TANK GET BELOW 1/4 FULL) TOO 2.6 GALLONS TO FILL. SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETERS NOT WORKING. ONLY DASHBOARD LIGHT WORKING IS TEMP (OUTSIDE) AND THE ECON LIGHT. MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH UNIVERSITY KIA - HUNTSVILLE, AL - LEFT CAR AFTER DESCRIBING PROBLEM. THE CALL MONDAY PM SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND SINCE IT WAS MLK DAY THERE WAS NO TECH SUPPORT AVAILABLE - NEED TO KEEP CAR OVERNIGHT. NO LOANER COULD BE AUTHORIZED. U. KIA CALLED TUESDAY PM AT 1:30 SAID THEY REBOOTED THE COMPUTER AND THE GAUGES APPEAR WORKING BUT THEY PROBABLY WOULD FAIL. KIA TECH SERVICES WERE TO ORDER AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FROM KOREA AS THERE WERE NONE IN THE US. WOULD TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS TO OBTAIN AND REPROGRAM. I REQUESTED A LOANER FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER BUT HE COULD NOT AUTHORIZE ONE. I REQUESTED HE ELEVATE THE REQUEST OT THE DEALERSHIP OWNER OR TO KIA MANAGEMENT. HE ([XXX]. KIA SERVICE PERSON) SAID HE WOULD FORWARD MY REQUEST AND CALL ME TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) THIS IS JUST NOT AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF SERVICE. I CANNOT BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS - ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR FAILURE IN A NEW AUTO THAT THEY ARE NOT PREPARED TO REPAIR QUICKLY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

2012 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COULD NOT BE SEEN. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED KIA NEEDS TO CHANGE THE BACKGROUND COLOR OF ITS INSTRUMENTS TO WHITE LETTERS OVER A BLUE BACKGROUND. THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS HARD TO SEE, THE RED NEEDLES ON A BLACK BACKGROUND. *JB