KNOWN FAULTS · Kia

Known faults for the Kia Soul (II).

2014–2019 · Petrol / Diesel / Electric

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

3 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.6 GDi (Petrol)

Connecting rods and pistons on the 1.6 GDI (Gamma)Engine

Engine / equipment: 1.6 GDI Gamma: Kia Soul II and Carens IV, Hyundai Veloster, i40 and ix35
Period mentioned: 2012–2016
Symptoms: Engine knock, oil-pressure warning and loss of power; with an overheated catalytic converter, abnormal combustion that damages the pistons.
Possible cause described: Two defects documented in the US: on the 2012–2016 Kia Soul, high exhaust temperatures could damage the catalytic converter and, with it, pistons and connecting rods (recall 19V-120, new protection software); on the 2015–2016 Veloster, the connecting-rod bearings wore early (recall 20V-746, KSDS software).
Check for the garage: Ask by VIN about an outstanding campaign; with knocking or the oil warning, stop. Check the catalytic converter if there is hesitation or loss of power.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.6 CRDi (Diesel)

Applies if: U-family CRDi diesel; the specific points were documented on other models with the same engine.

Weak points of the small CRDi diesels (U family) from Hyundai and KiaInjection / turbo

Engine / equipment: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 and 1.7 CRDi diesels (U family): Rio, Venga, Soul, Stonic, Cee'd, Carens, Optima, i20, ix20, i30, i40, ix35, Tucson, Accent, Matrix
Period mentioned: Approx. 2005 onwards
Symptoms: At high mileage or with short trips: carbon in injectors and EGR, a clogged particulate filter, dual-mass flywheel and turbo; isolated cases of a stretched chain (1.7) and cracked heads (early 1.6); a clutch that wears early; on some cars, a cracked silencer (1.1) or the brake-servo vacuum pump (1.7 campaign).
Possible cause described: German guides rate these engines as robust if maintained: the faults are the typical wear of a modern diesel. Specific points: a stretched chain on some 1.7s (ix35), cracked heads cited by the TÜV on the i30 I, the 1.1 silencer (Rio III), diesel clutches at 60,000–100,000 km (Cee'd I) and a recall of the 1.7 CRDi vacuum pump (5/10/2010–30/4/2011).
Check for the garage: Drive long trips to regenerate the filter; listen to the chain when cold; test injectors and EGR; check the vacuum-pump campaign by VIN on the 1.7.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: Soul EV (Electric)

Battery management and movement while charging on the Soul EV (2014–2019)High-voltage battery

Engine / equipment: First-generation Kia Soul EV
Period mentioned: 2014–2019
Symptoms: Risk of a short circuit in the high-voltage battery; the car can move by itself while charging if the handbrake is not applied.
Possible cause described: In 2024 Germany’s KBA and the EU Safety Gate system published two recalls: about 39,600 Soul EVs can move by themselves while charging if the parking brake is not applied, and 22,915 built in 2014–2018 have battery management that may not detect abnormal voltage before a short circuit.
Check for the garage: Always apply the handbrake when charging; check both campaigns by VIN; ask for a battery health report.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.