2014 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 113owner reports
- 98,000median miles
- $5,600median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 14, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
113 of the 245 reports of engine failure on the 2014 Soul describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (245 reports) · also: rod bearing failure, engine seized
Tick what matches of 113 reports
Engine knock on other Soul years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020, 2021.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the knock sensor (23 reports), the engine (16 reports) and the rod bearing (14 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
All 5 recalls on the 2014 Kia Soul, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Soul
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
What owners paid
14 of the 113 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,800 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 78,000 and 111,170 miles, from the 83 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 7 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Kia Soul that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2002A, PI2002B and SC200**1) titled “Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement”.
ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2002A, PI2002B and SC200**1) titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement".
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN 1.6L GDI KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI2002A) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine ...
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN NU 2.0L GDI - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) ECU UPGRADE (PI2002B) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from ...
3 more on the 2014 Kia Soul page.
What owners wrote
“There is a rod knocking in the engine now. Car has always been properly maintained. There are no oil leaks or anything. The car now will not shift, loses power while going up hill, and is burning oil like crazy. Had the car looked at and was told the engine now needs to be replaced.”
Filed May 8, 2026
“Rod bearing three has started knocking and is throwing a catalytic converter code”
Filed Jan 29, 2025
“UNKNOWN. Kia Dealership in Edmond Oklahoma is refusing to do the recalls on my 2014 KIA Soul because the engine has a knock in it which I believe to be from one of the recalls with the engine. KIA manufacturer said that they couldn't do anything about the dealership not fixing the recalls and to take it to another dealership.”
Filed Jul 23, 2024
“Engine knocking, excessive oil burning. Dealer confirmed excessive engine consumption. Currently have less than 2 quarts in engine. Will not last until next oil change. I have two small children and vehicle and have to wait until engine seizes for engine to be serviced. Dangerous situation for my kids.”
Filed May 25, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 113 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Check engine light or misfire 188 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 187 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 114 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 87 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 75 reports
- Vehicle fire 57 reports
- Engine leaks oil 39 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 32 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 31 reports