2014 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine seized
- 26owner reports
- 100,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report May 27, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
26 of the 245 reports of engine failure on the 2014 Soul describe engine seized.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (245 reports) · also: engine knock, rod bearing failure
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Engine seized 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: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the rod bearing (3 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 69,441 and 105,000 miles, from the 21 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“In 2021, my Kia Soul engine locked up entirely to the point of needing a total engine replacement. I received mail indicating that engine failure is part of a class action settlement from Kia. Due to the pandemic, I hadn't been able to find an engine or afford the replacement costs.”
Filed Aug 30, 2023
“Jeffrey Kia charged and claimed fix the engine recall and told me me that the engine was seizing but failed to let me know the dangers of an engine seizing which caused my accident after blinking engine wouldnât allow me to go above 5mph.”
Filed Sep 8, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 26 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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