2019 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 36owner reports
- 93,000median miles
- $6,230median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
92 of the 136 complaints on this car are about the engine. 36 of those describe engine failure. Only oil consumption is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 36 reports
Engine failure 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.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (36 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2019 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
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
6 of the 36 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $5,000 to $6,701.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 73,000 and 120,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2019 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: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2107Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published (PI2107) titled “Nu 2.0L GDI - Knock Sensor Detection System ECU Logic Improvement”.
OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2107) This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2017-2019 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing ...
PITSTOP: LOW OIL PRESSURE AT IDLE AFTER GAMMA 1.6L GDI SHORT BLOCK ENGINE REPLACEMENT This bulletin provides information equipped with a Gamma 1.6L GDI regarding a 'low oil pressure' concern during engine idle on vehicles engine due to a missing dowel pin, after a short block engine replacement.
PITSTOP: DTC P0011/ P0014/ P0016/ P0017 DUE TO INCORRECT CAMSHAFT RELUCTOR WHEEL CONFIGURATION This Pitstop provides information on some 2010-2013MY Soul (AM), 2014-2019MY Soul (PS), and 2020~MY Soul (SK3) vehicles equipped with the engines listed below, which may set DTC P0011, P0014, P0016, or P0017 after an engine replacement.
4 more on the 2019 Kia Soul page.
What owners wrote
“I was driving approx 70mph on the highway when a piston ring popped off and blew a hole in the engine, causing the engine to fail once the oil spilled out.”
Filed Dec 10, 2025
“Engine died on the highway. All of the warning light lit up before the car stalled and eventually died.”
Filed Mar 4, 2025
“Engine failure fluid leek and wire burning smells engine burst into flames from the under carriage of the engine. The contact wants to see if there are any recalls and if so should the car be sold at msrp price.”
Filed Jan 30, 2024
“Engine control system is coming on. My engine is knocking and rattling my car will just cut off and steering will get really hard”
Filed Aug 10, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 36 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Burns oil or oil level rises 37 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 28 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 27 reports