2019 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 28owner reports
- 70,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jul 7, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
106 of the 136 complaints on this car are about the engine. 28 of those describe stalling.
Tick what matches of 28 reports
Stalling 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
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
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.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 22,300 and 115,932 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“My engine has suffered a mechanical failure that makes the vehicle stall or lose power while driving, creating a massive highway safety hazard. Kia is using a software update loophole to deny fixing a physical, dangerous manufacturing defect.”
Filed Jul 7, 2026
“I have a code of P0420 show up on a vehicle diagnostic test. This is directly related to recall SA363 ECU LOGIC . The engine light kept coming on. I was driving on the highway and the car stalled and then stopped as I was coming off the exit.”
Filed Apr 16, 2026
“Engine shut off while driving, Would not restart, vehicle VIN included in PI2107 campaign, Kia refused to cover repair. This is a serious safety hazard.”
Filed Oct 6, 2025
“Have been using 2-3 quarts of oil a week also lost power could not get it to run took it to the mechanic again he informed me the catalytic is going bad and as much oil as it is going through it might blow at any time”
Filed Dec 31, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 28 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 failure, knocking or rod bearing 36 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 27 reports