2019 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Burns oil or oil level rises
- 37owner reports
- 90,207median miles
- $4,100median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
97 of the 136 complaints on this car are about the engine. 37 of those describe oil consumption, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2019 Soul.
Tick what matches of 37 reports
Oil consumption 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
Two different complaints land here. The more common one is an engine that uses oil: owners add a quart between changes, get a low-oil warning, or are told by the dealer that the rate is normal. The other is the opposite, where the oil level climbs and the oil smells of gasoline. Both deserve a proper test, and both are easier to argue with records in hand.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (10 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
8 of the 37 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $6,701.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 6 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.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2024MY vehicles (refer to the table on pages 9 and 10 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
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.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2021MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2019MY vehicles (refer to table below for applicable model and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption.
2 more on the 2019 Kia Soul page.
What owners wrote
“Burns way to much oil then it should for a 2019. I have to put a quart of oil in every 1,000 miles due to the oil consumption the motor does.”
Filed Sep 15, 2026 · 1,000 miles
“Sudden vibration on the engine while driving. No power upon acceleration. Heavily oil consumption. Had a problem on the seat belt with in couple of year of purchased, however the dealer fixed it for free. Catalytic converter was brooked at 80k milage exactly when the warranty over. It was costly to replace.”
Filed Jan 15, 2026
“Engine burns oil at a rapid rate. Has been inspected & confirmed by dealer. Was informed it may be a piston issue that has been located on similar Kia vehicles, but is not on the recall list. No warning lights appear. No warning light indicating low oil either, which means I must check the level daily & add oil as needed (about one quart per week).”
Filed Aug 8, 2025
“My 2019 Kia Soul has had excessive oil consumption issues since we bought it in 2022 or 2023. This week, the check engine light came on, and the mechanic says it is the catalytic converter. This could be a potential fire hazard if we don't take care of it, and the cost to do this is almost as much as the car is worth.”
Filed May 15, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 37 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
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 36 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 28 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 27 reports