NHTSA Complaint #11464021 — 2015 KIA SOUL

The contact's daughter owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact's daughter was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor were defective. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed by her daughter that an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for an oil change and informed the mechanic of the knocking issue. The contact's daughter was informed by the independent mechanic that there was no available service technician to inspect her vehicle. Soon after the oil change was completed and driving at an undisclosed speed, the rod bearing punctured the engine block. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic where an estimate was provided for replacing the engine. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that since the ECU upgrade was not performed; the cost for a new engine would not be covered. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.