NHTSA Complaint #11483160 — 2017 KIA SOUL

On or about June 20, 2022, I began an approximate 700 mile roundtrip from my home to the Oregon Sunstone Mines in SE Oregon. Approximately half way into the trip (and in the mountainous area where cell service is spotty at best and non-existant at most) my KIA Soul lost all propulsion beyond a top speed of 30MPH. With highway traffic, which consisted mostly of semi trucks and campers, trying to pass me on this two lane highway I was forced to impede the flow of traffic until I could find a place to pull to the side of the road. Once I pulled over I called my dealership to explain the problem. When I returned home I took the vehicle in to the dealership immediately. The problem was diagnosed as the Turbo which apparently got so hot it welded itself to the manifold. Since the vehicle was still under warranty the dealership kept the vehicle for repairs. It took 7 weeks to get my vehicle repaired and returned to me (at least 4 of those were without a loaner,) I embarked on another planned trip on August 15, 2022, of approximately 800 miles roundtrip. I only traveled 65 miles when the vehicle repeated its previous issue. I returned to the dealership and left the vehicle for repairs once more. As of September 6, 2022, I have been told the part is back order and the dealership is uncertain when or if it will be available. I believe this issue fits within a safety recall as it leaves drivers stranded in areas where services of any kind could be limited or unavailable and where the engine gets so hot it welds the parts together. We have been told the CEO of KIA is aware of this issue but has yet to recall the vehicles.