NHTSA Complaint #11648867 — 2021 KIA SOUL

The engine in my 2021 Kia Soul has been experiencing serious performance issues consistent with Recall SC336. The vehicle has erratic RPM fluctuations while idling and has stalled multiple times at stoplights and in traffic. When this happens, it fails to restart immediately, leaving me stranded and creating a serious safety risk. The vehicle has been at Step One Kia in Fort Walton Beach, FL, for 2 weeks. The dealership claimed the issue was caused by a clogged air filter, replaced it, & stated the car was “adequately repaired.” However, when I attempted to pick up the vehicle, the Check Engine Light was still on. The owner of the dealership took the keys back and said I would receive a follow-up call on Monday. No call was ever received. I contacted Kia Headquarters and was told to “pick up the car and drive it if I choose to” because there is no remedy available. When I requested a loaner vehicle, I was initially told it was not guaranteed because this was "not an engine issue." When I pointed out that the symptoms were directly related to engine failure, the representative backtracked and said a loaner was simply "not guaranteed." 1. A clogged air filter does NOT cause stalling at idle or failure to restart. A clogged filter would cause gradual power loss, not sudden shutoffs. 2. The Check Engine Light remained on after the repair, proving the issue was not fixed. 3. The dealership refused to conduct recall-related tests, including the PNSS and oil consumption tests. The car stalls in traffic, increasing crash risk. It fails to restart immediately, leaving me stranded. Kia’s refusal to diagnose the issue properly puts my safety at risk. The vehicle is still at the dealership but has not been properly inspected for recall-related failures. Kia refuses to acknowledge a remedy and denies a loaner vehicle. Since these symptoms match Recall SC336, I urge NHTSA to investigate Kia’s failure to inspect and repair affected vehicles.