NHTSA Complaint #11663192 — 2014 KIA SOUL

Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: My 2014 Kia Soul "threw a rod" (as confirmed by a Kia dealer in Jan 2025) at only 115,773 miles after years of regular (every 3-5K miles) maintenance. I bought the car used in 2017 and have documentation to show the maintenance for the subsequent years. The particular motor at issue is known by mechanics to have problems (according to my own mechanic and at least two others with whom I have communicated, as well as on-line research). However, there is no active recall on it, and the car is "out of warranty." As of the date of this complaint, the car currently is available for inspection upon request. Q: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A: It is my understanding that throwing a rod is a catastrophic engine failure and can result in loss of control of the vehicle, potentially leading to accidents, as the engine may seize or lose power abruptly. Furthermore, the broken rod can cause the engine to explode, leak oil, or punch a hole in the engine block, posing a risk of fire or further damage. I am lucky that I noted a reduction in engine power and my engine light and took it in for assessment before anything worse occurred. Q: Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? A: I brought my vehicle into a dealer in January 2025, where they diagnosed the problem. Q: Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? A: No Q: Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? A: Yes. The engine light came on and I had it checked by my mechanic and the dealer.