2014 Kia Soul Fuel System Problems

Your car has a strong gasoline smell inside and around the cabin after refueling, and you've noticed condensation pooling under the gas tank when parked. An inspection revealed corrosion on the gas tank and the rear section is separating from the vehicle. Even after purchasing a replacement tank, the new one showed the same corrosion problem. The gas tank will likely need to be replaced with a properly functioning unit and inspected for any fuel leaks.

Vehicle Information: 2014 Kia Soul (Base Model) VIN: [XXX] Approx. Mileage at Failure:91,000 Incident Date: [XXX] Complaint: On [XXX], the catalytic converter in my 2014 Kia Soul failed. This follows the completion of recall SC176 on July 14, 2022, which addressed excessive exhaust gas temperatures caused by abnormal combustion conditions. While Kia representatives have claimed that SC176 is unrelated to the catalytic converter, it’s well understood that excessive exhaust heat can lead to long-term thermal damage to emissions components—particularly the catalytic converter. One representative even appeared concerned about the implications of SC176 during a phone call, before quickly changing direction. I believe this catalytic converter failure is a delayed consequence of the issue SC176 was meant to address, especially since the converter is part of the affected exhaust system. This failure not only poses a financial burden—since it falls outside the federal emissions warranty—but may also reflect a broader issue that other 2014 Soul owners could face. The component failed resulting in immediate loss of power on a US interstate highway. I’m requesting NHTSA investigate whether catalytic converter failures like mine are in fact related to the defect addressed in SC176 and whether Kia should be required to offer further coverage or corrective action. Additional Information: I can provide documentation upon request, including: •Receipts showing consistent oil changes and routine maintenance •Service records for all recall work performed on the vehicle, including SC176 (completed on 7/14/22) •A repair invoice for the catalytic converter failure (currently pending — my vehicle is still at the service department as of today, 4/16/25) •A timeline of communications with Kia Customer Care Please let me know if any of these are needed to support further investigation. I’ll gladly provide them once available INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

When first taking off in it in the mornings, it jumps and goes very fast and reverse. There’s no control in it. I have no brakes they go all the way down so the car just like flies backwards when I’m backing out of my garage I don’t even even have to hold the gas it’s going it’s gonna fly out anyway and when it does that the brakes go completely completely to the floor.

The contact owns 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated her daughter's boyfriend was driving approximately 70 MPH with her daughter in the passenger’s seat, when they noticed smoke in the rearview mirror. The driver checked around to see if the smoke was coming from another vehicle and determined that the smoke was coming the vehicle he was driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the driver pulled over to the side of the road and exited the vehicle and noticed fire coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that the fire was extinguished with the assistance of the Fire Department. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the vehicle had been taken to the local dealer and repaired under an unknown recall. After retrieving the vehicle, the contact stated occasionally the low oil level warning light would illuminate. There were no injuries sustained. The contact did not know whether a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, then it was towed to the dealer per the manufacturer's instructions. The nearest dealer declined to offer the any repairs or service on the vehicle since the vehicle was severely burned. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

2014 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER RECALL INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT HONOR RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT EVEN AFTER THE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED ON VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED THE CODES WERE E0441. *JS

EVERYTIME I FILL UP MY GAS TANK MY FUEL METER WILL GO BELOW EMPTY AND WILL BLINK THAT I AM OUT OF GAS. AFTER ABOUT A DAY OR SO IT WILL GO BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE TALKED TO A FEW OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I AM WONDERING IF THIS IS GETTING LOOKED INTO AND INVESTIGATED.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON, TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. ERROR CODE READ P0420 CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD (BANK1) THEN THE NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON ANYMORE.

I RECIEVED A RECALL LETTER THE RECALL NUMBER IS 19V120 I WENT OVER TOO THE KIA DEALER, VAN DEVERE KIA, AKRON OHIO WEST MARKET ST, PRIOR TO GOING FOR RECALL NOTHING WAS GOING ON WITH MY CAR NO LIGHTS COMING ON OR ANYTHING IT HAVE VERY LOW MILES AND EVERY TIME I GO THERE THEY TRY TOO SELL ME A NEW CAR, ANY WAY WENT ON A FRIDAY IN MAY THAT MONDAY THE INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON{ ENGINE} TOOK IT OVER THEY SAID THEY HAD NO TIME TOO CHECK IT AND IF IT NOT FLASHING ITS SAFETY ISSUE, A FEW DAYS LATER THE LIGHT WENT OUT BUT I DID NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS USING MORE GAS, ON MONDAY 6-3-2019 THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON SO I WENT OVER THEY HAD 2 CARS IN THE BAY AND THE GUY SAID THEY HAD NO TIME TOO LOOK AT IT BY THE WAY THIS GUY BEEN RUDE TOO ME SINCE I TOLD HIM I DID NOT WANT TOO BUY A NEW CAR, HE SAID I COULD COME WED BUT I HAD TOO WORK HAVE APPT ON MONDAY THE 10TH BUT THIS IS NOT RIGHT MY CAR BEEN USING A LOT MORE GAS AND IT SEEM TOO BE IDDLE VERY HIGH WHEN I START IT UP, WHEN I GOT OFF WORK STOPPED AT A AUTO ZONE TO GET A READ OUT ON THE LIGHT AND IT SHOWED THAT REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE THE CODE WAS PO50A. NOT HAPPY WITH THIS CAR DEALER I GO THERE FOR ALL REPAIRS I HAVE 23045 MILES 2014 SOUL.

WE HAD THE CAR ENGINE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN AUG 2018. ON MAY 27, 2019 AS WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR ON VACATION, WE SMELT SOME GASOLINE. LATER AFTER WE FILLED 5 GALLONS OF GAS AND DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MILES, SUDDENLY THE CAR STALLED IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. THE FUEL INDICATOR SAID THERE WAS GAS LEFT BUT ACTUALLY IT WAS EMPTY. ADDING GAS FROM CAN STARTED THE CAR AND SOON WE NOTICED BIG GAS LEAK. OPENING THE ENGINE COVER SHOWED THE FUEL LINE WAS SPEWING GAS OVER THE HOT ENGINE. THIS IS A BIG FIRE RISK AND THANKFULLY, WE CAUGHT IT BEFORE THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. WE PUSHED THE FUEL LINE BACK INTO THE FUEL PUMP BUT THE END CONNECTOR IS BROKEN. NO IDEA WHY IT BROKE ON ITS OWN SO SOON AFTER ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURE SHOWING THE BROKEN END. WE DID NOT TAKE PICTURE AS IT WAS SPEWING GASOLINE WHEN WE OPENED THE COVER AS WE WERE TOO SCARED ABOUT THE ENGINE CATCHING FIRE AND QUICKLY TRIED TO FIX THE FUEL PIPE BACK AND WIPED THE SPILT GASOLINE AND LET EVERYTHING DRY.

LOUD POP IN THE ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING ~70 MPH. CAR BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED UP, THEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. PULLED OVER TO MIDDLE MEDIAN ON I-75 N AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT STARTED ON FIRE WITH 20-FT HIGH FLAMES. THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED. USAA HAS CLAIMED THE CAR AND BEGAN A FIRE INSPECTION. A/C HAD BEEN OFF AT THE TIME OF THE POP. ONLY THE RADIO WAS ON.

CURRENTLY MY GAS MILAGE HAS DECREASED BY APPROX 4 MILES PER GALLON. IN THE WINTER I GET 30 MPG AND USED TO GET 34; IN SUMMER I GET 32.5 MPG AND USED TO GET 37. THINGS CHECKED: BRAKES TIRES AND ALIGNMENT AIR FILTER ENGINE CODES GAS QUALITY ( USED MOBIL PREMIUM GAS) PERFORMED A CARBON CLEANING FOR GDI ENG FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING ENGINE CLEANING WITH OIL CLEANING (FLUSH) ADDITIVE. AFTER ALL CLEANINGS ONLY SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT (APPROX 0.5 MPG). I SUSPECT A FAULTY CAT CONVERTER BUT HAVE NO WAY TO CHECK IT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL CAP DID NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

WE WERE DRIVING 75 MPH. ON I-75 OUTSIDE DALTON GEORGIA IN LOTS OF TRAFFIC (THE OUTER LANE) AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT DOWN. WE GRADUALLY COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AVOIDING NEAR CRASHES AND STOPPED COMPLETELY. WE TRIED RESTARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT HAD NO POWER TO DRIVE. WE WERE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP IN DALTON GEORGIA AND THE SERVICE PEOPLE LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE ON 8/18/2014 & SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. WE PROCEEDED ON TOWARDS OUR DESTINATION. ON 8/16/2014 (THE SAME DAY THEY FOUND NOTHING) WE HAD TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 161 MILES FURTHER SOUTH ON I-75 (OUTSIDE MACON GEORGIA) WHEN THE CAR DID THE SAME THING. IT SHUT DOWN DRIVING 75 MPH IN MAJOR TRAFFIC. OUR VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING AS IT DID ON 8/16/2014, LOSS OF ALL POWER. WE WERE THEN TOWED TO MACON GEORGIA KIA DEALERSHIP. ON 8/17/2014 THEY INFORMED US THEY WERE REPLACING A "PRESSURE PUMP" AND SHOULD RECEIVE IT 8/18/2014. THE DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE PRESSURE PUMP AND HAD THE TECHNICIAN DRIVE IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AND IT SHUT DOWN ON HIM. AT THIS POINT THEY WERE UNSURE OF WHAT TO DO AND DID MULTIPLE TEST ON THE VEHICLE. WE WERE ADVISED TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE THERE AND THEY WOULD GET IT BACK TO US. WE RETURNED TO OHIO IN A RENTAL VEHICLE ON 8/22/2014. OUR CAR WAS TRANSPORTED BACK TO OHIO 9/3/2014 BY THE KIA COMPANY WITH NO FURTHER FINDINGS. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED ME TO LET ME KNOW MY VEHICLE WAS BEING RETURNED AND THEY FOUND NOTHING ELSE THEY STATED THAT A 2014 KIA SOUL ON THEIR LOT DID THE SAME THING DURING A "TEST" DRIVE. I AM DEATHLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE SINCE I HAD MY LIFE FLASH BEFORE US 2 TIMES AND A 3RD TIME ON THE TECHNICIAN. *TR