[SaveMySoul19]

Hi all, My wife drives a 2019 Kia Soul that we purchased used with just over 8k miles on it. We have had the car about 2 years now and the car has 77k miles on it now. Just this past Sunday I noticed the car ticking. I immediately pulled over and checked the oil level to find that there was little to no oil showing. Took it across the street to Jiffy Lube, had an oil change done and the tech confirmed what I feared: 1) almost no oil in car 2) sounded like a bearing/rod problem (likely need a rebuild). Drove the car home (about 13 miles) and sure enough, flashing check engine light and limp mode.

My major issue here is my wife has been meticulous about changing the oil in this car (every 3500 or so miles) and there was no low oil indicator light on in the car, ever, even when the engine started ticking.

The car was previously a rental in FL. I suspect that being first sold by Kia as a rental, that it has a different software load than a "normal" 2019 Soul. (For instance, every time we start the car we have to tap the button on the info panel that we understand to use the car safely etc.). Is it possible this is why the oil indicator light never came on? Not having any oil showing and no indicator light and my wife having just completed a trip from NC to GA and back, should we suspect that that the previous oil change place didn't put oil in or more likely that the car burned the oil (no smoke or leaks) as I have read in other threads?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[Joemsj51]

The Owners Manual recommends checking the oil dipstick every fuel fill-up. I check ours every 500 miles.
Lack of maintenance costs vehicle owners big $bucks$ sometimes. Don't blame the manufacturer for your failure to lift the hood.

 

[SaveMySoul19]

Wow Joe, perhaps the single most unhelpful post I have seen! So let me get this straight, the issue in your opinion is that I didn’t check the oil everytime we put gas in the car (haven’t checked the manual yet, but if what you say is true, how ridiculous is that!?) not that an engine with 77k miles that has had ALL of the recommended maintenance and oil changed religiously every 3500 miles just blew up? What you are saying isn’t even reasonable and my guess is neither are you.

 

[Hammerhead]

Wow Joe, perhaps the single most unhelpful post I have seen! So let me get this straight, the issue in your opinion is that I didn’t check the oil everytime we put gas in the car (haven’t checked the manual yet, but if what you say is true, how ridiculous is that!?) not that an engine with 77k miles that has had ALL of the recommended maintenance and oil changed religiously every 3500 miles just blew up? What you are saying isn’t even reasonable and my guess is neither are you.

You should check the oil level on a regular basis on any vehicle. Do you have an extended warranty? As far as I know rental cars are not programmed any differently. Mine , bought new, has that msg. pop up every time I start it. If you don't touch it, it goes away after a few seconds. If you have been getting your oil changes at quick lube places , that could be the reason your oil was low.

 

[Hammerhead]

If you have all your oil change receipts contact Kia Corp. They might be willing to help you out ,if you don't have an extended warranty.

 

[rhysoul]

If you had product improvement campaign PI2107 completed at your Kia dealer (linked below for more info) then the engine warranty is extended for new and used owners for 15 years and 150k miles. You should contact your dealer and find out if this engine failure will be covered. And if you don’t get anywhere with your dealer, try calling Kia USA at 800-333-4KIA.

It will be very helpful to your case if you saved or can get the oil change receipts from the shop that did them. If it was a Kia dealer that did the services then they’ll have all that info when they look up your VIN.

Also, your Kia Soul does not have a low oil level warning light, it only has a low oil pressure warning light. And by the time that comes on, it might be to late.

I agree with the others about checking your oil. It’s best to do it at least once every 1,000 miles.

He’s the TSB I mentioned earlier

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10203662-0001.pdf

 

[GeoSoul]

Wow Joe, perhaps the single most unhelpful post I have seen! So let me get this straight, the issue in your opinion is that I didn’t check the oil everytime we put gas in the car (haven’t checked the manual yet, but if what you say is true, how ridiculous is that!?) not that an engine with 77k miles that has had ALL of the recommended maintenance and oil changed religiously every 3500 miles just blew up? What you are saying isn’t even reasonable and my guess is neither are you.

Can you tell us how many miles since you last checked your oil level, or was it at the last oil change 3,500 miles ago?

Oil doesn't just run out. Consumption happens over time. It's up to the owner to at least be aware if there's a problem. If so, more frequent checking is warranted. If no consumption, then you can go longer.

You can be angry at Joe, but he's right. Whether you check it every fill up or at 1,000 miles, you chose to never check it. Not the same as an oil "change."

On the bright side, there is an effort to get a class action suit against Kia for this very situation.

There are also class actions against Subaru, Ford, Toyota & Mazda to name a few. It's an industry wide modern engine problem.

 

[Joemsj51]

Wow Joe, perhaps the single most unhelpful post I have seen! So let me get this straight, the issue in your opinion is that I didn’t check the oil everytime we put gas in the car (haven’t checked the manual yet, but if what you say is true, how ridiculous is that!?) not that an engine with 77k miles that has had ALL of the recommended maintenance and oil changed religiously every 3500 miles just blew up? What you are saying isn’t even reasonable and my guess is neither are you.

There is a big-big difference between reasonable and reality. It is your job to maintain that vehicle, even if it means going beyond the Manual Book. Every one of our engines is-of a different creature. They are much like our bodies and need to be treated differently. Habits and Style difference are often the reason for these difference and no Owners Manual can be held responsible for those differences.

You and the wife can take a healthy newborn home from a hospital. If you raise that child "by the book", you may face consequential, disastrous results - even before that child enters Kindergarten.

Good luck to you. Just don't let any Book lead your Future Cause. .Neither you or your vehicle breathes thru Books. Both sets of lives may require some additional, unforeseen care. Your job is to realize it and adjust to it, before it's too late.

If it means raising the vehicle hood once a week for maintenance, then just do it. Prevention is often a Cure. If it won't cure, it most-times delays the agony by multiple years... enough time to break even or make a few dimes at time of vehicle sale.

 

[neiljrosen]

If KIA put a low oil warning sensor in their cars they would save a lot of engines.
Seems ironic that they don't but do have one for low air tire pressure.

 

[GeoSoul]

If KIA put a low oil warning sensor in their cars they would save a lot of engines.
Seems ironic that they don't but do have one for low air tire pressure.

I think they do now neil.

Warnings and reminders

low oil level, low fuel level, tire fill alert

 

[neiljrosen]

I think they do now neil.

Warnings and reminders

low oil level, low fuel level, tire fill alert

Every other car I've ever owned had one. I think part of the problem is, owners assume that their KIA's do.

 

[GeoSoul]

Every other car I've ever owned had one. I think part of the problem is, owners assume that their KIA's do.

I agree neil. We've seen many posts by folks who had seized engines assume the same thing.

My 2014 has a Low Oil Pressure warning light. The manual says if it comes on, the engine must be stopped immediately as serious damage will occur. It says to check and fill oil level before restarting the car.

My feeling is it's probably already too late by the time that light illuminates (wish it was a guage instead).

What is it they say about the definition of assume?

 

[camper99]

Hi all, My wife drives a 2019 Kia Soul that we purchased used with just over 8k miles on it. We have had the car about 2 years now and the car has 77k miles on it now. Just this past Sunday I noticed the car ticking. I immediately pulled over and checked the oil level to find that there was little to no oil showing. Took it across the street to Jiffy Lube, had an oil change done and the tech confirmed what I feared: 1) almost no oil in car 2) sounded like a bearing/rod problem (likely need a rebuild). Drove the car home (about 13 miles) and sure enough, flashing check engine light and limp mode.

My major issue here is my wife has been meticulous about changing the oil in this car (every 3500 or so miles) and there was no low oil indicator light on in the car, ever, even when the engine started ticking.

The car was previously a rental in FL. I suspect that being first sold by Kia as a rental, that it has a different software load than a "normal" 2019 Soul. (For instance, every time we start the car we have to tap the button on the info panel that we understand to use the car safely etc.). Is it possible this is why the oil indicator light never came on? Not having any oil showing and no indicator light and my wife having just completed a trip from NC to GA and back, should we suspect that that the previous oil change place didn't put oil in or more likely that the car burned the oil (no smoke or leaks) as I have read in other threads?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

As you mentioned, it's not unlikely that one of the service visits could have messed up the car. Modern cars can go 10K between oil changes. The less you have to take it in for service, the less probability they will mess it up. A 2019 Soul would have a maintenance reminder to change the oil. You never saw that because you were busy getting the oil changed often. All you had to do is sit back and wait to be reminded when to change the oil. Also if you buy a rental car with 25K or less it's likely they never did any maintenance on it.

 

[Hammerhead]

Tps is required by federal law.
Install an oil pressure guage.

 

[rhysoul]

My 2019 doesn’t have any maintenance reminder. Maybe the ones with the supervision cluster did? I’m pretty sure they all do now from 2020 and on.

 

[SailDesign]

At the risk of being "that guy", every single Soul has a low oil level indicator - it just doesn't have a light. It is called a "dipstick" but takes effort to remember to check it.

 

[GeoSoul]

At the risk of being "that guy", every single Soul has a low oil level indicator - it just doesn't have a light. It is called a "dipstick" but takes effort to remember to check it.

True dat! It's really the only way to be sure of the oil level.

All Gen 2 and on models did come with the "idiot" light that indicated either low oil pressure or low oil level.

Maybe someone who knows about Gen 1 Souls can illuminate us if they were so equipped.

 

[rhysoul]

Maybe someone who knows about Gen 1 Souls can illuminate us if they were so equipped

Gen 1 Souls also have a low oil level indicator stick under the hood, but no low oil level light, just low oil pressure light. 😃

 

[tmport]

Yes, people should check their oil in these cars (I do it every weekend). No, the engine should not run dry and blow up if you don't check the oil. Kia is responsible for properly maintained engines blowing up, and no one else.

 

[gabsgrammy54]

Hi all, My wife drives a 2019 Kia Soul that we purchased used with just over 8k miles on it. We have had the car about 2 years now and the car has 77k miles on it now. Just this past Sunday I noticed the car ticking. I immediately pulled over and checked the oil level to find that there was little to no oil showing. Took it across the street to Jiffy Lube, had an oil change done and the tech confirmed what I feared: 1) almost no oil in car 2) sounded like a bearing/rod problem (likely need a rebuild). Drove the car home (about 13 miles) and sure enough, flashing check engine light and limp mode.

My major issue here is my wife has been meticulous about changing the oil in this car (every 3500 or so miles) and there was no low oil indicator light on in the car, ever, even when the engine started ticking.

The car was previously a rental in FL. I suspect that being first sold by Kia as a rental, that it has a different software load than a "normal" 2019 Soul. (For instance, every time we start the car we have to tap the button on the info panel that we understand to use the car safely etc.). Is it possible this is why the oil indicator light never came on? Not having any oil showing and no indicator light and my wife having just completed a trip from NC to GA and back, should we suspect that that the previous oil change place didn't put oil in or more likely that the car burned the oil (no smoke or leaks) as I have read in other threads?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

I got the same reply for my post;

“The Owners Manual recommends checking the oil dipstick level, equivalent-to every fuel fill-up.
Please do not blame the manufacturer for your disregard of popping the hood open and checking the oil dipstick level.”
Scorched earth for sure!
Yes, I will be more diligent about checking oil from now on. I wasn’t “blaming” Kia; it just seems that a low warning light would be a nice addition. My car has a TPMS sensor to let me know when tires need air so, it would seem that a low oil warning light would be an important feature.