[rorielly]

My boss had a Hyundai that they just replaced her engine for the same issue. I’d speak to your dealer. Should have 10 year warranty on engines with the known TSB

 

[tosburn3]

Update: They called back after a few hours and said the issue was not the bearings or knock sensor, but the software update itself was not functioning properly. They said the first update "didn't take", just like others have heard. The word "glitch" was used at one point. They now claim to have adjusted the software somehow and that it is all fine.

I'm at 114000 miles... I'm worried that in actuality the rod bearings are starting to fail (if the fault was legitimate) and it will blow up right after the extended warranty expires at 1200000.

 

[Kerig3]

Update: They called back after a few hours and said the issue was not the bearings or knock sensor, but the software update itself was not functioning properly. They said the first update "didn't take", just like others have heard. The word "glitch" was used at one point. They now claim to have adjusted the software somehow and that it is all fine.

I'm at 114000 miles... I'm worried that in actuality the rod bearings are starting to fail (if the fault was legitimate) and it will blow up right after the extended warranty expires at 1200000.

That's good news!
If you've read through the thread that I linked you'll see that others have had issues with the software's sensitivity right after the update and that there might have been a software patch to fix the sensitivity "glitch". I'll let bwdz75 chime in whether this was a real glitch or not since he's an actual Kia certified mechanic and would know better than any of us.

When your Soul first went into limp mode were you driving at highway speeds? I ask because that's my consensus on when it happened to others and that's when the RPMs would be higher for a longer time. Maybe you can replicate the situation your car was in back then to test out whether the newest software glitches again? You still have 6k miles to test their fix before you hit 120k. If it were I I'd run her at highway speeds for an hour, staying as close to home as you can just in case it limps again. Good luck! 👍

 

[bwdz75]

I will chime in, there is no software glitch and your dealer does not have the tools to go into your software and modify anything nor is it likely that they have anyone that has the capability of writing code or anything of the like, I personally have fiddled with this type of software as I worked in a performance shop and ran a flow bench etc.. where we modified cars but this is not something I would do on any Kia as our job is to give you guys approved fixes that are engineered for your car by engineers. What actually exists at your Kia dealer is the ability to manually select and upload a different program that is put out by Kia and engineered to work on the situation that some have experienced. When Kia came out with this update they did their homework and realized that some engines may display issues that are not related to an internal engine problem but will be interpreted as such through the knock sensor and created a program that we have to get a password for to upload on those vehicles. Your vehicle will get the bearing test (this is automatically done prior to the update depending on the build date of your car) and if it passes showing no signs of engine damage then the different software is installed and it is an approved program not some fiddling by your mechanic to fool anything or glitch fixing. I think perhaps your service writer or manager just uses the wrong terminology or is misinterpreted as to what actually happens to fix your car.
So to sum it all up, don't worry, Kia has got this figured out and covered and sorry for the inconvenience and confusion this may be causing. As time goes on the dealers will be more familiar with the situation. I personally heard about this on here before I ever encountered it in the shop so these forums keep me updated and on the lookout for issues so that when I see them I feel more prepared to help out my customers stay safe and happy on the road and just for the record I have had only one car so far out of 100s with the "glitch" but I saw it on here so I knew right away who to contact at Techline to get their vehicle back on the road and operating properly right away.

 

[dynamyt]

It is hard for me to keep my mouth shut in situations like this as I work at a dealership and don't want to knock someone else's work when I don't have all the info but this doesn't sound right at all.

Mine did that same thing on the interstate and then almost caught fire. There was a hole in the #2 piston that was flooding oil into the catalytic converter. This was AFTER the recall had been done to update the ECU. Don't buy a KIA... EVER!!! They screwed me hard core and the stealership was in on it. They knew all along what was going on.

 

[poppajim]

Without reading through all the messages I was told by the service manager in our local dealership that some cars react to the upgrade making it too sensitive so they have a second update they can install. Mine did the same so even though it only has 57,000 miles on it I tuned it up and put in some Lucas Fuel additive. I erased the code and it has not come back . I took it back to the dealer who did the upgrade but since I erased the code they told me just bring it back if and when the light comes back on. Now I was also told its really not good to ride around in limp mode you can damage the engine. What you have to do is safely get off to the side of the road or a parking lot and put it in park and turn off the engine. Wait about 5 minutes and then with your foot off the brake so it does not start cycle the ignition on and off a couple times and it resets so you can drive it and take it to the local dealer when possible. Hope this helps. Mine is a 2016 with 57,000 miles but I have always changed the oil every 3000 miles with Valvoline semi synthetic. I thing the problem mostly lies with the ones that are not maintained properly. You should also change the PCV which is real easy there are utube videos out there. The plugs are easy also except the one on the right side of the engine looking at it from the front. The fuel rail is there but it can be done just take your time . Hope this helps

 

[bwdz75]

Yes

Mine did that same thing on the interstate and then almost caught fire. There was a hole in the #2 piston that was flooding oil into the catalytic converter. This was AFTER the recall had been done to update the ECU. Don't buy a KIA... EVER!!! They screwed me hard core and the stealership was in on it. They knew all along what was going on.

Sorry to hear about that. But that "terrible" company, Kia, has also extended the warranties on these for 15 years and 150k miles. Gosh that is so bad of them, I hear other car companies do that for their customers automatically.
I don't mean for the sarcasm to make light of your dissatisfaction, your experience is unfortunate but far different from what most people get from Kia. I think your issue may be more on the local level with whoever serviced your car.

 

[garix]

Lately I pay little attention to to new members that come out swinging, no details or history.

 

[SoulSportman]

Hello, thought I would seek some advice about a recent issue with my 2016 2.0 Soul. My wife was driving and the check engine light started flashing (misfire?). The engine lost some power (struggled to accelerate) and I noticed it shuddered once during acceleration. Car was being driven in cold (~20 degrees) conditions. I used an OBDII scanner and saw that there is a pending P1326 fault code (no other codes). Right up to the check engine light, the engine was running smoothly (I assume the knock sensors are more sensitive than I am).

I searched the forum and found this thread: Knock Sensor,

Seems to be a consensus that a recent computer update (we took it to the dealer to update 1-2 months ago) can cause the knock detection system to be more sensitive and trigger "limp home mode" when it is worried about further damage. I am hoping you will brainstorm with me possible diagnostic measures and/or repairs. I am assuming misfire and/or knock (I am not an expert, but I try to DIY repair when possible).

Easy things to try: replace spark plugs, replace air filter, replace fuel filter, use Seafoam spray (maybe carbon buildup?)

Difficult things to try: Replace rod bearings, replace fuel pump, clean or replace fuel injectors

Any ideas about how I could assess rod bearing wear without taking the entire engine apart? My tentative plan is to do all the things on the "easy" list, clear the code, and see if it comes back after resuming normal usage. Is that crazy/risky? Thoughts?

I just went through this. I received a letter about the software update. Two days later, my engine started knocking and had no power. Had it towed to the dealer, they were giving me the run around. Found out that there is a law suit on some of the engines. Called Kia and they Immediately called the dealer. After a couple of tests, it was determined that my engine needed to be replaced. BTW, by you receiving that letter, your warranty is now 120,000 miles. The whole thing was free. Get your vehicle to the dealer (tow it, they will pay for the tow too). It took mine a month due to the lack of engines.

 

[Kerig3]

Mine did that same thing on the interstate and then almost caught fire. There was a hole in the #2 piston that was flooding oil into the catalytic converter. This was AFTER the recall had been done to update the ECU. Don't buy a KIA... EVER!!! They screwed me hard core and the stealership was in on it. They knew all along what was going on.

Well that's quite a bold and definitive statement when we know absolutely nothing about your car's history, maintenance history, whether there were previous owners, the car's milage, etc. Hell, you didn't even mentioned which model year or trim your car was.

I suggest yelling "Don't buy a KIA... EVER!!!" from a lonely mountaintop would be somewhat more effective. 😒

 

[enphy1999]

When Kia came out with this update they did their homework and realized that some engines may display issues that are not related to an internal engine problem but will be interpreted as such through the knock sensor and created a program that we have to get a password for to upload on those vehicles. Your vehicle will get the bearing test (this is automatically done prior to the update depending on the build date of your car) and if it passes showing no signs of engine damage then the different software is installed and it is an approved program not some fiddling by your mechanic to fool anything or glitch fixing.

@bwdz75 , should I have to pay 3 hours of labor for the bearing test if I was already told that there was no knocking? See my other recent post where I'm trying to keep up most of the story in the same thread.

Knock Sensor Detection System Update

Got a letter from Kia today telling me to go to a dealer to update the ECU software. It is to alert the driver at an early stage of bearing wear before the engine goes bang. They will extend the warranty on the engine short block to 10 ears or 120,000 miles. This is for 2014 - 2016 Souls with...

www.kiasoulforums.com

 

[bwdz75]

Replied in the other post to you enphy

 

[hutch58]

113000 miles. Just out of warranty if it does blow.

Per the Product Improvement Campaign:

"Kia will also extend the warranty coverage for the engine long block assembly to 15 years starting from the date of first service or 150,000 miles, which ever occurs first, for both new and used vehicle owner's upon completion of this Product Improvement Campaign."

Purchased my 2015 in Nov 2015 but have around 180k miles on it. Talked w/the local Kia Service Department on Friday on whether I should have the ECU updated. With the mileage on the Soul, the warranty doesn't do me any good. New engine runs +$4k. If not covered under warranty, I don't see myself paying for a new engine.

A question I did not ask; if it goes into limp mode and the problem is correctly diagnosed and repaired (not rod bearing related and/or a false code), does clearing the codes take you out of limp mode?

FYI...the Soul starting using oil around 100k miles...would have to add around a quart between recommended (3750 miles) oil changes.

 

[Lilymay30]

Hello, thought I would seek some advice about a recent issue with my 2016 2.0 Soul. My wife was driving and the check engine light started flashing (misfire?). The engine lost some power (struggled to accelerate) and I noticed it shuddered once during acceleration. Car was being driven in cold (~20 degrees) conditions. I used an OBDII scanner and saw that there is a pending P1326 fault code (no other codes). Right up to the check engine light, the engine was running smoothly (I assume the knock sensors are more sensitive than I am).

I searched the forum and found this thread: Knock Sensor

Seems to be a consensus that a recent computer update (we took it to the dealer to update 1-2 months ago) can cause the knock detection system to be more sensitive and trigger "limp home mode" when it is worried about further damage. I am hoping you will brainstorm with me possible diagnostic measures and/or repairs. I am assuming misfire and/or knock (I am not an expert, but I try to DIY repair when possible).

Easy things to try: replace spark plugs, replace air filter, replace fuel filter, use Seafoam spray (maybe carbon buildup?)

Difficult things to try: Replace rod bearings, replace fuel pump, clean or replace fuel injectors

Any ideas about how I could assess rod bearing wear without taking the entire engine apart? My tentative plan is to do all the things on the "easy" list, clear the code, and see if it comes back after resuming normal usage. Is that crazy/risky? Thoughts?

Here it is, many months later and this problem is still ongoing.
I got my "recall' months ago and ignored it. It was during Covid and I put so few miles on it. During that time I took it in to the dealer for oil changes anyway and figured it would be done. After all, they sold me new brakes pads and so I figured they checked out things. and no one mentioned the 'recall'.
I go another letter so finally decided to make sure I got the update done. I called to make an appt for the service and I got a very vague when I read the recall letter more closely.
I had bought my used '16 Soul from a dealer in '18 with only 30k miles. So I am on the cusp of exhausting the 5 year or 60 thousand mile warranty. (I no have 53k). But the dealer said it's pretty much over.
I do not want to They told me that I might want to rethink the software update.. bec if something happens after i drive off the lot, it is not going to be covered. I was told to just keep going as is. So in confusion I looked up the forums and found put the the update is the kiss of death.
I think I have decided I will forgo the update to save my car. I cannot afford to put a new engine in an old car because of a software bug that Kia can't seem to fix.
I feel that is the problem (I used to test software for a living, and I know this happens).
I think Kia is covering their ass .. And Covering their ass in the most expensive way possible to the consumer. If my car dies because it actually does blow a rod or catalytic converter, then I will dump it and move on, but I'll never buy a Kia ever again. I don't know what the real problem is with these cars... Do they have poor head gaskets, faulty catalytic converters? Junk engines? Or really bad software that likks the engine?? If they have not figured out the true problem by now, I have lost trust in the company. In fact one way or the other.. no more Kias for me.. which is a shame because I was starting to love my Soul. It seemed like such a nice simple automobile with no frill engine. Well fool me!

 

[bwdz75]

If you cannot afford an engine and your warranty is running out I would think the best solution is to get the update which will extend your coverage to 15 years 150k miles at which point Kia would pay for your engine in that time frame.

 

[Lilymay30]

If you cannot afford an engine and your warranty is running out I would think the best solution is to get the update which will extend your coverage to 15 years 150k miles at which point Kia would pay for your engine in that time frame.

My post might be confusing. (I hate typing long explanations). But when I called Kia Dealer to schedule the software update they tried to discourage me from getting it done, saying that AFTER it was done, my car would NOT be covered for anything that happened after I drove it off the service lot. They didn't tell me what might happen, of course. I only found out after I started researching this software update. I was told my warranty was already expired because my 2016 Soul was over 5 years old by a few months and that my 52k miles was over-ridden by the 5 year part. They also said my warranty would not be extended because I was the second owner of the Soul (I bought it used in 2018).

 

[Lilymay30]

Here is another question. And I know the answers may be variable, but let's give it a guestimate.

At how many driven miles (with regular oil changes and maintenance) should a Kia Soul engine last??
In my lifetime (I'm 69), I have owned many pre-owned vehicles from many different companies, I have never had to have an engine, catalytic converter, gasket, etc replaced. And the vehicles were mostly maintained only by my handy husband who was not a mechanic.

 

[rhysoul]

My post might be confusing. (I hate typing long explanations). But when I called Kia Dealer to schedule the software update they tried to discourage me from getting it done, saying that AFTER it was done, my car would NOT be covered for anything that happened after I drove it off the service lot. They didn't tell me what might happen, of course. I only found out after I started researching this software update. I was told my warranty was already expired because my 2016 Soul was over 5 years old by a few months and that my 52k miles was over-ridden by the 5 year part. They also said my warranty would not be extended because I was the second owner of the Soul (I bought it used in 2018).

The product improvement campaign for both 1.6L and 2.0L engines extended the engine warranty to 15 years, 150,000 miles for any owner of the car, even if you didn’t buy it new. These letters say 10/120, but it’s actually 15/150, I just can’t find those lettters. Either way you have less than that on yours. Your dealer should know this.

1.6

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10172092-0001.pdf

2.0

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10179253-0001.pdf

 

[rhysoul]

Here is another question. And I know the answers may be variable, but let's give it a guestimate.

At how many driven miles (with regular oil changes and maintenance) should a Kia Soul engine last??
In my lifetime (I'm 69), I have owned many pre-owned vehicles from many different companies, I have never had to have an engine, catalytic converter, gasket, etc replaced. And the vehicles were mostly maintained only by my handy husband who was not a mechanic.

There are many high mileage Kia’s on the road.

You have to understand that in the past decade all car manufacturers have been forced to get better fuel mileage and have started using smaller GDI engines or Turbo GDI engines with lower tension piston rings (to get more power out of less engine and to get a tiny bit better gas mileage).

A side effect of this has been they need more oil changes and overall maintenance. It’s not just Kia.

The Accent uses the same engine as the Soul and I know someone with almost 170k miles on theirs and it’s still doing fine. Oil changes on a GDI engine shouldn’t go over 5,000 miles at maximum. I do mine the old fashioned way at 3,000 and if you short trip your car a lot, you should be following the severe maintenance schedule listed in your owned manual (3,750 mile oil changes)

 

[Lilymay30]

There are many high mileage Kia’s on the road.

You have to understand that in the past decade all car manufacturers have been forced to get better fuel mileage and have started using smaller GDI engines or Turbo GDI engines with lower tension piston rings (to get more power out of less engine and to get a tiny bit better gas mileage).

A side effect of this has been they need more oil changes and overall maintenance. It’s not just Kia.

The Accent uses the same engine as the Soul and I know someone with almost 170k miles on theirs and it’s still doing fine. Oil changes on a GDI engine shouldn’t go over 5,000 miles at maximum. I do mine the old fashioned way at 3,000 and if you short trip your car a lot, you should be following the severe maintenance schedule listed in your owned manual (3,750 mile oil changes)

Thank you. This explains the issue from the bottom up for me. I understand much better now. But I'm still concerned of getting the update and having my car go into Limp mode. I pulled this from another place on the internet. Might have been right here in this forum, but wondered if this info is something to take to the service people when the car does get the update and goes into Limp mode..

SNIP"...not knowing what to do if a customer returns with p1326 flashing light after the update. I am a tech at a dealer and did 100s of those updates before I had one return with a problem but I heard about it on here first so I knew what to do. They are supposed to reach out to Techline, run the bearing test at no cost to you, if it passes they will be given a pin code to download and manually install a version of the software that is just for the situation you are experiencing. Kia engineered this recall and knew some cars might not respond correctly. They have solutions you just need the dealer to do their part. Now go back to the dealer armed with this information,

If they aren't aware of the other software just let them know that the service manager would have been the only one to receive the notice in an email along with the labor op code for it etc.. They will need to reach out to techline, as you can imagine after the outage of 10 days it is very backed up so it may take you leaving the car for a day or two for them to start and complete the case." UNSNIP