The 2014 Kia Souls has been a popular vehicle for those looking for an affordable and reliable car, but there are engine problems now.
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The 2014 Kia Soul is one of the most affordable cars on the market at $18,150; it also offers a strong warranty with ten years or 100,000 miles as well as standard roadside assistance to make sure you're safe and sound if anything goes wrong.
For those who need more power than the 2.0L 4-cylinder can offer, there's also a turbocharged version that adds about 20 horsepower, which will cost you an extra $1,200 over the base model. But this new issue might not be worth it because some owners have reported experiencing oil leaks from their engines due to a defective part that costs only a dollar but costs the owner big money in repairs.
This article will cover the topic of 2014 Kia Souls with engine problems and how it affects owners.
What is the 2014 Kia Soul, and why is it so popular?
The manufacturer introduced the 2014 Kia Soul in 2008, and it has been a popular car ever since. Its strong engineering, low price, practicality, safety features, ease of use, and multiple options make it one of the best small cars on the market next to the Honda Fit.
It stays competitive with other cars like the Chevy Sonic and Ford Fiesta by offering a low price at $16,710, strong mileage at 28 mpg highway, and enough comfort to fit the families on the go.
What type of engines does Kia Soul have?
The 2014 Kia Soul has two types of engines available in the market. The first option is a 2.0L 4-cylinder that produces 164 horsepower with an EPA-approved mileage of 25 mpg highway and 22 mpg city.
The second option is a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which produces 201 horsepower and comes with an EPA-approved mileage of 25 mpg highway and 22 mpg city.
2014 Kia Souls Engine Problems
Understanding the main source of problems with the 2014 Kia Souls. Let's take a closer look at the common Kia Souls engine problems and other top reported problems with other components:
1. Oil leaks from engine
The first and most reported 2014 Kia Soul engine problem is oil leaks. Owners have reported problems with oil leaking, and it's due to a defective part called the PCV valve, which is supposed to control the amount of pressure in the crankcase to prevent oil leakage. Still, some 2014 Kia Souls come with this defective PCV valve that causes excess pressure causing oil leaks.
The price of the PCV valve is about $1, which makes it affordable to replace. Still, the next step in Kia Soul engine repairs is costly because owners have reported that once the car has experienced oil leaks, it means that other components surrounding the engine are also damaged.
Overall, this issue is due to a defective part, and customers are advised to check if they have installed the correct PCV valve before replacement to prevent more damage.
2. Turbo 2014 Kia Soul engine problems
The second most common reported 2014 Kia Souls engine problem is turbo issues due to oil leaks. Owners who have experienced oil leaks with the defective PCV valve mentioned above have also reported that the turbocharger is damaged.
The turbocharger adds extra power to the engine by converting exhaust gases into air energy so it can be used by the engine, making your 2014 Kia Soul more powerful.
But when oil leaks are present, this causes damage to the turbocharger and other surrounding components, making them break down prematurely, costing you big money in repairs unless checked immediately.
3. Clutch Replacement Problems with the 2014 Kia Souls
Another commonly reported problem for 2014 Kia Souls cars is having to replace their clutches too soon many times due to normal wear and tear. Still, some owners have reported a defect in the clutch master cylinder design, causing major problems with other critical parts of your vehicle.
The clutch master cylinder controls the fluid pressure that moves the clutch in your car. Still, when it's defective, this causes problems with other critical parts like the slave cylinders, which are responsible for releasing and applying the clutch.
Customers are advised to check if they have installed a defective clutch master cylinder before replacement because immediate failure will occur once you start driving your 2014 Kia Soul unless checked immediately.
4. Dead Battery Problems With The 2014 Kia Souls
Another commonly reported problem with 2014 Kia Souls cars is dead batteries at random times without any reason or warning given. Some owners have reported that their battery has died for no apparent reason. In contrast, others have said that their battery died without warning while driving and left them stranded without any indication.
But when dead batteries occur, it's due to a defect in the 2014 Kia Soul that prevents the battery from receiving charge or power when driving. This happens because of a bad alternator responsible for charging your battery when driving.
Overall, suppose you have experienced dead batteries with your 2014 Kia Soul car randomly. In that case, there's a defect in the wiring harness or alternator, and repairs will be costly unless checked immediately and replaced before another failure occurs.
5. Engine Replacement Problems With The 2014 Kia Souls
Another commonly reported problem with the engine on 2014 Kia Souls cars is replacements happening too soon, all because of oil leaks damaging critical parts of the engine like seals and gaskets.
It's important to check if you have installed the correct PCV valve before replacement and other 2014 Kia Souls engine repairs like replacing the gaskets, intake manifold, and seals prone to damage due to oil leaks from defective PCV valves.
6. Transmission Replacement Problems With The 2014 Kia Souls
Another problem reported by owners with their transmission on 2014 Kia Souls cars is replacements happening too soon, all because of normal wear and tear or defective parts not allowing fluid pressures and lubrication to be dispersed into the clutch, causing it to wear prematurely.
To prevent expensive repairs when experiencing transmission problems with your 2014 Kia Soul, owners are advised to check for a defective torque converter or defective differential pressure solenoid, which can cause your transmission to wear out sooner than expected.
7. ABS Problems With The 2014 Kia Souls
Another reported problem with the ABS on early model 2014 Kia Souls cars is that they're prone to getting defective due to normal wear and tear like most car parts after extended use.
When this occurs, the ABS warning light comes on, warning you that one or more of your brake systems are failing, but it's too late to prevent problems because dirt particles have caused damage to relays, making them fail until replacements are made.
8. Blown Head Gasket Problems With The 2014 Kia Souls
Engine overheating is another common problem for owners who have reported having blown head gaskets on their 2014 Kia Souls.
Overheating is caused by a leak somewhere in the engine that prevents it from cooling down. This happens because of a defect in certain engine components like the head gasket, radiator cap, or thermostat, causing overheating issues.
So when you experience overheating problems with your 2014 Kia Soul, make sure to check these components for leaks immediately before replacement parts threaten to cause more damage.
9.A/C Problems With The 2014 Kia Souls
Another problem reported by owners, which has become a big concern with the A/C system on early model 2014 Kia Souls cars, is that they're prone to getting defective due to normal wear and tear, just like most car parts after extended use until replacements are made.
When this occurs, the A/C becomes hot and blows warm air first before blowing nothing but warm air because of a complete electrical failure making it unsafe to use until replacements are made.
In conclusion, the cause of all these problems with the 2014 Kia Souls listed above is due to factory defects that affect several moving parts, including gaskets, belts, hoses, and connectors, causing your engine to fail whether it overheats or not working altogether.
How does it affect owners?
These problems become a big inconvenience to owners because they're forced to visit the dealer service center for repairs that can cost anywhere between $500 and $5,000, not including rental car expenses while your vehicle is being repaired.
So if you own a 2014 Kia Soul, it's important to check and replace any dirty PCV valves before dirt particles clog up your engine causing critical parts to become damaged and fail prematurely.
Keeping a clean PCV valve in place is a very simple process that any mechanic or owner can do before problems arise from not having one.
In conclusion, these are the most common problems owners have been experiencing with their 2014 Kia Souls so far based on complaints filed with the NHTSA.
Are there any engine recalls for the 2014 Kia Soul?
The good news is that there are no engine recalls for the 2014 Kia Soul, but what's even better news is that you don't have to wait for an engine recall to happen and your vehicle to be repaired.
What are the leading causes for the 2014 Kia Soul engine problems?
Kia is very proud of its engines, and they should be because both types are strong. The 2.0L with the standard transmission is capable of doing 0-60 in 9.7 seconds, the 1.6L turbocharged version with a standard transmission is capable of doing 0-60 in 8.5 seconds.
But if you're getting an oil leak, that's where all the problems lie. So what exactly is causing the problem?
The leading cause of oil leaks with 2014 Kia Souls
The engine in the 2014 Kia Soul produces high temperatures, which can cause the engine to leak oil when normal wear and tear causes gaskets, hoses, and other gasket-like things to break down or shrink until replacement parts are made.
How to prevent 2014 Kia Soul engine problems?
Preventing 2014 Kia Soul engine problems is as simple as inspecting critical components for signs of wear and tear, including PCV valves, hoses, belts, and the radiator before dirt particles clog up your vehicle's internal engine parts causing it to fail.
More specifically, automotive experts put a list of tips and tricks to extend the lifetime of your 2014 Kia engine and prevent its premature damages as much as possible. let's take a closer look at these tips below:
1. Inspect the PCV valve
The first tip automotive experts recommend to prolong your Kia Soul engine life is regularly inspecting your PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve.
This is an important part of the engine that prevents hot gases from building up inside the crankcase where it can damage the oil and eventually your car's engine if left unchecked.
If these hot gasses escape through the PCV, they'll make their way back into the intake manifold before reaching the combustion chamber, where they'll mix with fuel to be burned completely for better emissions and performance.
However, suppose these hot gases don't escape through the PCV valve because blockage occurs or fails altogether. In that case, you can expect problems like lower gas mileage accompanied by engine stalling until critical parts fail prematurely due to lack of lubrication which shortens its overall lifespan.
PCV valves are located between the engine's valve cover and the air filter housing, where they're easily accessible to mechanics or car owners concerning an inspection before problems arise.
2. Keep hoses clean
Hoses are important parts of the engine that easily carry coolant, fuel, and oil throughout your Kia Soul engine block. Still, suppose any dirt particles clog up these hoses, causing pressure loss. In that case, you can expect serious problems like overheating or even complete failure of your 2014 Kia Soul engine, which needs replacement by a mechanic or dealership service center at best to prevent further damage over time.
Therefore you must keep all hoses on your car clean by spraying them with water and soap cleaner before rinsing them off with water.
3. Inspect belts regularly
Belts are also important parts of the engine that help the alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor run smoothly without fail or noise when inspected regularly before cracks or tears appear on the surface of these belts.
If your belt does crack, it will break under pressure, making some components stop working altogether. In contrast, others perform poorly until you replace the belt with a mechanic or dealership service center as soon as possible.
4. Keep your Kia Soul radiator clean to prevent overheating issues
The last tip automotive experts recommend prolonging your 2014 Kia Souls' engine life is to keep its radiator clean by flushing old coolant and replacing it with a new one from time to time.
This helps remove dirt particles that accumulate in the radiator over time when contaminated coolant starts boiling inside the engine, causing overheating issues which is why it's recommended to flush the old coolant before refilling with a new one.
With these tips, you can prevent your vehicle's 2014 Kia Soul engine from premature damages as much as possible, which is very important for its overall lifespan and resale value down the road.
2014 Kia Souls Engine Problems: Conclusion
If you're a Kia Soul owner, it's important to be aware of the engine problems reported. While not all engines will experience these issues, it's best to be proactive and follow the tips recommended by automotive experts to help extend the life of your engine.
Prevention is always better than cure, especially for expensive car repairs. Stay tuned for more information as we update this article with new tips and advice.