If your Kia Soul keeps stalling out, it can raise some concerns. What could be wrong with your vehicle if this is happening? Let's take a look at the possible culprits below.
If your Kia Soul keeps stalling out, it could be due to the following:
- Bad Gas
- Loose Battery Cables
- Faulty Torque Converter Solenoid
- Low Fuel Pressure
- Defective Fuel Injectors
- Bad Fuel Pump
- Vacuum Leak
- Clogged Fuel Filter
- Bad Timing Chain
- Bad Oxygen Sensor
- Faulty MAF/Map Sensors
- Dirty Throttle Body
- Faulty Alternator
- Defective Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP)
- Faulty Throttle Position Sensor
- Bad Camshaft Position Sensor
- Faulty Transmission
Like any vehicle, the Kia Soul will have issues that need to be addressed. In this article, we will discuss the possible reasons as to why your Kia Soul is stalling. In addition, we will answer other frequently asked questions about the Kia Soul, so read on!
Kia Soul Keeps Stalling - What Could Be Wrong?
There are many reasons why your Kia Soul keeps stalling on you, some of which include a dirty throttle body, faulty oxygen sensors, or a bad timing chain.
However, there is no clear answer as to the Kia Soul's primary cause of stalling because several components can lead to this problem. Some common reasons as to why the Kia Soul may stall include:
Bad Gas
This is one of the most common reasons why your car stalls. If you're not filling up your tank with the right type of gas, it can ruin your engine and cause more damage than you initially thought.
Make sure that you are using quality gasoline that has not been watered down or poor quality. In addition, if the gas is old, it could also cause your Kia Soul to stall.
Loose Battery Cables
Having loose battery cables can cause your Kia Soul to stall and not start up again. This is common when the battery cables come off or a corrosion-related problem that causes the battery to die quickly.
Make sure that all of your battery terminals are secure and clean to fix this problem.
Faulty Torque Converter Solenoid
If your torque converter is acting up, it can stress specific components in the vehicle and eventually cause your Kia Soul to stall out. Sometimes this problem can be solved by simply purchasing a new torque converter.
Low Fuel Pressure
If your fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator is faulty, it can cause the engine to stall out. Likewise, if you are not getting enough gas in the engine, the chances are that it's going to stall. The best way to solve this problem is by having a mechanic replace these two components for you.
Defective Fuel Injectors
The fuel injectors play a significant role in keeping your engine running. However, if the fuel injector itself is clogged, dirty, or just faulty, then it can cause your Kia Soul to stall out.
Bad Fuel Pump
The fuel pump is what sends gas from the tank to the engine. If it isn't working correctly, your Kia Soul will not turn on, and you will see a check engine light pop up on your dashboard. In addition, if you hear a whining noise coming from the fuel tank, that is a sign the fuel pump is failing.
Vacuum Leaks
If you leak your vacuum lines, it can cause the engine to stall and put extra stress on the entire system. If the engine is running but has issues staying at a specific RPM, an underlying vacuum leak causes these problems.
Clogged Fuel Filter
The fuel filter is there to catch any impurities that could get inside the fuel tank. If this filter gets clogged up with dirt or other particles, you will have some problems down the road.
Bad Timing Chain
If your timing chain is either too loose or too tight, it can put extra strain on the engine and eventually cause it to stall. With that being said, if your timing chain is broken, then you need to replace it as soon as possible.
Bad Oxygen Sensor
The oxygen sensor is there to measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. If this sensor is defective or not working correctly, your vehicle won't run properly and will eventually stall out.
Faulty MAF/Map Sensors
If the mass airflow sensor or the manifold absolute pressure sensor is broken, then it can cause your Kia Soul to stall. Here's a quick way to test if this is causing your car to stall out.
First, remove both MAP and MAF sensors from your engine bay and check the connectors for any damage on
Dirty Throttle Body
If your throttle body is dirty or clogged up, it can make it impossible for the engine to catch. If you are losing speed but not noticing any warning lights on your dashboard, then the chances are that your throttle body could be the problem.
Faulty Alternator
If your alternator isn't functioning correctly, it can mess up the car's electronics and cause a bad voltage across the entire system. If you are not getting any power to your dashboard or charging system, then there is a chance that you need to replace your alternator.
Defective Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP)
The crank position sensor tells the vehicle's computer what position the crankshaft is at. If this sensor is defective or not working correctly, it can cause the engine to stall out while driving.
Faulty Throttle Position Sensor
For the most part, there are two throttle position sensors in a vehicle: one for idle and one for wide-open throttle [WOT]. If the TPS sensor isn't reading the throttle correctly, it can put extra stress on the engine and stall out.
Bad Camshaft Position Sensor
The camshaft position sensor helps determine how the air valves open up in your engine. When this sensor is faulty or breaks, it can cause the car to stall out while you are driving.
Faulty Transmission
If the transmission is bad, it can cause the engine to stall out. This can be caused by poor gear ratios or a faulty torque converter.
What should you do if your engine is stalling?
If your engine is stalling out for no apparent reason, then it might be time to have the car looked at by a professional. On the other hand, if you are losing power while driving down the road but not noticing any warning lights or signs on your dashboard, then chances are that the problem is internal.
Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do to fix the problem yourself if this is the case.
Here's what you need to do if your engine stalls out while driving:
- First, pull over immediately and safely, bring your car to a stop, and turn on your hazards.
- Check your oil level and check for any leaks under the car.
- Also, check your battery to see if there are any loose cables.
- Give the vehicle ample time to cool off before attempting to restart it
- Try calling a tow truck or your local dealership for a Kia mechanic to help.
- If the engine doesn't restart after waiting for 10 to 15 minutes, call your insurance to see if you have roadside assistance.
Are there any recalls on Kia Souls?
There are recalls for specific model years of the Kia Soul; however, it's important to note that not a recall covers every vehicle. For example, the 2020-2021 Kia Soul models have been recalled for engine damage due to the piston rings not being heated properly. In addition, the 2014 and 2015 models have been noted to have engine compartment fires.
Other recent recalls include the 2014-2016 Kia Souls have been reported to have issues with the pinion gear disconnecting from the steering wheel assembly.
If you suspect there is an issue with your vehicle but aren't aware if they are under a recall or not, then you can contact your local dealership.
Do Kias have engine problems?
Over the years, Kias and Hyundai have been known to have many engine problems, including engine compartment fires. This mainly stems from the manufacturing process, where it used to be that Kia/Hyundai would source engines from Mitsubishi and have them installed in their vehicles.
However, this has changed over the years as Kias and Hyundai now have their engine manufacturing facilities which should help to cut down on any potential issues that you might have with your engine.
How many miles is a Kia Soul good for?
On average, you can expect to get 200,000 miles out of a Kia Soul. However, this number varies depending on how the vehicle is maintained and what type of miles you put on it.
So if you are someone who drives to work every day, takes road trips every other month, and rarely does any maintenance, then chances are your engine will give out before 200,000 miles.
Alternatively, if you're someone who rolls over the odometer pretty quickly but also spends time maintaining your engine, then you could get a few more miles out of your Kia Soul.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, if your Kia is stalling out, then it might be time to have a professional take a look at it. If you lose power and notice the engine light turn on in your dashboard, you should pull over immediately. There's no reason to try to drive any further when it could cause more damage or result in an accident.
For more maintenance guide articles, check these out:
Kia Soul Burning Oil – What To Do?