Will Kia Do The Right Thing?
🚨 Update: Kia Responded — Here’s What They Said (and What I’m Doing Next)
If you’ve been following my story about the catastrophic engine failure in my well-maintained 2013 Kia Soul, here’s an important update.
After I contacted Kia Customer Care—explaining the oil loss, the failed compression test, and the catalytic converter code that reappeared immediately after their recall fix—I received an official reply from Kia.
Here’s what they said:
“This VIN does not have the service campaigns mentioned.
The standard Limited Basic Warranty for your vehicle has expired (5 years/60,000 miles whichever comes first).
As such, any repairs recommended outside of warranty coverage, or not included in an applicable campaign, would be the responsibility of the vehicle’s owner.”
Basically:
"Even though your engine failed exactly like the ones we recalled, and even though you have proof of flawless maintenance, we’re not helping you—because your VIN isn’t on our list."
That’s it. No offer. No investigation. Just a brush-off.
🧍♀️ My Response to Kia
I’ve sent them a reply. Here’s a part of what I said:
“While I understand that my VIN is not currently listed under the recall or campaign you referenced, the engine failure in my 2013 Kia Soul matches the exact conditions outlined in existing service campaigns… I will now be filing a formal complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and pursuing a claim in small claims court. I believe the evidence I’ve gathered will speak for itself, and I trust that any judge would recognize how this situation could impact any young driver—including their own child or grandchild. I will also continue sharing my experience publicly to raise awareness and encourage others who have experienced similar issues to do the same.”
⚖️ What’s Next?
This isn’t over.
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I’m filing a formal complaint with the FTC.
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I’m preparing a small claims court case.
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I’m gathering more support from others who’ve faced the same issue.
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And I’m continuing to share my story — here, on video, and on social media — so that Kia knows they can’t quietly ignore real people when their engines fail without warning.
📢 Want to Help?
If you believe companies should be accountable to their customers, here’s what you can do:
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Watch and share my video (YouTube link coming soon!)
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Leave a comment below if this has happened to you.
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File your own complaint with the FTC:
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov -
Contact Kia directly:
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1-800-333-4542
Thank you to everyone who’s read, shared, and supported so far. I’m not just doing this for myself — I’m doing it for every young driver, every college kid, every hardworking person who believes that if you take care of your car, your car (and the company behind it) should take care of you.
Stay tuned.
– Amanda
Amanda's Story:
🚨 I’m a College Student with Two Jobs… and Kia Left Me with a Broken Car
Hi, I’m Amanda — a full-time college student trying to build a life on my own. I’m moving out for the first time, working two jobs, and doing everything I can to stay on top of life.
Like a lot of young people, I saved up for a car I believed would last. I bought a 2013 Kia Soul from my older sister, Miranda. It had been in our family for years. She kept up with every single oil change and service—you can see the full Carfax. And when it became mine, my dad (a Navy-certified mechanic) took over the care. We did everything right. Every 3,000 miles. Oil. Filters. Coils. Shocks. Struts. Brakes. Always on time.
I trusted Kia to build a car that would take care of me if I took care of it.
But what happened next broke that trust completely.
⚙️ The Engine Started Knocking — Then the Oil Was Gone
One day, I was driving and heard a loud knocking from the engine. I pulled over, checked the oil...
Nothing.
Not even a drop on the dipstick.
There were no leaks. No smoke. Just... gone.
We topped off the oil, got it home, and did a full oil change with a premium oil additive. The noise quieted down. I thought maybe, just maybe, we caught it in time.
The next day, I drove from Seattle to Spokane and back. And when I checked the oil again?
Gone. Again.
Still no leaks. Still no smoke. Just vanished oil.
💥 The Dealership Visit That Changed Everything
I brought the car to Rairdon Kia of Burlington, expecting answers and help. I knew about a recall (SC284AM) and had already seen a catalytic converter code on my FIXD scanner. They performed the recall fix — a chip replacement — and told me everything was fine.
But it wasn’t. I knew something was wrong.
Thankfully, my dad stood with me and demanded a compression test. That’s when the truth came out:
🔧 Low compression in two cylinders
🔧 A failed head gasket
🔧 An engine that was dying
They told me I’d need a long block engine replacement — a massive, expensive repair.
And then, to add insult to injury…
On the way home, the check engine light came back on.
Same catalytic converter error. Again.
🚫 Kia Said “Sorry, Not Covered.”
Despite the fact that my car has:
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Only 117,000 miles
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A perfect maintenance history
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The exact symptoms of Kia’s known recall SC176/SC147
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An independent mechanic saying "This is textbook Kia engine failure"
...Kia told me my VIN isn’t on the list.
So they won’t help.
How does that make sense?
I did everything right.
We maintained the car better than most people ever would.
I bought it believing Kia stood behind their vehicles.
But now I’m stuck with a dead car — and no help — just because of a number on a list.
🎥 I Made a Video — Please Watch It and Share Your Voice
I put together a video telling my story. You’ll see the full breakdown, what happened at the dealership, and how this has impacted me as a young person trying to get started in life.
👉 [Watch the video here]
👍 Like it. 💬 Comment. 🔁 Share it with others.
If this has happened to you — or someone you know — speak up.
If you believe companies should do the right thing, let Kia know.
📬 Want to Help?
📝 Write a Letter to Kia
Demand they stand behind their vehicles and make this right. Use my story if it helps. Ask them to fix the engine.
📢 Contact the FTC
Tell them Kia is dodging responsibility by excluding VINs from recalls even when the car clearly has the same problem.
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
📮 Contact Kia Consumer Affairs
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Phone: 1-800-333-4542
✍️ Leave a comment below
Have you had a similar experience? I want to hear your story. Let’s build pressure together. Kia can’t ignore us if we speak out.
❤️ Thank You
I’m not just trying to fix a car. I’m trying to fight for what’s fair. For myself. For other students. For families who believed in a brand that’s now turning its back.
I hope Kia hears us. I hope they realize we’re not just VIN numbers.
We’re people. And we deserve better.
– Amanda Steenberg
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