The Lemon IndexThe engine computer sees misfires that move around between cylinders instead of staying in one. Full P0300 page
14 owner complaints · the #5 code Kia Soul owners name · 7% of Kia Soul complaints that name a code (every car: 2.9%)
2012–2021 Kia Soul · most: 2014 (4), 2021 (2), 2018 (2)
Kia Soul owners named P0300 in 14 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2014, 2021 and 2018 model years. The part they name most is the engine (replaced or rebuilt) (6 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Kia Soul model years that report P0300
Owner complaints naming P0300, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the engine (replaced or rebuilt), in 6 of the 14 complaints (43%). 4 of those mention it being replaced or repaired, and 1 say the problem came back afterwards. Next: spark plugs (5), pistons, rings or valves (5) and catalytic converter (4).
- Engine replaced or rebuilt6 complaints4 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what Kia Soul owners paid
- Spark plugs5 complaints4 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what owners paid
- Pistons, rings or valves5 complaints1 mentions a repair or replacement
- Catalytic converter4 complaints4 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what Kia Soul owners paid
- Ignition coils3 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what owners paid
- Engine computer (ECM / PCM)3 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what owners paid
- Software update (reflash)3 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back
10 complaints mention a recall and 5 mention a warranty.
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with P0300
43% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires57%8 of 14 complaints
- Stalls or shuts off50%7 of 14 complaints
- Uses or leaks oil43%6 of 14 complaints
- Rattles or knocks36%5 of 14 complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode36%5 of 14 complaints
- Flashing check engine light14%2 of 14 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P0300 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
P0303 10 P0302 6 P0420 4 P0301 3 P0304 3
Other codes named in the same Kia Soul complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
- Catalytic converter replacement$1,100, $2,1992 bills
- Engine replacement$9,0001 bill
Repair bills owners named in these 14 complaints (3 in all). Owner reports, not a quote: costs vary by shop and region.
Recalls on these Kia Soul years
- Engine · 2021 · issued 2025
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage. NHTSA 25V099000 - Engine · 2021 · issued 2021
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage. NHTSA 21V259000 - Engine · 2014, 2015 · issued 2020
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. NHTSA 20V750000 - Engine · 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 · issued 2019
High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure. NHTSA 19V120000
4 recalls for the same systems (engine) on the Kia Soul model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P0300. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P0300: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Kia Soul reliability by year
- 2014 Kia Soul problems and recalls
Other codes Kia Soul owners report
P0420 P1326 P050A P0014 P0303 P0017 P0302 P1327
P0300 on other cars
Ford Escape (36) · Chevrolet Silverado (19) · Ford Fusion (19) · Honda Accord (14) · Honda CR-V (14) · Ford Edge (13) · Chevrolet Tahoe (11) · Ford F-Series (10) · GMC Sierra (10)
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
What P0300 means
The engine computer sees misfires that move around between cylinders instead of staying in one. The engine may shake, stumble or feel down on power. If the check engine light flashes, the misfire is bad enough to overheat the catalytic converter: slow down and get it checked right away.
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
- Worn spark plugs or ignition coils
- Vacuum leak
- Low fuel pressure or dirty injectors
- Engine mechanical problem (compression, valve timing)
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11769993, 11748114, 11725093, 11715590, 11700997, 11699918, 11697208, 11650213, 11645566, 11579469, 11525628, 11481088 and 2 more.
Quick answers
What does P0300 mean on a Kia Soul?
Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected. The engine computer sees misfires that move around between cylinders instead of staying in one. The engine may shake, stumble or feel down on power. If the check engine light flashes, the misfire is bad enough to overheat the catalytic converter: slow down and get it checked right away.
Which Kia Soul years have the most P0300 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2014 (4), 2021 (2), 2018 (2) Kia Soul named P0300 most (14 complaints in all, 2012–2021). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P0300 on a Kia Soul?
Owners most often name the engine (replaced or rebuilt) (6 of 14 complaints), then spark plugs and pistons, rings or valves. That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
Can I drive my Kia Soul with P0300?
Get it fixed soon. A few more days of normal driving is usually OK, but waiting can turn a small repair into a bigger one or a breakdown.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P0300 on the Kia Soul, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.