The Lemon IndexRight after a cold start, the idle speed isn't where the computer wants it. Full P050A page
20 owner complaints · the #3 code Kia Soul owners name · 10% of Kia Soul complaints that name a code (every car: 0.2%)
Middle of 38,000 miles · most between 30,000 and 65,000 (6 owners gave it)
Kia Soul owners named P050A in 20 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2014, 2016 and 2015 model years, at a middle of 38,000 miles. The part they name most is the engine computer (ECM / PCM) (7 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Kia Soul model years that report P050A
Owner complaints naming P050A, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
Mileage when it happened
38,000 miles is the middle of what 6 owners entered. Half were between 30,000 and 65,000 miles.
The mileage on the complaint form, when the owner gave one.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the engine computer (ECM / PCM), in 7 of the 20 complaints (35%). 7 of those mention it being replaced or repaired, and 3 say the problem came back afterwards. Next: catalytic converter (3), gas cap (2) and engine software (a reflash) (2).
- Engine computer (ECM / PCM)7 complaints7 mention a repair or replacement, 3 of them say the problem came back · what owners paid
- Catalytic converter3 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back · what Kia Soul owners paid
- Gas cap2 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back
- Software update (reflash)2 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement, 1 of them says the problem came back
9 complaints mention a recall.
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 P050A
75% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Overheats10%2 of 20 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P050A whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
Other codes named in the same Kia Soul complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
Kia Soul catalytic converter replacement cost
Recalls on these Kia Soul years
- Engine · 2014, 2015 · issued 2020
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. NHTSA 20V750000 - Engine · 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
2 recalls for the same systems (engine and powertrain) on the Kia Soul model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P050A. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P050A: 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 P0014 P0300 P0303 P0017 P0302 P1327
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 P050A means
Right after a cold start, the idle speed isn't where the computer wants it.
Drive on, get it checked. You can usually keep driving. Have the code read at your next service or within a few weeks.
- Dirty throttle body
- Vacuum leak
- Software (updates exist for some cars)
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11769993, 11592519, 11519719, 11504518, 11454652, 11447889, 11443964, 11442486, 11419407, 11413666, 11407523, 11407504 and 8 more.
Quick answers
What does P050A mean on a Kia Soul?
Cold Start Idle Air Control System Performance. Right after a cold start, the idle speed isn't where the computer wants it.
Which Kia Soul years have the most P050A complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2014 (8), 2016 (6), 2015 (6) Kia Soul named P050A most (20 complaints in all, 2014–2016). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P050A on a Kia Soul?
Owners most often name the engine computer (ECM / PCM) (7 of 20 complaints), then catalytic converter and gas cap. That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
At what mileage does P050A show up on a Kia Soul?
Owners who gave their mileage reported a middle of 38,000 miles; half were between 30,000 and 65,000 (6 owners).
Can I drive my Kia Soul with P050A?
Drive on, get it checked. You can usually keep driving. Have the code read at your next service or within a few weeks.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P050A 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.