Kia Soul acceleration issue possibly related to catalytic converter on Kia Soul

Submitted by Vehicle Owner · Jun 23, 2025
Published by RepairPal

Problem overview

Some Kia Soul owners report experiencing acceleration issues, particularly slow acceleration and degraded engine performance, which may be linked to a clogged catalytic converter. Signs of this problem include specific fault codes such as P0420 to P0424 or P0430 to P0434 detected by an OBD2 scanner. Additionally, some drivers have noted power loss and engine performance issues, where the car idles normally but struggles to accelerate in gear. Reports suggest that catalytic converter problems have been a recurring issue in certain Kia Soul models, with some owners needing to replace the component multiple times in a short span. In higher mileage models, catalytic converter failure can sometimes be attributed to oil consumption issues that lead to clogging or damage. If acceleration problems are suspected to be related to the catalytic converter, it is recommended that owners have their vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic for accurate diagnosis and necessary repairs.

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