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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous] My mom's 2017 Kia Soul's engine suddenly had a catastrophic event, it started 'rapping' really loudly, so loud we had it towed to the garage and it's bad. Mom's mechanic said there had been a recall of these engines and to call the Kia dealer for that (he's a nice and honest guy trying to help my elderly mom).

Mom is recovering from a broken hip (brother was driving) so brother called Kia and they said because there had been a previous recall on a different part ( an ecu?) that she didn't get done, they won't honor the recall on the engine! Mom says she knew about the recall but had been busy and forgot about it (she's elderly and so is my dad). Had I known, I would have got it done for her but I didn't know-but how can they deny the recall of the engine when that other recall had nothing to do with it?

What should we do next? Should we try to get the ecu recall done and then get the engine one done? I'm so angry at Kia, this car only has 75000 miles and is literally driven by an old lady, who keeps up with all maintenance (just had stuff done in June).[/quote]

Reading the ECU recall, linked below for those who are interested:

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10173535-0001.pdf

This is funny. The ECU update doesn't mitigate potential issues with the engine, just tunes the detection software to be more sensitive and put the car into limp mode if issues are detected so that the customer can go to a dealer to get it fixed. The ECU update does not in any way fix the engine, or prevent the engine from experiencing excessive connecting rod bearing wear. It does, however, prevent catastrophic failure of the engine, which is the scenario your mom is likely experiencing.

I don't know enough about laws regarding recalls and its effect on the warranty if not carried out. I don't see how the consumer is on the hook for a condition that they were not aware of at purchase - it is not part of normal maintenance. There may be language in the warranty contract that the owner is responsible for taking the car to dealers for recall services in a "timely" manner, I don't know...

Even just reading the ECU recall, it clearly gives the language that there is no need for immediate action, and the owner can wait until after COVID lockdowns eased. This gives people the sense that it's not urgent. Secondly, while the recall explicitly says warranty will be void if owners ignore the check engine light after software update, it doesn't say anything about warranty being void if the user delays performing the ECU recall.

This is some good argument for taking your car to a dealer for its normal maintenance. The costs are not that different and they will do software updates and recalls automatically. Modern cars experience many more of these types of updates and recalls.

In any case, for the present situation, I would recommend that the OP do not say anything more about ignoring the original ECU recall. Just play dumb. If you have not already told Kia that you "forgot" to do the ECU update, *DON'T* tell them. If you have already told them and they are firm in refusing warranty, it would be a good idea to talk to a Virginia lemon law lawyer who would be far more familiar with these types of matters. Just describe your situation and it would be very easy for them to determine if they can help.

Best of luck. Shame on Hyundai/Kia. [/quote]

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