2016 Kia Soul Intermittent Rough Idle on Cold Start

I have a 2016 Soul with the 2.0L engine. Lately, I’ve experienced a really rough idle twice in the past two months. When it happens, it’s so bad the car rocks back and forth, and the engine looks like it’s about to jump out of the bay. The RPMs drop really low, but after 30–40 seconds, it smooths out as if nothing happened.

I live in South GA, so it doesn’t get freezing here, and I’ve owned the car for 4.5 years without any issues like this before. If it happens again, I’ll upload a video. Any suggestions on what to check?

Thanks in advance!

Google to see if there are any recalls.

jordansmith said:
Google to see if there are any recalls.

I learned the hard way there was a recall on my 2021 for piston rings. Ended up paying $4600 for a new engine.

jordansmith said:

jordansmith said:
Google to see if there are any recalls.

I learned the hard way there was a recall on my 2021 for piston rings. Ended up paying $4600 for a new engine.

[deleted]

@Ronald
Had 132k miles on the car, so it wasn’t under warranty.

jordansmith said:
@Ronald
Had 132k miles on the car, so it wasn’t under warranty.

Damn, on a 2021?

ruth said:

jordansmith said:
@Ronald
Had 132k miles on the car, so it wasn’t under warranty.

Damn, on a 2021?

Yeah, I rack up miles fast. But between this and having to replace the transmission recently (at 122k), I’m kinda done with Souls and maybe Kia altogether. When I Google my car and recalls, the piston issue pops up, but Kia’s website says there are no recalls except for that “software update” for the theft problem.

Check if the motor mounts are intact.

Run a scan for any codes. I had a small evap leak (PCV valve?) that got fixed recently, and it seemed to help my engine wiggles after starting. Mine wasn’t as severe as what you’re describing, though.