2015 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 904 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 36 involved a crash and 83 involved a fire. 32 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineDec 2, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Campaign 20V750000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineFeb 22, 2019
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. 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.
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Campaign 19V120000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringSep 29, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
Campaign 17V608000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalMar 2, 2015
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.
Campaign 15V123000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: steering
44 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Mar 26, 2019
STARTING THE ENGINE THE IDLE SPEEDS UP FAST, A FEW SECONDS LATER IT SLOWS TO NORMAL. WHEN DRIVING TODAY, THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO. VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT FOR FUEL TO ALLOW ACCELERATION. I USED MY CAR ALL DAY TODAY. THIS EVENING THE VEHICLE WON'T START WITH THE STEERING WARNING LIGHT TURNING ON. ALMOST LIKE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED WITH ACCELERATION HIGH, THE THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AND STAYED ON. I DECIDED NOT TO USE THE VEHICLE AND WILL CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP. PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN NOVEMBER 2018. THESE PROBLEMS ARE NEW AND HAVE NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE. THESE ISSUES OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING TODAY FOR THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND THE REMAINING NON-STARTING/LIGHTS WHILE STATIONARY IN MY PARKING LOT THIS EVENING.
Steering, May 18, 2018
IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS GOING STRAIGHT FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES STEERING GETS HARD TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS TO THE POINT OVER CORRECTING BECOMES A PROBLEM. PROBLEM GETS WORSE DURING RAIN / WET WEATHER.
Steering, Dec 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V608000 (STEERING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (COURTESY KIA OF BRANDON, 9205 E ADAMO DR, TAMPA, FL 33619) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY UNTIL JANUARY 4, 2018. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-333-4542 AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 5, 2017
I RECIBE RECALL FOR AIRBAGS, STERING PINION . THE FUEL SENDING LEVEL UNIT IS DAMAGE AND THE GAUGE FUEL LEVEL IS DOWN. BUT THAT REASON THE SYSTEM TURN ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.
Steering, Dec 4, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V608000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (HELLEEN KIA IN NORTH OLMSTEAD, OH, 440-777-2424) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Aug 31, 2017
I HAVE 2015 KIA SOUL. THE KIA HAS 34,000 SOMETHING MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING IT, AND WHEN I MAKE LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS IN THE KIA IT MAKES A LOUD POPPING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I WAS DRIVING HOME TODAY FROM WORK AND WHEN I MADE A LEFT TURN IT WAS LOUD POPPING SOUND AGAIN. I'M VERY SCARED THAT IT'S GOING TO CAUSE ME TO HAVE STEERING PROBLEMS AND I HAVE WRECK LOOSING CONTROL OF STEERING. I HEARD THE POPPING SOUND WEEK AGO FROM TODAY AND IT WASN'T THAT BAD, BUT WEEK HAS GONE BY THE SOUND IS MORE THERE THEN IT WAS BEFORE WHEN YOUR DRIVING AND TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT IN THE KIA SOUL.
Steering, Jun 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FINDLAY KIA (5325 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89146) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FINDLAY KIA, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT HAD NOT PROVIDED ANY INFORMATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
Steering, Apr 19, 2017
LOUD CRANKING NOISE WHEN STEERING THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT.
Steering, Dec 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS KEPT FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPLICATED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 39,500. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Aug 23, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN, SHIFTER, AND BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V736000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE TWO INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM A CERVICAL STRAIN AND MILD THORACIC FACIAL STRAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Steering, Seat belts, Vehicle speed control, Aug 4, 2016
CURRENT ISSUES WITH MY CAR, LURCHES FORWARD, LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. KIA IS REFUSING TO FIX, DO TO ME LIVING ON REMOTE ISLAND IN ALASKA. CASE #'S OF CALLS WITH KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER: [XXX] RECALL INFORMATION SA206 SEAT BELT SC116 SAFETY RECALL ACCELERATOR PEDAL SC117 LOGIC UPDATE SC125 SAFETY RECALL PINION PLUG OPTIONS: KIA BUYS BACK THE DEFECTIVE CAR KIA SOUL VIN# [XXX] 2015 THEY SOLD ME. KIA BARGES MY DEFECTIVE CAR TO WASHINGTON, AND PAYS FOR MY RENTAL CAR UNTIL MY KIA IS FIXED AND RETURNED. KIA SENDS TOOLS TO LOCAL ALL AMERICAN AUTO REPAIR, SO THEY CAN FIX THIS IS NOT A GAME, MY CAR HAS TWO MAJOR SAFETY RECALLS, AND TWO MINOR RECALLS HAVING TO DO WITH SOFTWARE AND SEATBELT. I BELIEVE THE KIA MANUFACTURER IS OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY, AND KEEP ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN SAFE FROM INJURY OR DEATH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Structure, Wheels, Jan 25, 2016, crash
I WAS COMING OUT OF A RED LIGHT INTERSECTION AND WHEN I TRIED TURNING TO THE LEFT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN AND KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. IT TURNED MINIMALLY AND HIT THE CURB SCRATCHING THE 2 PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS (FRONT AND BACK). NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AS I WAS ONLY AT MAYBE 20-30MPH. AS THE CAR ALIGNED WITH THE ROAD AGAIN I NOTICE THE STEERING IS 90% IMPAIRED. I STILL MANAGE TO DRIVE HOME AS THERE WERE VERY FEW CARS ON THE ROAD BUT THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY SOMETIMES, VERY STRONGLY VEER TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I REMEMBER THERE WAS A RECALL LETTER I HAD RECEIVED AND WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED IT OUT AND IT DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME: "THE PINION PLUG WHICH SECURES THE PINION GEAR TO THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MAY LOOSEN DUE TO THE USE OF ADHESIVE WITH INSUFFICIENT BONDING STRENGTH DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THE PLUG LOOSENS SUFFICIENTLY, THE PINION GEAR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING AND RESULT IN A CRASH.". I THINK IN MY CASE THIS PINION CAME COMPLETELY LOOSE AND THAT CAUSED THE CRASH. THE CAR WAS JUST TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP BUT NOW THEY WILL INSPECT AND DECIDE IF THAT WAS THE CASE OR NOT. WHAT IF THEY SIMPLY DECIDE THEY WILL SAY THIS WAS CAUSED TO SOMETHING ELSE AND NOT THE RECALL ISSUE?
Steering, Jan 20, 2016
SAFETY RECALL, (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:15V736) I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE DATED 12/8/15, AND WENT TO THE DEALER ON 12/21. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AND/OR TOOLS TO EFFECT THE REPAIR. I HAVE SINCE CALLED KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ONCE AND THE DEALER TWO MORE TIMES. I AM TO CALL BACK NEXT WEDNESDAY, 1/27/16. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO ME THAT KIA IS TAKING THIS SAFETY RECALL VERY SERIOUSLY. THEY DON'T SEEM IN THE LEAST CONCERNED.
Steering, Jan 7, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V736000 (STEERING). WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Steering, Air bags, Jan 7, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, VEERED LEFT, AND CRASHED INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES, WHICH INCLUDED A SEVERED AORTA AND FRACTURED CERVICAL SPINE. THE CORONER INDICATED THAT THE FATAL INJURIES MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 02/02/16 *BF UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE STEERING SYSTEM WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSE THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED 02/10/16.*JB..UPDATED 03/16/16 *BF *TR
Steering, Dec 29, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE UP ONTO A SIDEWALK, WHERE ALL FOUR TIRES WERE PUNCTURED, THE OIL PAN WAS DAMAGED, THE SUBFRAME WAS BENT, AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Steering, Dec 17, 2015
AS TWO DISABLED PERSONS WHO PURCHASED OUR 2015 KIA SOUL JUST FOUR MONTHS AGO, WE WANT TO KNOW WHEN THE NHSTA KNEW OR FIRST BECAME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM TO INCLUDE WHEN KIA FIRST BECAME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. KIA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS DID NOT OR WOULD NOT TELL ME. I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS CAR USED SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR DISABILITIES. I DID NOT BUY A LEMON, I BOUGHT A CAR THAT WOULD LAST. NOW OUR CAR WILL HAVE SECOND RATE PARTS, I.E. ADDING A BOLT. I WANTED A CAR THAT WAS BUILT THE WAY A CAR SHOULD BE BUILT WITH NO PROBLEMS NOR DANGERS. WE ARE SADDENED BEYOND BELIEF THAT WE WASTED ALL OF THE MONIES ON THAT CAR. A DEFECT, IS A DEFECT . WE PURCHASED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. UNKNOWINGLY. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED THERE WERE POSSIBLE STEERING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/22/16. *JB UPDATED 09/22/16.*JB
Steering, Nov 23, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER FIVE TIMES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A MAILBOX. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE LOCAL POLICE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE PARAMEDICS WERE AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2015
FIRST OCCURRED AT 134 MILES ON MY 2015 KIA SOUL...BOUNCY VIBRATING SHAKY RIDE COULD BE FELT UNDER MY FEET LIKE SOMETHING BUMPING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND IN THE STEERING WHEEL LIKE SOMEONE WAS TAPPING ON IT CONTINUOUSLY. PASSENGERS FRONT AND REAR CAN FEEL THE VIBRATING SHAKE. HAS BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER FIVE TIMES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. IT IS SO BAD IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE TO RIDE IN AND DRIVE. TWO SERVICE TECHS HAVE TOLD ME THEY FEEL IT BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. LOCAL DEALER REFUSED SERVICE AFTER THE FOURTH TIME SAYING THEY WOULD NOT TRY TO "FIX" IT AGAIN SO KIA CORPORATION SENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP FEELS IT BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS EITHER. A FIELD TECH IS BEING SENT WITH A NEW MACHINE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. NEW TIRES AND WHEELS HAVE BEEN PUT ON THE VEHICLE...THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE BUT IT STILL HAS THE VIBRATING SHAKY FEELING. TWICE, WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE...SERVICE TECHS DON'T KNOW WHY. THE CAR SHUDDERS MANY TIMES WHEN SITTING AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR PARKING LOT...IT WILL BE RUNNING SMOOTHLY, THEN SUDDENLY BEGIN THE SHUDDER AND SHAKE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT RUNS SMOOTHLY AGAIN. AND NO, IT IS NOT THE AC COMPRESSOR KICKING IN...THE VIBRATING SHAKY RIDE OCCURS ON ALL TYPES OF PAVEMENT AND ROAD SURFACES. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO GO AROUND A CURVE, THE WHEEL SHAKES AS IF THE AXLES ARE BAD. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE PURCHASED JUNE 24, 2015, NEW, AND NOW HAS 4,000 MILES ON IT AND IS STILL DOING ITS VIBRATING SHAKY THING. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE THESE PROBLEMS? THIS IS THE THIRD 2015 KIA SOUL WE HAVE OWNED! THE OTHER TWO ARE GREAT! NO PROBLEMS...TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THIS ONE.