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
904 reports, newest first.
Engine, Apr 3, 2023
The engine keeps burning oil, and is clogging up the catalytic converter causing the car to lose power. The car can’t go above 50mph and cannot go up inclines without the rpm at around 5-6. It has been going on since April 2022 and I bought the car in November 2021 from Paramount Kia of Asheville @ 80,000miles. They have done 5 oil consumption tests and 2 overnight soaks which has still yet to fix the problem. The car needs a new engine, and catalytic converter which would be around $10,000. They sold me the car for $17,000 and I still owe $11,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 1, 2023
I have had several issues with my car. The check engine light is on, and now my traction control light comes on all the time now. When that happens my car won't tact. I had auto zone check out the check engine light, was told it was the catalytic converter. My mechanic changed my oil and told me to start checking my oil every 500 miles, that it was consuming oil. I paid Kia 170.00 to confirm what auto zone told me. So I average a quart of added oil every 750 to 1000 miles. I see no point in replacing the catalytic converter until we know what is going on with the engine. This started at 113,000 miles, my car has 127.000 now. I have talked to The dealership where I purchased my car, basically they can't help me unless my check engine light flashes and the speed cuts down to 40 miles an hour. My car is having the same issues that are described in recall (SC176) and (SC200). I would appreciate it if you could tell me if my car should have been in the recalls. Thank you for your time and assistance.
Engine, Mar 31, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 38 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light then illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the dealer stated that the purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 77,424.
Engine, Mar 28, 2023
Check engine light came on with a p0420 code. After checking the oil, I realized it have used 1.5quartz of oil since my last oil change about 2months ago. I have had this car for only a year and have kept up on maintenance as suggest by the manufacturer. I called the dealership and they say it's normal for kias to burn oil. In my opinion it doesn't see normal nor does it seem safe. They told me it is safe to drive and to bring it in for a suspected exhaust leak.
Electrical system, Mar 28, 2023
My car is susceptible to theft due to the fact, Kia did not place immobilizer unit in my 2015 Kia soul. I’m trying to find out where I go to get the software update on my vehicle so it doesn’t get stolen and I can’t find anywhere nobody’s contacted me from Kia please help me with this situation. thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this matter.
Engine, Mar 27, 2023
Oil consumption problems
Engine, Mar 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) warning light was illuminated on March 19, 2023. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia soul. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the vehicle had experienced failures with the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. The contact stated that the vehicle was then diagnosed by another independent mechanic who confirmed the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 12, 2023
My oil is burning and it's been changed several times and is BLACK the next day plus my electrical system is messed up
Engine, Mar 11, 2023
Engine is not holding oil
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Mar 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at highway speeds, an abnormal revving sound would emit from the vehicle as it hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. Despite the failure, her daughter managed to drive the vehicle home; the next day, the contact started the vehicle and experienced the same failure. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective catalytic converter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Mar 2, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that piston #3 was damaged and that the catalytic convertor had failed. The contact was informed that the piston failed from not enough compression. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that due to the mileage the vehicle was not eligible to be repaired under recall and had to be repaired out-of-pocket. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 2, 2023
While driving home from work late at night, the car just stopped without warning and would not start again. It was towed to the dealership where I was informed that there would be a $750 diagnostic fee, but that Kia would probably not replace the engine under warranty because the recall had not been taken care of. I am the second owner of the vehicle and bought it the same year that the recall was issued. Kia consumer affairs department states that it was sent to my address, but I did not receive the notification. I cannot afford to pay $750 to find out that I will not be reimbursed and I cannot afford to have the engine replaced in a car that is worth the value of the engine. I had just changed the oil and had a valve cover gasket replaced. There was no check engine light.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 30 MPH. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate while driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic had previously replaced the catalytic converter on two separate occasions; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 176,000.
Air bags, Feb 24, 2023, crash
I was involved in an accident where my 2015 Kia Soul was struck from the rear end at a high rate of speed, left the roadway, hit a concrete culver, became airborne, jumped/rolled across a driveway and went through two crosstie corner posts with no airbag deployment. My seat broke 3/4 of the way up due to impact. Unknown as to reason why airbags failed to deploy with frontal impacts and unknown as to component inspection as insurance took car away to auction. I feel that the failure of these items to deploy intensified the injuries I received in the wreck.
Power train, Feb 22, 2023
The engine in my car needs replacing. The dealership and KIA corporation refuse to complete oil consumption tests. I am driving a car that cannot be inspected or repaired. They told me literally I have to drive the car into the ground to get the engine replaced. This is dangerous and foolhardy. Corporations with faulty products that have warranties they refuse to honor are putting all people on the road at risk. Getting through to either the dealership or the corporation is almost impossible unless you have no job. Please help KIA owners who are put in this unconscionable position. I own my car outright, I wish I had more options other than losing my investment as a poor person. Thank you for whatever help you can provide. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”
Steering, Feb 21, 2023
We took our Kia Soul to a Kia Service shop Dec 2022 because the steering is making a clicking sound when the wheel is turned from the 11 o’clock to the 2 o’clock position. This condition is consistent with a Kia Safety Recall issued in November 2017, and has been confirmed by another source. We were told that by the dealership, Brandon Courtesy Kia in Florida that they would repair this dangerous steering issue for a cost of $1227.97 because they excluded it from the recall and warranty. Unfortunately we are on a fixed income, and are not able to pay for the steering to be repaired back to SAFE operating conditions. In addition, the dealership would not release the vehicle back to us unless we paid them $189.15 for a couple minute “Steering Inspection” which we were not told upfront that there would be a cost. The November 16, 2017, Important Safety Recall Notice states if the steering is not repaired the result may be “loss of steering and result in a crash.” This warning has us terrified because this dealership and Kia put profit in front of safety. We have not driven the car for 3 months fearing a severe crash and possible injury, including and up to death. We have been in constant contact with the dealership and the Kia Customer Care Center to try and resolve the Steering Safety concern with no luck. We have proposed a fair and reasonable settlement but continue to ignored . . . here is our ask to Kia . . . 1. Repair the Kia Soul steering back to a SAFE and normal operating condition 2. Refund the $189.15 charge related to a bogus inspection. Best Regards
Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 17, 2023
Shucks was taken to Kia Country of Savannah for recall repairs. ECU update and seat belt cover repaired, however, I explained that car was burning oil (but not leaking) and engine was on and car was making a knocking sound. I had taken my car to a local mechanic while informed me that my car’s engine was bad. I even showed Pat Foran the printout that I was given. The local mechanic I found that I would qualify for the engine replacement based off of his inspection. So I took the car to Kia (barely made it because the car would not go over 60 mph. At Kia, I was told my car passed bearings test and that I would need to pay for a fuel consumption test to determine what was wrong with my car. I was told I would know if my car needed a new engine because it would sound like rocks in a milk carton, which it did but the folks at Kia said they drove it and didn’t hear anything. I find it very strange that my engine light was also off when I got the car back but 20 miles down the road, as I putted my way back home, it came back on. I feel this was there attempt to not fix the car, they were too busy trying to get me to trade it in because I only had 93000 miles on it at the time.
Engine, Feb 12, 2023
Kia soul is burning oil it has 82k miles and I’ve already went through the oil consumption test once with dealer and they said it wasn’t loosing any more oil so I had a oil change done drove it the 3000 miles for next oil change and it was loan again I’m now back to do the oil consumption test again I don’t think I should have to do it The dealer just needs to put a new motor in car
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 7, 2023
Engine light stays on, it’s says on the instrument that I used that it’s the catalyst converter but when you take it to the shop they can’t find anything wrong. Also my car shakes when pressing on the brakes.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 6, 2023
My 2015 Kia soul engine light won't stay off so I'm trying to see if it's under warranty or recall so I can get it fixed or trade it in. Please somebody contact as soon as possible. [XXX] [XXX] is my name INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Power train, Engine, Feb 6, 2023
Vehicle began shuddering violently, with the check engine light alternating between blinking and staying lit. The oil light randomly lighting up for literally a fraction of a second despite oil levels in acceptable range. Excessive yet random consumption of oil. Severe loss of horsepower, especially upon acceleration from a dead stop. No/low compression on two cylinders. Catalytic converter needs replacing for 2nd time in 365 days. Safety Recalls not showing in system (VIN lookup), yet recently presented by dealership. Safety Recalls P12002B ECU Update KSDS 2.0L GDI, SA206 PS/EV Rear Center Seatbelt Cover, SC125 Pinion Plug Inspection Repair, & SC155 STR Gear Pinion Plug Group B. Some recalls not informed of in a timely manner. Kia Dealership & local muffler shop are the only ones to look at car. Kia Dealership stated didn't know what was wrong with Kia vehicle after a week of diagnostic testing, said to drive it elsewhere to have plugs, wires, packs & catalytic converter replaced, then return for further troubleshooting. Dealership continuing to "find" different reasons why vehicle isn't covered under extended warranty to replace engine. All issues confirmed by dealership & muffler shop, all warning lights remain on, driving vehicle as-is is a danger to self & other drivers due to engine stalling/random loss of power whilst turning, accelerating, etc. Safety Recalls not being presented in a timely manner could result in accidents and/or deaths.
Engine, Feb 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) in 2019. The contact stated that after the recall repair was serviced, while driving up mountainous roadways, the low-pressure oil light would become illuminated. The contact stated he checked the oil level and found no oil on the dipstick. The contact stated that oil was added and after several weeks the failure recurred. The contact stated that he replaced the engine drain plug however, the failure continued. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted; however, it was 4 weeks before the vehicle was diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the catalytic converter needed to be cleaned or replaced. The parts were replaced. The engine started to knock and was towed to the dealer. The report from the dealer was unknown; however, the contact stated that he was informed that the engine would be replaced under an extended warranty. The engine was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking and vibrating and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty, and that the engine had experienced excessive oil consumption. The catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 112,878.
Steering, Engine, Feb 2, 2023
Safety recalls. Kia dealer in Quincy, Illinois refuses to fix recalls because of a flood title.