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.
Power train, Engine, Nov 16, 2022
Engine consumes excessive amount of oil before next oil change that causes catalytic converter to clog and the car not to perform well. This is a known Kia issue and everyone should be eligible for the engine recall. This is dangerous and cars have been catching fire over this issue. Kia knows and they refuse to fix the issue for 2015 Kia soul + owners.
Engine, Nov 11, 2022
NEGLIGENCE OF AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL Please refer to file attached, all details included in file attached
Other or unspecified, Nov 5, 2022
The engine light started blinking, I noticed even though I was pushing the gas my car wasn’t accelerating properly, and by the time i stopped & turn my car off I could hear a very low clanking noise. Check oils, everything was at proper levels, no leaks under my hood. I’m being told it could be a number of things and of course all possible issues are $500+ in repairing it. And my car has under 80k miles.
Power train, Engine, Nov 3, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC codes P007 and P008 and informed the contact that the camshaft sensors and crank shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. While driving, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who informed him that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing chain, sensors, camshaft and the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the engine would be check for possible metal shavings in the oil. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
Engine, Oct 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had consumed a quart and a half of oil under a thousand miles. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 24, 2022
Cylinder misfire on 1 and 2. Loss of compression on one cylinder. Loss of power, frequent oil additions. Engine shuttering/stalling. Engine warning light alternating solid/flashing. Dangerous to drive due to unpredictable stalling, loss of power/acceleration. Local KIA Dealer claimed couldn't find a problem after a week, told to replace catalytic converter. Local muffler shop said cannot replace catalytic converter until engine issue(s) addressed. Appears to be a common problem that no one wishes to address, leaving me at a loss as to what to do.
Engine, Oct 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine was making knocking sounds. The contact stated that his wife inspected the engine oil and found no oil in the engine. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer declined to perform NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) associated with the VIN due to an unrepaired ECU product improvement campaign of which the contact had not yet received notification. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 21, 2022
My 2015 Kia Soul recently went out of service. One day last month my car randomly started stalling and shaking to the point of barely being drivable. There were no signs or dashboard lights. Thursday, September 15th, 2022, I took my car to a local repair shop and they ran a diagnostic that came back as a bad Catalytic Converter on Friday, September 16th, 2022. According to the mechanic, the converter nearest the engine had broken off and pieces of it had gotten into my engine and fuel line resulting in a need for a new converter and a complete engine flush. The mechanic pulled up a recall and suggested that the car be taken to the dealership as this particular issue should have been covered under that recall. He suggested that I no longer drive the car prior to getting it repaired for my and my children's safety as my engine could have blown up at any time and caught fire. Also on Friday, September 16th, 2022, I had the vehicle towed to the Kia dealership in Napleton Mid Rivers as advised by the mechanic. The car was towed to the dealership where I made them aware of the issue and I was advised they would have to perform a second diagnostic to confirm. Monday, September 19, 2022, I get a text message from Dennis Gearhart, a service advisor for Kia - who informs me that their diagnostic came back showing that I need a replacement Catalytic Converter, oil change, and minor tune-up. Dennis advised me that the repair would cost over $2800 and would not be covered under the recall because I'm no longer under warranty and the recall was marked as done. Upon further questioning - I was advised that the service advisor in May 2019 did NOT perform a replacement under the recall because it "didn't need it" yet here I am less than 7 years after getting a new engine from KIA and I'm being told to rectify an issue they were responsible for fixing and yet refuse to mitigate. They placed my and my family's life in danger due to the negligence of their staff!
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Oct 13, 2022
My car just shut down out of the blue. There was no warning of any sort as far as anything showing that needed repair with my vehicle. It just started jerking one day. I took it to the Kia dealership and they confirmed that it was due to the recall part but will not fix the part.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Oct 13, 2022
I’ve had my check engine light come on ever since I bought the vehicle and the code is for catalytic converter, my car overheats and does not properly shift right engine is very shaky and unstable while driving on the road. I don’t know why my Kia doesn’t qualify for the recall when it’s having the exact issues that the recalls state
Engine, Oct 12, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, a loud boom sound came from the engine without warning. The contact pulled over and upon inspection of the hood, she discovered flames emitting from the vehicle. Two fellow motorists witnessed the fire and were able to draw water from a nearby ditch to extinguish the fire before the fire department. A fire report was not filed once they arrived at the scene. No injuries were reported. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer a diagnostic discovered that a rod had blown through the engine block. The contact then discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000(Engine); however, both the dealer and the manufacturer notified her that the vehicle was not under the recall. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer but had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Engine, Oct 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Engine, Oct 5, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, a thumping noise occurred under the vehicle and suddenly the speed was reduced and the vehicle would no longer accelerate. While coasting to the side of the road smoke was present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. Moments later flames from under the hood engulfed the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. A fire and a police report were taken and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Engine, Oct 3, 2022
On March 31, 2022 I was driving to work. The engine light was on. Without warning, the engine stalled while I was driving, and my car coasted to a stop in traffic. It was an unsafe situation. I had the car towed to the Kia dealership, which had previously told me (on January 7th) that there was nothing wrong with the engine, it was normal for the engine warning light to stay on, and no repairs were needed. The car has been at the Kia dealership since March 31st and no repairs have been done.
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2022
Catalytic converter causing vehicle not to start
Engine, Sep 25, 2022
Engine burns oil which led to engine failure
Engine, Sep 23, 2022
While driving on the interstate. the oil change light and battery light came on and the car started spuddering immediately on the interstate forcing the car to slow down. It was towed to a local mechanic who did not notice anything wrong except there was low oil. The last oil change was performed on the car about 2000 miles ago. He topped it off and the car started running fine. After about 2 hours of driving on the interstate and the car started having trouble accelerating and started spuddering again. Drove it slowly to the nearest mechanic. This mechanic tested it and it was diagnosed with a complete engine failure. They drove it around to confirm the diagnostics. They also said the oil was low which the oil was confirmed by me and the mechanic for being full at the time of the first incident. Called Kia to check for warranty and it appeared that there was a recall for the engine but the repairs was not made. I was not given a notice about a recall. I called the dealer that I bought the vehicle who says they do not perform recall repairs on vehicles. Kia refuses to do anything about the vehicle and it almost caused a major accident on a major freeway that could have resulted in a life
Engine, Sep 13, 2022
I was driving on the highway and suddenly was unable to accelerate. The car went from about 65 mph to 20mph and I was not able to get it back up to speed. There were many cars behind me and it could have easily been an accident. After this happened, it was also extremely dangerous to try to merge into another lane to be able to get off at an exit or pull over. I took the car to an independent repair facility and they suspect a clogged exhaust system and pointed me to a KIA recall notice for the years my car was manufactured. They advised me to contact a dealer because it might be under warranty and the last time they attempted this repair the car started a fire. I had the car towed to a kia dealership. They say there are no recalls for my VIN # and that my car is unaffected by the SC176 Safety notice. There have been no symptoms or warning lights prior to this happening. Even while taking the car to the repair shop and also the kia dealer the car does not show any codes/messages that would indicate the car has a problem.
Steering, Sep 12, 2022
While operating the vehicle the power steering ubruptly stopped working for approximately 5 seconds making it difficult to maneuver the vehicle
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 3, 2022
Catalytic converter needed replacing at 100,000 miles! REALLY!! I have NEVER OWNED A CAR THAT NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED BEFORE 200,000 miles! CHEAP PRODUCT installed!
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and making a right turn, the front passenger’s side wheel suddenly malfunctioned rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger’s side lower control arm had fractured due to faulty ball joint. The control arm was replaced but the vehicle started to experience vibration and shaking. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact also indicated that the vehicle had experienced engine oil consumption issues. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 19, 2022
Having catalyst system efficiency below threshold issues The engine light is on code is P0420 Autozone gave me the diagnostic Engine light turns on and off
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 19, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate independently and would not accelerate while the accelerator pedal was depressed. Additionally, there was a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who confirmed that the catalytic convertor was faulty. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2022
It doesn’t no shift correctly Catalytic converter problems RMP so hight and delay to shift. I can’t go in the freeway the car no respond and don’t go up to 60 I was driving in the free I almost crash and other people behind me To get off the freeway and now warranty not cover. The pass Ower never took the car to the recall and I have to deal w all this
Engine, Aug 9, 2022
CONSTITUENT CONTACTED SENATOR BLACKBURNS OFFICE CONCERNING THEIR AUTO COMPLAINT WITH KIA REGARDING RECALLED ENGINE REPAIR NEEDED ON THEIR 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT HAVING THE OPEN RECALLS COMPLETED. THE DEALERSHIP DECLINED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND SUGGESTED THE OWNER PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE.