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, Aug 9, 2022
The contact owns a 2011 BMW 32i. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (ENGNIE) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on several occasions and the knock sensor, O2 sensor, engine pistons, and other engine parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000
Engine, Aug 5, 2022
2015 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO AN ISSUE WITH THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE, PRIOR TO DISCOVERING THE RECALL NOTICE.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter and rod bearing needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Engine, Jul 31, 2022
I was just driving home from work on a main road. Car started perfect as usual. Got about 5 miles down the road i started to hear a rattling noise almost like a tin can. I slowed down to pull over. Got out to look at the problem with the car shut off. A huge puddle of oil leaked out and car will no longer turn on. Had to get it towed home. Contacted Kia dealership after doing research on the issue. I was Never informed by phone, mail, email about this recall or the upgrade needing to be done. The dealership told me they won’t honor the recall. So I’m left with a unusable car.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jul 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and stalled. The TPMS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic convertor, engine, and pistons. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 12, 2022
My wife has a 2015 Kia Soul that developed a gasoline leak in the engine compartment. The Kia dealer said some of their other models have been recalled due to gas leaks and fires but this model has not. This model has the same engine and obviously has the same issue as the Kia model that was recalled. We were very lucky that her car did not catch fire or explode and that I was able to see the problem after she drove the car a short way. The fuel line was leaking gas where it connects to the high pressure pump on top of the engine and from the hose just behind the engine.
Engine, Jul 12, 2022
On 7-3-2022, I was driving my 2015 Kia Soul on I-5 north with my daughter heading home from a short road trip to San Francisco. We where @ 70mph and started up the Shasta mountain when my check engine light started flashing, and I lost all power, the motor started knocking and smoke started to come from the exhaust. As a semi had to blow his horn and swerved to ovoid hitting us.
Engine, Jul 9, 2022
Engine blew up unexpectedly while driving with no prior warnings.
Engine, Jul 7, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while he was performing an oil change, he noticed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty due to him being the second owner. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,799.
Engine, Jul 3, 2022
My 2015 Kia Soul had a massive engine failure at 80 thousand miles, and the engine is damaged beyond repair.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 2, 2022
1. The Oil light came on and I thought I just needed an oil change. I was driving when my car started making a knocking noise. I called 4 KIA Dealerships to explain my situation and they all kept trying to push me off on the other, until one of them was finally able to get me an appointment at the other location in Longwood, Fl. Long story short they told me that there were a few recalls on my car and they could be fixed, only to find out later they could not fix my car due to another recall not being done on the car, even though the recall notice that they sent me was said they are to fix Catalytic Converter Protection logic in the Engine Control Unit, and if Necessary Replace the Catalytic Converter and/or Engine at NOT COST TO ME. Yet KIA Dealership called me back to tell me they couldn't fix it and I must speak with the manufacturer of KIA to ask them to fix it only for them to say they would give me a case number and call me back, ONLY NOT to call me back and then the person who said he'd be fixing my car kept giving me the run around and then told me he would speak with the regional manager of KIA and they could possibly GIFT me an ENGINE, for my car. Like how odes that make since. They can GIFT ME AN ENGINE, but they can't fix my car like it states in the letter they sent me. It clearly states my car can stall (which it did) and cause an accident, catch fire or combust due to the recall issues. No matter what was said it's like KIA Dealership was trying to BLAME ME FOR THE ISSUES WITH MY CAR WHEN THEY SENT ME A NOTICE AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALLS WHEN MY SON BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM. I screen shot all the conversations sent to me via text and chat. LIES AFTER LIES FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIPS so disappointing. My car has been at the dealership for almost 2wks and nothing has been done. They want ME to pay $6,720 for a new/ENGINE replacement when they are supposed to fix it for free regardless the issues and warranty! No one has contacted me for days now!????
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated the vehicle was being driven to the dealer for an oil change when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed and the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the dealer stated that the recall under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) needed to be completed before the engine would be replaced. The contact stated that she also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 19V101000 (Engine) however, the dealer and manufacturer declined repairs for both recalls. The contact stated that she received the recall notifications in April of 2022. The contact stated that the dealer was notified of the recall and stated that if there were no issues with the vehicle that there was no reason to take the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. A case was opened with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 103,629.
Steering, Jun 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, he heard an abnormal sound while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to his destination. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed with needing an unknown steering component replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Steering). The contact took the vehicle back to local dealer and had the recall repair completed. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving at a slow speed, he heard an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing an unknown steering component replaced for a second time. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Engine, Jun 22, 2022
As per Kia's recall on the catalytic converters on some models, our Kia is also giving the CEL obd code of p0420, but on nhtsa our specific car isn't listed as being a part of the recall. It fits in the engine being a 1.6l and the correct year for the recall, and is having the same issues as the recalled models, but for some reason our's isn't shown as having that recall on this site, even tho it does show up as having that recall on other vin checking sites.
Engine, Jun 20, 2022
While driving down the interstate, my car started sputtering, decelerating, and then cut off. I was able to get it back on long enough to get off the interstate. When I stopped, my car cut off. Turn it back on, sputter down the road, then engine knocking, turn off. For about 15 miles. I finally got it towed to my Kia dealer and I explicitly told them about the recall. They had no idea what I was talking about so I called Kia. According to Kia, even though my car is on the recall list, I'm out of luck because I wasn't informed that it had to be done during a certain time. I'm not the original owner and never got notice and now I'm out of a car I am STILL paying on!
Vehicle speed control, Jun 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated his mom was driving the vehicle on the expressway at 55MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle did not accelerate and the speedometer was decreasing. The contact stated no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle resummed to perform as normal and the contact drove home. The vehicle was driven to a dealer and diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Service brakes, Air, Engine and engine cooling, Jun 2, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while her spouse driver was driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal functionality was inoperative. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter was faulty; however, the vehicle was then towed to the dealer who determined that the failure was caused by a faulty wheel speed sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Exterior lighting, May 26, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the headlights on auto, the headlights would flicker and turn on and off independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, May 17, 2022
Kia Soul is burning oil more frequently before every scheduled oil change. Lost of power going uphill.RPM goes high and drops speeds drastically. I had already replace catalytic converter twice. Most recent, it started to lose power, went into limp mode with no check engine light and messed up the catalytic converter had to replace again.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 13, 2022
Engine light and ABS light always on, kia hasnt explained this issue or expressed concern about it.. Engine randomly started leaking oil, blowing out white smoke, stalling out upon accelerating causing safety issue in traffic. Kia has had car for 2 weeks now with no answers to resolve. Being told the recall issue is "fine" I use my car for work and this unresolved issue is affecting my livelihood. This all began on 4-29-22 and am now being asked to pay for further testing for diagnostic purposes. Told there are no loaner vehicles and to rent one at my own expense.
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2022
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 55 MPH, he heard an abnormal loud sound coming from the hood before the vehicle stalled. The contact was unsure whether there were and warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that her husband was unable to restart the vehicle and might have pushed the vehicle to the side of the roadway. Upon opening the hood to determine the cause of the failure, the driver noticed there was smoke. The contact's husband and her father replaced the alternator and battery on site however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and assisted the contact with towing the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. However, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) as the vehicle mileage was over 150,000. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed the dealer information. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
Engine and engine cooling, May 10, 2022
The contact's daughter owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled with an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact's daughter was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic who informed her that the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor were defective. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was informed by her daughter that an abnormal knocking sound was coming from the engine with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic for an oil change and informed the mechanic of the knocking issue. The contact's daughter was informed by the independent mechanic that there was no available service technician to inspect her vehicle. Soon after the oil change was completed and driving at an undisclosed speed, the rod bearing punctured the engine block. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic where an estimate was provided for replacing the engine. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that since the ECU upgrade was not performed; the cost for a new engine would not be covered. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.
Engine, May 8, 2022
Engine knocking extremely loud
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 25, 2022, fire
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH the vehicle began to slow and white smoke began to issue from under the hood. The contact stated she was not aware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact heard a loud ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact was able to safely pull off of the highway, however as soon as she had exited the vehicle the contact heard a loud explosion. The contact stated that the vehicle lifted up a few inches off of the roadway and was engulfed in flames from the hood to the trunk. The fire department was called as well as the police. The fire department used water to extinguish the fire. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.