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, May 2, 2019
ONE DAY I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE NEXT DAY, THE NOISE TURNED INTO A VERY LOUD TICKING/KNOCKING SOUND. I KEEP MY OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES SO IT COULD NOT BE THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY OIL IN THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AS I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE I HAD HEARD THAT THE CARS WERE CATCHING ON FIRE. I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NOT ANY OPEN RECALLS ON ENGINE DAMAGE WITH KIA SOULS AND A DIAGNOSTIC WOULD BE PERFORMED. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS GONE AND ADVISED $6800 TO REPAIR. THE FUNNY THING IS I HAVE BEEN ASKED REPEATEDLY, HOW WOULD THE ENGINE GO OUT IN A 4 YEAR OLD CAR? I WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY REMAINING ON THE CAR FROM THE MANUFACTURER AS I WAS THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE AND THE WARRANTY ENDED AT 60,000 MILES. IRONICALLY, MY ENGINE FAILED AT 68,729. NOW, I'M STUCK WITH A CAR THAT DOESN'T RUN AND OWE ALMOST $10000 ON IT. I AM BEYOND HEATED WITH ANGER. I CAN'T TRADE IT DUE TO THE NEGATIVE EQUITY AND IT COSTS MORE TO REPAIR IT THAN WHAT THE CAR IS ACTUALLY VALUED AT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2019
ENGINE LIGHT ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER MAKE NOISE CAR BURNING ALOT OF OIL NO LEAKS GET OIL CHANGE EVERY 3,000 MILE HAVE TO PUT 3 QT. IN LESS THEN A MONTH
Engine, Apr 15, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MATT BLATT KIA OF TOMS RIVER (LOCATED AT 1070 NJ-37, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08755, (732) 281-0000) TO BE DIAGNOSED. WHILE PARKED AT THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE OR THE FIRE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Apr 14, 2019
MY CAR IS VERY SLUGGISH WHEN I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL IT FEELS LIKE MY ENGINE DOES NOT WANT TO GO, AND WHEN I'M IDLING I FEEL AS IF MY ENGINE WILL STALL UNLESS I PRESS THE GAS, I HAVE CONTACTED KIA REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND THE ASSOCIATE I SPOKE WITH SAID THAT MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED UNDER THE SC176 CAMPAIGN ( THIS WAS IN FEBRUARY 2019) IT IS NOW APRIL 14TH, AND ACCORDING TO KIA MY CAR IS NOT OFFICIALLY RECALLED AS OF YET.. BASICALLY I FEEL I'M DRIVING AROUND IN A TICKING TIME BOMB. . AND ACCORDING TO THE RECALL I AM, THE RECALL IS DUE TO A POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE AND FIRE .. MY 2015 KIA SOUL ONLY HAS 22,500 MILES ON IT ... I FEEL KIA IS ( NO PUN INTENDED ) STALLING REGARDING THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS SAFETY RECALL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2019, fire
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE (PLASTIC) RUPTURED, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY PULLED OVER AND PASSER-BY STOPPED WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. COST OF REPAIR IN EXCESS OF $5000, KIA CORPORATE REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER.
Engine, Apr 8, 2019
TAKATA RECALL: 2015 KIA SOUL 2.0 ENGINE SEIZED, I WAS DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ON AN INCLINED WHEN VEHICLE DROPPED IN SPEED FROM 60 MPH TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE ON A BUSY HIGHWAY, (WHILE ON INCLINE YOU COULD HEAR A LOUD CLINK CLINK CLINK COMING FROM UNDER HOOD OF VEHICLE). VEHICLE WAS PARTIALLY BLOCKING SLOW LANE AND EMERGENCY LANES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON WHEN VEHICLE SHUT DOWN.
Power train, Engine, Apr 5, 2019, fire
VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER HORRIBLE RATTLING NOISE. DRIVING IN THE CITY GOING AROUND 25 MPH.
Engine, Apr 4, 2019
I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 35 MILES, STOPPED THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW MINUTES, THEN RE-STARTED IT. IT IMMEDIATLEY BEGAN MAKING A LOUD "CLANKING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD CHECKED THE OIL THE NIGHT BEFORE AND ADDED A QUART. I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A LACK OF POWER AND THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON BRIEFLY, AND THEN FLICKERED OFF. I MADE MY WAY TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION WHERE I AGAIN CHECKED THE OIL AND FOUND IT TO STILL BE AT THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL. MY ROUTE HOME REQUIRED A 30 MILE INTERSTATE DRIVE THAT SEEMED WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED IT WOULD REQUIRE A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 69,000 MILES AND HAS REGULARLY SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES. WHEN ASKED WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ISSUE, THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR STATED THAT IT IS USUALLY DUE TO A LACK OF LUBRICANT, BUT HE DIDN'T SEE ANY SIGN OF THAT OR SLUDGE BUILD UP.
Engine, Apr 2, 2019
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY MY TEMPERATURE GAUGE STARTED TO HEAT UP AND CONTINUE TO RISE EVERY TIME I EXCLERATED. I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WHAT DO EVER WITH MY CAR. AS I TRIED TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER MY CAR ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF. I HAD IT TTOWED THE THE DEALER. IT TOOK A WEEK TO FIND OUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHY MY CAR WON'T START. IT'S BEEN 2 WEEK AND NOW THEY THINK IT THE ENGINE '
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 31, 2019
TAKALA RECALL WHEN I PUSH ON GAS PEDAL IT TAKES 3-10 SECONDS TO KICK IN ACTS LIKE ITS NOT GETTING ANY GAS LET UP ON GAS PEDAL THEN IT KICKS INHAPPENS 3-4 TIMES A DAY THE WINDOW WORKS WHEN SLID DOWN DOESN'T TAKE A HOLD WHEN TRY TO RAISE IT BACK UP BUT NOT ALL TIME WE DON'T DO WINDOW A LOT DUE TO THAT PROBLEM ON RIGHT SIDE FRONT WHILE IN MOTION THEN STOPPING AND TRYING TO STOP AGAIN GAS PEDAL DOESN'T KICK IN CAR IS SLUGGISH TAKES A BIT TO GO
Engine, Mar 27, 2019
2015 KIA SOUL BASE 1,6 GDI 6 SPEED MANUAL I HAVE 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE NOTICED IT'S BEEN BURNING OIL LATELY. I'VE BEEN MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE REGULARLY, AND DO A OIL CHANGE EVERY 4,000 - 5,000 MILES AT MY KIA DEALERSHIP.
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.
Engine, Mar 25, 2019
I HAVE HAD THE OIL CHANGED THE FIRST TIME AT 3000 MILES AND THEY NOTICED THE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE. I CALL THE DEALER AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED THE DEALER DID CHANGE THE OIL PAN GASKET, THEN I DROVE IT UNTIL THE NEXT OIL CHANGE, SAME THING OIL LEAK AT FRONT OF THE ENGINE, SO I CALLED THE DEALER MADE AN APPOINTMENT, THEY CHANGED THE VALVE COVER GASKET. I HAVE NOW 82500 MILES ON THE CAR AND JUST CAME FROM HAVING CAR CHECK AT MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND STILL OIL LEAK IN FRONT OF THE ENGINE. LOOKS LIKE THE WARRANTY WILL RUN OUT WITH ON REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE!!!
Power train, Engine, Mar 24, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING TWENTY MILES PER HOUR. THE ENGINE WAS RATTLING THEN I LOST POWER. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THAT.
Engine, Mar 23, 2019
ENGINE TEMPERATURE IS READING HIGH. THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED BEFORE.
Engine, Mar 21, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STOPPED BY AND CHECKED THE OIL. THE TECHNICIAN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AS SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ALL STAR KIA EAST (225-490-7679, LOCATED AT 27700 JUBAN RD, BUILDING 3, DENHAM SPRINGS, LA 70726) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A NEW SHORT BLOCK BE INSTALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,704.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CRAIN KIA OF FORT SMITH (8200 US-71, FORT SMITH, AR 72908) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
Engine, Mar 20, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A PASSERBY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE THAT IGNITED UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 19, 2019
I GET THIS ROCKING/JERKING/ FEELING IN THE ENTIRE CAR WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE AND SLOWLY INCHING FORWARD OR BACKWARD, AS IN GOING REALLY, REALLY SLOW. THE FEELING IS WORSE THAN OTHER TIMES RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. FOR A FACT IT IS ABSOLUTELY WORSE WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT AT HOME OR AT WORK ALL DAY
Engine, Mar 15, 2019, fire
I WAS DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON RTE 295 IN WARWICK RI TRAVELING APPROX. 65 MPH IN A STRAIGHT PATTERN WHEN I HEARD A SNAP UNDER MY CAR. MY CAR SKID AND MY HYDROPLANE LIGHT, OIL LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I LOOKED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SPARKS. I PULLED OVER AND AT THIS TIME MY CAR STALLED. WHEN I EXITED MY VEHICLE THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY ENGINE. 911 WAS DISPATCHED AND MY CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN MINUTES AND WAS A TOTAL LOSE. THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL IN THE PISTONS CAUSING FIRE DAMAGE TO THE MODEL, MAKE AND YEAR OF MY CAR. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL AND IT WAS NEVER REPAIRED. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE PISTONS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER; NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000; KIA'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS SC176. I AM A AWAITING MY ACCIDENT REPORT AS THE INCIDENT JUST HAPPENED
Engine, Mar 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND HAD IT TOWED TO TAYLOR KIA OF BOARDMAN (7870 MARKET ST, YOUNGSTOWN, OH 44512, (330) 886-4942). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2019
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THE CAR SAID WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM KIA HAD CHECK IT OUT AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT IT KEEPS GOING ON IT HAS A GAS SMELL LOW PUSH TO DO 70 ON HIGHWAY WON'T LET ME PUT ON CRUISE CONTROL FOR LONG I CAN FEEL CAR READY TO SHAKE AND STOP NEEDS OIL ALL THE TIME WHEN I DRIVE FOR 1 HR TO WORK CAR STARTS TO SHAKE AT A RED LIGHT AFTER I'M ALMOST AT WORK I CHANGED BATTERY ON 3/10/19 I ALSO CHANGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ALSO BRAKES ALWAYS HAVE TO CHANGE BEFORE THERE DO ON 3/15/19 HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE THE FLEX ON THE CAR ALSO BECAUSE THE OIL WAS LEAKING ON THE ENGINE IT NEEDED A SEAL AND THE TOP PART I FORGOT WHAT IT'S CALLED REPLACED THAT'S ALL I NOW FOR NOW
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 6, 2019
MY ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND GO OFF. MY OIL IS ALWAYS LOW.
Engine, Mar 5, 2019
ENGINE OIL IS DISAPPEARING. NO LEAKS TO BE FOUND. EXHAUST CLEAN, NO OIL BURN SMOKE. WHILE DRIVING ENGINE MADE TAPPING NOISE. CHECKED OIL DIPSTICK AN FOUND NO OIL SHOWING. ADDED 2 QTS.... I CHANGE OIL EVERY 5,OOO MILES. I CHANGED OIL AND FILTER AND CHECKED THE OIL AFTER 2K MILES AND HAD TO ADD ANOTHER QUART. CAR HAS 119K MILES NOW. I HAVE WORKED ON ENGINES OF ALL SORTS FOR 50YRS, AND THIS PUZZLES ME. I SEE NO EVIDENCE OF WHY OR HOW THE OIL IS DISAPPEARING.
Engine, Mar 1, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE ABNORMALLY, SMOKE BILLOWED FROM THE TAIL PIPE, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RALLY KIA (LOCATED AT 438 AUTO VISTA DR, PALMDALE, CA 93551, (661) 349-4639) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A SECONDARY DIAGNOSTIC FOUND A HOLE IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.