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.
Steering, Apr 19, 2017
LOUD CRANKING NOISE WHEN STEERING THE CAR LEFT OR RIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2017
NEXEN TIRES DO NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION AND THEY HAVE LESS THAN 23,500 MILES ON THEM, THESE TIRES ARE COMING APART GOUGES DOWN TO TELL STEEL BELTS.
Seat belts, Mar 12, 2017, crash
I HIRED THIS CAR FROM THRIFTY RENTAL CARS, AND WAS IN A COLLISION ON THE I80 FREEWAY, WHEREIN I HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT DURING STOP-START TRAFFIC, I WAS TRAVELLING WAY BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD ME IN PLACE, AND I FLEW FORWARD OVER THE STEERING WHEEL, AND HIT THE WINDSCREEN. I SUFFERED MILD CONCUSSION, WHIPLASH, AND BRUISING DOWN THE FRONT OF MY BODY. I MAY HAVE ALSO PERMANENTLY DAMAGED MY NECK. I HAVE REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO THRIFTY, BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO TAKE ANY ACTION.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Feb 24, 2017
THE VEHICLE STIBILITY CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IT WANT , WHICH IS THE PART OF THE (ABS). THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEVERAL TIMES TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH NO LUCK. THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF WHEN YOU TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. I DO ALSO HEAR A CLICKING NOISE FROM TH DRIVER SIDE REAR BRAKE FOR COUPLE OF FEET BUT WENT AWAY. NO CODES PRESENT AT ALL A CORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN THEY CHECKED. DOE TO THE PHOTOS WHICH MY WIFE AND I HAVE TAKEN DURING THE PROBLEM THE DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO CHECK THE AUTO. THE WIFE AND I HAVE WAITED SEVERAL HRS. AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT STILL NO LUCK FOR THE LIGHT OR THE CLICKING SOUND TO COME ON. THE WIFE AND I ARE VERY UNSATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS AT THIS TIME. IT SEEMS LIKE (REPLACE THE ABS) CONTROL MODEL SHOULD ELIMINATE THE PROBLRM.
Engine, Jan 5, 2017
THE ENGINE FAILED AT 23,600 MI. I WAS SITTING IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE "OIL" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SEIZED UP COMPLETELY. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE KIA DEALERSHIP DENIED THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY STATING THAT SINCE I DID THE OIL CHANGES MYSELF THE WARRANTY WAS VOID. I PAID A MECHANIC TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE MECHANIC SAID THEY HAD JUST REPLACED THE ENGINE IN A 2014 KIA OPTIMA AND WHERE MORE THAN FAMILIAR WITH AN ENGINE SWAP ON A MODERN KIA. THESE CARS ARE NOT SAFE, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATING KIA MOTORS FOR THEIR FRAUDULENT PRACTICES.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 28, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION LUNGED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIGOROUSLY WHILE IDLING OR WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES FAIL TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
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.
Electrical system, Dec 11, 2016
CHRONIC DEAD CAR. BATTERY TESTS FINE, NO DRAWS AND WAS REPLACED TO ENSURE FAILURES WERE NOT THE BATTERY. 30 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE TO DATE. DEALER/MANUFACTURER CANNOT DIAGNOSE ISSUE. THERE HAVE BEEN NOISES FROM FUSE BOX UNDER HOOD WHILE CAR IS DEAD. CLICKING NOISES INSIDE CAR, WHEN CAR IS DEAD.
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2016
CAR BATTERY SEEMED DEAD THOUGH WHEN I TURNED THE KEY THE LIGHTS GO ON AND FLICKERING SOUND BUT DOESN'T CATCH. WHEN JUMP STARTED IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG MAYBE TWO MINUTES AND CAR STARTED.
Electrical system, Structure, Sep 13, 2016
YOU CRANK THE CAR THE DOORS LOCK. YOU LOSE ELECTRIC POWER YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOORS!! NO WAY TO GET OUT OF CAR!! WAS LUCKY ONE WINDOW WAS DOWN!!ALL DOORS NEED TO BE ABLE TO OPEN WITH OUT POWER< WHAT IF ON FIRE OR IN WATER?? THE CAR WAS SETTING IN PARKING LOT OF WALMART LISTING TO RADIO AND THE BAT RAN DOWN!!
Other or unspecified, Sep 6, 2016, fire
CAR PURCHASED NEW IN FEB 2016. CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND UPON ARRIVING AT HER DESTINATION PARKED THE CAR. ON EXITING THE VEHICLE SHE AND HER FRIEND NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE HOOD AT THE WINDSHIELD. THIS QUICKLY DEVELOPED INTO A SMALL FLAME. THE ENTIRE CAR WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE WITHIN THE 13 MINUTE RESPONSE TIME OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Engine, Aug 25, 2016, fire
THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE ENGINE. UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM GROCERY STORE PASSENGER NOTICED SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THE KIA EMERGENCY ROADSIDE SERVICE WAS CALLED. THE LOCAL KIA DEALER DOESNT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CAR EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY . KIA CORPORATE ISN'T MUCH HELP EITHER SAYING IT WILL BE 2-5 BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE SOMEONE FROM THERE WILL BE ABLE TO COME AND INSPECT IT. IN THE MEANTIME I AM STRANDED IN FORT WAYNE WITH NO TRANSPORTATION. AGAIN THE CAR IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY!!!!!!!!!
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
Electrical system, Jul 25, 2016
MY KIA SOUL ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCKS OPERATE IN A RANDOM AND DANGEROUS FASHION. I UNLOCKED THE CAR AND PUT MY PUPPY IN THE VEHICLE AND CLOSED THE DOOR NOT KNOWING THAT MY KEYS WERE STILL IN THE CAR; ALL THE DOORS IMMEDIATELY LOCKED AND I HAD TO BREAK THE WINDOW TO SAVE THE DOG. OTHER TIMES ONE OR TWO DOORS WILL LOCK. THE DELAY IN LOCKING IS RANDOM AND UNRELIABLE. CAR WAS IN PARKING LOT. THIS SYSTEM SHOULD BE DISABLED UNTIL KIA REVIEWS OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. THERE SHOULD BE A CONSISTENT TIME DELAY BEFORE DOORS LOCK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Air bags, Jun 9, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN RIBS, A PUNCTURED LUNG, FACE INJURIES, AND A CONCUSSION THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INSURANCE LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,709. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ *CN
Other or unspecified, Jun 2, 2016
I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR JUST OVER A YR NOW. THIS WILL BE THE 3 OR 4 RADIO IT HAS BEEN INSTALL
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, May 24, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN THE REVERSE GEAR, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V736000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THIS RECALL PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 18,000.
Service brakes, Apr 27, 2016, crash
I WAS DRIVING 35 MPH ON HWY US1, CAR IN FRONT OF ME REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. I PLACED FOOT ON BRAKE AND DIDNT SEEM TO BE SLOWING QUICK ENOUGH. I THEN PLACED BOTH FEET ON BRAKE TO STOP AND STILL HIT THE CAR INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT.
Service brakes, Mar 24, 2016, crash
WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE BRAKES FAILED ON MY WIFE'S 2015 KIA SOUL. SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY NEVER PRESSURIZED. FORTUNATELY THE AIRBAGS WORKED WELL, AND SHE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE LEFT IN AN AMBULANCE. I TESTED THE BRAKES ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE BODY SHOP, AND THEY DID NOT PRESSURIZE THERE EITHER. THE CAR IS 9 MONTHS OLD, HAD ROUGHLY 9,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS NOT HAD ANY MECHANICAL WORK PERFORMED ON IT.
Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 26, 2016
CAR HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING AT AN INTERSECTION LEAVING YOU TEMPORARILY WITHOUT POWER. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM, BUT SAYS IT IS WITHIN SPECS AND THERE IS NO FACTORY FIX.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2016
CONSUMER CHECKED THE VIN AGAINST THE RECALL WEBSITE AND IT SHOWED A RECALL ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RECALL SHOWED AS INCOMPLETE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL. *JB UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ
Power train, Feb 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR AND THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT POWER LOSS IN THE MOMENTUM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST TO THE POINT OF STALLING BEFORE THERE WAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 17, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED, ICE FELL ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED THE WIPER BLADES TO STOP FUNCTIONING. MOMENTS LATER, ELECTRICAL SMOKE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER REMOVING THE ICE FROM THE WINDSHIELD, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,900.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Jan 27, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,600. UPDATED 03/16/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN TWO WEEKS LATER. UPDATED 03/30/16.*JB