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, Structure, Wheels, Jan 25, 2016, crash
I WAS COMING OUT OF A RED LIGHT INTERSECTION AND WHEN I TRIED TURNING TO THE LEFT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN AND KEPT GOING STRAIGHT. IT TURNED MINIMALLY AND HIT THE CURB SCRATCHING THE 2 PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS (FRONT AND BACK). NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED AS I WAS ONLY AT MAYBE 20-30MPH. AS THE CAR ALIGNED WITH THE ROAD AGAIN I NOTICE THE STEERING IS 90% IMPAIRED. I STILL MANAGE TO DRIVE HOME AS THERE WERE VERY FEW CARS ON THE ROAD BUT THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY SOMETIMES, VERY STRONGLY VEER TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, MAKING IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I REMEMBER THERE WAS A RECALL LETTER I HAD RECEIVED AND WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED IT OUT AND IT DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME: "THE PINION PLUG WHICH SECURES THE PINION GEAR TO THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY MAY LOOSEN DUE TO THE USE OF ADHESIVE WITH INSUFFICIENT BONDING STRENGTH DURING ASSEMBLY. IF THE PLUG LOOSENS SUFFICIENTLY, THE PINION GEAR MAY SEPARATE FROM THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WHICH COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING AND RESULT IN A CRASH.". I THINK IN MY CASE THIS PINION CAME COMPLETELY LOOSE AND THAT CAUSED THE CRASH. THE CAR WAS JUST TOWED TO A KIA DEALERSHIP BUT NOW THEY WILL INSPECT AND DECIDE IF THAT WAS THE CASE OR NOT. WHAT IF THEY SIMPLY DECIDE THEY WILL SAY THIS WAS CAUSED TO SOMETHING ELSE AND NOT THE RECALL ISSUE?
Steering, Jan 20, 2016
SAFETY RECALL, (NHTSA RECALL NUMBER:15V736) I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE DATED 12/8/15, AND WENT TO THE DEALER ON 12/21. THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS AND/OR TOOLS TO EFFECT THE REPAIR. I HAVE SINCE CALLED KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE ONCE AND THE DEALER TWO MORE TIMES. I AM TO CALL BACK NEXT WEDNESDAY, 1/27/16. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO ME THAT KIA IS TAKING THIS SAFETY RECALL VERY SERIOUSLY. THEY DON'T SEEM IN THE LEAST CONCERNED.
Steering, Jan 7, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V736000 (STEERING). WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING, THE STEERING FAILED. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND, AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Steering, Air bags, Jan 7, 2016, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED, THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, VEERED LEFT, AND CRASHED INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES, WHICH INCLUDED A SEVERED AORTA AND FRACTURED CERVICAL SPINE. THE CORONER INDICATED THAT THE FATAL INJURIES MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ...UPDATED 02/02/16 *BF UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE STEERING SYSTEM WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSE THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED 02/10/16.*JB..UPDATED 03/16/16 *BF *TR
Steering, Dec 29, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE UP ONTO A SIDEWALK, WHERE ALL FOUR TIRES WERE PUNCTURED, THE OIL PAN WAS DAMAGED, THE SUBFRAME WAS BENT, AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
Wheels, Dec 25, 2015
MECHANICALLY, TECHNICALLY THE VEHICLE IS FINE. MY PROBLEM IS THERE IS NO SPARE TIRE, NO EVEN A DONUT. THERE IS AN INFLATOR/TIRE REPAIR KIT BUT THAT DOES NO GOOD WHEN ONE GETS A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE TIRE. KIA DOES HAVE 24 HOUR FREE TOW TO THE DEALERSHIP TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION, AND I BELIEVE EVEN MOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS IN CASE THIS OCCURS ON A ROAD TRIP, BUT I FEEL IT IS STILL A SAFETY HAZARD. FOR EXAMPLE LATE AT NIGHT, MAYBE ON THE WAY TO WORK AT 4:30 IN THE MORNING. ALSO THE SALES DEPARTMENT(S) DO NOT DO A GOOD JOB IN EXPLAINING THE LACK OF A SPARE. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING SOME OTHER MAKES ALSO HAVE THE SAME INFILTRATOR KIT TO REPLACE THE SPARE. KIA DEALERS DO SELL A KIT FOR ABOUT 200.00, MAYBE 300.00, MY SOLUTION IS, KIA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THESE NOW AT NO COSTS TO CUSTOMERS. I FOUND ABOUT THIS THE TOUGH WAY ON AN OUT OF TOWN TRIP (BETWEEN SAVANNAH, GA AND BEAUFORT, SC)...I AM FROM THE ORANGEBURG, SC AREA, SO WAS ABOUT 90 MILES FROM HOME, ON THE SATURDAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS (12-19-15)...THEY DID OFFER TO TOW ME TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN SAVANNAH, BUT IT WOULD BE CLOSED BY THE TIME WE GOT THERE.
Engine, Dec 24, 2015
CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH ECO-BOOST AND ACTIVE "INTERMITTANT STOP AND GO" SYSTEM, WHICH IS ACTIVE EVERY START CYCLE UNLESS "DEACTIVATE" BUTTON IS ENGAGED.CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER FOR 3,000 MILES IN 6 MONTHS. THE ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN AND NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE RESTARTED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS.BOTH TIMES THE ISG SYSTEM SWITCH WAS DEPRESSED, THE SYSTEM WAS DEACTIVATED,AND THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. THE SECOND TIME THE CAR SHUT DOWN WAS AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, MY DAUGHTER IS A NEW DRIVER-SHE WAS HYSTERICAL. DEALER CLAIMS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, THEY ARE SAYING IT IS OPERATOR ERROR. I HAVE TOLD THEM THAT SHE ALWAYS DEACTIVATES THE ISG EVERY TIME SHE STARTS THE CAR. SHE HAS SEEN THE "DEACTIVE" LIGHT GO OUT SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE WERE NOT TOLD BY THE DEALER ABOUT THE ISG SYSTEM WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR, IF WE HAD KNOWN ABOUT IT, WE WOULD NOT HAVE BOUGHT IT.I FEEL THERE MIGHT BE A SOFTWARE PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSING UNCOMMANDED SHUT DOWN. DEALER CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR.I AM AN AIRLINE AIRCRAFT MECHANIC WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE ON BOEING JETS, AND HAVE BEEN WORKING ON CARS FOR 40 YEARS.
Service brakes, Dec 22, 2015
LOW/SOFT BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO THE FLOOR BEFORE BRAKES ENGAGE. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS A GREAT AMOUNT OF "TRAVEL" IN IT BEFORE THE BRAKES STOP THE CAR. DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES OR TO MAKE REPAIRS.
Steering, Dec 17, 2015
AS TWO DISABLED PERSONS WHO PURCHASED OUR 2015 KIA SOUL JUST FOUR MONTHS AGO, WE WANT TO KNOW WHEN THE NHSTA KNEW OR FIRST BECAME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM TO INCLUDE WHEN KIA FIRST BECAME AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. KIA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS DID NOT OR WOULD NOT TELL ME. I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED THIS CAR USED SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR DISABILITIES. I DID NOT BUY A LEMON, I BOUGHT A CAR THAT WOULD LAST. NOW OUR CAR WILL HAVE SECOND RATE PARTS, I.E. ADDING A BOLT. I WANTED A CAR THAT WAS BUILT THE WAY A CAR SHOULD BE BUILT WITH NO PROBLEMS NOR DANGERS. WE ARE SADDENED BEYOND BELIEF THAT WE WASTED ALL OF THE MONIES ON THAT CAR. A DEFECT, IS A DEFECT . WE PURCHASED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. UNKNOWINGLY. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS NEVER INFORMED THERE WERE POSSIBLE STEERING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/22/16. *JB UPDATED 09/22/16.*JB
Air bags, Seats, Dec 16, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN EIGHTEEN WHEELER AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAIN BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION LOT WHERE THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. IN ADDITION THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATED FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,500. UPDATED 06/29/16*LJ *TR
Visibility, Nov 27, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR WINDSHIELD INADVERTENTLY SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2015
ENTERED LEASE ON 2015 KIA SOUL EXCLAIM ON 2-9-15 WHEN LEASE FOR 2012 KIA SOUL EXCLAIM WAS ABOUT TO TERMINATE. EVER SINCE PURCHASE, WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND AM IDLING AT A STOPLIGHT, THE CAR WILL FEEL LIKE IT WANTS TO GO. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR INTO DEALERSHIP AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT INTERVALS, SO MILEAGE ON CAR KEEPS GROWING. I HAVE TO PUT BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AT TIMES IN ORDER TO KEEP CAR FROM TRYING TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. I'VE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THEY HAVE RECENT THE COMPUTER TO FACTORY NEW SETTINGS, MORE THAN ONCE. ON 11-21-15, I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY TOOK ALL SORT OF READINGS AND WERE ON THE PHONE WITH KIA TECH FOR SUGGESTIONS. THE ONE PERSON WHO COULD READ MORE ABOUT THE FINDINGS WAS NOT GOING TO BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 11-24-15. I CALLED THIS EVENING AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR HAD TALKED THEIR TECH WHO HAD TALKED TO KIA TECH AND THEY STILL COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. I CONTINUE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING AT A COMPLETE STOP AND POTENTIALLY RAMMING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I'VE TRIED TURNING THE FAN OFF OR MAKING SURE THE CAR HAS WARMED UP SO THAT THE FAN DOESN'T HAVE TO RUN TO SEE IF THAT HELPS, BUT IT STILL WILL DO THIS.
Steering, Nov 23, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER FIVE TIMES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A MAILBOX. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE LOCAL POLICE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE PARAMEDICS WERE AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE MINOR INJURIES THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Oct 27, 2015
FIRST OCCURRED AT 134 MILES ON MY 2015 KIA SOUL...BOUNCY VIBRATING SHAKY RIDE COULD BE FELT UNDER MY FEET LIKE SOMETHING BUMPING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR AND IN THE STEERING WHEEL LIKE SOMEONE WAS TAPPING ON IT CONTINUOUSLY. PASSENGERS FRONT AND REAR CAN FEEL THE VIBRATING SHAKE. HAS BEEN RETURNED TO DEALER FIVE TIMES WITH THIS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. IT IS SO BAD IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE TO RIDE IN AND DRIVE. TWO SERVICE TECHS HAVE TOLD ME THEY FEEL IT BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS. LOCAL DEALER REFUSED SERVICE AFTER THE FOURTH TIME SAYING THEY WOULD NOT TRY TO "FIX" IT AGAIN SO KIA CORPORATION SENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP FEELS IT BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS EITHER. A FIELD TECH IS BEING SENT WITH A NEW MACHINE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. NEW TIRES AND WHEELS HAVE BEEN PUT ON THE VEHICLE...THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE BUT IT STILL HAS THE VIBRATING SHAKY FEELING. TWICE, WHEN GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE...SERVICE TECHS DON'T KNOW WHY. THE CAR SHUDDERS MANY TIMES WHEN SITTING AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR PARKING LOT...IT WILL BE RUNNING SMOOTHLY, THEN SUDDENLY BEGIN THE SHUDDER AND SHAKE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, IT RUNS SMOOTHLY AGAIN. AND NO, IT IS NOT THE AC COMPRESSOR KICKING IN...THE VIBRATING SHAKY RIDE OCCURS ON ALL TYPES OF PAVEMENT AND ROAD SURFACES. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO GO AROUND A CURVE, THE WHEEL SHAKES AS IF THE AXLES ARE BAD. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE PURCHASED JUNE 24, 2015, NEW, AND NOW HAS 4,000 MILES ON IT AND IS STILL DOING ITS VIBRATING SHAKY THING. ANYBODY ELSE HAVE THESE PROBLEMS? THIS IS THE THIRD 2015 KIA SOUL WE HAVE OWNED! THE OTHER TWO ARE GREAT! NO PROBLEMS...TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THIS ONE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 7, 2015
I PURCHASED A 2015 KIA SOUL ON APRIL 11, 2015 FROM PARAMOUNT KIA OF ASHEVILLE NC AND ONLY RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD AN OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALL(#NHTCA-15V123 OR SC116) PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE. KIA MOTORS HAD NOTIFIED ITS DEALERS ON MARCH 19, 2015 THAT THEY HAD BEEN ISSUED A REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THIS RECALL WHICH WAS TO BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO SALE OF SAID VEHICLES. THE LETTER STATES "IT IS ILLEGAL TO SELL A VEHICLE WITH AN OUTSTANDING SAFETY RECALL" BUT THIS DEALER SOLD THIS TO ME ANYWAY WITH REGARD FOR MY SAFETY. I BELIEVE THAT FROM THE LACK OF CONCERN I RECEIVED FROM THE DEALER WHEN I CONTACTED THEM ABOUT IT THAT THIS MUST BE A COMMON PRACTICE ON THEIR PART.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 1, 2015
COMPLETE WINDOW VISIBILITY BLOCKED BY SEVERE FOGGING WITHIN TEN SECONDS AT 60 MILES PER HOUR AT NIGHT,MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND SLAMMED ON BRAKES AND AVOIDED A POTENTIALLY SEVERE CRASH,NOW IF THIS HAPPENED TO US SOMEONE MUST HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A INCIDENT LIKE THIS,THE KIA DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE HVAC TEMPERATURE SENSOR THE FAILURE OF THIS SENSOR IS LIFE THREATENING WHEN DRIVING THIS NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED WITH A UNIT THAT CANNOT FAIL MY CAR MILEAGE WAS ONLY 3,200 MILES AND THIS HAPPENED,( HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED !!!!
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2015
I PURCHASED A KIA SOUL IN 2012 (2013 CAR) AND A MONTH LATER WAS IN INTENSIVE CARE FOR 5 DAYS WITH MYSTERIOUS SYMPTOMS. (I AM A HEALTHY WOMAN AND TAKE NO MEDICATIONS.) OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS I STILL HAD PROBLEMS BUT THEY LESSENED. FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, I HAVE HAD NO SYMPTOMS. LAST MONTH I PURCHASED A KIA SOUL 2015 AND IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK I WAS BACK AT THE ER, AGAIN, NO DIAGNOSIS WHATSOEVER. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD SIMILAR SYMPTOMS. PUTTING THE DATES TOGETHER, I THEN RESEARCHED KIA SOUL FOR TOXICITY, AND IT IS THE TOP CAR FOR HIGH TOXIC LEVELS. IS THIS NOT AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE TO BE ON YOUR WEBSITE? I AM SHOCKED THAT SO LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS, BUT THE SOURCES I RESEARCHED ARE MOST RELIABLE. KIA SOUL IS A DANGEROUS CAR.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, Sep 21, 2015, crash
MY SON WAS IN A REAR-END COLLISON IN HIS 2015 KIA SOUL, THAT ALSO PUSHED HIM INTO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF HIM. MY SON WAS AT A STOP AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM, WHEN A MID SIZED SUV DOING APPROXIMATELY 30-40MPH SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND REAR ENDED MY SON. THE SOUL'S BUMPER WENT UNDERNEATH THE CHEVY TAHOE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHEN POLICE AND EMS SHOWED UP AND ASKED HIM IF HE COULD DRIVE IT OFF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT WORK. THEY PUSHED IT OFF THE ROAD. AFTER TOWING TO THE BODY SHOP, THE OWNER SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW WHY THE AIRBAGS HADN'T DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN SEVERED IN THE CRASH. THE TOWING COMPANY WAS HESITANT TO TOW BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID IT MAY GO OFF. THE SOUL HAD AN ESTIMATE OF $15,753.75 IN DAMAGE AND THEREFORE TOTALED...BUT HIS AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF.
Seats, Aug 11, 2015, crash
I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND WAS REAR ENDED WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO FALL BACKWARD, BREAKING BACKWARD. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY SITTING @RAY SKILLMAN, 1300N. SHADELAND, INDIANAPOLIS, IN. THE SEAT IS BADLY DEFOMED AND BROKEN. I FEEL SOMEONE SHOULD CHECK THIS SEAT TO MAKE SURE NO ONE ELSE HAS THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS TOTALED AND SHOULD BE CHECKED BEFORE IT IS DESTROYED. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WANT ADDITONAL INFORMATION.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 8, 2015
WAS DRIVING DOWN AN INTERSTATE ON A JULY AFTERNOON. TEMPERATURE IN THE MID 90'S WITH AC SET ON 72. DRIVING WITH NO CARS AROUND AT 60MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN HEAR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A GUN SHOT. I LOOKED AROUND TO SEE IF I COULD SEE ANYTHING WRONG AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING UNTIL I LOOKED UP. THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED COMPLETELY. THE ROOF FRAGMENTS I COULD SEE WAS LIFTING OUTWARD. I CALLED MY HAIRCUT APPOINTMENT TO CANCEL AND DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE NEAREST KIA DEALERSHIP. ON THE WAY OVER, THE SMALL GLASS FRAGMENTS BETWEEN THE ACTUAL BROKEN FRAGMENTS STARTED TO FALL SO I CLOSED THE SUNSHADE. ALSO ON THE DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP, SOME OF THE BROKEN GLASS FELL OUT ONTO THE ROAD BEHIND ME. ITS BEEN 2 WEEKS AND SO FAR NO NEWS FROM CORPORATE KIA ON REPLACING MY SUNROOF.
Vehicle speed control, Jul 10, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Jun 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND HAD TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE LOUD NOISE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO START PROPERLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT AND OTHER LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. ...UPDATED 01/05/17 *BF UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN
Seat belts, May 21, 2015
AFTER BUCKLING THE SEAT BELT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND GOING DOWN THE ROAD IF YOU TRY TO LEAN FORWARD ONE FINDS THAT THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT PERMIT ANY MOVEMENT YOU HAVE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT AND THEN RETURN IT TO ITS PARKED POSITION AND THEN PULL IT BACK OUT AGAIN. ONCE THAT HAS BEEN DONE YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD OR PULL ON THE BELT ONLY ONCE BEFORE IT LOCKS UP AGAIN. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE WHEN THE SEAT BELT DOES THIS BECAUSE I FEEL THAT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ONE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT IF THERE WAS A LOT OF TENSION ON THE BELT FROM ITS OWN TIGHTENING. ONE SHOULD BE FREE TO LEAN FORWARD TO OPEN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT OR TURN TO ATTEND TO MATTERS IN THE BACK SEATS. I HAVE ACTUALLY SIMULATED A SCENARIO WHERE THERE WAS EXTREME TENSION ON THE BELT FROM PUSHING BACK IN MY SEAT AND TIGHTENING THE BELT BY PUSHING THE BELT BACK UP OVER MY SHOULDER AND WHEN I TRIED TO RELEASE THE BELT IT WAS SO HARD TO PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON THAT I HAD TO ASK MY WIFE TO GET A RUBBER MALLET AND A LONG SCREWDRIVER SO THAT I COULD HIT THE RELEASE BUTTON WITH THE SCREW DRIVER AGAINST THE RELEASE BUTTON. IT FINALLY DI DISENGAGE. I TOLD MY WIFE TO GO TO THE DEALER AND TELL THEM TO FIX IT AND SHE WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE HAD A 2013 KIA SOUL AND THE SEAT BELTS DID THE SAME THING. I FIND THIS SITUATION TO BE EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS THIS PROBLEM COULD BE THE ROOT CAUSE OF FATALITIES.I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALER IN REGARD TO THE 2015 AND THEY SAID THEY CHECKED IT AND IT WORKS FINE.IT DOES NOT WORK FINE BY ANY STANDARD. I THINK THE DEALER/KIA KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM BUT NEED TO BE TOLD TO FIX IT. AT BEST THIS IS A MAJOR NUISANCE AND AT WORST IT IS A DEATH TRAP FROM WHICH WITHOUT A KNIFE ONE CANNOT ESCAPE.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 10, 2015
FROM THE DATE OF PURCHASE UNTIL PRESENT THE VEHICLE HAS A LAG IN ACCELERATION WHEN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE LAG CAUSES A DANGEROUS CONDITION WHEN PULLING OUT. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES, AND EACH TIME WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL A ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.
Other or unspecified, May 7, 2015
KIA COUNTRY OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA SOLD ME A NEW 2015 KIA SOUL WHILE UNDER AN ACTIVE RECALL, PRIOR TO THE RECALL WORK BEING COMPLETED, IN APPARENT VIOLATION OF 49 U.S.C., SECTION 30112(A)(3). KIA SERVICE CAMPAIGN 116, A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT A POTENTIAL UNSAFE CONDITION RESULTING FROM THE FRACTURING OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT WELL IN ADVANCE OF MY PURCHASE DATE OF 02 APRIL 2015. IT SEEMS THAT IN THE RUSH TO SELL ME THE VEHICLE, THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT COMPLETED, AND I WAS NOT NOTIFIED THAT A RECALL WAS IN EFFECT. I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL AFTER REGISTERING ON A KIA WEBSITE AS A KIA OWNER, WHEN AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM MATCHED MY NEW VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER TO THE RECALL, AND INDICATING IT AS INCOMPLETE. THE SOUL WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE AND THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ON 24 APRIL 2015, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN 1208 MILES WITH THE POTENTIAL UNSAFE DEFECT, WITH NO OTHER NOTIFICATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP OR THE MANUFACTURER. *TR