10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,829 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2015 Kia Soul:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #45

Jan 112022

Soul

  • miles
At busy intersection was stopped for red light. When light turned green put foot on gas and car would not move more then 5 miles per hour. No warning lights on dashboard. Was able to get to side of road. Has car towed to mechanic close by, they said both catalytic converter would have to be replaced $4,700. Strange to have this kind of damage fir car under75,000 miles. Looked up recalls and KIA had one fir that year of car. Recall number: SC176 Had car towed to closest KIA dealer in Gladstone Oregon. They said the engine showed damage and would $8,700 to fix. Said recall or the warranty would not cover cost. Warranty for up to #100,000 and recall states recall could cause engine damage.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #44

Oct 032021

Soul

  • miles
Driving the car up the 101 Cuesta Grade and lost acceleration. The speedometer went to zero and as the car died I pulled to the right side of the freeway / grade. Smoke started to enter my vehicle. A car stopped in front of me and one behind and the people ran from their cars to tell me to get out of my car as my front engine underneath was on fire. I got out of the car and opened the back hatch to remove my belongings as the engine burst into flames. This car has been maintained by KIA and by a personal mechanic and we were up to date on all recalls. We were NOT included in the most recent engine fire recall. The car is completely destroyed.

- Paso Robles, CA, USA

problem #43

Oct 042021

Soul 4-cyl

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate. The contact stated that the battery and the oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that since she did not have an extended warranty, they would not service NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) that was associated with the VIN. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

- Rayne, LA, USA

problem #42

Jun 282021

Soul

  • miles
My 2015 Kia Soul had a recall for the Catalytic Converter, which I was Never informed of. My check engine light came on and I took it to get checked, they told me the trouble, my husband was a mechanic so he checked id there were recalls and to find out there was one on the catalytic converter, I took it to the dealership of March in 2021, they fix the catalytic converter and changed it. Only to find out that my entire engine was ruined because of the damage from the catalytic converter. My car stalled on the freeway going 65 miles an hour with my daughter in the car. We were almost hit by a semi truck, I took it back down to the dealership after the check engine light came on told them it was stalling. They charge me for a fuel sensor and said that was the problem. I took a back down to the dealership because it was continuing to Saul after that, call the recall Center for Kia and I was told by a representative that I would be getting a new engine. When I went down to the dealership to get the new engine they told me that was incorrect and I have still not gotten my car back after two days. The dealership has yet to call me either to tell me what exactly is the issue with my car

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #41

Apr 222021

Soul

  • 286,300 miles
Was driving the vehicle everything was normal all of a sudden the it began to smell like it was overheating. Then car started to lose power an stalled out. I pulled over let it set for a good 30 mins. I checked all the fluids everything was great. So I started the vehicle which was hesitant began driving did great for about 15 mins. And the same smell plus some other sounds crazy but egg smell occurred and I pulled over about 4 mins after I began to notice it was running strange. The check engine light came on an now this vehicle misses and does not run correctly. I check the fluids and tires every Monday and Thursday. I went to have the codes for the check engine light that came on after the incident happened. It gave me several issues that wasnt there at all before whatever happened happened.

- Dyersburg, TN, USA

problem #40

Aug 082019

Soul

  • 65,000 miles
We had a recall so we brought our Kia Soul 2015 to be repaired. They had the car for a month. When we got the car back it wasn't the same, the engine light came on. We called them again they said it was normal and our car was fine. We kept calling them the it wasn't. we were going to nh for a family reunion and bring his daughter back oo. They said that they needed to see the car onnly when the light was on, it always came on at odd times. But they assisted it was fine to go up North, well when we hit mass. The car blew it's engine. They ried to say we had no oil in in, my husband changed the oil before weleft and everything that the recall said would happen did happen.. the car was left in mass at tewksbury Kia and Kia would not fit the bill. So we have no car since we were in financial stress. I have no car they came and took from us. And I still have to pay even though I had the insurance were something happen it get paid off. So on a main highway our car died in the flow of traffic the scarcest thing in the world. Had to get a hotel, rental loss of work and had to depend on neighbors for a ride to work, I loved our car. Bryan Kia in leesburg fl didn't do us right or Kia we did our part they didn't, I have the repair bills at home, at work just found this site. Please help

- Leesburg, FL, USA

problem #39

Dec 012020

Soul

  • 67,640 miles
While driving at night on the street and on the freeway, the headlights begun to flicker on and off when using the turn signal, and will turn off completely for a few seconds then turn back on. Also, the headlights will randomly flicker. I replaced the headlight bulbs but it did not resolve the issue.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #38

Nov 272019

Soul

  • 45,000 miles
For over a year, I've had the engine light illuminate a dozen times and everytime I've had to visit my dealership to have the system scanned and always reports error code: P050A. I've been told by the shop that Kia is aware of the issue and no fix is available at this time. Having to constantly go back to the dealership shop for an error on Kia part is rediculous and has cost way too much of my time and added mileage. A year of the same story, "awaiting a fix" and no updates, timetable or sign that Kia actually cares and is working on a resolution. Not sure what their engineers do all day but this is rediculous.

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #37

Sep 192020

Soul

  • 45,000 miles
While driving 70mph on a highway, my Kia Soul spontaneously burst into flames underneath a stranger stopped with a fire extinguisher luckily. Fire dept says had we not used the extinguisher, my car quite likely would have exploded. Prior to incident, I had no warning lights on, no oil leak, oil needed changing soon but wasn't too low. There was no collision.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #36

Aug 202020

Soul

  • 111,723 miles
1. I experienced this twice now. Driving down an ally the vehicle turned off on me. The second time I was parked ran into my house came out and it was off. Luckily I wasn't on the highway at the time of this happening. Also in somehow lock my keys in the vehicle when I came out to grab something from the trunk. 2. you'd think a 2015 vehicle wouldn't let you do that especially with the keyless entry. 3. also I'm noticing a vibration in the idle when sitting parked with the engine on. 4. while in cruise control I noticed that the car does not stay at a consistent speed especially going up and down hills. The vehicle loses speed within a 10 to 20 mile per hour range.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #35

Aug 232020

Soul

  • 130,000 miles
Engine abruptly failed on freeway and is no longer operating. I was operating the vehicle at approximately 60 mph as I exited the freeway. Immediately the engine began making knocking noises and jerked. I pulled over and the vehicle had to be towed from directly off the freeway. This was a well maintained and operated vehicle with service records to prove it.

- Salida, CA, USA

problem #34

Sep 122020

Soul

  • 110,000 miles
While driving in neighborhood came to a stop and when I proceeded to go my car wouldn't move and I was pressing on gas pedal, 5 seconds later my car accelerated really fast and suddenly and I almost rear ended the car in front of me. The delayed shifting has almost caused an accident three times now! I don't feel safe driving my Kia and I just bought this car 2 months ago. Also check engine light comes on and code read is P0420.

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #33

Jul 282020

Soul

  • 116,193 miles
I brought my vehicle up to benson Kia to get recalls repaired on my 2015 Kia Soul. There were issues with the catalytic converter due to a recall and I was informed by the servicing station at benson Kia that the issue was resolved. There is a rattling noise that is coming from the vehicle. Before I drove my vehicle off the lot the ratting noise was still present. I asked them to look at the vehicle before I drove off the lot. The mechanic brent looked at the vehicle and told me that it is the resonator making the noise and it is from a build up of gas fumes from the exhaust. I was then informed that the resistor falls out of warranty. Prior to getting the recalls repaired I never heard the noise. The dealership is not wanting to fix the issue that was caused by them changing the catalytic converter and told me that they no longer help me as their me chi sonics have done all that they could and they refused service on my vehicle. They then proceeded to inform me to go to a different Kia dealership to have them look at the vehicle. The dealership is approximately 30 minutes away from me and I am unable to get the vehicle to the shop

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

problem #32

Jun 152020

Soul 4-cyl

  • 55,000 miles
When turning on the ignition nothing happens. The dash lights go on but the car doesn't start. After a few tries it will start. Sometimes a short hesitation, other times it will take several tries. I have a new battery.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #31

May 012020

Soul

  • 80,000 miles
I was driving down chuckanut drive. Windy road, I came to a corner going 15 mph then it felt like the engine turned off. So I pullled over to see. When I stopped the engine was still on so I put it in park turned the car off and opened hood checked oil everything seemed fine start driving again I noticed it was very touchy on gas pedal you couldn't really accelerate. I get like 2 miles down the accelerator stopped then it just had the worst noise coming from engine and the dash light said oil was blinking ! I couldn't go any further! I sat there for a couple hours finally got a hold of cab company that brought me oil I put it in and still the worst sounding noise coming from engine. My friend came and got me and my car is still on chuckanut! as we speak I'm trying to figure out what to do next chuckanut is on highway 11 in wshington state the car was in motion and now is parked on pullout on chuckanut drive

- Friday Harbor, WA, USA

problem #30

Feb 102020

Soul

  • miles
Ever since I replaced ed my battery 1/30/2020 I am having intermittent starting issues, I have taken the car to the dealer on several occasions and they are not able to find the issue. Online there are many forums with hundreds of people with the same issue. Kia does not acknowledge any recalls or issues but yet we are all dealing with cats that won't start

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

problem #29

Dec 112019

Soul

  • 33,950 miles
I took my 2015 Kia Soul to miami lakes Kia twice in December 2019, to check a clicking noise when turning both left and right, more consistently when turning right. I'm not sure but I have an inkling that this noise may be related to a problem with the steering column, cv joints or the axle. When I picked up my car the 1st time, as I made a right turn, I heard the same clicking noise. I called service and let them know that I still heard the noise. I returned my car a week later and took a test ride with two technicians, one technician informed me that the the noise needed to be louder for them to repair it. His claim seems unreasonable, especially since everyone who rides in my car hears the clicking noise, and there is obviously a mechanical issue with the cars steering or something related. I had my car checked at tires plus, the clicking noise was duplicated on the test drive and the mechanic informed me that this is a recall issue and to take my car to the dealer. Also, on February 21, 2020, the car battery that I purchased on July 31, 2018, died. This battery did not last 18 months (36 month warranty).

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #28

Jan 162020

Soul

  • 81,000 miles
Car would not start when start button depressed. Lights on dash and radio come on but car will not start by pushing on button either with finger or smart key. In the past, the car has eventually started but not today. Dealership has checked car twice with no correctve action even suggested. They say the have no idea for repairs because car always starts at the shop. They suggest having the car towed to the shop when failure occurs and hope the car will not start when it gets to shop. The battery is new. Car was at the dealership for routine maintainence Tuesday, it is Thursday and the car will not start after many attempts. On two occasions I sat the smart key in the cup holder after a failed attempt and the car started without me pushing the start button or having my foot on the brake pedal. It seems there are several postings about this issue on the internet with no resolution forthcoming. It is quite frustrating!

- Troy, IL, USA

problem #27

Dec 282019

Soul

  • 130,000 miles
My 2015 Kia Soul base mt is having trouble starting the key won't turn over the ignition. Or the ignition will turn and get stuck to where you can just pull the key out

- Asheville, NC, USA

problem #26

Dec 282019

Soul

  • 49,000 miles
While getting ready for a 160 miles trip, a friend of mine check the engine oil and for our surprise it was off stick..no oil but the light on the dashboard never got on as a warning. I took it to walmart and yes, they made the oil change with the note on papers that it had little oil only...why this happened on a Kia Soul 2015 with almost 50,000 miles"..I don't understand and what might happened if I were going into the 160 miles trip without oil"..very risky..I think

- San Diego, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »