2015 Kia Soul
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 898
- Recalls
- 4
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Engine
Campaigns on file for 2015
Opened by NHTSA
70% of complaints
Complaints per year
2015: 898 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 135 |
| 2011 | 193 |
| 2012 | 514 |
| 2013 | 663 |
| 2014 | 900 |
| 2015 | 898 |
| 2016 | 815 |
| 2017 | 272 |
| 2018 | 218 |
| 2019 | 136 |
| 2020 | 380 |
| 2021 | 235 |
| 2022 | 90 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 12 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine
70% · 628 reportsShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was smoke coming from the exhaust, with an abnormally loud popping sound coming from the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-02
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, bystanders notified the contact that the vehicle was on fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-23
Please see attached documents. I have also put them in the US mail. One to KIA: Kia Customer Care Center, Kia Motors America, Inc., P.O.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-02
Fuel/propulsion system
8% · 76 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Car has an heavy gas smell like when the car is started ,has to crank up and car shakes when itâs started steering is off and etc.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-18
Also filed under Steering and wheels
Electrical system
8% · 75 reportsMost commonly citing key/sender and 12v/24v/48v battery.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. While the vehicle was parked, it caught fire and burst into flames. The contact stated that a neighbor alerted her that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-04-06
Tl* the contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. While the vehicle was parked, it caught fire. The fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-18
Power train
7% · 60 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving 35-45 MPH, the manual clutch slipped and lost functionality without warning. The contact noticed an abnormal odor prior to the failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-02
Engine and engine cooling
7% · 60 reportsMost commonly citing catalytic convertor and oil/lubrication.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-27
Safety timeline
4 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2015Complaint volume 898 complaints filed for this model year.
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2015-03-24Vehicle speed control15V123000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2017-11-16Steering17V608000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2018-08-21Defect petitionClosed 2019-05-10 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
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2019-03-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2021-12-22 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
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2019-04-17Engine, engine and engine cooling19V120000 Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines.
Remedy: 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.
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2021-01-25Engine20V750000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2021-12-22Engineering analysisClosed 2024-02-05 Engine Fires
Buy-smart checklist
2015 Kia Soul — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine: 628 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 76 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 75 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 15V123000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 17V608000 · Steering
- Recall 19V120000 · Engine, engine and engine cooling
- Recall 20V750000 · Engine
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2015 Kia Soul reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2015 Kia Soul is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2015 Kia Soul?
- The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 70% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2015 Kia Soul have?
- 4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.