2015 Kia Soul

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2015 Kia Soul
BUILT 2026-08-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2015: 891 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2010	134
2011	193
2012	512
2013	657
2014	888
2015	891
2016	793
2017	268
2018	209
2019	131
2020	357
2021	220
2022	87
2023	48
2024	26
2025	11

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 70%

70% of complaints: engine — 624 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 76 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show 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, 20231118

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 73 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

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, 20180406

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, 20171218

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 60 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show 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, 20180302

STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 44 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATH

Show 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, 20231118

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2015 — complaint volume: 891

R 20150324 — vehicle speed control

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.

Campaign 15V123000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171116 — steering

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.

Campaign 17V608000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180821 — DP (closed 20190510)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20190329 — PE (closed 20211222)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

R 20190417 — engine, engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 19V120000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210125 — engine

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.

Campaign 20V750000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20211222 — EA (closed 20240205)

Engine Fires

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2015 Kia Soul — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for engine issues (624 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (76 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (73 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 15V123000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
Verify recall 17V608000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Verify recall 20V750000 (engine) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2019

WORST YEARS

■ 2014 ■ 2016 ■ 2013

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 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.