Is the 2015 Kia SOUL reliable?

The 2015 Kia SOUL has 1214 complaints filed with NHTSA (4.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2015 Kia SOUL?

Top problems: ENGINE (682 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (105 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (79 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2015 Kia SOUL?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): ENGINE, ENGINE, STEERING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2015 Kia SOUL?

The 2015 Kia SOUL gets 26 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1846. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2015 Kia SOUL often stolen?

The Kia SOUL was the #10 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 9,700 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: very-high. Pre-2022 models are affected by the Kia Boys challenge — verify your VIN has the manufacturer security update.

How much does it cost to insure a 2015 Kia SOUL?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2015 Kia SOUL is approximately $1,760/year (wagon class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2015 Kia SOUL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2015 Kia SOUL has 1214 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 4.2x the segment average of 292. The most common issue is engine problems (56% of all complaints), specifically: 2015 kia soul sputtered when going from first gear, to second gear and then third. cw also, the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard. a diagnostics revealed, the vehicle was not firing on all four cylinders and that was the reason the vehicle seemed sluggish. the engine cover was remov. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 101 fire reports filed.

101 fire reports 27 crash reports 34 injuries

1214

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

4.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

682 complaints

56%

• 2015 KIA SOUL SPUTTERED WHEN GOING FROM FIRST GEAR, TO SECOND GEAR AND THEN THIRD. CW ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. A DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FIRING ON ALL FOUR CYLINDERS AND THAT WAS THE REASON THE VEHICLE SEEMED SLUGGISH. THE ENGINE COVER WAS REMOV
• 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 OCCAS
• 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

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 61 fire reports💥 4 crashes

“2015 KIA SOUL SPUTTERED WHEN GOING FROM FIRST GEAR, TO SECOND GEAR AND THEN THIRD. CW ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. A DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FIRING ON ALL FOUR CYLINDERS AND THAT WAS THE REASON THE VEHICLE SEEMED SLUGGISH. THE ENGINE COVER WAS REMOV”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2015 Kia SOUL

Based on 703 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 86K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

273

100-150K

220

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 35K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 27K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 6K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

Earlier than typicalmedian 45K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Earlier than typicalmedian 31K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Earlier than typicalmedian 3K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

ENGINE02/12/2020

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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Very high theft risk

#10 most stolen in 2025

The Kia SOUL was the #10 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 9,700 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2015 Kia SOUL

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,847

Per month

$154

Per mile

15.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,600/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2015 Kia SOUL

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,760

Full coverage / month

$147

Liability only / year

$571

vs US avg

+5%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (wagon)0.95x

× theft risk1.28x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1760

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SOUL Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2015 SOUL, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1214 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 2015 KIA SOUL SPUTTERED WHEN GOING FROM FIRST GEAR, TO SECOND GEAR AND THEN THIRD. CW ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. A DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FIRING ON ALL FOUR CYLINDERS AND THAT WAS THE REASON THE VEHICLE SEEMED SLUGGISH. THE ENGINE COVER WAS REMOV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 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 ENGI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)