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 15.2x the segment average of 80. 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. ⚠️ 101 fire reports filed.

101 fire reports 27 crash reports 34 injuries

1214

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

15.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

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

OTHER

105 complaints

• 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
• 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 PANOR
• 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 PURCHASE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 14 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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 ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

79 complaints

• 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
• 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
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTU

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 6 fire reports💥 3 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

75 complaints

• 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
• 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 UNDERNEA
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTU

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 8 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“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”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

60 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTU
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO SECOND GEAR AND THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT POWER LOSS IN THE MOMENTUM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST TO THE POINT OF STALLING BEFORE THERE WAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPE
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN, SHIFTER, AND BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 8 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTU”

— NHTSA complaint filing

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
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)