50 complaints reported

2015 Kia Soul UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
50
Crashes
0
Fires
9
Injuries
2

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Dec 2025

My Kia’s engine light came on. It was my catalyst converter verified by my mechanic and 2 other people. My my car lost power. I took to my mechanic. Well he told me it was a recall issue and I’d have to take it to Kia. In December 1 it was towed into Kia , central ave, Albany, NY. Yesterday I was told my car was finally finished after trying to reach the service center for days. When I talked to the service man and asked what was done on the car, he said everything but the converter. Told me recalls were done. Not if the converter wasn’t done. He said there was no light on. If it’s a recall why does a light need to be on? I need my car but I’m afraid to drive what I feel has not been fixed. I’m heading this AM to pick it up and worried. I’ve been getting nothing but a run around. I won’t know anything they did do. I know something about brakes, and steering. I know the converter wasn’t done no even done even though the car lost power, and I called the recall center, had it towed up to Kia, they kept it since December 2nd but what I sent in for was not fixed. Please help me.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2025
Oct 2025

Catalytic converter bad. 2015 Kea10. Shows to be no warranty. Will cause engine problems.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2025
Oct 2025 Fire

Driving home from supermarket. Car made a loud bang and started smoking from under the hood. Pulled over into parking lot. Car continued to smoke and within minutes caught on fire from under the hood. Car was engulfed in flames within minutes.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2025
Dec 2024

I believe that I am needing the Knock Sensor Detection System updated. I have called the dealer and they have stated that my VIN # does not have any recalls. I do have the MIL Malfunction Indicator Lamp currently on.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2024
Aug 2024 Fire

Got off of hwy traveling at 70 mph came to stoplight. Vehicle stalled. Noticed smoke, then flames. Within 2 minutes the entire engine compartment was engulfed in flames

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2024
Jun 2024

The exact issue with the catalytic converter you have in the 1.6 engines my neighbor has it too. You should be replacing these not charging 2500 for repairs.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2024
Mar 2024

Catalytic converter failure despite recall repair (#19v120). Catalytic converters may become damaged due to overheating. This issue can increase the risk of engine stall or fire. Yes. On March 13, 2024 the vehicle was inspected by a certified Kia mechanic and it was determined that the primary catalytic converter and exhaust manifold have failed. Yes. I don't recall whether or not there was a warning light in 2019 before recall repair however there was a warning light in November 2023 continuing to the present.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2023
Jan 2024

My car is not part of the catalytic converter Recall and I don't understand why. My catalytic converter is not functioning properly and I am getting code p0420 and this makes no sense why I am not part of the recall. My engine and everything matches up to all these recalls and I am scared my car is going to explode. I already have a sick child and all I need is something to happen while driving these defective vehicles. Please make me understand why I am not included in the upgrade for that catalytic converter. I am tired of these issues. I want to out this poor company on making poor vehicles like everyone else. They are supposed to be safe and I should not be afraid to drive my car thinking something will happen.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2023
Dec 2023

The KIA company is denying me the anti theft software. What can I do?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2023
May 2023

The catalytic converter has failed. Even though I got the software update to the converter for the recall, the converter still needs replacement.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2023
Aug 2022

It doesn’t no shift correctly Catalytic converter problems RMP so hight and delay to shift. I can’t go in the freeway the car no respond and don’t go up to 60 I was driving in the free I almost crash and other people behind me To get off the freeway and now warranty not cover. The pass Ower never took the car to the recall and I have to deal w all this

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2022
May 2022

The engine light started blinking, I noticed even though I was pushing the gas my car wasn’t accelerating properly, and by the time i stopped & turn my car off I could hear a very low clanking noise. Check oils, everything was at proper levels, no leaks under my hood. I’m being told it could be a number of things and of course all possible issues are $500+ in repairing it. And my car has under 80k miles.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2022
Apr 2022

The KIA Catalytic Converter recall update from 2019 did not work. My check engine light kept coming on after that and KIA did not replace the catalytic converter or car, as they were supposed to, even though my car WAS under the emissions warranty at that time. They said the update to the computer took care of it, but the engine light kept coming on. Now the catalytic converter failed, no surprise, and it has also damage my air conditioner. Kia is paying for NOTHING. The dealership was sold to a new owner and my car is no longer under warranty, but this is not an isolated sequence of events with the Kia Soul catalytic converter recall. Kia should've replace my catalytic converter, or the whole car/engine, at the time I brought it in...but now here I am with 4 grand in repairs (catalytic converter & exhaust manifold, gaskets, a/c blower, and resistor...common issues occuring from a bad catalytic converter)...NOT to mention more than $500 in car rentals, etc. I am furious that Kia did not listen to me about the engine light after the catalytic converter recall, when it turned on my engine light. Additionally, it has caused oil leakage, which can lead to fire. The recall number is SC176, my case number is 14760972

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2019
Mar 2022

Catalytic converter causing vehicle not to start

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2022
Jan 2022 Injury

I’m not sure what system failed and yes my car is available for inspection. My safety was severely put at risk because something started to let smoke fill the cab of my car and it was so bad that I had to roll all the windows down which still I could barely breath. My hands went purple as well as my arms. I felt very sick and weird. No one has looked at my car but I have an appointment on the 2nd of feb. 2022. There wAs a check engine light on and I took it to Kia and they said it was throwing a partial code for the emissions something.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Jan 2022

I am receiving no alerts from the computer in my vehicle warning me of a malfunction. It is available for inspection upon request. I am having issues accelerating after stopping at any light. As soon as the vehicle gets in 1st gear, a plume of smoke comes out of my exhaust. Five quarts of oil lasts the vehicle for only two days. I have had to replace multiple gas caps and PCV Valves. Lokey KIA claims it did the SC200 test on my vehicle and passed. I have had this issue since before the inspection. Now resulting in my car being a fire hazard.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2022
Dec 2021 Fire

I was driving on the highway when my car started to fill with smoke and stopped accelerating. Shortly after getting out the car started to become engulfed in flames. I believe it had something to do with the engine because that’s where the fire started before it began to spread. My safety was put at risk bc had I not gotten out of the car I could’ve been severely burned or even died. I had to stand in the middle of the highway while cars were flying past me and could’ve easily gotten hit. Kia has not yet determined the cause of the fire. I didn’t have any warning lamps before the fire.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2021
Nov 2021

CONSTITUENT WRITES INQUIRING ABOUT THE STATUS OF A SAFETY RECALL RELATED TO THEIR 2015 KIA SOUL.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Nov 2021

On April 9, 2021, I was driving on the expressway and felt an odd change in the vehicle's handling while I was accelerating. Very shortly after, I exited the expressway and came to a stop at the red light at the end of the exit ramp. At that point, the engine simply stopped functioning. The starter did not turn the engine over at all, though the battery was fully charged and the electrical systems were working. I managed to get the vehicle safely onto the shoulder of the exit ramp, and was able to call for assistance. I had the car towed to Pep Boys who told me the oil pan was empty and the engine had overheated, damaging the connecting rod and pistons. A complete engine replacement was necessary. Knowing that this sounded very much like the issue resulting from a previous recall (ID 297880/sc176), which had supposedly been corrected on 6/4/2019, I had the car towed to Sons KIA in McDonough, GA. Sons gave me a repair estimate to replace the catalytic convertor, along with several other replacement suggestions (bulbs, wipers, tires, battery, etc. NONE of which were actually in need of replacement). No mention was made at all about the engine or the fact that the car was inoperable. I eventually discovered that Sons had lost the key to the car, and had only learned of the converter through the DTC codes, and never even looked under the hood or attempted to start the car. Though they claimed to have performed recall update 370541/sc200, they were not even able to access the cabin or engine compartment without a key. I had the car towed to KIA Atlanta South in Morrow, GA, where it has sat since 5/26/2021 awaiting evaluation and repair. I was told that it may take 6+ months before their staff has a chance to look at the car, and it will take even longer to find a replacement engine to make repairs. The Dealership Manager suggested I sell the car to CarMax as scrap, which would be a loss of $7,000+ in value if I can wait indefinitely for repairs they are responsible for.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2021
Nov 2021 Fire

CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR 12 HOURS, THEN SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2021
Sep 2021

Vehicle was equipped with a major default making the vehicle extremely easy to steel. Because of this flaw, my car, along with thousands of other Kias in my neighborhood, are being stolen at an alarming rate. The financial burden this is creating is out of control. Kia and Hyundai must be held responsible and find a way to fix this defect. There is not enough manpower in the police stations to keep up with the 2,500% increase in thefts so far this year. Nor are there enough mechanics and parts to fix these damaged cars. It is out of control and needs to be addressed.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2021
Sep 2021

Daughters were stranded in middle of road ,, Car Dealer said everything was fixed not the case sent car back nothing was done had to tow to mechanic and they did the repairs as needed car is back in shop needing additional repairs that should have been done with original recall

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2021
Aug 2021

MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR A WEEK. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES BEFORE AND WAS TOLD IT HAD A CODE OF P05A. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THEY CAN'T FIX IT. I'VE EVEN SPOKEN TO KIA, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A SOLUTION. I DON'T WANT TO BE DRIVING AND SOMETHING MAJOR HAPPENS TO MY CAR AND I GET INJURED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2021
Jul 2021

MY STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR STARTED JERKING, THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AT THE REDLIGHT WHEN I STOPPED, I RESTARTED IT AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF, CAR RAN FINE, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND AGAIN, TOOK TO THE SHOP THEY TOLD ME TRANS WAS FINE, NO CODES ON THE DIAGNOSTIC BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEED WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED I PAID FOR THAT, NOW THE LIGHT IS STILL COMING ON AND THE CAR DOESNT START UNLESS YOU TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT ON AGAIN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2021
Jul 2021 Fire Injury

I was driving on freeway when another car got my attention a fire had started outside (backside) so I thought I better pull over and my brakes wouldn’t stop. By this time the fire was entering the vehicle. I saw it in my backside so I acted quickly and pulled emergency brakes and jumped out before car went up in flames. I am thankful to be alive and walk away from such a frightening scene. However this is not normal and feel like this could’ve been avoided. I am notifying you so other Kia Soul drivers don’t experience anything like this.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2015 KIA SOUL, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2021

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2015 Kia Soul has 50 UNKNOWN OR OTHER complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.