2015 Kia Soul: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2015 / kia / soul
known issues	8 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-06)
complaints	903 on file (2014-10-27 → 2026-09-02)
recalls	4
investigations	3
fars	139 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Headlight flicker and shutoff with turn signal useELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING9 complaints2023-09 → 2025-10soul-2015-headlight-flicker

11648970 My headlights turn off when I use my blinkers. They also flicker sometimes
11544399 Headlights turn off after using the turn signal switch. Started happening once in a while but now it happens not only after using the turn signal switch but the headlights will turn off for a few seconds and then turn back on
11551687 Headlights flicker off and sometimes just for a second, sometimes stay off and will usually come back on if i turn them off and on again. But then it happens again

Brake line corrosion and loss of brakingSERVICE BRAKES5 complaints2023-06 → 2026-02soul-2015-brake-line-corrosion

11560433 Catastrophic failure of rear brake line. Rusted through. Started noticing changes to braking on my way home from the dealer after an oil change. There were no warning lights. Thankfully I was at home in the driveway when ALL of the brake fluid leaked out
11707210 My brakes went out completely while driving my 2015 kia soul with my daughter in the car
11717476 The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated

Catalytic converter failure and loss of powerENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE52 complaints2023-06 → 2026-07soul-2015-catalytic-converter-failure

11720424 The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted, but was sputtering and making abnormal sounds
11739274 On the highway, not reaching speed at expected RPM, try increasing power and RPM stops climbing at 3500, and speed decreases suddenly, car starts bucking, check engine light flashing
11721691 While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, indicating a failure with the catalytic converter

Engine knocking and sudden engine failureENGINE57 complaints2023-07 → 2026-07soul-2015-engine-failure-knocking

11740279 The vehicle exhibited a severe mechanical engine knock, significant magnetic iron debris in the engine oil, and subsequently triggered diagnostic trouble code P1326 (Bearing Wear Limit Exceeded)
11539893 I own a 2015 kia soul 2.0 GDI engine, was coming home, the car surged twice and started knocking. I imediatly pulled over and killed the car. Had the car checked, spun the number 3 cylinder connecting rod bearing
11580836 Was driving on the highway I hard a pop sound and I look in my mirror and saw a big white smoke fog and then hard tapping from the hood and pulled over and my car would not start had it towed and had 2 mechanic look at it told me my engine is blown and there is a hole in it

Excessive engine oil consumptionENGINE26 complaints2023-08 → 2026-06soul-2015-oil-consumption

11745262 the car burns oil. I am having to put in 1 to 3 quarts a month
11668441 Excessive oil consumption noted at around 40,000 miles. No visible smoke coming from tail pipe but burnt oil smell coming from underneath car in region of catalytic converter
11561997 The engine consumes excessive oil, dropping it into the catalytic converter. This clogs the catalytic converter and causes it to overheat, creating a fire hazard. The car is on its 3rd catalytic converter in 5 years

Engine compartment fireENGINE13 complaints2023-11 → 2026-07soul-2015-engine-compartment-fire

11752482 The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, bystanders notified the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The contact pulled over, exited the vehicle, opened the hood, and there were flames coming from the engine. No warning light was illuminated
11686476 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
11722329 While driving at 55 MPH, the contact heard a loud "pop" sound followed immediately by visible flames originating from under the hood. No warning lights or indicators were illuminated before the fire

EV battery recall repair parts unavailabilityELECTRICAL SYSTEM8 complaints2023-07 → 2025-03soul-2015-ev-battery-recall-parts

11535224 Kia issued recall 23V218 in relation to the High Voltage Battery being able to short curcut and catch fire. They don't know for sure the cause, nor do they have a remedy in place yet
11592461 Vehicle recalled by Kia for potential for short and resultant fire from battery pack. Recall performed, traction battery found to be defective. Vehicle taken and held by Kia for six months while awaiting back-ordered replacement traction pack

Airbag non-deployment in collisionsAIR BAGS5 complaints2024-02 → 2025-02soul-2015-airbag-non-deployment

11587547 AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. At 4-way intersection w/ traffic light other driver going northbound blew through their red light (maybe on phone or other distraction) at what seemed like a high speed
11570550 I was involved in a head on collision with a F250 truck and the airbags did not deploy. I did hit my head on the steering wheel and have a bruise above my eye and some scratches on my knee

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
903	2014-10-27	2026-09-02	36	83	ENGINE:629; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:108; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:76; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM:76; POWER TRAIN:62

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
20V750000	02/12/2020	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.	An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.	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.
19V120000	22/02/2019	ENGINE	Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.	Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.	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. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
17V608000	29/09/2017	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.	If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.	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. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
15V123000	02/03/2015	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL	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.	If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
DP18003	closed	Non-crash Vehicle Fires	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES	2018-08-21	2019-05-10	18V907000	In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
EA21003	closed	Engine Fires	ENGINE	2021-12-22	2024-02-05	23V877	On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine
PE19004	closed	Non-crash Vehicle Fires	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES	2019-03-29	2021-12-22	20V088000	During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.7 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field and other data on other Kia vehicles (approximately 3.6 million additional vehicles) equipped with the same engines use

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	139	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2015 Kia Soul vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2015/kia/soul

@misc{wrenchpro_2015_kia_soul_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2015 Kia Soul},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2015/kia/soul}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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