Kia Soul Complaints (2015)
908 consumer complaints on file.
- #11519719May 1, 2023ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
At the inspection & emissions test on 01/10/2023, the vehicle failed with a P0420 cat code & Kia recommended I pay to replace the catalytic converter. The first P0420 was found in Aug '19 at an Auto Zone. The vehicle is available for inspection. My safety & those of others is at risk per the recall number 19V120 dated 04/12/19: "A defect has been identified which relates to motor vehicle safety. The defect may cause damage to the catalytic converter... If this condition occurs, you may hear knocking noise from the engine and/or the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate. Kia will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection (COP) logic in the Engine Control Unit (ECU) and if necessary replace the catalytic converter and/or engine at no cost to you." This Kia's ECU was upgraded on 04/24/19. About 3 months later, the check engine (CE) light illuminated. Auto Zone found a P0420 code but the Kia dealer found a P0455 & suggested the gas cap was not installed properly. They cleared the code and sent me away. The CE was back on Nov '19. An appointment with Kia on 01/14/20 revealed a P050A code which had no resolution. The dealer "reset engine adaptive values as per techline and released vehicle back" to me. I drove in stress, praying the vehicle doesn't catch fire since it was losing significant oil. I added additional quarts about 1500 miles after each oil change. After a while I got used to the CE being on. In August of '21, AutoZone found a P0420 diag code again. I didn't think Kia would resolve the problem. I finally called Kia in May of '22 & was told of another recall #SA485. I took the Kia in on 05/31/22 with the CE light on. After the ECM upgrade the CE light was off until a few miles were driven. Inspection on 01/10/23, Kia dealer found P0420 Cat Code, failed the vehicle, & told me vehicle is no longer covered under warranty. I think the vehicle should have been recalled for catalytic converter like other 2015 Souls. Please recall this Kia.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11519529April 28, 2023STEERING, AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a rattling noise heard in the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that after the vehicle was returned, the steering, air bags, and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became hot to the touch without the heated steering wheel function being activated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an oil change was needed, and the heated steering wheel fuse was removed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,796.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11519194April 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I bought this vehicle new (under 3k miles) from the dealer Kiefer Kia. The very next day I brought the car back as there were obvious problems with it immediately. The car would hesitate, almost as if it were about to die, while driving or even sitting at a light. When I took it in the repair person heard the problem but said "that's normal for a new car". I wanted to reopen the car but they said there were no returns. I came in 2 other times. On the 4th time they finally replaced the computer. It did nothing to fix the problem but from that time I had electrical problems. They denied the electrical problems. 2 more visits they replaced the computer again and some other recall. Both problems continued. I've had to replace the battery more than once a year. It still hesitates but covid happened and now I'm in a wheel chair and have problems getting around so brining it in is even more difficult. I don't trust any more repairs they're doing I just want my money back. I stopped driving it on the highway as I'm to afraid of the engine catching fire with how it eats oil. If I want to go out of town I have to rent a car!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11518780April 24, 2023ENGINE
Engine failed in exact manner described in safety recall SC176, Kia refusing to cover engine under recall extended warranty.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11518030April 20, 2023ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine, oil, and KSDS sensor warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle was not responsive and shifted into LIMP Mode. The contact drove the vehicle to a dealer who determined that there were metal shavings in the oil pan. Additionally, there was and no oil in the engine. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The dealer refused to replace the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11516513April 11, 2023FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
got an engine catalytic converter check engine light
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515522April 5, 2023ENGINE
Driving down the road and the car caught fire for no reason
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515531April 5, 2023ENGINE
My 2015 Kia Soul ! has been losing power upon acceleration for around 6 months now. We have had two different mechanic shops attempt repairs. First repair found a broken spark plug. Kia Soul continued to lose power upon acceleration and a second repair shop found a bent engine valve. All engine valves were repaired/replaced. After the engine valve repairs, around a month later, Kia Soul loses all power upon acceleration over 4,000 rpm or at an incline, absolutely no power when pressing the accelerator and this caused an instant safety issue for the owner/driver. The owner/driver was on the highway driving around 70 mph when the Kia Soul lost power and she had to maneuver onto the side of a busy highway three times to shut off the Kia Soul and re-start it to get power again. (Shutting off the vehicle and re-starting it temporarily fixes the power issue.) The owner/driver was almost hit by other cars twice trying to get to the side of the highway since there was absolutely no power and no way to accelerate. There were and are still no warning lights, no engine lights, no codes, absolutely nothing stating that anything is wrong with this Kia Soul. This Kia Soul also dumps 100% of its oil at random times. It will throw engine codes of O-ring 1 and 3 at random times not at the same time as the oil dumping. The owner has checked the oil level if the Kia Soul right before driving the vehicle and she has had the vehicle dump its oil during a drive and go into "limp mode" where it loses its power and will not go over a certain RPM to protect the integrity of the engine. The owner has had this happen twice since a KIA dealership did computer reprogramming after the latest recall. There is absolutely no warning, engine codes with this as well. The last time happened on a highway as well and safety was also and issue trying to get off the highway at 45 mph. There is no warning for when it loses power putting its driver in danger of getting hit by other cars.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515634April 5, 2023ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road before restarting the vehicle and continuing to drive 5 MPH to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the catalytic converter to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515132April 3, 2023ENGINE
The engine keeps burning oil, and is clogging up the catalytic converter causing the car to lose power. The car can’t go above 50mph and cannot go up inclines without the rpm at around 5-6. It has been going on since April 2022 and I bought the car in November 2021 from Paramount Kia of Asheville @ 80,000miles. They have done 5 oil consumption tests and 2 overnight soaks which has still yet to fix the problem. The car needs a new engine, and catalytic converter which would be around $10,000. They sold me the car for $17,000 and I still owe $11,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514917April 1, 2023ENGINE, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have had several issues with my car. The check engine light is on, and now my traction control light comes on all the time now. When that happens my car won't tact. I had auto zone check out the check engine light, was told it was the catalytic converter. My mechanic changed my oil and told me to start checking my oil every 500 miles, that it was consuming oil. I paid Kia 170.00 to confirm what auto zone told me. So I average a quart of added oil every 750 to 1000 miles. I see no point in replacing the catalytic converter until we know what is going on with the engine. This started at 113,000 miles, my car has 127.000 now. I have talked to The dealership where I purchased my car, basically they can't help me unless my check engine light flashes and the speed cuts down to 40 miles an hour. My car is having the same issues that are described in recall (SC176) and (SC200). I would appreciate it if you could tell me if my car should have been in the recalls. Thank you for your time and assistance.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514752March 31, 2023ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 38 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The check engine warning light then illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and operated as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the dealer stated that the purge valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 77,424.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514120March 28, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:IMMOBILIZER/PROXIMITY:KEY/SENDER
My car is susceptible to theft due to the fact, Kia did not place immobilizer unit in my 2015 Kia soul. I’m trying to find out where I go to get the software update on my vehicle so it doesn’t get stolen and I can’t find anywhere nobody’s contacted me from Kia please help me with this situation. thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this matter.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514244March 28, 2023ENGINE
Check engine light came on with a p0420 code. After checking the oil, I realized it have used 1.5quartz of oil since my last oil change about 2months ago. I have had this car for only a year and have kept up on maintenance as suggest by the manufacturer. I called the dealership and they say it's normal for kias to burn oil. In my opinion it doesn't see normal nor does it seem safe. They told me it is safe to drive and to bring it in for a suspected exhaust leak.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11514102March 27, 2023ENGINE
Oil consumption problems
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11513056March 21, 2023ENGINE
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) warning light was illuminated on March 19, 2023. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511603March 13, 2023ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
The contact owns a 2015 Kia soul. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the vehicle had experienced failures with the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter. The contact stated that the vehicle was then diagnosed by another independent mechanic who confirmed the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511408March 12, 2023ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My oil is burning and it's been changed several times and is BLACK the next day plus my electrical system is messed up
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511300March 11, 2023ENGINE
Engine is not holding oil
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11510796March 8, 2023ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at highway speeds, an abnormal revving sound would emit from the vehicle as it hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. Despite the failure, her daughter managed to drive the vehicle home; the next day, the contact started the vehicle and experienced the same failure. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective catalytic converter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0