NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The parking mechanism may fail, allowing the vehicle to move unintentionally when the gear shift is in Park and the parking brake is not applied while the engine is on.
This page covers 7 recalls, 888 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Kia Soul.
105 MPGe combined
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2015 Kia Soul's complaint record by a wide margin. Owners most frequently report engine failure or sudden loss of power while driving, often accompanied by knocking or ticking noises that grow louder over time. White or gray smoke from the exhaust is a commonly mentioned symptom, sometimes appearing alongside the engine shutting off unexpectedly at speed. A recurring thread involves engines that fail after progressively worsening noise, with some owners reporting the failure happened with little warning. The powertrain category adds reports of power loss and hesitation under acceleration. A smaller but consistent group of owners mentions the check engine light cycling on and off, with diagnostics pointing to catalytic converter-related fault codes. Paint peeling on the roof and rear hatch appears across multiple complaints as well, with owners describing large sections lifting or chipping during normal washing.
888
Total Complaints
36
Crash-Related
81
Fire-Related
23
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Kia Soul has 7 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk in Soul EV models where the high-voltage battery pack can short-circuit while driving, and a separate engine compartment fire risk on gas-powered models.
Several recalls affect the Soul EV's transmission and parking system. The parking mechanism can be damaged if the gear shift lever is moved into Park before the vehicle fully stops, or under other conditions while powered on, allowing the vehicle to roll unexpectedly. A software update addresses part of this issue, but the underlying parking mechanism concern spans multiple filings. On the steering side, a pinion plug can allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering assembly, causing a sudden and complete loss of steering. Vehicles with the 1.6L GDI engine face a separate concern: high exhaust temperatures can damage the catalytic converter, leading to abnormal combustion, piston damage, and in more severe cases a broken connecting rod that punctures the engine block and spills oil. There is also an accelerator pedal recall covering both gas and EV models, where the pedal arm can bend or fracture, making it difficult for the driver to accelerate normally.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking mechanism may fail, allowing the vehicle to move unintentionally when the gear shift is in Park and the parking brake is not applied while the engine is on.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will update the electronic control unit software at no charge to fix the parking mechanism.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high-voltage battery pack may develop an electrical short circuit while you're driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update or replace the battery management system and software. New software detects abnormal voltage and limits charging and power. If needed, the battery will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving due to fuel or engine oil leaks and engine issues.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect for leaks, test the engine, repair or replace the engine as needed, and update the knock sensor software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Shifting into Park before the vehicle fully stops can damage the parking mechanism, potentially allowing the car to move unexpectedly when parked without the parking brake engaged.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle's electronic control unit software at no cost to address the parking mechanism issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
High exhaust temperatures can damage the catalytic converter, potentially causing abnormal engine combustion and damage to pistons or connecting rods.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control system to prevent catalytic converter overheating, replace the damaged catalytic converter, and replace the engine if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The pinion plug in the steering gear assembly may loosen, allowing the pinion gear to separate and potentially cause loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the entire steering gear assembly as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The accelerator pedal may bend and fracture due to insufficient support at the pedal stopper.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a rubber support underneath the pedal stopper to reinforce the pedal.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.