2015 Kia Soul engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 20V750000Dec 2, 2020294,756 vehicles
  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.

  Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 19V120000Feb 22, 2019378,967 vehicles
  ENGINE · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

  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.

  Risk: 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.

  Remedy: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 8, 2026PAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My husband purchased our 2015 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI in 04/18. It was recalled under the NHTSA 19V120 & Kia SC176 in 04/19. The recommended fix? Update ECU Logic. Completed: 04/24/19. Check engine light came in 07/19. My appointment in 08/19, at #1 Cochran Kia showed a P0455 large leak code. Per invoice, manual leak test found no leak, but found gas cap not installed correctly after adding fuel, codes were cleared, & road test performed; "mileage in": 65582, "mileage out": 65583.…

   NHTSA complaint #11769993 · source
2. Filed Oct 5, 2026145,000 miSCFireEngine

   The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the engine was inspected and it was determined that there was no failure with the vehicle. The contact was charged for the diagnostic test. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back…

   NHTSA complaint #11768949 · source
3. Filed Sep 2, 202690,000 miCAFireTowedEngine

   The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was smoke coming from the exhaust, with an abnormally loud popping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the contact exited the vehicle and became aware that there was a line of fire on the main road leading to the bottom of the vehicle. The contact stated that a week prior to the failure, there was an abnormal burning odor…

   NHTSA complaint #11761735 · source
4. Filed Aug 4, 2026WYEngineOther / Unknown

   Dealer refusing to honor open recall remedy for SC200 / NHTSA 20V750000 on 2015 Kia Soul VIN [XXX], approx 100k miles. Recall shows "no unrepaired recall found" on NHTSA VIN lookup, but KSDS update and engine bearing test were never performed. Kia of Cheyenne states: 1) must pay for recall because update not done, 2) must pay for unrelated repairs first, 3) must provide all oil receipts, 4) will not perform free remedy. Second dealer Fort Collins Kia service phone rings no…

   NHTSA complaint #11754821 · source
5. Filed Aug 2, 2026NYEngine

   Please see attached documents. I have also put them in the US mail. One to KIA: Kia Customer Care Center, Kia Motors America, Inc., P.O. Box 52410, Irvine, CA, 92619-2410 and one to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washing, DC 20590.

   NHTSA complaint #11754309 · source
6. Filed Jul 27, 2026147,000 miGAEngine

   The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had passed the inspection and no repairs were needed. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on a slightly inclined road, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11753129 · source
7. Filed Jul 23, 202699,000 miOHFireTowedEngine

   The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. 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. The contact's boyfriend called 911. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. A Police report was not filed. The Fire Department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11752482 · source
8. Filed Jul 3, 2026ILEngine

   Engine went into limp mode on highway on June 30th 2026 and is available now for inspection. Partner and daughter were almost hit by a semi. VIN was registered on Kia website..Kia and dealership inspected and took responsibility for engine recall and deemed it safe on October 6th 2025. Check engine light came on.

   NHTSA complaint #11748191 · source
9. Filed Jun 21, 2026FLEngine

   The vehicle burns an unreasonable amount of oil. This clogs tue catalytic converter creating risks of breakdown or fire. There are many documented cases of this on the vehicle models and yet Kia has not resolved. Instead we pay for the issue. Car ownership has been consistent on maintenance and yet this issue remains.

   NHTSA complaint #11745471 · source
10. Filed Jun 18, 2026118,981 miMDTowedEngine

    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with knock sensor failure, valve cover gasket failure, and an inoperable oil pan. The contact was informed that the knock sensor, valve cover gasket and oil pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…

    NHTSA complaint #11745028 · source
11. Filed Jun 15, 2026FLEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The vehicle is a 2015 Kia Soul with the 1.6L GDI engine. The check engine light came on solid, and a dealer later confirmed diagnostic trouble code P0420, indicating the catalyst system efficiency is below threshold on bank 1. The catalytic converter and engine are still on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. This condition matches the defect described in Kia’s SC176 safety recall for 2012–2016 Soul vehicles with the 1.6L GDI engine, in which overheating…

    NHTSA complaint #11744129 · source
12. Filed Jun 5, 2026134,700 miPATowedEngine

    The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 20 MPH, the Check Engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was pushed to the residence, then towed to a dealer, who stated that the failure was related to the active recall, although the diagnosis was unclear. The vehicle was not repaired.…

    NHTSA complaint #11742369 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology