2015 KIA SOUL Complaints

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. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,700.

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). This indicates imminent connecting rod bearing failure, which is a known defect subject to lifetime warranty extensions and safety recalls under the Hyundai/Kia Engine Litigation. This defect poses a severe safety risk, as it can cause sudden engine seizure, catastrophic loss of motive power at highway speeds, or an engine fire, creating an immediate crash hazard. The vehicle was presented to an authorized Kia dealership service center for diagnosis. The dealership completed a static "Bearing Clearance Test" (BCT) which resulted in a procedural pass. However, the authorized service advisor explicitly stated on a recorded voicemail that the engine "is having issues" and that the dealership "can't put on the ticket that everything is completely safe". Voicemail recording can be provided. Despite acknowledging on the record that the vehicle is unsafe to operate, the dealership and manufacturer refused to authorize the necessary engine replacement repair, citing the static test result. Furthermore, dealership staff instructed the consumer (myself) to continue operating the admittedly unsafe vehicle in traffic until a catastrophic failure occurs on the road to force a diagnostic test failure. The manufacturer's reliance on a test protocol that fails to identify physically disintegrating components, combined with instructing consumers to drive vehicles admitted to be unsafe, constitutes an extreme and ongoing safety hazard.

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. I pull over, stop, and keep going after several minutes idling with no apparent issue continuing. I take the car to get a computer check of the engine light code, P0420 for catalytic converter efficiency. Take car to dealer, they diagnose the converter as being both melted and clogged, quote me $4200 to replace with OEM part. Go to get second opinion at another service center, they confirm converter diagnosis and additionally diagnose cause as relating to outdated ECU software causing converter overheating, something which was an active recall for Kia Soul vehicles from MY 2012-2016, but only the 1.6L models. My vehicle is a 2.0L model with the exact same issue causing the exact same result, but with no recall, the converter is shot and there is no accountability for replacing the damaged part and updating the faulty software, as well as for missing this faulty software in the first diagnostic.

The contact stated that when taking the vehicle to complete recall repairs for NHTSA Campaign Number 20V750 (Engine) The contact was informed that due to the milage on the vehicle that the repaired did not have to be completed. The contact stated they have experienced knocking and oil leakage that is related to the mentioned recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate ,mileage 177,000.

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle began to make a knocking noise which became progressively louder and backfired. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust as the contact moved to the side of the road and exited the vehicle safely. The vehicle then developed a small fire underneath the hood in the engine compartment, which quickly became engulfed in flames. The contact was approximately 30 to 40 feet away when this occurred. The smoke was described as having an electrical odor. The fire spread into the interior of the vehicle, resulting in damage to the dashboard, front seats and windows. No additional property damage was reported. Emergency services were contacted and the fire department extinguished the fire. The insurance company determined the vehicle to be a total loss. No injuries were sustained. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number 20V750000 (Engine). The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.

My check engine light continues periodically turn on and off; diagnostics done by independent service centers shows the code indicating there's something wrong with my catalytic converter. I discovered the make and model of my vehicle has a recall for this issue, but upon contacting Kia directly and speaking with services members & customer care I was told that my vehicle does not fall under the recall even though it is showing the same signs as the vehicles that have. It has not been inspected by anyone other than the hired mechanic and I'm not entirely sure when the problem first began, but has been an ongoing issue for the last few months.

White paint is peeling off roof and back hatch. Had been washing car at automatic car wash and noticed edges were all chipping. Stopped wash in car as afraid it would get worse. Just hand washed the roof and now the whole roof is peeling chipping. This has been occurring for over a year. When I bought the car there was a spot on the hood without paint. They repaired it. Didn’t realize the whole car would get like that.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the repair failed to prevent the failure. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost automotive power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinders #1 through #4; the ignition coils were replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the dealer determined that the failure was caused by a lack of vehicle maintenance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,912.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle and driving to the residence, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a code reader and retrieved DTC: P0420 (Catalytic Converter). The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); and four other recalls. The vehicle remained with the dealer for approximately 4 days before the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was provided with an estimate for the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance; however, the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Anti theft ignition protector and another recall that makes the car have engine compartment fires. My car is at risk of being stolen as well as catching fire. Yes the problem has been confirmed from by Kia dealer. Yes the check engine light keeps coming on. It first appeared 02/10/2026. I purchased the car from b&g auto sales located at 3922 W Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85019 and they installed an aftermarket ignition cylinder so the recalls that needed to be done couldn’t be done.