2015 KIA SOUL Complaints

Vehicle Information: 2015 Kia Soul Issue Summary: My 2015 Kia Soul experienced a sudden engine failure while I was driving. The check engine light began flashing, and the vehicle went into limp mode, drastically reducing power and creating an immediate safety risk on the road. The dealership diagnosed the issue and found a knock sensor code (P1326), which confirmed the need for an engine replacement. This was especially alarming because the knock sensor had already been replaced during a previous service, as part of Kia’s known effort to address this widespread engine defect. Despite this, my extended warranty claim was denied by Kia due to a lack of full maintenance receipts. These records, along with my original sales contract, were stored in the glove compartment and stolen when the vehicle itself was stolen and later recovered — a theft tied to the well-documented vulnerability of this vehicle model, which is now the subject of a class action lawsuit. This complaint is now part of an open file with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (File #[XXX]). From my research and the many comments I’ve received online, this is not an isolated issue — it appears Kia is denying a growing number of valid warranty claims in similar ways, despite clear evidence of engine failure tied to a known defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

My 2015 Kia Soul is experiencing ongoing, severe oil consumption. Despite having an extended warranty for rod bearing failure (15 years/150,000 miles), my Kia dealership refuses to perform an oil consumption test because my vehicle has slightly exceeded 100,000 miles (currently at ~106,500). I brought the vehicle in multiple times for oil loss before reaching 100,000 miles, but no one informed me that a test existed or was needed. The car burns through oil every 3,000 miles or less, sometimes with no oil showing on the dipstick before the next change. It often chugs or knocks, but no warning lights currently appear. I previously received engine codes P1326, P0011, and P0014, and I did receive the KSDS update. The dealership told me I must wait for the engine to fail to qualify for replacement. This is unsafe for me and other drivers. Kia Consumer Affairs has confirmed I’m under warranty, but no solution has been offered to prevent a dangerous breakdown. I am concerned that this is a widespread issue that is being ignored unless the vehicle fails completely. I’ve been instructed by Kia service staff to continue topping off oil to avoid engine damage. However, by doing so, I am also preventing the P1326 code from triggering—effectively disqualifying me from warranty help. I’m forced to choose between protecting my car or triggering a code to qualify for repair. This puts consumers at risk and creates an unfair barrier to accessing the warranty coverage Kia advertises.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The engine misfired and the transmission shuttered. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed catalytic converter. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the front passenger’s seat belt failed to latch and lock securely. The rear middle seat belt was difficult to close. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the oxygen sensor and catalytic converter were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred the contact to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted, and informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The failure mileage was 104,000.

Hello, I own currently a car, Kia Soul 2015 , I bought it from car auction, it was recovered after theft! The car is clean title! When I got it home a mechanic looked at it and told me the piston rod came out through the engine block and engine is seized up and this is a common problem for this model of Kia, piston rod is damaging the block , oil spilling and catching fire and he told me I need to go to the dealership because some people get their cars fixed if they meet the criteria for recall! Also I saw there is one more open recall this car has related to power steering that can lead to accidents if not fixed! I towed my car to Kia dealership and they told me they can't fix my recalls because I bought the car from auction! And I paid 180$ for the inspection they did! They didn't even saw the piston rod came out of block and damaged the piston and the block! They told me I have a broken piston! So is it true if you bought a car from auction they don't fix the recals anymore ? This doesn't make any sense to me! The recall is not a warranty I guess, it shouldn't expire because it can create dangerous situations on the road! So I want to know what can I do in this case to have the recalls fixed! I also asked them for a note about inspection they did and they didn't gave me anything! Thank you!

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking and ticking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that while slowing down to come to a stop, the engine sounded very weak, as if the vehicle was going to shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, and that the catalytic convertor, knock sensor, and the exhaust gasket were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,725.

No early warning lights displayed, but traveling on the interstate in this Kia Soul, having only 74,000 original miles on it when sudden knocking began. Had to quickly get to a stopping point and eventually have the vehicle towed. Mechanic reported is the very common Theta II motor issue where a spun bearing has occurring and could have easily locked up the engine, causing safety risks. Only after the start of the knocking did the oil lamp indicator begin to flicker; was not even a stead light. Indications are that though some recalls were made for this model, this vehicle was not included, and many others have reported similar issues on the same model.

High temperatures catalytic converter code went on the car was stalling on the highway as soon as I hit 60 MPH as I was getting on the car will not accelerate like if the engine was going to come out which also caused my car to overheat which was smelling like burnt oil called the dealer regarding this issue and compared to the recalls on the other KIA which is exactly what's happening to my car.

Multiple cylinder misfires detected. Knocking/clacking present when symptoms occur. Inspected engine oil and found metal precent, engine has an internal failure and would need to be replaced.

The concern, is that Kia recently (2023) recalled the BMS (and potentially the HV Battery) for vehicles as old as 2015 on the Koa Soul EV, and their warranty on said parts is 10 yrs or 100k miles. The concern is that there is no extended warranty period FOR the cars. So if the cars fail again within a yr, you end up paying out of pocket for the repairs. There are plenty of forum posts that talk about their batteries being replaced with re-manufacturered, only to need to be teplaced AGAIN within less than a yr. I think Kia needs to be forced to extend the warranty on these batteries to cover any potential future issues.