10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 10
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,560 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Kia Soul miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2015 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #90

Jun 142024

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Having acceleration problems with the Kia and catalytic converter. I had contacted the Kia dealer but can't be seen till August but I need vehicle to go to work plus have dr appointments and can't drive the car feel like it's gonna die on me how can I get this problem recall done sooner as I need my car

- Independence, OR, USA

problem #89

Mar 012024

Soul

  • miles
The Kia experienced acceleration issues and would randomly turn off while driving. A mechanic inspected and recalibrate the knock sensor. Almost immediately the car began to use excessive amounts of oil, a quart a week average, had a knock and started having acceleration issues. The Kia dealership stated that severe engine scoring had occurred likely caused by the catalytic converter. The problems began and lead to engine failure within several weeks. From March to end of May

- West Plains, MO, USA

problem #88

Apr 172024

Soul

  • miles
My catalytic converter failed just under 4 years after getting the SC176 recall done in July 2020. I believe it's possible there was a step missed in the replacement of my catalytic converter related to the recall, specifically the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic that may have caused the converter to fail. I do not detect that on the attached receipt from the repair that was done for the recall. Although there were no safety issues that happened, after reading the recall and what can happen as a result of the catalytic converter failing, I am concerned for my safety if I drive it any longer in that condition. The problem has been diagnosed by my local Kia dealership on Friday 4/19/24 and that is where the car is presently. I have attached the inspection report and the cost to fix it. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other the Kia dealership. There was a ticking sound when I accelerated that wasn't there before on 4/3. The service engine light came on Thursday 4/4 when I was getting my routine oil changed. I changed the PCV valve and the light went off until approximately 4/17 and then I called the dealership to schedule bringing it in for the diagnosis which was 4/19. This is the only information I have at this time. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #87

Apr 032024

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The exact issue with the catalytic converter you have in the 1.6 engines my neighbor has it too. You should be replacing these not charging 2500 for repairs.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #86

Nov 242023

Soul

  • miles
Catalytic converter failure despite recall repair (#19v120). Catalytic converters may become damaged due to overheating. This issue can increase the risk of engine stall or fire. Yes. On March 13, 2024 the vehicle was inspected by a certified Kia mechanic and it was determined that the primary catalytic converter and exhaust manifold have failed. Yes. I don't recall whether or not there was a warning light in 2019 before recall repair however there was a warning light in November 2023 continuing to the present.

- Junction City, CA, USA

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problem #85

Aug 012023

Soul

  • miles
The catalytic converter got pluged up from the oil consumption. The car would no longer accelerate. Yes I still have the catalytic converter.yes the safety was I went to excelrate and I almost got rear ended. It just happened out of nowhere.I took it to the Meineke's shop and they said the cat was pluged but wasn't 100% sure so I had it towed to a kia dealer and they said it was 100% the catalytic converter and it wasn't covered so it would be around $3000.Yes it was inspected by the kia dealer.It had a check engine light on but it said it was the 02 sensor. It had a little less power then normal.It seemed ok when I left the house. I drove about 40 miles. I stoped for about 5 minutes to smoke and it seemed ok in the parking lot. It's when I went to excelrate out to the street it had no power.the original cat starts getting pluged over time and causes the heat to back up on the inside of the engine and puts wear on the piston rings. There for causeing it to burn the engine oil. Inturn almost fully pluging the original cat cause the engine to have no power. I have been a professional machnic for over 24 years. so I understand how engines work. Now because of the internal damage of the engine I am putting 2 quarts of oil every 1500 miles. Which is only one week for me. Thank you for reviewing this. I hope that kia will make this right.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #84

Jan 302024

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Starting in summer of 2021, I began to has acceleration problems with my car and a check engine light came on. It was undrivable so I took it to the closest mechanic I could make it to, Firestone. They found the catalytic converter to be the problem and I paid $1100 to replace it. Later in 2021, the catalytic converter went out again and I had to have the engine coil and spark plugs replaced. I took it back to Firestone to replace it under warranty. During 2022, the check engine light came on again and again it was the catalytic converter. I got it replaced under warranty again. During this replacement, Firestone let me know that my engine was the source of why the catalytic converter keeps going out. The compression was too low and the engine was causing the catalytic converter to overheat. I took it to the dealership to have it diagnosed to see what was wrong in the engine. They claimed to have run diagnostics in the entire engine and only found that the engine coil and spark plugs needed replacement. I had both of those things replaced already the year before. They did not identify any problems with the new catalytic converter or any other part of the engine. The check engine light came on and my catalytic converter has gone out again and caused me to lose acceleration on a one lane each way 60mph road on my way to work. I suddenly slowed way down and cars had to swerve around me. I pulled off onto a farm road to let traffic by and then had to hobble to AutoZone nearby with my hazards on to get my check engine light codes read. It came up that the cat converter was having issues. I looked up to see if my car had any recalls and none were found. I did find that there was a major recall for Kia souls 2012-2018s for some piece of the engine that was causing catalytic converters to overheat. Many individuals who had this recall done to their vehicles also had to have engine coils and spark plugs replaced based on a forum regarding this recall.

- Corvallis, OR, USA

problem #83

Dec 242023

Soul

  • miles
My car lost power going up hill on Interstate 5 and ended up seizing up. I could not bring the car to highway speeds I had to drive home using side roads. A mechanic said the car appears to be consuming oil and degraded the catalytic converter. I had to have my catalytic converter replaced. I had the recall done on my car for the catalytic converter issue identified for 2015 Kia Souls. I attempted to get repair from my dealer, Gweke Kia, under this recall but they refused and said I would be charged for the repair and diagnosis. I asked for an oil consumption study to see if the car qualifies engine repairs or replacement under my warranty but they informed me they would charge me approximately $1200 for an oil consumption study.

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #82

Sep 132023

Soul

  • miles
My car is not part of the catalytic converter Recall and I don't understand why. My catalytic converter is not functioning properly and I am getting code p0420 and this makes no sense why I am not part of the recall. My engine and everything matches up to all these recalls and I am scared my car is going to explode. I already have a sick child and all I need is something to happen while driving these defective vehicles. Please make me understand why I am not included in the upgrade for that catalytic converter. I am tired of these issues. I want to out this poor company on making poor vehicles like everyone else. They are supposed to be safe and I should not be afraid to drive my car thinking something will happen.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #81

Jun 272019

Soul

  • miles
While driving at 55 miles per hour, the engine suddenly ceased, emitting black smoke, causing components to melt and necessitating the replacement of the short block. Consequently, the catalytic converter is now malfunctioning, likely due to the misfires the engine experienced.

- High Falls , NY, USA

problem #80

Sep 112023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The KIA company is denying me the anti theft software. What can I do?

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #79

Aug 292023

Soul

  • miles
The car stalls constantly and has been going on for years. Kia had claimed to have fixed the problem that they had fixed the problem however they never did because the car has been continuing to stop in the middle of the road. This car is very dangerous and it has no recalls on it. The catalytic converter is a problem and even though it has been a problem for Kia souls mine is not listed in the recall. Needless to say that this has put me and my child in immediate Life-threatening danger multiple times.

- Brick , NJ, USA

problem #78

Aug 152023

Soul

  • miles
My catalytic converter went out on my Kia while driving unexpectedly and I have heard of a lot of other Kias in my year have the same issue.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #77

Jun 272023

Soul

  • miles
NHTSA recall for reference number 19V120000. Engine and engine cooling exhaust system: Emission control: Catalytic convertor and my Kia Soul 2015 did not have this changed out. Kia is saying that is is not a recall but this issue is a recall because if my car blows up and some one dies I am sueing Kia for this issue/

- Aiea, HI, USA

problem #76

Jun 122023

Soul

  • miles
This would be the third time of car breaking down without any warning. When there is a problem with the car there is never no indication that there are any problems. No warning lights, no nothing car just breaks down.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

problem #75

Jun 022023

Soul

  • miles
Engine burning oil so much that it destroys the catalytic converter leaving me stranded middle of a highway.

- Lufkin, TX, USA

problem #74

May 192023

Soul

  • miles
The catalytic converter has failed. Even though I got the software update to the converter for the recall, the converter still needs replacement.

- Princeton Junction, NJ, USA

problem #73

Jan 102023

Soul

  • miles
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.

- Mckees Rocks, PA, USA

problem #72

Jan 272023

Soul

  • miles
While driving home from work late at night, the car just stopped without warning and would not start again. It was towed to the dealership where I was informed that there would be a $750 diagnostic fee, but that Kia would probably not replace the engine under warranty because the recall had not been taken care of. I am the second owner of the vehicle and bought it the same year that the recall was issued. Kia consumer affairs department states that it was sent to my address, but I did not receive the notification. I cannot afford to pay $750 to find out that I will not be reimbursed and I cannot afford to have the engine replaced in a car that is worth the value of the engine. I had just changed the oil and had a valve cover gasket replaced. There was no check engine light.

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

problem #71

Mar 292021

Soul

  • miles
Shucks was taken to Kia Country of Savannah for recall repairs. ECU update and seat belt cover repaired, however, I explained that car was burning oil (but not leaking) and engine was on and car was making a knocking sound. I had taken my car to a local mechanic while informed me that my car-??s engine was bad. I even showed Pat Foran the printout that I was given. The local mechanic I found that I would qualify for the engine replacement based off of his inspection. So I took the car to Kia (barely made it because the car would not go over 60 mph. At Kia, I was told my car passed bearings test and that I would need to pay for a fuel consumption test to determine what was wrong with my car. I was told I would know if my car needed a new engine because it would sound like rocks in a milk carton, which it did but the folks at Kia said they drove it and didn-??t hear anything. I find it very strange that my engine light was also off when I got the car back but 20 miles down the road, as I putted my way back home, it came back on. I feel this was there attempt to not fix the car, they were too busy trying to get me to trade it in because I only had 93000 miles on it at the time.

- Statesboro, GA, USA

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