Every 2015 Kia Soul recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Power Train · NHTSA 23V724000
Oct 26, 2023Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on.
- Risk
- Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Full recall details for 23V724000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 23V218000
Mar 29, 2023Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving.
- Risk
- A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC267.
Full recall details for 23V218000 →Engine · NHTSA 20V750000
Feb 12, 2020Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V750000 →Power Train · NHTSA 20V389000
Feb 7, 2020Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle (EV) vehicles. The parking mechanism may become damaged if the driver moves the gear shift lever into Park 'P' before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. If the parking mechanism is damaged, unintended vehicle movement may occur when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied.
- Risk
- Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC191.
Full recall details for 20V389000 →Engine · NHTSA 19V120000
Feb 22, 2019Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V120000 →Steering · NHTSA 17V608000
Sep 29, 2017Steering
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
- Risk
- If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
Full recall details for 17V608000 →Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA 15V123000
Feb 3, 2015Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
- Problem
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
- Risk
- If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.
Full recall details for 15V123000 →
2015 Kia Soul complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 905 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Soul, reporting 36 crashes, 84 fires, 32 injuries, 1 deaths. Kia has issued at least 164 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine630
- Unknown Or Other108
- Electrical System76
- Fuel/Propulsion System76
- Power Train62
- Engine and Engine Cooling60
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (117)
- Equipment (70)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (58)
- Steering (19)
- Engine (16)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (15)
Read Kia Soul owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2015 Kia Soul
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 5 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Vehicle Rollaway
RQ23005Opened Sep 10, 2023Closed Jan 16, 2024
- Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
- Engine Fires
EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024
- Non-crash Vehicle Fires
PE19004Opened Mar 29, 2019Closed Dec 22, 2021
- Non-crash Vehicle Fires
DP18003Opened Aug 21, 2018Closed May 10, 2019
What people reported
Owners have filed 905 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Soul. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“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.”
2015 KIA SOULOct 5, 2026 · SC
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11768949
Crash
“I WAS PULLING INTO A DISABLE PARKING SPACE. I PUSH MY BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT WORK MY CAR CONTINUE TO GO WITHOUT STOPPING. I PUSH MY BRAKES MANY TIMES, PUSHING IT AS FAR AS I CAN.”
2015 KIA SOUL EVJan 1, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11164351
Fire
“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.”
2015 KIA SOULSep 2, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11761735
Crash
“AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. I WAS DRIVING IN THE "B" MODE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, BUT LATER HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER.”
2015 KIA SOUL EVJun 2, 2017
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10992957
Fire
“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.”
2015 KIA SOULJul 23, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11752482
Check your Soul by VIN
Not every 2015 Kia Soul is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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