2015 Kia Soul Safety Report
2015 KIA SOUL Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Kia Soul
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Kia Soul. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (882) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 116 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2019 | Compare against the 2019 Kia Soul with 123 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Kia Soul before buying across this generation. |
Kia Soul Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Soul years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Soul | 779 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Kia Soul | 259 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Kia Soul | 199 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Kia Soul | 123 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Kia Soul | 337 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Kia Soul | 187 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2015 Kia Soul Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Kia Soul, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
435 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
51 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
27 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other,Engine
26 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Kia onlyElectrical System
25 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyEngine,Fuel/Propulsion System
24 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Kia Soul
Reliability Score
The 2015 Kia Soul receives a reliability score of 88 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Kia Soul
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Kia Soul
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Kia Soul:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Engine compartment fires and engine failures have been reported, particularly in the 30k-60k mileage range. Ensure your vehicle is up to date on recalls. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Engine and fuel/propulsion system failures have been reported, particularly in the 30k-60k mileage range. Regular maintenance can help prevent these issues. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Steering issues have been reported, but are less frequent. Check for any unusual steering behavior. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Vehicle Speed Control: Accelerator Pedal Issues with the accelerator pedal have been reported, but are less frequent. Monitor for any unusual behavior. |
Low | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Kia Soul:
Engine issues are the most common problem, with 23% of reported issues.
Electrical system problems are the second most common, with 25% of reported issues.
Steering issues are the third most common, with 23% of reported issues.
Issues with the accelerator pedal are the fourth most common, with 24% of reported issues.
Recall Details for the 2015 Kia Soul
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Kia Soul by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 1-80...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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 custom...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 bei...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Kia Soul
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Kia Soul with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5 involved fires.
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...
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving at 55 MPH, the contact heard a loud "pop" sound followed immediately by visible flames originating from under the hood. No warning lights or indicators were illuminated before the fire. The vehicle was occupied by 2 occupants; the occupants were able to safely exit. The contact noticed black smoke coming from underneath the hood. The fire started in...
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, indicating a failure with the catalytic converter. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic associated the failure with NHTSA ID Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was then taken to the dealer for the ...
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted, but was sputtering and making abnormal sounds. The contact stated that the floorboard became very hot. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed, and i...
My 2015 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) experienced sudden catastrophic engine failure: loud pop, knocking, and immediate loss of power. The engine has a hole in piston #2 and a hole in valve #3. This is a known safety defect included in the Hyundai/Kia Theta II engine settlement. My vehicle has KSDS update installed, but Kia and the dealership are denying warranty repair unless a specific code (P1326) or...
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the local dealer for Service Campaign SC334 - Brake Line Corrosion. The vehicle was repaired after 35 days, but the failure recurred. While driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the brakes became inope...
Owned vehicle for 1 year. On [XXX} the vehicle kept Stalling and wouldn't accelerate. Drove to service station. Had 4 coils and spark plugs replaced. Car was still not right- compression test confirmed engine failure. Had car towed to KIA dealer Matt Blatt rt 37 Toms River, NJ. Their diagnostic shows 3rd cylinder failure top engine. Class action lawsuit on engine failure coverage is for bot...
My car was returned to me in a dangerous condition following a recall repair. I have a receipt that says that my break system was operating as it should be after recall work was completed but as I was driving it home from picking it up from dealership my break system comply went out for the second time while driving it. The dealership refuses to pay to have my car towed back to the service center ...
Despite receiving official recall notices and taking my vehicle to two separate Kia-authorized dealerships, I have not been provided with the necessary repairs, putting both my safety and livelihood at serious risk. At both dealerships, I was told that the issues, including a clogged catalytic converter and a failing exhaust manifold, fell within the scope of the recall. However, instead of perfo...
The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle began to hesitate and lose power while driving, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. The problem involves the engine and powertrain. A Kia dealer inspected the vehicle and found a timing-related engine fault code (P0014). The dealer stated the condition is consistent with the Kia engine bearing failure recall and referenced recall SC200PS, but ...
My brakes went out completely while driving my 2015 kia soul with my daughter in the car. It was traumatic and stressful for us both. I had just received a recall notice for break lines/ undercarriage spray. I called Fairfield Kia and I had my car towed to the dealership. They inspected my car and said they would replace the rear brake lines under the recall. A couple weeks went by and I was told ...
Code P1326 Popped up - my mechanic replaced the P1326 Knock Sensor for the Kia. Code P1326 Popped up 2nd time - replaced sensor again. Code P1326 popped up and now there is some knocking. Check engine light flashing - then went off for a while after part was replaced, and then back on again, and off again and back on. There are many Kias listed for RECALL with this code, same year and model....
My Kia’s engine light came on. It was my catalyst converter verified by my mechanic and 2 other people. My my car lost power. I took to my mechanic. Well he told me it was a recall issue and I’d have to take it to Kia. In December 1 it was towed into Kia , central ave, Albany, NY. Yesterday I was told my car was finally finished after trying to reach the service center for days. When I talked to ...
On the way back from Missouri to Oklahoma, while on the turnpike the engine made a clanking sound and lost acceleration power. The car shook some, luckily the car was able to steer of to the right side of the shoulder just before a bridge. Car came to a stop and would not start. It was snowing and a child was in the car. The closest person for help was 3 1/2 hours away. The hazard lights did work ...
As I was driving home on the highway, my car began making a noise I never heard before. I looked out of my rear view and began to see smoke coming from my car. As I was trying to get off the highway, my car began to lose control. I couldn’t get completely off the highway so I pulled into a small corner. I realized my hood was on fire when I stopped. I grabbed my purse and keys and ran down the hig...
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, with smoke coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled into a parking lot, where the engine overheated, and there was oil leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was di...
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer, where it was ...
I am getting a code that indicates an issue with the catalytic converter. P0420 to be specific. The engine is continually misfiring and check engine light comes on and off randomly. Car broke down completely at one point in October and had to replace the battery but check engine light was still on when I got it to start. The car shakes uncontrollably every time I drive it and gets even worse when ...
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling or accelerating, the vehicle started shaking at the front end near the engine. The vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine), and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The software update was...
I am submitting this report regarding an ongoing issue with my Kia vehicle related to the recall for code P1326 (Knock Sensor Detection System / Engine Bearing Wear). The first time this issue occurred, Kia documented the problem and kept my vehicle overnight to perform what they referred to as an “engine soak.” I was informed that this procedure might resolve the engine performance and oil consum...
Showing 20 of 882 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2015 Kia Soul
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Opened 2019-03-29 · Closed 2021-12-22
During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.7 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field and other data on o...
Component: Engine
Opened 2021-12-22 · Closed 2024-02-05
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failur...
Component: Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Opened 2018-08-21 · Closed 2019-05-10
In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash f...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Kia Soul
Has the 2015 KIA SOUL been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 KIA SOUL has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 KIA SOUL have?
The 2015 KIA SOUL has 882 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 36 involved crashes. 32 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 KIA SOUL?
The 2015 KIA SOUL received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 KIA SOUL?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 KIA SOUL involve engine (435 complaints), unknown or other (51 complaints), engine and engine cooling (27 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other,engine, electrical system, engine,fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2015 KIA SOUL have?
There are 36 crash reports associated with the 2015 KIA SOUL out of 882 total complaints (4.1% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 KIA SOUL have?
There are 80 fire reports for the 2015 KIA SOUL out of 882 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 KIA SOUL?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 KIA SOUL. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 KIA SOUL?
32 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 KIA SOUL. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 KIA SOUL?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 KIA SOUL is extreme caution advised. It has 882 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 KIA SOUL?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 KIA SOUL are: 1. ENGINE (435 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (51 complaints), 3. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (27 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE (26 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (25 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 435 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 KIA SOUL?
Ensure your 2015 KIA SOUL is up to date on recalls and undergo regular maintenance to prevent common issues. The 2015 KIA SOUL has 882 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2015 KIA SOUL?
The 2015 KIA SOUL receives a reliability score of 88/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 882 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 116 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Electrical System.
What are the known issues with the 2015 KIA SOUL?
Known issues with the 2015 KIA SOUL include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System, Steering, Vehicle Speed Control: Accelerator Pedal. These are based on patterns found across 882 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2015 KIA SOUL?
Engine and electrical system issues are the most common, including engine compartment fires and engine failures.
How can I prevent engine and electrical system issues?
Stay up to date on recalls and perform regular maintenance to prevent these issues.
What should I do if I experience engine issues?
Check for any recalls and take your vehicle to a dealership for inspection and repair.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Ensure your 2015 KIA SOUL is up to date on recalls and undergo regular maintenance to prevent common issues.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Kia Soul
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Kia Soul. The data includes 882 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 36 reported crashes, 80 fire incidents, 32 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Kia Soul an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16