10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,829 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2015 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #65

Jun 092024

Soul

  • miles

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

Car burning oil every 1,000 miles or less causing catalytic converter to over heat, which could cause fire. Wiring harness on driver side shorting lights out which could cause a fire. Vehicle can be ready for inspection at anytime. Have been calling dealer about it since 2019 said recall was fixed but wasn-??t done properly. Electrical issues started around 01/15/2024.

- Frankfort, IN, USA

problem #64

Apr 112024

Soul

  • miles
On April 11,2024, I attempted to drive my Soul EV out of the parking lot of my place of employment going less than one block only to have the power severely limited (from a speed of 40mph to 15mph on a busy road at rush hour). I was able to safely get myself to a parking lot and placed the car in park. I noticed both the triangle with the exclamation mark and EV in the center plus the turtle lights illuminated on the dashboard. I searched those lights and discovered there was an immediate warning about the EV battery and a failure within the battery plus a problem with the temperature of the battery cooling system. I turned the car off, placed it in park and attempted to drive again within the parking lot only to have the same scenario repeated. I was informed by the Kia Service Center that "Kia engineers are aware of this problem but there's no solutions. This is the THIRD time I have received a notice that the EV battery may malfunction or ignite and cause a fire. This car just had a battery recalled due to a malfunction as I had the car stop suddenly on a 3 lane highway. I waited months to get a replaced battery, then I got a recall notice but my battery had been replaced but I had to have some "wiring harness" repaired with the computer upgrade. Now suddenly the car stopped and showed a warning light about the temperature of the motor is too high. The service advisor acknowledged the car is unsafe to drive and has been unsafe.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #63

Mar 112024

Soul

  • miles
Car stalling on highway and blowing smoke out of the exhaust. No warning lamps or messages. Mechanic thinks it-??s the catalytic converter.

- Norman , OK, USA

problem #62

Sep 162023

Soul

  • 0 miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that after a software update was completed while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle went into SAFE Mode. The battery warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V724000 (Power Train, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer informed the contact that the battery was on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #61

Oct 162023

Soul

  • miles
The engine warning light and catalytic converter malfunction. The car is not currently available for inspection. The car exploded after turning the engine over. The car became disabled on the busy highway while driving at night and the car exploded in flames thereafter. Yes the problem was confirmed by the dealership The vehicle was inspected by insurance representatives, fire dept and police Yes the check engine light appeared several times, was checked and reappeared several times thereafter. I made a purchase of a car 9/15/23, The warning lamp appeared a few days later.

- Bridgeport, CT, USA

problem #60

Jun 282023

Soul

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while parked, the entire instrument panel had become inoperable and the vehicle had started to smoke. The origin of the fire was unknown. The check engine and electrical warning light were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to New York Auto. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to an electrical issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The VIN was not available

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #59

May 262023

Soul

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V218000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Cerritos, CA, USA

problem #58

Oct 312022

Soul

  • miles
Headlights turn off after using the turn signal switch. Started happening once in a while but now it happens not only after using the turn signal switch but the headlights will turn off for a few seconds and then turn back on. Other times they will just flicker for several seconds. This is a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. The headlights turning off or flashing at night is not a safe way of driving. There are many reported cases of this issue on the Kia Owners Portal so they can't say they didn't hear about it. I would think I could take it into Kia to have them replace the turn signal switch since that is the only thing that makes sense. And I can recreate the issue by wiggling the switch. (This is not related to the light sensor since I do not have automatic headlights.) Why hasn't there been a safety recall issued"?? This has been happening for over a year and I just try to drive only during the day until Kia is forced to fix the problem. That is no longer possible as I am now working nights. What are my options to have this resolved without costing me any money??" Please have someone reach out to me at [XXX] to assist me in my research. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #57

Aug 022023

Soul

  • miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V218000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the check "EV System Light" was displayed. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #56

Mar 292023

Soul

  • miles
Kia issued recall 23V218 in relation to the High Voltage Battery being able to short curcut and catch fire. They don't know for sure the cause, nor do they have a remedy in place yet. If my car can randomly catch fire, that sounds like a pretty big saftey recall issue. That recall was issued 4 months ago. I asked about being given a loaner car until there's a fix and I was told no. I asked about them repurchasing the car since they don't have a fix, they said no. I asked about the battery being replaced as a precaution and was told that they don't yet have a way to make sure the replacement battery won't have to same issue. So there are all these ppl driv9ng down the street because we don't have any choice BUT to drive our car and Kia isn't willing to help us in any way shape or form.

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #55

Jun 122023

Soul

  • miles

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

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 #54

Mar 012023

Soul

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, an abnormal, rattling sound was coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure persisted, and the vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #53

May 282023

Soul

  • miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that upon research, he became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V389000 (Power Train, Electrical System) and 23V218000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- San Gabriel, CA, USA

problem #52

Dec 202018

Soul

  • miles
I bought this vehicle new (under 3k miles) from the dealer Kiefer Kia. The very next day I brought the car back as there were obvious problems with it immediately. The car would hesitate, almost as if it were about to die, while driving or even sitting at a light. When I took it in the repair person heard the problem but said "that's normal for a new car". I wanted to reopen the car but they said there were no returns. I came in 2 other times. On the 4th time they finally replaced the computer. It did nothing to fix the problem but from that time I had electrical problems. They denied the electrical problems. 2 more visits they replaced the computer again and some other recall. Both problems continued. I've had to replace the battery more than once a year. It still hesitates but covid happened and now I'm in a wheel chair and have problems getting around so brining it in is even more difficult. I don't trust any more repairs they're doing I just want my money back. I stopped driving it on the highway as I'm to afraid of the engine catching fire with how it eats oil. If I want to go out of town I have to rent a car!

- Eugene, OR, USA

problem #51

Apr 012023

Soul

  • miles
I have had several issues with my car. The check engine light is on, and now my traction control light comes on all the time now. When that happens my car won't tact. I had auto zone check out the check engine light, was told it was the catalytic converter. My mechanic changed my oil and told me to start checking my oil every 500 miles, that it was consuming oil. I paid Kia $170 to confirm what auto zone told me. So I average a quart of added oil every 750 to 1000 miles. I see no point in replacing the catalytic converter until we know what is going on with the engine. This started at 113,000 miles, my car has 127.000 now. I have talked to The dealership where I purchased my car, basically they can't help me unless my check engine light flashes and the speed cuts down to 40 miles an hour. My car is having the same issues that are described in recall (SC176) and (SC200). I would appreciate it if you could tell me if my car should have been in the recalls. Thank you for your time and assistance.

- Bucyrus, OH, USA

problem #50

Sep 122022

Soul

  • 181,113 miles
My oil is burning and it's been changed several times and is BLACK the next day plus my electrical system is messed

- Bay, AR, USA

problem #49

Feb 012023

Soul

  • miles
I have a check engine light on vehicle. Have started to notice drag and acceleration problems, loss of fuel mileage since check engine light appeared. Had code diagnosed and got a failed catalytic converter code. Also a previous Mass Air Flow code. There are recall notices based on this issue. My VIN is not populating that this is an issue however in a search. There are multiple complaints for this code. My fuel consumption has gone from 32 to 26 on highway and jerky acceleration, and hood is very warm to touch after turning off engine.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #48

Dec 142022

Soul

  • miles
MY KIA SOUL melted down 3 replaced ignitioon coils they melted and were smoking. dealer wont cover sice its electrical --i purchased a 10 year 100k mile extra warranty through fidelity in deerfield beach fl they sad battery caused it and wont even come to look at it, car just turned 57 k miles -- what can i do ?? dealer wants 4 k $ to repair

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #47

Oct 132022

Soul

  • miles
I-??ve had my check engine light come on ever since I bought the vehicle and the code is for catalytic converter, my car overheats and does not properly shift right engine is very shaky and unstable while driving on the road. I don-??t know why my Kia doesn-??t qualify for the recall when it-??s having the exact issues that the recalls state

- Navarre, FL, USA

problem #46

Jun 162022

Soul

  • miles
1. The Oil light came on and I thought I just needed an oil change. I was driving when my car started making a knocking noise. I called 4 KIA Dealerships to explain my situation and they all kept trying to push me off on the other, until one of them was finally able to get me an appointment at the other location in Longwood, Fl. Long story short they told me that there were a few recalls on my car and they could be fixed, only to find out later they could not fix my car due to another recall not being done on the car, even though the recall notice that they sent me was said they are to fix Catalytic Converter Protection logic in the Engine Control Unit, and if Necessary Replace the Catalytic Converter and/or Engine at NOT COST TO ME. Yet KIA Dealership called me back to tell me they couldn't fix it and I must speak with the manufacturer of KIA to ask them to fix it only for them to say they would give me a case number and call me back, ONLY NOT to call me back and then the person who said he'd be fixing my car kept giving me the run around and then told me he would speak with the regional manager of KIA and they could possibly GIFT me an ENGINE, for my car. Like how odes that make since. They can GIFT ME AN ENGINE, but they can't fix my car like it states in the letter they sent me. It clearly states my car can stall (which it did) and cause an accident, catch fire or combust due to the recall issues. No matter what was said it's like KIA Dealership was trying to BLAME ME FOR THE ISSUES WITH MY CAR WHEN THEY SENT ME A NOTICE AND THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALLS WHEN MY SON BROUGHT THE CAR TO THEM. I screen shot all the conversations sent to me via text and chat. LIES AFTER LIES FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIPS so disappointing. My car has been at the dealership for almost 2wks and nothing has been done. They want ME to pay $6,720 for a new/ENGINE replacement when they are supposed to fix it for free regardless the issues and warranty! No one has contacted me for days now!"??"

- Orlando, FL, USA

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