2015 Kia Soul: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2015 Kia Soul: 4 recalls, 900 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #15V123000 · 2015 · 208,858 vehicles
What's wrong: A section of the accelerator pedal May bend and fracture.
Why it matters: If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver May have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #17V608000 · 2017 · 342,381 vehicles
What's wrong: The pinion plug May allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
Why it matters: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Engine, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #19V120000 · 2019 · 378,967 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Engine Vehicle recall #20V750000 · 2020 · 294,756 vehicles
What's wrong: An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Why it matters: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The 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,…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 84 mention a fire, 32 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (630): the most common themes are warning light on (260), noise or vibration (202), stalls / loses power (165).
- Other / unknown (107): the most common themes are warning light on (33), fire / smoke (27), noise or vibration (23).
- Fuel & propulsion (76): the most common themes are warning light on (23), stalls / loses power (19), fire / smoke (18).
- Electrical (75): the most common themes are electrical failure (32), warning light on (26), fire / smoke (14).
The 2015 Kia Soul has 900 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 16 Soul model years for complaints (2.6× the average Soul year). Complaints peaked in 2020 (161 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 87,595 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (902 complaints, 5 recalls), 2016 (816 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2015 Kia Soul.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2015 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2015 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2015 Kia Soul problems?
Owners have filed 900 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (630), other / unknown (107), fuel & propulsion (76).
What gas mileage does the 2015 Kia Soul get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic (S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2015 Kia Soul repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.