What 898 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Soul EV

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 idling. I took it to a mechanic and they believe it to be amongst the 2011-2016 SC176 recalled Kia Souls where high exhaust temperatures can damage the engine’s catalytic converter. Have attempted to take it for repairs/open recall and the manufacturers have consistently refused. Help in getting this issue sorted out would be much appreciated.

NHTSA ODI 11700450

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 performed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact of DTC: P70300, which should have been resolved with the recall repair, which allowed the vehicle to pass the inspection as a successful repair; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not received any additional repairs. The contact found information on TSB: ENG222, NHTSA ID Number: 11014912 (Engine), which was related to the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, then opened a case and informed the contact that no additional assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 89,600.

NHTSA ODI 11697646

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 consumption problems. I was also advised that if the issue reoccurred within 15 years of vehicle ownership or before reaching 150,000 miles, Kia would replace the engine under the recall warranty. Recently, the same issue has reappeared, but Kia is now refusing to replace the engine, citing “gaps in maintenance” from the early years of my ownership. I explained that, at that time, my father performed all oil changes and maintenance at home to reduce costs, as I was a young driver living with my parents. Kia is requesting proof of oil or tool purchases from over ten years ago, which I no longer possess. Additionally, all vehicle-related documentation was left inside the car when it was stolen and broken into twice—incidents connected to the nationwide Kia theft issue that has been subject to another class-action lawsuit. As a result, I no longer have access to those records. During my initial visit, the Kia service representative, Jake, assured me that if the engine failed again and I maintained the vehicle properly, I would be covered for a full engine replacement. I have made every effort to comply with those terms, yet Kia corporate has denied my claim. I am requesting NHTSA’s assistance in resolving this matter and ensuring that Kia honors its recall obligations and prior representations made to me as a consumer.

NHTSA ODI 11695688

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The rattling sound also occurred while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the engine would not be replaced due to the mileage exceeding the mileage limitation of 60,000 and other unstated reasons. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11692373

Kia soul engines are known for burning through oil very quickly. the recall does not include my car because i have a 2.0L engine. The excessive oil consumption of my engine completely melted the inside of my catalytic converter. my car only has 106,000 miles, so this shouldn't be an issue. I had my check engine light come on, so the mechanic told me to use different gas and turned the light off. My catalytic converter being completely blocked and melted is directly related to the oil consumption of the engine. i had two mechanics comfirm this. I experienced a major loss of power, and inability to accelerate normally, which can be very dangerous. I was trying to accelerate uphill on a road with little shoulder space or many places to turn around, and my car STOPPED and the check engine light started blinking. Very unsafe, if my car won't let me accelerate and i come to an unexpected dead stop, it could cause accidents. I can't believe my car isn't included in the recall, it has the same issues as the 1.6L engine. I now have to put out thousands to get my catalytic converter replaced, and with the engine burning oil, it'll ruin a new catalytic converter faster than normal.

NHTSA ODI 11692223

P0420 code indicated during emissions test. Vehicle shut off after stopping and acceleration after stopping. Hesitates when trying to restart Vehicle. Contact kia manufacturer about engine and P0420 code, however no help was given.

NHTSA ODI 11690245

The engine in my 2015 Kia Soul was replaced under warranty in June 2025. Only 3,568 miles later, the replacement engine failed. The vehicle displayed code P1326 and quickly lost oil, leaving it unsafe and undriveable on the road. This sudden failure created a serious safety hazard, as the vehicle stalled without warning and could not maintain safe operation. I was fortunate to be close to home and immediately turned back, narrowly avoiding a dangerous situation on a busy road. provide any assistance. Instead, they declined to repurchase or replace the vehicle, leaving me with an undriveable car and a $9,900 loan balance. This second catastrophic failure has not been inspected by a Kia dealership because Kia refused to take responsibility or even arrange for evaluation. This was not an isolated incident. Problems began on 11/27/2024, less than 3,000 miles after I purchased the vehicle, and have been ongoing ever since, including prior emergency towing events due to similar safety issues. Kia’s repeated failures to provide a lasting fix or safe remedy have left me without reliable transportation and have put both myself and other drivers at risk. I have full documentation of the June 2025 engine replacement, the subsequent failure, and Kia’s refusal to act. The vehicle remains available for inspection. Warning messages and engine lights appeared only after the failure had already occurred.

NHTSA ODI 11689294

THE VEHICLE IS BURNING THROUGH OIL AND NOW THE GARAGE I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO IS SAYING IT WILL NEED A NEW ENGINE SOON. ALSO I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS.

NHTSA ODI 11686208

There was a knocking sound, so I pulled over and smoke started coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There was a fire and the car was later deemed a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11681680

While my 80 yr old dad and 18 yr old daughter were driving on the highway to get to my uncle’s funeral. My dad had his cruise on, when he and my daughter started noticing a strange sound almost a knocking sound. But the next hill when the car went to go up the incline it kept reducing in speed. My dad took the cruise off and at that point had no power to keep traveling. So August 2nd the car threw a rod. My dad had a warranty plus an extended warranty with the company GWC. They missed my uncle funeral, sat on the side of the highway for an hour before the tow truck got there. A local dodge dealership has gotten the vehicle and have done a complete inspection. The safety of my dad and daughter were at risk do to the car malfunctioning on the highway. As well as them sitting on the side of highway. And now the stress of all of this on my dad’s health has started causing him to not be able to eat, if he does eat he will throw it up. His mental health is declining due to KIA and GWC denied to fix the car now. My dad has had to pay for towing, a U-Haul res talk to get home, the Dodge dealership has gotten to do full inspection. Unknown if any warning lights or messages before hand. He bought the car with cash and it had 70,177 miles on it, when rod blew it had 78,784. He bought it used from a local dealership on or about Sept 16th 2022. Extended warranty paid for was 36 months. 1month shy of the extended warranty expiring.

NHTSA ODI 11681264

Unknown. Even while the car was still under warranty And under 130,000 miles, it's needed the catalytic converter replaced twice already. It burns/leaks oil to the point where it gets bone dry but will still run just with lost power. Sometimes it has a loud raddle when you first start the vehicle, only for a brief couple of seconds but it could be the lifters potentially. CRANKSHAFT & cams throw codes,

NHTSA ODI 11680491

Engine started running rough, took it to a shop and was told that oil has been going through the exhaust and has clogged up the catalytic converter. Advised the engine must be replaced. Contacted a second shop and was told the same thing. Have been advised this is the same failure as the current recall for 2021 to 2023 but ours is 2015 and isn’t covered. Looking for guidance. Thank you.

NHTSA ODI 11679958

On [XXX] around [XXX], we were headed westbound on [XXX] toward Boise when the car began making a clanking sound. In less than a minute, the car was pouring smoke, clanking stopped and car completely failed. I coasted to side of freeway, car would not turn over, i did not try more than once for fear of further damage or starting a fire. When tow driver came and car was moved, it exposed a giant puddle of oil and pieces of what looked like MELTED metal. The tow driver stated it was a connection rod piece and engine is likely shot. I immediately scheduled a service ticket to have it looked at my local Kia Dealership. They confirmed that i experienced a catastrophic engine failure and that it matched the exact recall SC176 issue. They attempted to contact and file a claim under both the recall and the powertrain warranty and were denied both by KIA, due to negligence of the owner. I had a passenger with me who has severe medical conditions. It was in 90's in desert like heat. It took 4-5 hours to have it towed and get out of the heat. We almost got into an accident when the car malfunctioned. There were ZERO warning notifications or lights on the dashboard until the car completely went disabled while coasting to the side of the freeway. No warning chugs. No previous issues with smoke/warning lights/ nothing prior. This literally happened out of no where and now I am being told by KIA they will not repair because its MY JOB to look into recalls. I have lived at the same address for the whole time i owned the car. I have printed records and digital records from my local DMV to prove it. I have written and digital proof that i properly maintenance my vehicle on time AND that i paid for synthetic oil rather than just the lowest possible choice they offered. I have proof that I was notified for the recall regarding the steering issue in 2017 and that i immediately made a service appt with my local dealership to have it address. I received NO notice for any other recall INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11678913

1- ENGINE It’s been about 3 months that when I depress the gas pedal the car skips or hiccups and I get a check engine light on I have to accelerate slowly this also happening while I am driving it’s worse if I try to pass a car

NHTSA ODI 11676406

On April 24, 2022, while driving my 2015 Kia Soul, the vehicle suddenly caught fire. The fire originated in the engine compartment and destroyed the vehicle. This occurred despite the existence of a known safety recall related to the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS), which has been linked to engine fires in Kia vehicles. Following the incident, Kia America declined responsibility, and a joint investigation attempt by my insurer, USAA, was ignored. Kia proceeded with an independent investigation and later concluded that the cause was “undetermined” and that the fire originated in the engine compartment but could not determine the cause, which was likely due to the severe fire damage, per their own report. I have since been informed that USAA pursued subrogation against Kia, contrary to Kia’s recent claims. A letter of preservation was also sent to USAA following the incident to ensure the vehicle would remain in its post-fire condition. This was done to safeguard the integrity of the vehicle for investigative purposes. Following Kia’s refusal to assist, I was advised to explore reimbursement through other means, including the ongoing class action settlement related to this engine defect. I submitted a claim through that process but was ultimately denied due to a lack of “proof” that the fire was caused by the recall. However, my vehicle was so severely damaged in the fire that no conclusive cause could be determined , a point even Kia acknowledged in their own post-fire report, which stated the cause was “undetermined” but that the fire originated in the engine compartment. Over a year later, after the original dismissal of Kia, in September 2023, Kia America sent a letter via mail to the wrong address and email requesting documentation for reimbursement, which I provided only for them to again deny any responsibility. This delayed communication, along with the lack of transparency and accountability in handling a known safety issue, raises serious public safe

NHTSA ODI 11670410

Excessive oil consumption noted at around 40,000 miles. No visible smoke coming from tail pipe but burnt oil smell coming from underneath car in region of catalytic converter. Had engine visually inspected and had pressure test done by repair shop; no engine seal compromise present. Took vehicle to dealer to report and was told that warranty did not apply to this issue. Car eventually burning 2-3 quarts of oil every 800 miles. Traded car in at just over 99,000 miles due to oil consumption and concern about failure. Private party mechanic and oil change facilities very familiar with this issue on Kia souls. Noted that class action lawsuit against Kia for this very issue was initiated in California but was abruptly dropped. First vehicle I've ever owned that had to have oil added between changes. Noted that Kia owners manual stated that up to 3 quarts of oil consumption between 7500 mile oil changes is normal. I had oil change service done predominantly every 3000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11668441

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that when his wife started the vehicle, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while performing an oil change, there were metal shavings found inside the engine oil that was drained from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer. However, due to the cost of the diagnostic test, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, and when the oil change was performed, there were metal shavings found at the bottom of the oil pan. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance in covering the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11663434

Vehicle Information: 2015 Kia Soul Issue Summary: My 2015 Kia Soul experienced a sudden engine failure while I was driving. The check engine light began flashing, and the vehicle went into limp mode, drastically reducing power and creating an immediate safety risk on the road. The dealership diagnosed the issue and found a knock sensor code (P1326), which confirmed the need for an engine replacement. This was especially alarming because the knock sensor had already been replaced during a previous service, as part of Kia’s known effort to address this widespread engine defect. Despite this, my extended warranty claim was denied by Kia due to a lack of full maintenance receipts. These records, along with my original sales contract, were stored in the glove compartment and stolen when the vehicle itself was stolen and later recovered — a theft tied to the well-documented vulnerability of this vehicle model, which is now the subject of a class action lawsuit. This complaint is now part of an open file with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (File #[XXX]). From my research and the many comments I’ve received online, this is not an isolated issue — it appears Kia is denying a growing number of valid warranty claims in similar ways, despite clear evidence of engine failure tied to a known defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

NHTSA ODI 11662642

My 2015 Kia Soul is experiencing ongoing, severe oil consumption. Despite having an extended warranty for rod bearing failure (15 years/150,000 miles), my Kia dealership refuses to perform an oil consumption test because my vehicle has slightly exceeded 100,000 miles (currently at ~106,500). I brought the vehicle in multiple times for oil loss before reaching 100,000 miles, but no one informed me that a test existed or was needed. The car burns through oil every 3,000 miles or less, sometimes with no oil showing on the dipstick before the next change. It often chugs or knocks, but no warning lights currently appear. I previously received engine codes P1326, P0011, and P0014, and I did receive the KSDS update. The dealership told me I must wait for the engine to fail to qualify for replacement. This is unsafe for me and other drivers. Kia Consumer Affairs has confirmed I’m under warranty, but no solution has been offered to prevent a dangerous breakdown. I am concerned that this is a widespread issue that is being ignored unless the vehicle fails completely. I’ve been instructed by Kia service staff to continue topping off oil to avoid engine damage. However, by doing so, I am also preventing the P1326 code from triggering—effectively disqualifying me from warranty help. I’m forced to choose between protecting my car or triggering a code to qualify for repair. This puts consumers at risk and creates an unfair barrier to accessing the warranty coverage Kia advertises.

NHTSA ODI 11662441

Hello, I own currently a car, Kia Soul 2015 , I bought it from car auction, it was recovered after theft! The car is clean title! When I got it home a mechanic looked at it and told me the piston rod came out through the engine block and engine is seized up and this is a common problem for this model of Kia, piston rod is damaging the block , oil spilling and catching fire and he told me I need to go to the dealership because some people get their cars fixed if they meet the criteria for recall! Also I saw there is one more open recall this car has related to power steering that can lead to accidents if not fixed! I towed my car to Kia dealership and they told me they can't fix my recalls because I bought the car from auction! And I paid 180$ for the inspection they did! They didn't even saw the piston rod came out of block and damaged the piston and the block! They told me I have a broken piston! So is it true if you bought a car from auction they don't fix the recals anymore ? This doesn't make any sense to me! The recall is not a warranty I guess, it shouldn't expire because it can create dangerous situations on the road! So I want to know what can I do in this case to have the recalls fixed! I also asked them for a note about inspection they did and they didn't gave me anything! Thank you!

NHTSA ODI 11655733

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal knocking and ticking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated that while slowing down to come to a stop, the engine sounded very weak, as if the vehicle was going to shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil, and that the catalytic convertor, knock sensor, and the exhaust gasket were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,725.

NHTSA ODI 11653528

No early warning lights displayed, but traveling on the interstate in this Kia Soul, having only 74,000 original miles on it when sudden knocking began. Had to quickly get to a stopping point and eventually have the vehicle towed. Mechanic reported is the very common Theta II motor issue where a spun bearing has occurring and could have easily locked up the engine, causing safety risks. Only after the start of the knocking did the oil lamp indicator begin to flicker; was not even a stead light. Indications are that though some recalls were made for this model, this vehicle was not included, and many others have reported similar issues on the same model.

NHTSA ODI 11652658

High temperatures catalytic converter code went on the car was stalling on the highway as soon as I hit 60 MPH as I was getting on the car will not accelerate like if the engine was going to come out which also caused my car to overheat which was smelling like burnt oil called the dealer regarding this issue and compared to the recalls on the other KIA which is exactly what's happening to my car.

NHTSA ODI 11651676

Multiple cylinder misfires detected. Knocking/clacking present when symptoms occur. Inspected engine oil and found metal precent, engine has an internal failure and would need to be replaced.

NHTSA ODI 11651204

car keeps dying as going down the road.almost completely dies then kicks back in.have had it in several times always says something differant.has around 78000 miles.bought it new in 2015 have had it several times for same issue.have almost gotten in wrecks due to it dying out of the blue!!!

NHTSA ODI 11649671