What 898 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Soul EV

My catalytic converter went out on my Kia while driving unexpectedly and I have heard of a lot of other Kias in my year have the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11540154

I own a 2015 kia soul 2.0 GDI engine, was coming home, the car surged twice and started knocking. I imediatly pulled over and killed the car. Had the car checked, spun the number 3 cylinder connecting rod bearing. Went from running perfict to torn up engine, it's a shame I.ve taken very good care of this car. Synthetic oil every 5 thousand miles. Called kia they said my car isn't on the list. The guy who did the inspection said it's the exact same problem on multiple vehicles, same exact problem, number three cylinder, connecting rod bearing. 136,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11539893

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number 20V750000 (Engine) and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that coolant had intruded into the engine had caused damage to the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 218,000.

NHTSA ODI 11539908

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle had been idling roughly. The contact stated that the engine would vibrate and shake the entire vehicle while stopped at a traffic signal. The contact stated that she was adding amount of engine oil to the vehicle every week. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed and determined the engine had passed a mandatory engine test. The contact was not advised if the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software had been updated. The contact stated that following the recall, the engine failure recurred. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ODI 11539182

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was a rattling sound present coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle failed to properly accelerate, and the vehicle stalled on several occasions. Additionally, the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was diagnosed at the local dealer and determined that the catalytic converter was clogged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11538822

3 time same time going 60 and speed drop 40 fast almost some hot from the back in freeway was a miss fire what was fix but the 3 time show a code p1326 Is problem w the motor.

NHTSA ODI 11538059

Recall for catalytic converter failure not fixed. Dealer claimed to fix but lied. My catalytic converter is failing and Kia refused to fix it with previous recall appointments. Now it could result in major engine or a fire. Took it in multiple times and dealer failed to resolve the issue. A year later and my car won’t go over 40 mph.

NHTSA ODI 11537810

The engine has sounded bad for a year or more and it's been consuming oil at a rate of 1/2 to 1 quart per month despite having only 80,000 miles on the vehicle. For the past couple of months the vehicle has increasingly struggled to maintain speed on the highway or to climb hills. The engine has to rev well higher than normal and it's loud. I've also found oil slicks in the garage for the first time. Three weeks ago, on Interstate 64 near Cross Lanes, WV the vehicle lost the capacity to continue down the highway. I had to pull over just after the crest of a hill and was stuck there in a scary situation for about 40 minutes. The dealer there in WV says the catalytic converter has failed and it will be $3500 to fix it. At no time has the check engine indicator activated. The manufacturer says my VIN is not included in NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000. The dealership in Columbus, which I has spoken to last summer told me the engine, which has seem troubled to me for a year or more does not, at least yet, qualify for remedy under NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V750000. At last contact the manufacturer is looking in to authorizing out of warranty assistance, but there are no guarantees and we may very well be on my own when it comes to remedying these serious and expensive problems with the 2015 Kia Soul.

NHTSA ODI 11537863

Vehicle emissions test failure P0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 1 this is the 3rd failure for the same reason and the part has been replaced twice. Once under warranty and a second one in December 2022. Kia hasn’t done anything to fix the problem, and is opting for a catastrophic failure and possible harm to myself and family. Please help

NHTSA ODI 11537442

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle would not properly accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over on the side of the road and shut off the vehicle. The contact waited until the vehicle cooled down and the vehicle was restarted; however, the vehicle was not operating normally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 119,000.

NHTSA ODI 11537013

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started overheating and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and saw smoke coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the vehicle had experienced engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) and the VIN was included; however, the dealer declined the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but was unable to assist. The failure mileage was 112,630.

NHTSA ODI 11536501

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.

NHTSA ODI 11536025

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.

NHTSA ODI 11535224

illuminated check engine and oil pressure warning lights with stalling at higher speeds. Last incident car stalled on freeway while driving up a steep grade. This incident put me at risk for injury due to the traffic and location incident. Afterwards when starting the car again there would be a severe shaking and excessive smoke coming from engine and exhaust pipe. I initially had a mechanic from MIDAS inspect the car. The engine was leaking oil and mechanic had suspicion that there was a fuel leek. do to the danger of these malfunctions the mechanic suggested we have KIA deal with it directly

NHTSA ODI 11534466

This is a supplement to the earlier filed report. The brakes on this Kia Soul did not appear to be working, no matter how hard I pressed on it. Further, I flew forward in this accident, causing me to hit my head. It was like the seatbelt was not working at all. I had to be checked for a potential concussion at the local hospital.

NHTSA ODI 11533050

This vehicle is currently at Lunsford's towing, and will be moved to another location. Potentially this could be my new residence at [XXX] , but I would like to have contact/see if this has any issues first. There were two components of this accident: 1) a multi-vehicle collision, and a single vehicle collision between the Kia and a tree. I do not believe that these potential issues had much to do with the first component. However, I kept going after this accident, and had a large mark on my head. I am unsure about what my head hit, but my seatbelt may have failed to restrain me. Further, there was little braking before the first component of this, but there seemed to be little significant slowdown after the first part. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11533047

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving at 30 MPH, after becoming briefly distracted, the vehicle ahead dramatically reduced speeds, and as a result, he collided with the rear of that vehicle. After this, the seat belt failed to restrain him, and he hit his head on the windshield, causing him to lose consciousness. The force of the impact forced the vehicle off the road and into a ditch, where it came to rest after colliding with a tree, at which point the air bags deployed. No warning lights were illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard, where it remains. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The driver was transported to an area hospital, treated for a concussion, and held in the ER for observation. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11532770

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle started shaking and inadvertently lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted and driven to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was notified of the catalytic converter failure and excessive oil consumption. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that there was an unknown recall for the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,500.

NHTSA ODI 11532045

NHTSA RECALL FOR REFERENCE NUMBER 19V120000. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING EXHAUST SYSTEM: EMISSION CONTROL: CATALYTIC CONVERTOR AND MY KIA SOUL 2015 DID NOT HAVE THIS CHANGED OUT. KIA IS SAYING THAT IS IS NOT A RECALL BUT THIS ISSUE IS A RECALL BECAUSE IF MY CAR BLOWS UP AND SOME ONE DIES I AM SUEING KIA FOR THIS ISSUE/

NHTSA ODI 11530538

Yes before my car went to limp mode on the interstate it stalled several times and had a flashing gear wrench sign flash several times .I looked for recalls after telling the dealership what happened,and all the did we was update the flash on the ECU . I had a local manager from midas in Decatur tell me that this 2015 model 1.6 liter engine were catching fire from an intake manifold malfunction to the engine and out the exhaust system . I really feel like the dealership should of replaced all of this or gave a total new replacement vehicle and or replaced my engine. They fixed nothing but charged me over 2 thousand dollars to fix the check engine light repair that didn't come on until they flashed my ECU . My vehicle still stalls and makes a funny loud rattling noise every time it starts to ingage in driving or downshifting as I decrease my speed to come to a complete stop . It uses more oil and gets hotter than any other vehicle I've ever owned. I really need this investigated and would like to be reimbursed for the pain and agony of this whole vehicle buyimg.experience.the kia corporate office actually sent me am extended warranty for 150 thousand miles but to be honest I don't think this motor has that much life in it because of the prior damage done by the 3 recalls . Thanks sincerely please help .

NHTSA ODI 11529832

2015 KIA SOUL- Email and complaint forwarded from the division of consumer protection of the state of New York on behalf of consumer. Consumer states: "The brake lines rotted away and failed . Kia has already recalled a different model vehicle for the same problem. Dealer had another Kia Soul in the shop for the same problem. KIA SOUL has a severe brake line rot problem in upstate New York. We could have been killed because of this catastrophic brake failure. I asked KIA if they were going to recall this model for this problem and they failed to answer." Consumer is requesting recall on this model vehicle for defective brake lines and reimbursed for the repair expense.

NHTSA ODI 11528923

Catalytic Converter problem

NHTSA ODI 11529017

My 2015 Kia Soul Plus 2.0L at 97,400 miles has had the catalytic converter fail. This is the exact same problem for the recall of 2015 Kia Soul 1.6L. I have additional engine issues, which the dealership denies are under warranty or engine recall. 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.

NHTSA ODI 11527385

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.

NHTSA ODI 11526728

Engine burning oil so much that it destroys the catalytic converter leaving me stranded middle of a highway.

NHTSA ODI 11525839