Kia Soul, representative photo
Representative model. Photo: Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2015 Kia Soul recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2015 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns
7
Park-it warnings
0
Complaints
907
Latest campaign
Oct 26, 2023

Recall summary by component7

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
ComponentCampaignsLatestCampaign IDs
Power train2Oct 26, 2023
Engine2Dec 2, 2020
Electrical system1Mar 29, 2023
Steering1Sep 29, 2017
Vehicle speed control1Mar 2, 2015

Safety recalls7

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h
0Park-it warnings
0Fixable over the air
Oct 26, 2023Latest campaign
Oct 26, 202323V724000

Power train: automatic transmission gear position indication (prndl)

Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 23V724000
What's wrong
Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on.
Risk
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Filed under
Soul Ev
Campaign
NHTSA 23V724000 · Oct 26, 2023
Mar 29, 202323V218000

Electrical system: propulsion system traction battery

A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.

DetailsHide details for campaign 23V218000
What's wrong
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving.
Risk
A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC267.
Filed under
Soul Ev
Campaign
NHTSA 23V218000 · Mar 29, 2023
Dec 2, 202020V750000

Engine

An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.

DetailsHide details for campaign 20V750000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
Filed under
Soul
Campaign
NHTSA 20V750000 · Dec 2, 2020
Jul 2, 202020V389000

Power train: automatic transmission gear position indication (prndl)

Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 20V389000
What's wrong
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle (EV) vehicles. The parking mechanism may become damaged if the driver moves the gear shift lever into Park 'P' before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. If the parking mechanism is damaged, unintended vehicle movement may occur when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied.
Risk
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC191.
Filed under
Soul Ev
Campaign
NHTSA 20V389000 · Jul 2, 2020
Feb 22, 201919V120000

Engine

Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 19V120000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
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 customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Filed under
Soul
Campaign
NHTSA 19V120000 · Feb 22, 2019
Sep 29, 201717V608000

Steering

If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

DetailsHide details for campaign 17V608000
What's wrong
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.
Risk
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 being recalled again under this campaign.
Filed under
Soul, Soul Ev
Campaign
NHTSA 17V608000 · Sep 29, 2017

Merged from NHTSA model names: Soul Ev, Soul. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2015 Kia Soul? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component907

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h
907Complaints filed
36Involving a crash
84Involving a fire
32Injuries reported · 1 death
ComponentShareComplaints%CrashesFiresInjuries
Engine631704619
Unknown or other108121144
Electrical system768181
Fuel/propulsion system768365
Power train637183
Engine and engine cooling586020
Steering445816
Exterior lighting364010
Service brakes3341026
Vehicle speed control313326
Air bags20214011
Structure162574
Seat belts101402
Wheels61310
Visibility/wiper51010

11 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Soul, Soul EV.

Latest reports

  • Service brakes

    “An authorized Kia dealership (Car Town Kia in Lexington Ky) refused to complete federal safety recall SC334 after a technician snapped a bleeder screw, instead demanding a $3,022.83 payment for an unauthorized full…”

    Filed 10/14/2026 · ODI 11771221
  • Power train

    “My husband purchased our 2015 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI in 04/18. It was recalled under the NHTSA 19V120 & Kia SC176 in 04/19. The recommended fix? Update ECU Logic. Completed: 04/24/19. Check engine light came in 07/19.”

    Filed 10/08/2026 · ODI 11769993
  • Engine

    “The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine).”

    Filed 10/05/2026 · ODI 11768949

Other Kia Soul model years

Other Kia models

2015 Kia Soul recall questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Kia Soul have?

NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns for the 2015 Kia Soul. The most recent, 23V724000 (reported October 26, 2023), concerns power train. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2015 Kia Soul recalls for?

The largest group is power train, with 2 campaigns. Others: engine (2), electrical system (1), steering (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2015 Kia Soul?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 631 complaints out of 907 filed with NHTSA (70%). Across all complaints, owners reported 36 crashs and 84 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2015 Kia Soul?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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