The same engine trouble as 2014
The 2015 Soul's complaint rate is just as high as 2014's, with 84 fire reports. Knocking and catalytic converter failures dominate.
Updated November 2026 · based on 909 owner complaints and 7 recalls
618 1.5x the Soul average
7 free to fix at a dealer
Every Soul year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2015 Soul
Top problems and what they cost
Engine knock
Knocking and ticking leading to engine failure.
Fix: Free under recall if eligible; otherwise $4,000 to $6,000
Engine
Catalytic converter
Overheating converter, smell and loss of power.
Fix: Converter $1,000 to $2,000
Fuel system
Recalls
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Show all 7 recalls
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2015 Kia Soul
- Confirm recalls 19V120 and 20V750 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2015 Soul has 7 recalls on record, listed below.
- Ask for engine replacement records.Some engines on this car were repaired or replaced under recalls or extended warranties. Paperwork shows whether that was done and how much coverage is left.Owners filed 285 complaints about engine knocking and failure on the 2015 Soul, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2015 Kia Soul reliable?
The same engine trouble as 2014. The 2015 Soul's complaint rate is just as high as 2014's, with 84 fire reports. Knocking and catalytic converter failures dominate.
How many recalls does the 2015 Kia Soul have?
7 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2015 Kia Soul problems?
Engine knock; Catalytic converter.
Crash rating shown for the 2015 Kia Soul SUV FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.