The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Soul · 2015

2015 Kia Soul. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index66100 = average car
Complaints95NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold147,133U.S. model year
Per 100K sold65complaints
Year rank#7 of 13#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD24 / 30 / 26Regular$2,400
1.6L 4-cylManual 6-spdFWD24 / 30 / 26Regular$2,400
2.0L 4-cylAuto (S6)FWD24 / 30 / 26Regular$2,400
ElectricAuto (A1)FWD120 / 92 / 105Electricity$700

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 65,000 and 113,800 miles. Median 87,600, from 538 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine93,00074,500–119,000377
Fuel or ev drive system65,00038,000–103,50034
Electrical64,00034,700–105,50042
Transmission & drivetrain92,60077,000–120,00034
Engine112,00094,800–146,00053

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine24%
Electrical19%
Steering19%
Airbags8%
Brakes7%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
9023484231123

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 20V750000 Dec 2020 Engine

    Defect. 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 1-80

  • 19V120000 Feb 2019 Engine

    Defect. 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 custom

  • 17V608000 Sep 2017 Steering

    Defect. 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 bei

  • 15V123000 Mar 2015 Vehicle Speed Control / Accelerator Pedal

    Defect. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.

    Risk. If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. 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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedEngine fires20212024
ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires20192021
ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires20182019

Manufacturer communications 164

Kia filed 164 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Smart pedal feature - the smart pedal is an integral part of the engine management system (ems)
  • CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information…
  • PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Kia Soul SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Kia Soul Ev SUV FWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
20124961115,778Airbags
20134667118,079Brakes
201466105145,316Steering
20156695147,133Engine
201681118145,768Engine
20174863115,712Engine
20186976104,709Engine

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data