Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Kia Soul owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
November 26, 2024 Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding my 2015 Kia Soul. On [redacted], I was involved in a severe car accident. Despite the significant impact, the airbag system failed to deploy. I have attached photos of the vehicle damage for your reference. This incident is particularly alarming as the vehicle had recently been serviced for recalls at Phil Smith Kia (4250 N Federal Hwy, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064). The failure of the airbag system to deploy raises serious concerns about the safety and quality control of Kia vehicles. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this incident thoroughly and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of all Kia vehicle owners. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. Sincerely,
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. At 4-way intersection w/ traffic light other driver going northbound blew through their red light (maybe on phone or other distraction) at what seemed like a high speed. I was driving westbound at about 30/35mph with a clear green light. Was able to avoid getting t-boned in my door, but couldn't avoid t-boning other car's passenger door (older 2 door F150). My insurance company going to total my car (see pics). My airbags didn't deploy. Friends/relatives have told me their air bags went off in crashes at lower speeds. I hit my head on the left side frame and my head is still sore. The seat belt pretensioner system did work as designed as passenger in my car and I are both sore w / bruises on collar bone, chest, and hip where seat belt clips in so we know it worked. But lots of other bruises/soreness. Air Bags seem defective.
I was involved in a head on collision with a F250 truck and the airbags did not deploy. I did hit my head on the steering wheel and have a bruise above my eye and some scratches on my knee. I had pain in my shoulder from seat belt. I took off from work on 2/2 to take care of car getting towed and I went to care now to be checked out and they sent me to the ER for a possible scan, but once doctor checked me out they decided there was no need for a scan. I do not have any more information from my insurance company other than the body shop were car was towed to said it was a total loss and there is no reason they could find that the air bag did not deploy. I have owned the car since may of last year and have been to sent 2 safety recall 1 for the catalytic converter and 1 for try to stop kia soul from being stolen. these are the only one I have received
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a rattling noise heard in the front of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that after the vehicle was returned, the steering, air bags, and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel became hot to the touch without the heated steering wheel function being activated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that an oil change was needed, and the heated steering wheel fuse was removed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,796.
I was involved in an accident where my 2015 Kia Soul was struck from the rear end at a high rate of speed, left the roadway, hit a concrete culver, became airborne, jumped/rolled across a driveway and went through two crosstie corner posts with no airbag deployment. My seat broke 3/4 of the way up due to impact. Unknown as to reason why airbags failed to deploy with frontal impacts and unknown as to component inspection as insurance took car away to auction. I feel that the failure of these items to deploy intensified the injuries I received in the wreck.
I've had my check engine light come on ever since I bought the vehicle and the code is for catalytic converter, my car overheats and does not properly shift right engine is very shaky and unstable while driving on the road. I don't know why my Kia doesn't qualify for the recall when it's having the exact issues that the recalls state
I am experiencing multiple safety and performance issues with my 2015 Kia Soul: 1.Vibration at Idle: Significant vibration when the vehicle is idling at a red light. Possible causes include worn engine mounts, faulty spark plugs or ignition coils, issues with the idle control valve or throttle body, or vacuum leaks. 2.Electrical Issues: Codes: B111216 (Ignition Voltage Low), B17672F (OCS Algorithm Cut Off), B251100 (Head Lamp High LH SCG), B251300 (Head Lamp Low LH SCG) Symptoms include low battery voltage warnings and short circuits in the headlamp circuits. Possible causes might be a failing battery or alternator, or damaged electrical wiring. 3. Emission System Problems: Codes: P0455 (Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected), P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) Symptoms: Check engine light related to emission control systems. …
My son was in a rear-end collison in his 2015 Kia Soul, that also pushed him into the person in front of him. My son was at a stop as well as the vehicle in front of him, when a mid sized SUV doing approximately 30-40mph slammed on her brakes and rear ended my son. The Soul's bumper went underneath the Chevy tahoe in front of him. The airbags did not deploy. When police and ems showed up and asked him if he could drive it off the road, the vehicle started, but accelerator would not work. They pushed it off the road. After towing to the body shop, the owner said he didn't know why the airbags hadn't deployed because the electrical wiring harness had been severed in the crash. The towing company was hesitant to tow because he was afraid it May go off. The Soul had an estimate of $15,753.75 in damage and therefore totaled...but his airbags never went off.
Tl* the contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at about 65 MPH, the vehicle crashed into the rear passenger's bumper of the vehicle in front which stopped abruptly. None of the air bags deployed. There was no warning. The contact sustained injury from the seat belt strap on the left shoulder. The contact went to an urgent care the next day. There was no police report. The contact stated that one passenger in the other vehicle suffered a whiplash. There was no further detail on the individual. The vehicle was totaled and was towed to a body shop. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was called but the contact was not called back. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. While the vehicle was stationary in the reverse gear, the contact attempted to reverse but the vehicle accelerated forward and crashed into a tree. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not respond. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15V736000 (steering). The vehicle was previously repaired for this recall prior to the crash. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.
Airbag complaints in other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2015 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2015 Kia Soul, 2% of the model year's 902 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Kia Soul airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2015 Kia Soul, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Kia Soul airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 7,000 miles, and 80% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.