2015 Kia Soul Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  21
• Engine › Oil/lubrication
  3
• Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
  1
• Engine › Oil/lubrication › Filter/screen
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  123%
• 25k–50k
  133%
• 50k–75k
  7418%
• 75k–100k
  12431%
• 100k–150k
  15739%
• 150k+
  266%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Kia Soul owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Description of Incident: The engine has experienced a failure that causes oil to blow back from the engine, covering components both under and outside of the engine cover. This has resulted in oil accumulating on the exhaust and other hot components, creating a significant fire hazard. Safety Risks: This malfunction poses a serious risk to my safety and the safety of others, as the oil leakage could lead to a fire while driving. Additionally, the vehicle stalls at various speeds, which increases the risk of accidents or harm to other drivers and pedestrians. There is also a strong smell of oil inside the car, potentially indicating harmful fumes entering the cabin. Inspection Availability: The component/system causing the issue is available for inspection upon request. …

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the engine was inspected and it was determined that there was no failure with the vehicle. The contact was charged for the diagnostic test. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a second time, but no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to Pep Boys, who diagnosed that the engine was leaking oil onto the exhaust system and catalytic converter. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a third time, where it was determined that the catalytic converter was clogged and the diagnostic trouble codes were cleared. …

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle began to make a knocking noise which became progressively louder and backfired. There was white smoke coming from the exhaust as the contact moved to the side of the road and exited the vehicle safely. The vehicle then developed a small fire underneath the hood in the engine compartment, which quickly became engulfed in flames. The contact was approximately 30 to 40 feet away when this occurred. The smoke was described as having an electrical odor. The fire spread into the interior of the vehicle, resulting in damage to the dashboard, front seats and windows. No additional property damage was reported. Emergency services were contacted and the fire department extinguished the fire. The insurance company determined the vehicle to be a total loss. No injuries were sustained. …

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, there was a knocking sound then a loud boom heard. The contact and her passengers detected a smoke odor and saw that there was smoke coming from the hood. The vehicle would not accelerate so the contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact then tried to turn on the vehicle but the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was a hole in the engine. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer and diagnosed that there was a hole in the engine which caused the oil to leak. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure however, the manufacturer informed the dealer that they were not responsible for the repair since the contact had not gotten the recall repair for the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) software update. …

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while his son was driving at 55-65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated his son saw smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle, however, he could not exit the vehicle as he was in the middle of the highway. The contact stated his son was able to exit the vehicle with the assistance of the highway police patrol. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine had failed and the failure was related to the recall for NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (ENGINE). The dealer also informed the contact that they could not complete the recall repair as the contact was a second vehicle owner. …

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, a loud boom sound came from the engine without warning. The contact pulled over and upon inspection of the hood, she discovered flames emitting from the vehicle. Two fellow motorists witnessed the fire and were able to draw water from a nearby ditch to extinguish the fire before the fire department. A fire report was not filed once they arrived at the scene. No injuries were reported. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer a diagnostic discovered that a rod had blown through the engine block. The contact then discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000(Engine); however, both the dealer and the manufacturer notified her that the vehicle was not under the recall. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer but had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled then the contact saw on the rearview mirror that there was smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and a bystander helped open the hood of the vehicle. The passenger side under the hood had caught fire and the contact attempted to put out the fire with soda when antifreeze from the radiator was spraying and splashed onto the contact. The contact was able to move away before the vehicle exploded but was hit by glass shards from the windshield. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire department report was filed. No medical attention was received. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 141,000.

The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was smoke coming from the exhaust, with an abnormally loud popping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the contact exited the vehicle and became aware that there was a line of fire on the main road leading to the bottom of the vehicle. The contact stated that a week prior to the failure, there was an abnormal burning odor coming from inside the vehicle. The contact called the Emergency Services, and the Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

The contact's daughter owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while her daughter was driving 45 mph when she heard abnormal noise and saw smoke exiting from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated multiple warning lights were illuminated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The driver called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer. The VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V750000 (ENGINE). The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and they would not honor the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 101,027.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph, a thumping noise occurred under the vehicle and suddenly the speed was reduced and the vehicle would no longer accelerate. While coasting to the side of the road smoke was present coming from under the hood of the vehicle. Moments later flames from under the hood engulfed the vehicle. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was destroyed. A fire and a police report were taken and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Soul years