Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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).
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the high-beam headlights and turn signals were not working as needed. The contact stated that the local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: ELE093 (Headlamp Bulb Connector Replacement); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the driver's side headlight became inoperable and while using the turn signal, the driver's side headlight would shut off. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 95,014.
Headlights turn off after using the turn signal switch. Started happening once in a while but now it happens not only after using the turn signal switch but the headlights will turn off for a few seconds and then turn back on. Other times they will just flicker for several seconds. This is a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. The headlights turning off or flashing at night is not a safe way of driving. There are many reported cases of this issue on the Kia Owners Portal so they can't say they didn't hear about it. I would think I could take it into Kia to have them replace the turn signal switch since that is the only thing that makes sense. And I can recreate the issue by wiggling the switch. (This is not related to the light sensor since I do not have automatic headlights.) Why hasn't there been a safety recall issued??? …
I would like to report that my 93,632 2015 Kia Soul headlights flicker. The headlights (both) even go out for seconds and then they come back at the same time. It's an electrical issue, not a matter of changing the bulbs. I contacted Kia Motors to report this and check if there are recalls or extended warranty on this issue and they said no. There are plenty of other users on online forums reporting this same issue. Maybe it's time to investigate if this is a defect since from what other users described, is the same situation as with my own car headlights. Sounds very dangerous having a vehicle losing the headlights suddenly on a highway, I spoke with 2 CSR from Kia on 6/7/23 regarding the headlights and none of them were interested in this specific matter.
Headlights flicker off and sometimes just for a second, sometimes stay off and will usually come back on if i turn them off and on again. But then it happens again. I took it to my mechanic who could not figure it out. Couldn't afford to do much so i have not been able to drive at night for a year as it's very dangerous. I called Kia and since my car is out of warranty and apparently no sort of recall for this (despite me seeing lots of complaints with the same issue) i can't afford to do anything. I'm beyond upset. I love the car otherwise. Date below is when it started, but it is ANYTIME it's driven.
4 times within 16 months, my passenger side headlamps low and high beam burned out with a melted headlamp connector plug. My 2015 Kia Soul was purchased in June 2016 and now has less than 38,000 miles. I have seen that there was previously (2016) a safety Recall SC149 Halogen Headlamp Low Beam Connector for 2015 Kia Soul but Danbury Connecticut Kia dealership denies this. I am concerned about a fire as well as cost of repairing this dangerous defect. [redacted].
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the headlights on auto, the headlights would flicker and turn on and off independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2015 Kia Soul Intermittent headlight Flashing at random Months ago the KIA dealership could not replicate. Contacted KIA-Customer-Care and they cared less. I have a car I am afraid to drive at night or in heavy rain. Youtube movie of problem at [redacted]
Headlamp Multi-Function Switch Service Campaign Hazwewdiouse may cause colition or vision impairment. from ongoing traffic and or insufficient illumination While driving lights will flicker, causing drivers to high beam you, it does not matter if the high beams are on or not, the light will randomly flicker and turn off, very dangerous in southern and eastern areas, there is limited to no street/road Lights It has been noted that For some 2014 Kia Soul models, Kia issued a warranty extension and a service bulletin (SC330) to address intermittent flickering of the low/high beams. This is caused by wear on the contact points inside the multi-function switch, which controls the headlights and turn signals. Kia has extended the warranty on this specific component from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/unlimited mileage from the date of the vehicle's first service. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. While driving, the contact noticed that the front driver and passenger side headlights failed without warning. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the plugs were melted. The contact also stated that the rear driver's side tail light failed without warning. The contact repaired the driver's side tail light, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that they had no knowledge of the failure. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000. Updated 11/06/17
Headlight complaints in other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2015 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the lights of the 2015 Kia Soul, 4% of the model year's 902 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Kia Soul headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights 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 headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.