Model year 2015 · Small Station Wagons

2015 Kia Soul: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2015 Kia Soul at 26 mpg combined (gas versions) and 105 MPGe combined with 93 miles of EPA-rated range across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 907 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

NHTSA lists this vehicle as SOUL EV.

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2015 Kia Soul recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 7 safety recalls for the 2015 Kia Soul, newest first.

Power train: Automatic transmission: Gear position indication (prndl) and 1 more component

NHTSA 23V724000 Reported Oct 26, 2023

Filed by: Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC287)
Components: Power train: Automatic transmission: Gear position indication (prndl); Electrical system: Software
Units affected: 6,262 (estimate)
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on.
Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Electrical system: Propulsion system: Traction battery

NHTSA 23V218000 Reported Mar 29, 2023

Filed by: Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC267)
Units affected: 2,689 (estimate)
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving.
Risk: A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC267.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Engine

NHTSA 20V750000 Reported Dec 2, 2020

Filed by: Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC200)
Units affected: 294,756 (estimate)
Problem: 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 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Electrical system: Software and 1 more component

NHTSA 20V389000 Reported Jul 2, 2020

Filed by: Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC191)
Components: Electrical system: Software; Power train: Automatic transmission: Gear position indication (prndl)
Units affected: 3,714 (estimate)
Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle (EV) vehicles. The parking mechanism may become damaged if the driver moves the gear shift lever into Park 'P' before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. If the parking mechanism is damaged, unintended vehicle movement may occur when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied.
Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC191.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system: Emission control: Catalytic convertor and 1 more component

NHTSA 19V120000 Reported Feb 22, 2019

Filed by: Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC176)
Components: Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system: Emission control: Catalytic convertor; Engine
Units affected: 378,967 (estimate)
Problem: 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 customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Steering

NHTSA 17V608000 Reported Sep 29, 2017

Filed by: Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC155)
Units affected: 342,381 (estimate)
Problem: 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 being recalled again under this campaign.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Vehicle speed control: Accelerator pedal

NHTSA 15V123000 Reported Mar 2, 2015

Filed by: Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC116)
Units affected: 208,858 (estimate)
Problem: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2015 Kia Soul fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2015 Kia Soul EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Electric range	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Soul	1.6L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	24/30/26 mpg	—	$2,600	335
Soul	1.6L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	24/30/26 mpg	—	$2,600	338
Soul	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	23/30/26 mpg	—	$2,600	344
Soul ECO dynamics	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic 6-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	24/30/26 mpg	—	$2,600	337
Soul Electric	Electric (81 kW AC PMSM)	Single-speed	Front-Wheel Drive	Electricity	120/92/105 MPGe	93 mi 32 kWh/100 mi	$700	0

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2015 Kia Soul crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2015 Kia Soul NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2015 Kia Soul Ev SUV FWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	—	No
2015 Kia Soul SUV FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars	14.7%	No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2015 Kia Soul owner complaints

Owners have filed 907 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015 Kia Soul, most recently on Oct 18, 2026. 35 mention a crash, 84 a fire, 32 injured people and 1 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2015 Kia Soul complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Engine	632
Unknown or other	109
Fuel/propulsion system	77
Electrical system	74
Power train	63
Steering	44
Engine and engine cooling	34
Exterior lighting	33
Service brakes	30
Vehicle speed control	29

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Kia Soul model years

Kia Soul by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2025 Soul	30–31 mpg	0	12	4/5
2024 Soul	30–31 mpg	0	30	4/5
2023 Soul	30–31 mpg	4	54	4/5
2022 Soul	29–31 mpg	1	95	4/5
2021 Soul	27–31 mpg	2	239	4/5
2020 Soul	27–31 mpg · 114 MPGe	1	388	4/5
2019 Soul	27–28 mpg · 108 MPGe	3	140	5/5
2018 Soul	27–28 mpg · 108 MPGe	3	223	5/5
2017 Soul	27–28 mpg · 105 MPGe	3	290	5/5
2016 Soul	26–27 mpg · 105 MPGe	5	823	5/5

All Kia Soul years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2015 Kia models

2015 Kia Cadenza 2015 Kia Forte 2015 Kia K900 2015 Kia Optima 2015 Kia Rio 2015 Kia Sedona 2015 Kia Sorento 2015 Kia Sportage

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Kia.