Kia has grown to become a brand known for its reliability and user-friendly cars. The subcompact wagon segment is clearly dominated by the Kia soul and the sales figure of over 147,000 units clearly supports the fact. The 2015 Kia Soul has been having issues regarding its engine but Kia was soon able to identify the issue and provide quick fixes and solutions to its users. The Soul is up against the Hyundai Veloster, the Scion xB, and the Fiat 500L. The NHTSA figures of 585 complaints and 5 recalls aren’t a lot considering the number of cars sold and in that sense, the Kia definitely has the upper hand.
User complaints and problems
Electrical Problems
- Alternator – The car when trying to start does not crank up and users reported seeing the lights flash constantly. Also, the infotainment screen was seen to flicker like it was about to die. Users tried jump-starting the car and it immediately fired up the engine. The dealers exactly knew what the issue was and confirmed that the alternator was going bad and would need to be replaced.
- Fuel pump – Users reported the car surging at times like it was choking and there were certain cases where the car caught fire without any warnings. The dealers were able to identify a loose connection in the fuel pump that sometimes caused the gas to leak and catch fire.
- AC – Users reported the AC completely stopped working and it was suspected that the blower motor had failed but upon further examination, it was found that the wiring had completely melted due to an electrical short, and replacing the wiring solved the issue.
- ISG system – The Idle, Stop & Go system started malfunctioning and failed to start the car back up from a standing stop. It was stated that a software glitch in the system needed an update.
- Headlamps – The users reported the headlights intermittently fail or flicker when used, making it hard to drive at night. The issue was analyzed and it was found that the headlight bulb connector had deformed due to overheating and the owners had to get the connectors replaced.
Mechanical Problems
- Engine – Users reported hearing a knocking sound with warnings for the engine overheating flash while driving post which the engine completely stalled. It was found that the engine had completely failed as they were able to find damaged pistons and a damaged catalytic converter. It was said that the exhaust heat might have damaged the catalytic converter, resulting in abnormal engine combustion, leading to the pistons getting damaged.
- Steering – The steering wheel was reported to make a clicking noise while making a turn and it was said that the steering column had to be replaced due to a defect that was caused by poor manufacturing.
- Fuel system - The car was struggling to accelerate and showed signs of drastic power loss. It was said to be an issue with the fuelling of the car and replacing the fuel injectors resolved the issue.
- Powertrain – Users stated that the clutch would slip and lose its functionality without any warning but they reported a burning smell in the cabin. After the vehicle was diagnosed, it was found that the clutch and the flywheel needed to be replaced.
- Brakes – users stated that the brakes would not work until the pedal was pumped a couple of times and they also reported that the pedal to feel spongy. The dealers inspected the brake assembly and found the brake cylinder to have low pressure.
Safety Problems
- Seatbelt – The users reported the seatbelt seizing and becoming inoperable. The dealers informed that the seatbelts were faulty and needed to be replaced.
- Airbag – The complaint states that the front passenger airbag was never deployed and it caused injuries to the occupant. Upon inspection, it was found that the passenger occupancy sensor was damaged and failed to register the occupant.
2015 Kia Soul recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
2nd December 2020 |
20V750000 |
Engine damage may cause fire |
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury |
An engine test will be conducted to check the health and make the necessary repairs or replace the engine. |
|
2. |
2nd July 2020 |
20V389000 |
Unintended movement due to damaged park mechanism |
A damaged parking mechanism may cause the vehicle to start rolling and cause an accident. |
The electronic control unit software will be updated. |
|
3. |
22nd February 2019 |
19V120000 |
Overheated catalytic converter may damage the engine |
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The catalytic overheating protection engine control unit will be upgraded. |
|
4. |
29th September 2017 |
17V608000 |
Steering gear may separate. |
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Dealers will try to secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly. |
|
5. |
2nd March 2015 |
15V123000 |
Accelerator pedal may fracture |
If the car has a bent or a broken gas pedal, it becomes hard to accelerate the vehicle. |
A supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper will be installed. |
Should you buy the 2015 Kia Soul?
It isn’t hard to pick a car in this segment as the 2015 Kia Soul has all that is needed with the best-in-class reliability. For $15,190, Kia offers way too much, and the recalls that have been announced have all been to address key issues that the users have been facing. Kia clearly has delivered the best product and the best support to its customers. However, the only suggestion would be to check if the catalytic converter is in good condition as that would eliminate the major possible problem that the users have been facing.
