2015 Kia Soul Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

624Engine complaints

70%Of all 891 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE624 · 70%

Unspecified / other106 · 11.9%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM76 · 8.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM73 · 8.2%

POWER TRAIN60 · 6.7%

Share of the 891 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2015 Kia Soul overview page.

What owners report

“I WAS DRIVING AND OUT OF NO WHERE THE ENGINE STARTED AND CAR JUST CUT OFF TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THEY SAID THE ENGINE…”NHTSA complaint 11206335 — filed 05/08/2019

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR FLASHED, THERE WAS A DRASTIC REDUCTION IN SPEED, AND THE…”NHTSA complaint 11205714 — filed 05/06/2019

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A KNOCKING SOUND EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR…”NHTSA complaint 11205685 — filed 05/06/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 Kia Soul have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2015 Kia Soul: 624 of 891 complaints on file (70%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2015 Kia Soul have in total?

891 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 34 involved a crash, 81 involved a fire, 32 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.