VehicleVerdict

2015 Kia Soul Ev problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2015 Kia Soul Ev — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Soul Ev years?

Soul Ev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted23 complaints2014: 2 complaints2015: 7 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 23 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 6 complaints2020: 0 complaints
Soul Ev NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Soul Ev years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Kia Soul Ev problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission229%
Brakes114%
Electrical System114%
Engine114%
Other114%
Speed Control114%

Does the 2015 Kia Soul Ev have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V724000TransmissionOctober 26, 2023 · 6,262 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

23V218000Electrical SystemMarch 29, 2023 · 2,689 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V389000Electrical SystemJuly 2, 2020 · 3,714 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

17V608000SteeringSeptember 29, 2017 · 342,381 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“OUR 2015 KIA SOUL EV HAS OVER HEATED THE MAIN CONTROLLER AND SHUT DOWN IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE IN CHANDLER (PHOENIX ) ARIZONA AFTER TRAVELING JUST 10 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR CANNOT HANDLE THE HEAT IN ARIZONA, GEORGIA OR OTHER HOT SOUTHERN STATES.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 20, 2017

“The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul EV. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V218000 (Electrical System) and the vehicle was repaired under the recall. The contact stated that after the repair was completed, the vehicle went into "Reduced Power" and "Power Limp…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 1, 2023

“NEXEN TIRES DO NOT PASS STATE INSPECTION AND THEY HAVE LESS THAN 23,500 MILES ON THEM, THESE TIRES ARE COMING APART GOUGES DOWN TO TELL STEEL BELTS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 10, 2017

“AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE PILLAR. I WAS DRIVING IN THE "B" MODE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, BUT LATER HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY REPORTED THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 28, 2017 · crash

“OWNER WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 80 HEADING EAST AT APX 65 MILES PER HOUR.WITH NO WARNING , OIL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ,CAR SEIZED UP AND STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD BANGING.OWNER IS A 22 YEAR OLD NEW DRIVER AND WAS VERY LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN KILLED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED KIA…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 19, 2018

2015 Kia Soul Ev — common questions

Is the 2015 Kia Soul Ev reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2015 Kia Soul Ev have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Kia Soul Ev. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Kia Soul Ev under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.