2015 Kia SOUL EV: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 23,535 miles reported. Look up ODI 10971756 at NHTSA ↗

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 PROBLEM OR FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 36,566 miles reported. Look up ODI 10992957 at NHTSA ↗

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. THE BATTERIES AND BMS ALSO FAIL AFTER 2-3 YEARS.

Owner-reported narrative. 23,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11076517 at NHTSA ↗

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 DEALER.THE SAME DEALERSHIP OWNER PURCHASED CAR. MILEAGE IS 78.000 MILES AND OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN DONE AT RECOMMENDED INTERVALS.OWNER IS WAITING TO HEAR FROM DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT.

Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11089999 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS PULLING INTO A DISABLE PARKING SPACE. I PUSH MY BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT WORK MY CAR CONTINUE TO GO WITHOUT STOPPING. I PUSH MY BRAKES MANY TIMES, PUSHING IT AS FAR AS I CAN. THE ONLY WAY IT STOP IS WHEN THE CAR HIT THE FAT ROUND CEMENT POLE. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING BRAKES. I'M JUST HAPPY THAT I WAS NOT ON ROAD. PLEASE REVIEW, THIS A DANGEROUS ISSUE,WHICH MAY CAUSE LIVES.

Owner-reported narrative. 83,980 miles reported. Look up ODI 11164351 at NHTSA ↗

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 Mode" while driving at various speeds and initially after starting the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where the recall repair was completed the recall repair; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The v…

Owner-reported narrative. 111,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11574931 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-09-29 (September 29, 2017)

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.

Reported: 2020-07-02 (July 2, 2020)

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.

Reported: 2023-03-29 (March 29, 2023)

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.

Reported: 2023-10-26 (October 26, 2023)

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.