2015 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 213owner reports
- 102,000median miles
- $1,100median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jul 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
732 of the 897 complaints on this car are about the engine. 213 of those describe misfire. Only engine failure is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 213 reports
Misfire on other Soul years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the catalytic converter (77 reports), the sensor (27 reports), the ignition coils (11 reports) and the spark plugs (8 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2015 Kia Soul, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Soul
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
What owners paid
19 of the 213 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $276 to $3,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 80,000 and 124,000 miles, from the 151 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 10 service bulletins or notices for the 2015 Kia Soul that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
PITSTOP: DTC P0011/ P0014/ P0016/ P0017 DUE TO INCORRECT CAMSHAFT RELUCTOR WHEEL CONFIGURATION This Pitstop provides information on some 2010-2013MY Soul (AM), 2014-2019MY Soul (PS), and 2020~MY Soul (SK3) vehicles equipped with the engines listed below, which may set DTC P0011, P0014, P0016, or P0017 after an engine replacement.
SERVICE ACTION: 1.6L GDI WITH MIL ON DTC P050A ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA485) This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) system on some 2014-2016MY Soul (PS) vehicles with Gamma 1.6L GDI engines, produced from August 29, 2013 through July 26, 2016, which may exhibit an MIL ON ...
TSB - ECU UPGRADE ? DTC P0441 LOGIC IMPROVEMENT bulletin provides information related to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) software upgrade for some 2012-2016MY Rio (UB), 2014-2016MY Soul (PS), and 2012-2013MY Soul (AM) vehicles, which may have a malfunction indicator light (MIL) ON with DTC P0441: Evaporative ...
PITSTOP INTERMITTENT LACK OF POWER OR HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION - RESTRICTED FUEL LINE - Customers may experience an intermittent lack of power or hesitation upon acceleration. The malfunction indicator lamp may not illuminate or DTC P0087 may be stored (history).
6 more on the 2015 Kia Soul page.
What owners wrote
“While driving at 55 miles per hour, the engine suddenly ceased, emitting black smoke, causing components to melt and necessitating the replacement of the short block. Consequently, the catalytic converter is now malfunctioning, likely due to the misfires the engine experienced.”
Filed Dec 28, 2023
“Vehicle emissions test failure P0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 1 this is the 3rd failure for the same reason and the part has been replaced twice. Once under warranty and a second one in December 2022. Kia hasnât done anything to fix the problem, and is opting for a catastrophic failure and possible harm to myself and family. Please help”
Filed Aug 9, 2023 · 113,791 miles
“Misfire ignition coil engine shaking it was fine then I turned and out of no where it started shaking I wasnât going fast at all”
Filed Jan 30, 2023
“Iâve had my check engine light come on ever since I bought the vehicle and the code is for catalytic converter, my car overheats and does not properly shift right engine is very shaky and unstable while driving on the road. I donât know why my Kia doesnât qualify for the recall when itâs having the exact issues that the recalls state”
Filed Oct 13, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 213 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 266 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 185 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 81 reports
- Vehicle fire 74 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 56 reports
- Engine leaks oil 45 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 39 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 38 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 32 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 31 reports