There are 18 owner-reported speed control & cruise complaints for the 2015 Kia Soulin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
1- ENGINE It’s been about 3 months that when I depress the gas pedal the car skips or hiccups and I get a check engine light on I have to accelerate slowly this also happening while I am driving it’s worse if I try to pass a car
Subject: Possible Design Flaw in Accelerator Pedal – Kia Soul 2015 Dear Kia/NHTSA Representative, I am the owner of a 2015 Kia Soul and would like to report a concern regarding the design of the accelerator pedal. I have observed that when the vehicle is turned on and in “Park” mode, the accelerator pedal can be easily pressed unintentionally simply by moving the foot slightly while seeking a more comfortable position. This appears to be related to the low and forward positioning of the pedal, combined with the soft sensitivity of the electronic throttle system. As a driver, I believe this design may lead to unintended acceleration in certain situations, especially if one is not fully aware of their foot placement. There also seems to be no sufficient space to the right of the brake pedal to rest the foot without nearing the accelerator. While I have not experienced an incident as a result, I believe this characteristic may pose a safety risk to some drivers and could become a distraction either while driving or while the engine is idling. I respectfully request that this matter be reviewed by Kia’s technical team and, if appropriate, considered for design revision or future updates. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
High temperatures catalytic converter code went on the car was stalling on the highway as soon as I hit 60 MPH as I was getting on the car will not accelerate like if the engine was going to come out which also caused my car to overheat which was smelling like burnt oil called the dealer regarding this issue and compared to the recalls on the other KIA which is exactly what's happening to my car.
Having acceleration problems with the Kia and catalytic converter. I had contacted the Kia dealer but can't be seen till August but I need vehicle to go to work plus have dr appointments and can't drive the car feel like it's gonna die on me how can I get this problem recall done sooner as I need my car
Unknown . Engine or fuel mishap Car caught on fire as I was driving down the hwy with my 3 kids
My catalytic converter failed just under 4 years after getting the SC176 recall done in July 2020. I believe it's possible there was a step missed in the replacement of my catalytic converter related to the recall, specifically the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic that may have caused the converter to fail. I do not detect that on the attached receipt from the repair that was done for the recall. Although there were no safety issues that happened, after reading the recall and what can happen as a result of the catalytic converter failing, I am concerned for my safety if I drive it any longer in that condition. The problem has been diagnosed by my local Kia dealership on Friday 4/19/24 and that is where the car is presently. I have attached the inspection report and the cost to fix it. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone other the Kia dealership. There was a ticking sound when I accelerated that wasn't there before on 4/3. The service engine light came on Thursday 4/4 when I was getting my routine oil changed. I changed the PCV valve and the light went off until approximately 4/17 and then I called the dealership to schedule bringing it in for the diagnosis which was 4/19. This is the only information I have at this time. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
My 2015 Kia Soul recently went out of service. One day last month my car randomly started stalling and shaking to the point of barely being drivable. There were no signs or dashboard lights. Thursday, September 15th, 2022, I took my car to a local repair shop and they ran a diagnostic that came back as a bad Catalytic Converter on Friday, September 16th, 2022. According to the mechanic, the converter nearest the engine had broken off and pieces of it had gotten into my engine and fuel line resulting in a need for a new converter and a complete engine flush. The mechanic pulled up a recall and suggested that the car be taken to the dealership as this particular issue should have been covered under that recall. He suggested that I no longer drive the car prior to getting it repaired for my and my children's safety as my engine could have blown up at any time and caught fire. Also on Friday, September 16th, 2022, I had the vehicle towed to the Kia dealership in Napleton Mid Rivers as advised by the mechanic. The car was towed to the dealership where I made them aware of the issue and I was advised they would have to perform a second diagnostic to confirm. Monday, September 19, 2022, I get a text message from Dennis Gearhart, a service advisor for Kia - who informs me that their diagnostic came back showing that I need a replacement Catalytic Converter, oil change, and minor tune-up. Dennis advised me that the repair would cost over $2800 and would not be covered under the recall because I'm no longer under warranty and the recall was marked as done. Upon further questioning - I was advised that the service advisor in May 2019 did NOT perform a replacement under the recall because it "didn't need it" yet here I am less than 7 years after getting a new engine from KIA and I'm being told to rectify an issue they were responsible for fixing and yet refuse to mitigate. They placed my and my family's life in danger due to the negligence of their staff!
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated his mom was driving the vehicle on the expressway at 55MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle did not accelerate and the speedometer was decreasing. The contact stated no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle resummed to perform as normal and the contact drove home. The vehicle was driven to a dealer and diagnosed but not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Engine light and ABS light always on, kia hasnt explained this issue or expressed concern about it.. Engine randomly started leaking oil, blowing out white smoke, stalling out upon accelerating causing safety issue in traffic. Kia has had car for 2 weeks now with no answers to resolve. Being told the recall issue is "fine" I use my car for work and this unresolved issue is affecting my livelihood. This all began on 4-29-22 and am now being asked to pay for further testing for diagnostic purposes. Told there are no loaner vehicles and to rent one at my own expense.
while driving my vehicle all of a sudden in the middle of a busy road I lost power. My vehicle would no longer accelerate and came to a stop. Engine light came on. This caused a big safety risk to myself as well as others on the road due to my vehicle coming to a sudden and unexpected stop. The engine light came on, which was not on prior. I was just able to have my vehicle towed today to a Kia dealership.
Acceleration system/ on highway at high speeds It stay accelerating at very high rpms as it shifts into the next gear and it is consuming a very large amount of fuel at the same time. It is available for an inspection. It has not been inspected by anyone. While driving on the highway at high speeds I felt it was putting my family and myself at risk of crash or engine failure or being stuck on the side of the highway.
Accelerator is beginning to catch at three distinct points when pressed halfway down or greater. The accelerator seems bent and proceeding in accordance with these recall codes: NHTSA 15V123000 and Kia SC116. These codes are for 2014-2015 Kia Souls manufactured until January 8, 2015; mine is a 2015 Kia Soul but was manufactured shortly after that date. There were no indicator lights related to this issue. Weston Kia in Gresham, OR refused to even examine the issue without a $130 diagnosis, guaranteeing nothing but diagnosis--then I'd pay for parts and labor--despite them being aware of this issue with 2015 Kia Souls. I contacted Kia directly while at the dealer and they refused to cover the diagnosis fee or acknowledge the recall being for the same model year. Customer service said, and I quote, "Well if the pedal falls off, make sure to take it in for service." I couldn't help but laugh at her.
My car started making a loud noise and the car would not accelerate as I was returning home on the highway. I was driving home on I-75 South when my car started to slow down and it was very hard to accelerate and was making a loud noise. I made it to the next exit off Sharonville Rd and made it into a gas station. I opened the hood to check the oil and it was extremely hot and smoking. I had to wait until it cooled off and put in some oil to try to make it on home. The check oil light was not lit which didn't even provide any indication that my car was out of oil during the 1/2 hour drive. I do not feel safe to drive this car, since this incident. I took it for auto repair immediately the next day. Please help with assistance with this issue.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at low speeds and accelerating the vehicle was pulling. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving there was an undetermined abnormal sound detected. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THE CAR SAID WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM KIA HAD CHECK IT OUT AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT IT KEEPS GOING ON IT HAS A GAS SMELL LOW PUSH TO DO 70 ON HIGHWAY WON'T LET ME PUT ON CRUISE CONTROL FOR LONG I CAN FEEL CAR READY TO SHAKE AND STOP NEEDS OIL ALL THE TIME WHEN I DRIVE FOR 1 HR TO WORK CAR STARTS TO SHAKE AT A RED LIGHT AFTER I'M ALMOST AT WORK I CHANGED BATTERY ON 3/10/19 I ALSO CHANGED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ALSO BRAKES ALWAYS HAVE TO CHANGE BEFORE THERE DO ON 3/15/19 HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO CHANGE THE FLEX ON THE CAR ALSO BECAUSE THE OIL WAS LEAKING ON THE ENGINE IT NEEDED A SEAL AND THE TOP PART I FORGOT WHAT IT'S CALLED REPLACED THAT'S ALL I NOW FOR NOW
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
CONSUMER CHECKED THE VIN AGAINST THE RECALL WEBSITE AND IT SHOWED A RECALL ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RECALL SHOWED AS INCOMPLETE. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL. *JB UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026