2015 Kia Soul Transmission Problems

On [XXX] around [XXX], we were headed westbound on [XXX] toward Boise when the car began making a clanking sound. In less than a minute, the car was pouring smoke, clanking stopped and car completely failed. I coasted to side of freeway, car would not turn over, I did not try more than once for fear of further damage or starting a fire.

Description of Incident: The engine has experienced a failure that causes oil to blow back from the engine, covering components both under and outside of the engine cover. This has resulted in oil accumulating on the exhaust and other hot components, creating a significant fire hazard.

NHTSA Recall:19V120 The ESC light went on during high winds and stayed on. The car stuttered going up hill @40+ MPH, so I looked for any outstanding recalls and decided to take it into LutherKia Bloomington. There were other recalls I was unaware of that I checked boxes to fix.

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.

Vehicle began shuddering violently, with the check engine light alternating between blinking and staying lit. The oil light randomly lighting up for literally a fraction of a second despite oil levels in acceptable range. Excessive yet random consumption of oil.

Engine consumes excessive amount of oil before next oil change that causes catalytic converter to clog and the car not to perform well. This is a known Kia issue and everyone should be eligible for the engine recall. This is dangerous and cars have been catching fire over this issue.

Cylinder misfire on 1 and 2. Loss of compression on one cylinder. Loss of power, frequent oil additions.

The vehicle was taken to highway and after an uphill ramp (from Stringfellow to I-66E), the vehicle lost power, started to smoke, brake system lost power (foot brake did not work, so side brake was used to stop the vehicle), then caught on fire at Mile Marker 56.6. Yes, it is available for an inspection.

Catalytic converter, slipping gears, slowing down on hywy putting me at risk for rear end collision . Has been inspected by manufacturer and been confirmed. Saw recall on this on cars.com Engine light started 1 yr ago.

Driving the car up the 101 Cuesta Grade and lost acceleration. The speedometer went to zero and as the car died I pulled to the right side of the freeway / grade. Smoke started to enter my vehicle.

Had been driving on the highway for about 90 minutes/90 miles when we were coming to the summit of stevens pass on hwy 20 east-bound. The car suddenly started running rough so we pulled to the shoulder just in time for the engine to stall and all dash lights to come on.

I was driving home and car was making a noise.sounded like a truck.I check the oil and it was very low and dark.it had recently got an oil change.I put in 3 quarts and then it was at the right level.it stopped making the noise.but I smell gas from the tailpipe.this was before it sounded like a truck.I stepped on thee gas and the car barely moves.then the check engine light showed up it was misfire codes multiple cylinder.I hear a loud hissing sound like a turbo or some sort of exhaust leak.bad mileage burns a quart of oil every two days.the transmission does not shift too and it misfires

Vehicle burst into flames after horrible rattling noise. Driving in the city going around 25 MPH.

I was driving twenty miles per hour. The engine was rattling then I lost power. The car caught on fire after that.

The engine in my 2015 Kia Soul was replaced under warranty in June 2025. Only 3,568 miles later, the replacement engine failed. The vehicle displayed code P1326 and quickly lost oil, leaving it unsafe and undriveable on the road.

My 2015 Kia Soul is experiencing ongoing, severe oil consumption. Despite having an extended warranty for rod bearing failure (15 years/150,000 miles), my Kia dealership refuses to perform an oil consumption test because my vehicle has slightly exceeded 100,000 miles (currently at ~106,500).

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle began decelerating and vibrating while driving at approximately 40-45 MPH. When attempting to accelerate forward and switch lanes, the vehicle would hesitate to respond as the check engine warning light illuminated.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact shifted the vehicle into park and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle started operating normally.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed.

Contract 100k miles/10 years. Current mileage 92388. Still within warranty contract.

Was driving the vehicle everything was normal all of a sudden the it began to smell like it was overheating. Then car started to lose power an stalled out. I pulled over let it set for a good 30 mins.

I had my car into the dealer for unknown oil loss, the car was not burning it or leaking. I was informed by the dealer that it was an issue but there are no recalls on it. They took the engine apart and took pictures to submit to kia for advice.

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia soul. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled on two separate occasion while driving 35 MPH. The contact also stated that while at a stop light and attempting to proceed while making a left turn, the vehicle failed to accelerate.

My vehicle has been having issues with the engine for months now. I have had to have parts replaced that clearly are related to the engine , can not drive it after having it towed to the kia dealership . They corrected two recalls , but did not check for problems with my engine.

While driving on a side street the oil light started to flicker intermittently then remained blank not lighting up again. Very shortly thereafter, within a tenth of a mile, the engine sputtered, could here clicking from engine, vehicle then stalled. I drifted to the side of the road, opened the hood and checked the oil and noticed no oil registering on the dip stick.

The car computer is not registering the correct gear the car is placed into, thus causing the car to bypass critical safety features. The car's power train, electric systems, and fuel systems fail intermittently as a result of failing neutral safety inhibitor. The car reads that the gear is in drive instead of park and will not turn over.

Had the transmission serviced after having vehicle in multiple times for the engine vibration on 8/18/2018. Car continued to vibrate. Took car to another dealership to have it looked at.

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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia soul. While driving 35 MPH, the manual transmission was shifted to second gear and there was significant power loss in the momentum of the vehicle. The vehicle was almost to the point of stalling before there was sudden acceleration.

The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle began to hesitate and lose power while driving, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. The problem involves the engine and powertrain. A Kia dealer inspected the vehicle and found a timing-related engine fault code (P0014).

Code P1326 Popped up - my mechanic replaced the P1326 Knock Sensor for the Kia. Code P1326 Popped up 2nd time - replaced sensor again. Code P1326 popped up and now there is some knocking.

Transmission leaking after a long drive , fluids replaced in the transmission then car leaked out the fluid after driving the vehicle it doesn’t leak when at rest

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that after a software update was completed while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle went into SAFE Mode. The battery warning light was illuminated.

About several months ago the car was skipping. I was told it was a coil. I had it replaced.

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that upon research, he became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V389000 (Power Train, Electrical System) and 23V218000 (Electrical System) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair.

The engine in my car needs replacing. The dealership and KIA corporation refuse to complete oil consumption tests. I am driving a car that cannot be inspected or repaired.

oil light came on randomly while driving. Took to the shop to have checked out. Was found to be almost empty of oil.

Brought car to dealer because of recall SC176 and engine making noise. Which kia refuse to honor.

The connecting rod bearing failed resulting in the engine failing. The engine is still in the car at the dealership awaiting approval from KIA to replace it (they are currently refusing). The engine failing while the vehicle was being operated placed me and other motorist in danger had I not been able to get it off the road immediately.

Checked my oil and the dipstick was showing no oil at all, 2 quarts had been added 2 weeks prior. No sign of an oil leak anywhere. 2 days later I started the vehicle and it was idling very hard then died, I waited then started it back up.

When at complete stop idling is very rough and engine will cut off. When accelerating from a complete stop shifting is very delayed and hard, once gear shifts then it accelerates too fast at once. When makes a left turn from stop light check engine light came on and code was p0420 about catalytic converter.

Car while be delayed in shifting gears and then all the sudden accelerate too fast and jerks the car, oil keeps running really low after putting oil in but no visible leaks. Engine light continues to come on reading code is p0420 stating problems with catalytic converter.

VEHICLE OUT OF NOWHERE WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY STARTED TO DECELERATE I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER SAFELY AND NOTICED THE LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD WERE ILLUMINATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ENGINE OIL LIGHT. I TOOK VEHICLE TO HAVOLINE OIL EXPRESS AND THEY CHECKED MY CODES CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS BUT CAR STILL SPUTTERS AND POWER IS LOW LIGHTS ARE DIM I HAVE IT NOW AT A KIA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT TO BE THE ENGINE OR SOMETHING IN THE POWERTRAIN. NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE SINCE I'VE PURCHASED IT.

IN 2017 WHILE GOING STRAIGHT ON HIGHWAY UPHILL, MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED LOUD PINGING AND LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, NO WARNING LIGHTS. I PULLED OVER AND STOPPED, KIA TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. SAID NO OIL IN ENGINE AND ENGINE FAILED. THIS WAS SERVICED BY SAME DEALERSHIP 2 WEEKS PRIOR. KIA REPLACED THAT ENGINE. 2019 CAR IN BEING SERVICED AND AFTER I WAS TOLD SAME SEAL IS BAD AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED. 2020 CAR IN BEING SERVICED AND WAS TOLD SAME SEAL WAS BAD A THIRD TIME. AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR WHEN NOT LUBRICATED DUE TO FIRE ISSUE WITH SOULS.

2015 KIA SOUL + HAS JUST BEEN CHECKED BY OUR DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR NOT ACCELERATING AND SHIFTING PROPERLY. DEALER PERFORMED TRANSMISSION SERVICE AT 106,768 MILES ON JUNE 30, 2020, AND THIS DID NOT CLEAR THE ISSUES, 2ND SERVICE INSPECTRION ON JULY 1, 2020 RESULTED IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYING THE ISSUES ARE WITH A PLUGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, WHICH HAS BEEN A POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTOR TO THE ONGOING NHTSA INVESTIGATION OF ALL KIA SOUL MODELS WITH THE 2.0L NU ENGINE. WE ALSO NOTED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, BUT THEY HAVE DECLINED STARTING AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY WILL COVER REPAIRS, AND ALLOWED US TO LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE VEHICLE IN POTENTIALLY UNSAFE CONDITION, WITH NO REMEDY OTHER THAN US PAYING FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I WANT TO HAVE MY COMPLAINT ADDED TO THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION, AND CAN PROVIDE AND ENCOURAGE OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS TO ALSO ADD THEIR SIMILAR ISSUES,M WHICH ARE WELL DOCUMENTED ON LINE IN FORUMS AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

CAR WAS IN MOTION GOING DOWN STREET THEN ENGINE STOPPED FROZE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING THROUGH MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. TRIED TO RESTART CAR ONCE IT STARTED AGAIN ENGINE BEGAN A LOUD GRINDING NOISE LIKE PISTONS WERE READY TO EXPLODE. I DROVE HOME WITH THE ENGINE MAKE THE LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND STALLING CREATING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. I SEE THAT THERE IS A 2015 KIA SOUL RECALL FOR GDI ENGINES BUT THE KIA HEADQUARTERS ARE SAYING THERE IS NO RECALL. THE CAR IS AT THE KIA SERVICE CENTER NOW AND THE FIRST THING THEY SAID IS THAT WE MAY NEED A NEW ENGINE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE IN THIS CAR AND I AM AFRAID OF KNOWN KIA SOUL ENGINE DEFECTS COULD PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER WHILE DRIVING. *TR

Car burns oil excessively. Has started making bad engine noises. Visited a kia dealership mechanic.

The car is not accelerating properly and not changing gears correctly and automatically. The check engine light is on and is running several codes. It may be the catalytic converters.

2015 kia soul. Consumer writes seeking partial reimbursement for vehicle repairs. *ld the consumer stated the battery was replaced, but the failure recurred.

It has been troubled for couple of years. Main issue is when I start engine RPM hit over 3,000 and engine check light on. Very first time bring the car dealer ship, they just reset ecu but same symptom over again dealer ship changed ecu.

My kia is burning oil and started this hesitation feeling !! My car smells burnt inside and out of the car

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia soul. While driving 35-45 MPH, the manual clutch slipped and lost functionality without warning. The contact noticed an abnormal odor prior to the failure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 kia soul. While driving various speeds, the transmission lunged without warning. In addition, the contact observed that the vehicle shook vigorously while idling or while driving.

Engine failure due to campaign 19120000. I was never notified via phone or mail back in 2020 when this was released. Now it’s not being honored.

My transmission is slipping and will not shift

At 88k miles car begins to drive sluggish causing a acceleration issue. You can also hear a whistling sound from the engine with a faint knocking sound. Took the vehicle in for inspection and it was said to be the catalytic converter and or transmission.

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.