2015 Kia Soul power train problems
60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2015 Kia Soul — 7% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The vehicle is a 2015 Kia Soul with the 1.6L GDI engine. The check engine light came on solid, and a dealer later confirmed diagnostic trouble code P0420, indicating the catalyst system efficiency is below threshold on bank 1. The catalytic converter and engine are still on the vehicle and…”
filed Jun 15, 2026
“On the highway, not reaching speed at expected RPM, try increasing power and RPM stops climbing at 3500, and speed decreases suddenly, car starts bucking, check engine light flashing. I pull over, stop, and keep going after several minutes idling with no apparent issue continuing. I take the car to…”
filed May 21, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Soul years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Soul | 2 | 7% |
| 2023 Soul | 4 | 8% |
| 2022 Soul | 12 | 14% |
| 2021 Soul | 26 | 12% |
| 2020 Soul | 88 | 24% |
| 2019 Soul | 5 | 4% |
| 2018 Soul | 31 | 15% |
| 2017 Soul | 19 | 7% |
| 2016 Soul | 61 | 8% |
| 2014 Soul | 56 | 6% |
| 2013 Soul | 14 | 2% |
| 2012 Soul | 21 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2015 Kia Soul
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.