TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Kia Soul electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Kia Soul have filed 66 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 65,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
66
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Soul | 28 |
| 2012 Soul | 23 |
| 2013 Soul | 61 |
| 2014 Soul | 89 |
| 2015 Soul (this page) | 66 |
| 2016 Soul | 50 |
| 2017 Soul | 19 |
| 2018 Soul | 15 |
| 2019 Soul | 11 |
1crash
7fires
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 66 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 15 model years of Kia Soul in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGERS MEMO (SC310A) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to update the battery management system (BMS) software on certain 2015-2017 MY Soul EV vehicles manufactured from July 15, 2014 through July 4, 2017 that had their BMS previously replaced and updated under warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia now has an additional vehicle modification available for installation to help deter or thwart attempted thefts. This modification consists of a theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and will be available to you free of charge for eighteen (18) months from the date of this letter.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia vehicles outlined on page 15, which may not have been equipped with an immobilizer and whose Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) / Body Control Module (BCM) are not able to receive the Anti-Theft Software Logic upgrade under CS2301/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09 TSBs. In an effort to help prevent thefts of K
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a broad range of electrical and engine system failures in 2015 Kia Souls. Headlight flickering and sudden off-switching is common, with drivers reporting the multi-function switch failing and contacts wearing out, sometimes traced back to a service campaign (SC330) with extended warranty coverage that not all affected vehicles qualify for. Some owners encountered melted wiring harnesses and failed pigtail connectors in headlight circuits.
Engine and fuel system problems cluster around catalytic converter failures triggering check engine lights, often accompanied by engine stalling, loss of power, and hesitation under acceleration. Multiple owners report recall-related repair attempts that either failed to resolve the issue or created new problems—rattling noises after converter replacement, wiring harness damage, and subsequent engine failure. A few owners report their vehicles catching fire while parked or shortly after starting, with fire departments unable to determine root cause due to severity of burn damage.
Battery and starting issues include repeated dead batteries despite replacement, starter failure, and intermittent no-start conditions undiagnosed by dealerships. Some report the vehicle stalling at highway speeds with only battery or oil warning lights illuminating. Owners also describe loss of power mode activation on EV models with battery cooling system warnings, and delayed repair parts availability for recall campaigns. One owner reports random door locking behavior and another mentions concern about lack of immobilizer protection against theft.
Same Kia Soul electrical reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Headlight Multi-Function Switch Flickering
Low beam and high beam headlights flicker intermittently, turn off while driving, or stay off entirely. Owners report wearing of contact points inside the multi-function switch that controls headlights and turn signals.
When: Reported from around 87,000 to 90,000 miles; also occurs early in vehicle life on some units
Symptoms owners cite: Low and high beam headlights flicker or turn off suddenly while driving; Lights remain off until driver adjusts the switch; Can recreate issue by manipulating the multi-function switch; Momentary vision impairment at night, particularly hazardous on unlit roads
Repairs/costs cited: Kia issued warranty extension on this specific component from 5 years/60,000 miles to 15 years/unlimited mileage; replacement part cost and availability unclear from narratives; some vehicles not covered under campaign SC330
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service campaign SC330 issued with warranty extension to 15 years/unlimited mileage; however, not all affected 2015 models were included in the campaign scope
Headlight Wiring Harness and Pigtail Failure
Driver-side headlight assembly pigtail connectors fail, causing shorting and loss of illumination. Melted wiring harness and plugs observed.
When: Reported at 77,000 and 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front driver and passenger side headlights fail without warning; Melted plugs and wiring harness observed; Rear driver-side tail light also failed in one case; Flickering continues after bulb replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Wiring harness replacement required; dealer parts not initially available at one location; independent mechanic diagnosed the need for harness replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated no knowledge of failure and offered no further assistance
Catalytic Converter Failure and Engine Damage
Catalytic converter malfunction causes check engine light, power loss, stalling, and subsequent engine damage. Recall SC176 addressed this but owners report it failed to prevent engine damage or was not applied to their vehicles.
When: Reported from under 75,000 miles to 104,000+ miles; owners brought vehicles in per recall notice
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Severe power loss (down to 5–15 mph from normal speeds) at traffic lights or while driving; Loud knocking or rattling noise from engine; Vehicle stalls on freeway at speed (65 mph reported); Dragging acceleration, jerky shifting, excessive heat under hood
Codes mentioned: P050A (reported in one narrative), P0420 (catalytic converter efficiency code)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships quoted $4,700–$8,700 for catalytic converter replacement and engine repair; recall SC176 and extended warranty (up to 100,000 miles) did not cover engine damage in multiple cases; owners left with major out-of-pocket repair costs or unfixed vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SC176 issued but owners report manufacturer and dealers refusing to cover engine damage despite recall notice stating recall could cause engine damage; recall repair led to secondary failures (rattling resonator)
Engine Stalling and Loss of Motive Power
Vehicle stalls while driving at various speeds or loses all motive power, sometimes during heavy traffic or highway driving. Vehicle may restart moments later or not at all.
When: Reported throughout vehicle life, as early as 2,000 miles and up to 160,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off or severely loses power while driving; Occurs at traffic lights, highway speeds (40–70 mph), or while parked; Vehicle may restart after a few moments or require extended cranking; Loud knocking or unusual engine noise accompanying stall; Oil and battery warning lights often illuminated during or after stall
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose root cause in many cases; no repairs completed in most reports; some owners report unresolved issues after multiple dealership visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 20V750000 (Engine) mentioned in one case but dealership initially refused service due to lack of extended warranty; owners report manufacturer awareness but no remedy provided
Battery and Starter Failures
Batteries drain prematurely, requiring repeated replacement; starters fail; vehicle fails to start intermittently despite new battery.
When: Early in vehicle life (30,400 miles reported) and recurring throughout ownership; one owner replaced battery more than once per year
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start when button depressed despite dashboard lights and radio on; Series of rapid clicks from dashboard when attempting to start in cold weather; Instrument cluster flickers during start attempt; No-start condition occurs after vehicle sits for 3–4 hours; Jumper cable start succeeds in 30 seconds to 1 minute; vehicle starts 2–3 times after overnight charge, then fails again
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement and battery replacement performed at dealer; dealership unable to diagnose intermittent starting failures in some cases; owners report no codes present
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware of repeated failures; repairs covered but condition recurs
Electrical Burning and Fire
Multiple reports of vehicle fires while parked or shortly after starting, with burning odor, melted wiring, and sparking inside cabin. Also reports of melted ignition coils and blower motor wiring.
When: Reported at 20,000, 34,000, 57,000, and 160,000 miles; one case at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle catches fire while parked with no collision or known cause; Interior wiring melts and ignites; Burning odor inside cabin; Smoke from vehicle while parked; Rapid flame spread; fire department required to extinguish (one report of extinguisher preventing explosion); Melted ignition coils and blower motor wiring harness
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled or destroyed; fire department unable to identify cause due to extent of burn damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases; inspection found no defect in one case; no assistance offered; one report mentions recall 23V218 (High Voltage Battery short circuit / fire risk) on EV but no fix available
Check Engine Light and Unresolved Diagnostic Codes
Check engine light illuminates repeatedly despite dealership scans and repair attempts; diagnostic codes return after clearing; Kia acknowledges some codes (e.g., P050A) but has no fix available.
When: Recurring over months to over a year; reported from early in vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on at irregular intervals; Light clears after dealership scan then reappears; Vehicle performance issues (hesitation, drag, rough idle) accompany light; Dealership unable to isolate root cause
Codes mentioned: P050A (Fuel Pump Control Module; Kia aware but no fix available per one owner)
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealership visits required; no permanent repair achieved; owners report frustration with repeated trips to diagnose the same code
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of P050A code issue but states no fix available; awaiting software update
Delayed Acceleration and Power Loss
Throttle response lag of 3–10 seconds; vehicle sluggish or unresponsive to gas pedal input. Sometimes accompanied by sudden harsh acceleration after delay.
When: Reported in vehicles with under 5,000 miles and also at later mileage
Symptoms owners cite: 3–10 second delay between depressing gas pedal and engine response; Vehicle does not accelerate or moves very slowly after pedal press; Sudden harsh acceleration after delay, nearly causing rear-end collision; Occurs multiple times per day (3–4 times reported); Vehicle sluggish during shifting
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives; one owner mentions 'Takala recall' without detail
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified in narratives
High Voltage Battery Malfunction (EV models)
Battery management system (BMS) or high voltage battery shows signs of short circuit or failure; vehicle enters reduced power mode. Recall 23V218 issued but manufacturer states no solution available yet.
When: Reported at 111,400 miles post-recall repair; also early warnings at earlier mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Triangle with exclamation mark and EV system warning light illuminated; Turtle light (reduced power) activated; Vehicle speed severely limited (40 mph down to 15 mph); Battery temperature cooling system failure warning; Reduced power and power limp mode engagement after recall repair
Repairs/costs cited: Recall 23V218 issued but parts unavailable for extended period; battery replacement not offered as precaution; one owner reports third recall notice for battery malfunction/fire risk with no solution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V218 (Electrical System) issued for battery short circuit fire risk; manufacturer states no solution available; parts availability delayed indefinitely; extended warranty offered at 10 years/100,000 miles but concerns about re-manufactured battery failing again within a year
Oil Pressure Warning Light and Engine Damage
Oil pressure warning light illuminates without corresponding low oil level; sometimes indicates insufficient oil despite no warning light prior. One case of no warning despite dangerously low oil.
When: Reported at various mileage points
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pressure warning light flickers on and off while driving; Oil level critically low (off dipstick) with no prior warning light; Engine knocking and noise after warning light appears; Vehicle unable to continue driving after warning
Repairs/costs cited: Oil changes and oil top-ups performed; engine damage confirmed in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified
ABS and Stability Control Light Illumination
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) or ABS warning light comes on intermittently without corresponding brake system failure. Light clears when vehicle is turned off but reappears on next drive.
When: Reported on vehicles with various mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Stability control light illuminates at random intervals; Light goes off when vehicle is turned off; Clicking noise from driver-side rear brake (transient, then resolves); No diagnostic codes present despite light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to reproduce issue during diagnostic visits; light does not illuminate on demand; suspected ABS control module failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified
Door Lock Malfunction (Keyless Entry)
Electronic door locks operate erratically—locking unexpectedly, failing to unlock on command, or locking with inconsistent delay. One owner locked puppy in car with keys still inside.
When: Reported on various vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: All doors lock immediately after closing, trapping occupants or pets inside; Inconsistent delay before locks engage; One or two doors lock randomly while others remain unlocked; Keyless entry commands not responded to reliably
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; owner recommends system be disabled pending review
Engine Hesitation and Rough Running
New or relatively young vehicle exhibits hesitation, as if about to stall, even when parked at idle or driving slowly. Computer replacements do not resolve issue.
When: Reported on vehicle purchased new with under 3,000 miles; persists for years despite repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitates or lurches, feeling like it is about to die; Occurs while parked at idle and while driving; Persists after computer replacement attempts; Accompanied by excessive oil consumption in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Engine control module replaced twice without resolving issue; battery replaced multiple times per year; owner avoids highway driving due to fire risk concern
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially claimed 'normal for a new car'; no further assistance offered
Window Regulator Failure
Power window on right side front fails to raise; works only for lowering.
When: Reported intermittently
Symptoms owners cite: Window slides down but fails to raise back up consistently; Problem intermittent, not occurring every use
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified
Vulnerability to Rodent Damage (Soy-Based Wiring Insulation)
Kia uses soy-based insulation on wiring and hoses, making them susceptible to rodent damage. Damaged components not covered under manufacturer warranty.
When: Reported after vehicle was parked
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield washer hose chewed through by rodents; Other important components also reportedly damaged by rodents (per owner research)
Repairs/costs cited: Washer hose replacement required; other component repairs cost unknown
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer declined warranty coverage, stating rodent damage is not their responsibility
Lack of Engine Immobilizer (Theft Risk)
2015 Kia Soul appears to lack an immobilizer unit, making it vulnerable to theft. Owner seeking software update but unable to locate information from manufacturer.
When: Owner inquiring about aftermarket solution
Symptoms owners cite: No factory immobilizer present
Repairs/costs cited: Not specified
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response; owner unable to locate software update or immobilizer option from Kia
Airbag Non-Deployment in Collision
Rear-end collision at 30–40 mph with dual impact (rear-ended, then pushed into vehicle ahead) resulted in no airbag deployment despite severe damage estimate of $15,753.75.
When: During accident event
Symptoms owners cite: Dual-impact collision with two vehicles; Airbags did not deploy; Electrical wiring harness severed in crash
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; no airbag repairs possible
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not specified; cause suspected to be severed electrical harness preventing deployment signal
Synthesized from 66 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
MY KIA SOUL melted down 3 replaced ignitioon coils they melted and were smoking. dealer wont cover sice its electrical --i purchased a 10 year 100k mile extra warranty through fidelity in deerfield beach fl they sad battery caused it and wont even come to look at it , car just turned 57 k miles -- what can i do ?? dealer wants 4 k $ to repair
Had electrical trouble with your 2015 Kia Soul?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2015 Kia Soul?
It's a meaningful issue. 66 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 38 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 36,000 and 104,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 104,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Kia/Soul.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.