TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - 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 relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Kia Soul lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Kia Soul have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the lighting, typically surfacing around 85,000 miles at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Soul | 12 |
| 2012 Soul | 7 |
| 2013 Soul | 5 |
| 2014 Soul | 87 |
| 2015 Soul (this page) | 24 |
| 2016 Soul | 13 |
| 2019 Soul | 3 |
What stands out
Among the 11 model years of Kia Soul in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting 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.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HALOGEN HEAD LAMP LOW BEAM BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information regarding the procedure to repair the bulb connector on some 2010MY~ vehicles listed on the table below, which may exhibit a bulb connector concern. To correct this concern, replace the connector with a new and improved part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗PITSTOP: HEADLIGHTS FLICKER/INTERMITTENTLY OPERATE OR REMAIN ON INDEFINITELY - If a customer has a concern regarding intermittent flickering, inoperative headlights, or that the headlights stay on indefinitely after the vehicle is turned off, confirm the following actions in this publication have been performed, when applicable.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: HEADLAMP BULB CONNECTOR REPLACEMENT - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT REPLACING THE BULB CONNECTOR IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY ON SOME SOUL (PS) VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH NON-PROJECTOR STYLE HEADLAMPS AND PRODUCED FROM AUGUST 26, 2013 THROUGH APRIL 20, 2015, WHICH MAY EXHIBIT A HEAT-DEFORMED HEADLAMP BULB CONNECTOR. TO CORRECT THIS CONCERN, REPLACE THE AFFECTED HEADLAMP BULB CONNECTOR BY FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS TSB. NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH PROJECTOR-STYLE HEADLAMPS ARE NOT AFFECTED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Kia Soul lighting complaints break into two main patterns. The first and most common is intermittent headlight flicker and complete dropout while driving—lights cut out for 1 to 30 seconds, then return on their own. Owners report this at highway speeds, city streets, and while parked, often triggered or worsened by turn signal use or heavy rain. Toggling the headlight switch or wiggling the multifunction switch temporarily restores function. Bulb replacement does not fix the issue.
The second pattern is headlight connector melt and housing failure. Connector plugs overheat and melt, preventing solid electrical contact. In one case, a connector failed 4 times in 16 months on a car under 38,000 miles. Headlight housing units themselves have melted, with original factory bulbs still intact—not a bulb problem.
Dealers have been unable to diagnose intermittent flicker, and Kia has largely refused warranty coverage, claiming the 2015 is not included in warranty extensions or applicable recalls despite owners finding Technical Service Bulletin ELE093 and Recall SC149 that seem relevant. Several owners cite forums full of identical complaints, suggesting a systemic defect Kia is not acknowledging.
Same Kia Soul lighting reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Headlight flicker and dropout (intermittent off)
Headlights flicker on and off or go completely dark for seconds to 30 seconds, then return. Owners report this happens while driving at any speed or while parked. Toggling the headlight switch or turn signal sometimes restores function temporarily. Both low and high beams affected. Bulbs and standard electrical diagnosis rule out simple causes.
When: 38,000 to 100,500 miles; one report at under 38,000 miles with 16-month ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Both headlights flicker and cut out simultaneously; Lights go out for 1–30 seconds then return; Flicker triggered or worsened by turn signal use; Flicker worsened in heavy rain or over railroad crossings; Toggling headlight switch on/off restores lights temporarily; Wiggling multifunction switch temporarily restores lights; Occurs at highway speeds, city streets, and parked; No warning indicators illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to diagnose intermittent issue. Bulb replacement does not resolve. No repairs performed in most cases due to warranty expiration or refusal of coverage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia denied involvement in 6/7/23 contact. Technical Service Bulletin ELE093 (Headlamp Bulb Connector Replacement) exists but vehicle reportedly not included. Kia extended warranty on headlights for some model years (2014 and prior noted) but refuses coverage on 2015 despite owner claims of inclusion. Recall SC149 (Halogen Headlamp Low Beam Connector) mentioned for 2015 Soul but dealership denied applicability by VIN.
Headlight connector melt and housing failure
Connector plugs overheat and melt, and/or headlight housing units melt, causing bulb failure or complete headlight inoperability. Bulbs blow repeatedly (up to 4 times). The melted connector prevents solid electrical connection. Housing units are original manufacturer parts that exhibit melting damage without bulb failure.
When: Less than 38,000 miles (reported with 16 months ownership); 88,000 miles; 59,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Headlamp connector overheated and melted; Headlight housing unit melted; Repeated bulb failure (4 bulbs in 16 months reported); Manual wire twisting required to make headlight function; Driver-side headlight becomes inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed headlight housing unit replacement needed (cost not stated). Connector melt suspected related to overheating. No repairs completed in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SC149 referenced by owner but dealership denied applicability based on VIN. Kia dealership stated recall applied only to Sorento model, not Soul. No manufacturer assistance provided.
High-beam and turn-signal electrical interference
High-beam headlights and turn signals malfunction concurrently or trigger headlight flicker. Using turn signal while headlights are on causes lights to flicker or cut out. High beams fail to work as needed.
When: 59,000 miles and intermittently at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: High-beam headlights not working as needed; Turn signals not working as needed; Headlights flicker when turn signal is used; Concurrent electrical disturbance in both systems
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs performed in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin ELE093 referenced but vehicle not included per dealer investigation.
Multifunction switch contact defect
Headlights flicker or turn off due to defective contacts in the multifunction (turn signal/light) switch. Wiggling the switch temporarily restores light function, confirming switch involvement. Issue is known but warranty extension limited to 2014 and prior model years.
When: Unknown mileage; issue is known per owner research
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flicker off or turn off while stopped or driving; Wiggling multifunction switch temporarily restores lights; Lights flicker when turn signal is used
Repairs/costs cited: No repair costs or parts information provided by owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued warranty extension for 2014 and prior model years but did not extend to 2015 despite same failure mode reported.
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2015 Kia Soul?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 24 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most lighting failures cluster between 75,500 and 101,600 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,500; a quarter make it past 101,600. 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 $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.