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.
2015 kia Soul powertrain problems
severe 57 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
57
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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. THEY DID A DX TEST HOWEVER DID NOT DRIVE IT TO CLEARLY SEE IT STILL HAS SAME ISSUES AS WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN , BUT WORSE …
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. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES FAIL TO SWITCH GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE …
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 kia Soul?
It's a meaningful issue. 57 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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