2015 Kia Soul: check engine light

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Engine · VT

Sudden engine misfire and stall in major metropolitan area in high traffic. Diagnosis from my mechanic was failed valve and complete loss of compression to 2nd cylinder. Symptomatic of repeat catalytic converter issues leading to engine damage. Catalytic converter has been replaced twice-- once out of pocked and once under extended warranting for SC176/the federal safety agency 19V-120000 at a kia dealership. Engine light turned on just minutes before failure. I am now beyond the extended 150,000 warranty-- engine failed at 167,000.

Filed Oct 8, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · PA

My husband purchased our 2015 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI in 04/18. It was recalled under the federal safety agency 19V120 & Kia SC176 in 04/19. The recommended fix? Update ECU Logic. Completed: 04/24/19. Check engine light came in 07/19. My appointment in 08/19, at #1 Cochran Kia showed a P0455 large leak code. Per invoice, manual leak test found no leak, but found gas cap not installed correctly after adding fuel, codes were cleared, & road test performed; "mileage in": 65582, "mileage out": 65583. Was that a road test? In 01/20, the Soul at the dealer for check engine light; P050A code was found & there was no resolution. They sent me home with the check engine light on. Auto Zone recommended catalytic cleaners. I used these because the illuminated check engine light created stress & still does. Auto Zone found another P0420 code for replace catalytic converter on 08/21. More cleaners. 01/22 Auto Zone found replace ignition coils & spark plugs. 04/22 extended warranty expire At dealer on 01/23, for a check engine light. A catalytic converter replace was recommended for $2,199.95. I could not afford that. More cat cleaner. Auto Zone found P0420 code on 06/23. Cat cleaner did not work. I found a cat for $379.80 & asked an auto tech to install. Codes cleared only for a little while. I kept using catalytic cleaner. Soul's mileage was greater than max of 150,000 during '23 settlement. On 09/28/26, the car slowed down when accelerating up hill & check engine light began blinking. Stressed, 3 friends & I were picked up by another friend. At home, P0300 led to spark plugs & ignition coils being replaced & a possible exhaust leak. An appointment is scheduled on 10/14/26 but the dealer plans to charge a diag. fee for $190. Kia released SC176Y an extension to SC176, directing dealerships to replace catalytic converters & parts of the engine if a car is exhibiting the P0420 & P0300 codes after the 2019 ECU logic update. Can my VIN have these replaced? The original cat converter is available.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · 145,000 miles · SC · fire

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the engine was inspected and it was determined that there was no failure with the vehicle. The contact was charged for the diagnostic test. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a second time, but no failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to Pep Boys, who diagnosed that the engine was leaking oil onto the exhaust system and catalytic converter. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer a third time, where it was determined that the catalytic converter was clogged and the diagnostic trouble codes were cleared. The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair would not be performed until the rod bearings had failed. The vehicle later caught on fire near the catalytic converter and the contact extinguished the fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Engine · IL

Engine went into limp mode on highway on June 30th 2026 and is available now for inspection. Partner and daughter were almost hit by a semi. VIN was registered on Kia website..Kia and dealership inspected and took responsibility for engine recall and deemed it safe on October 6th 2025. Check engine light came on.

Filed Jun 25, 2026 · KY

My engine light came on about 6 months ago because I was smelling a gas. I had it run on a code computer and it just showed a gasket needed changed. I didn't think that that was serious enough to address urgently because was unsure how much the cost would be. But was going over a big mountain about a week ago and car was on cruise control at 55 Mpr and all of a sudden it just started dropping down totally stopping on me in very active traffic had my grandchild in the car also, got off the road barely in ongoing traffic and called for roadside assistance, but my son showed up and got it to start I barely got it back to his house in Rogersville tn. Where I was staying for a visit , I Ran a code computer on it again and it said it was the Cadillac converter, I looked it up and there is a recall on this situation. Why your sight is saying it's 0 idk why. This is my report and I think u need to change that problem there . I am currently still at my sons house staying cause I can't get my car home cause it won't climb clinch mountain or any sharp hills. Thank you

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Engine · 118,981 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with knock sensor failure, valve cover gasket failure, and an inoperable oil pan. The contact was informed that the knock sensor, valve cover gasket and oil pan needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was released to the contact. The contact stated that within two minutes after leaving the dealer, the failure reoccurred. The check engine warning light illuminated and the engine sputtered. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a clogged catalytic convertor. The contact was informed that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 118,981.

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

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 available for inspection upon request. This condition matches the defect described in Kia’s SC176 safety recall for 2012–2016 Soul vehicles with the 1.6L GDI engine, in which overheating of the catalytic converter can lead to internal engine damage and even a fire. My concern is that a failing catalytic converter or related engine damage could lead to sudden loss of power, engine failure, or fire while driving, which puts my safety and the safety of others at risk. The problem has been confirmed by an authorized Kia dealer, which documented the solid check engine light and DTC P0420 on a written repair estimate. In that document, the dealer referenced recall SC176Y as the possible applicable recall and noted that it would need to contact Kia for coverage because the vehicle has a branded rebuilt title. To my knowledge, the manufacturer has not yet performed any SC176‑style ECU logic update, compression test, or catalytic converter/engine inspection on this vehicle, and the manufacturer has declined to escalate or review recall coverage for this defect. The check engine light and P0420 code remain the primary warning indicators, and they first appeared shortly before the dealer visit on the repair estimate date.

Filed Jun 5, 2026 · Engine · 134,700 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 20V750000 (Engine). The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 20 MPH, the Check Engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was pushed to the residence, then towed to a dealer, who stated that the failure was related to the active recall, although the diagnosis was unclear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,700.

Filed May 21, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MN

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 get a computer check of the engine light code, P0420 for catalytic converter efficiency. Take car to dealer, they diagnose the converter as being both melted and clogged, quote me $4200 to replace with OEM part. Go to get second opinion at another service center, they confirm converter diagnosis and additionally diagnose cause as relating to outdated ECU software causing converter overheating, something which was an active recall for Kia Soul vehicles from MY 2012-2016, but only the 1.6L models. My vehicle is a 2.0L model with the exact same issue causing the exact same result, but with no recall, the converter is shot and there is no accountability for replacing the damaged part and updating the faulty software, as well as for missing this faulty software in the first diagnostic.

Filed Apr 9, 2026 · Engine · SC

My check engine light continues periodically turn on and off; diagnostics done by independent service centers shows the code indicating there's something wrong with my catalytic converter. I discovered the make and model of my vehicle has a recall for this issue, but upon contacting Kia directly and speaking with services members & customer care I was told that my vehicle does not fall under the recall even though it is showing the same signs as the vehicles that have. It has not been inspected by anyone other than the hired mechanic and I'm not entirely sure when the problem first began, but has been an ongoing issue for the last few months.

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Engine · 145,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle and driving to the residence, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact used a code reader and retrieved DTC: P0420 (Catalytic Converter). The contact called the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); and four other recalls. The vehicle remained with the dealer for approximately 4 days before the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was provided with an estimate for the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance; however, the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · Engine · AZ

Anti theft ignition protector and another recall that makes the car have engine compartment fires. My car is at risk of being stolen as well as catching fire. Yes the problem has been confirmed from by Kia dealer. Yes the check engine light keeps coming on. It first appeared 02/10/2026. I purchased the car from b&g auto sales located at 3922 W Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85019 and they installed an aftermarket ignition cylinder so the recalls that needed to be done couldn’t be done.