2015 Kia Soul: won't start

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

Recall sc176 incomplete- while driving in an unincorperated area in [xxx] ([xxx] in [xxx] county) the vehicle suddenly lost engine power and due to the sudden loss of engine power the vehicle was difficult to stop on a dangerous curve. The vehicle would not start back up. The cruve was situated in such a manor that it was unsafe to try to push it into the side as it was a steep ditch leaving the vhicle completely disabled in the complete dark. Even with the flashers on other motorists including a semi tractor trailer nearly crashed into the disabled vehicle multiple times. While escaping the dangerous situation on foot I noticed the muffler was emmiting smoke and a strong odor. I was able to retain the services of a local towing company to provide immediate emergency response where they had to use multiple units with cones and amber lights and flagmen with strobes to set up a saftey zone to protect oncomming motorists while they cleared the immediate saftey hazard. That week I had a local mechanic shop check on the no start condition. They removed, charged, and bench tested the battery finding it to perform at an acceptable amperage. Upon inspecting the no start condition found the motor to be lockrd. They noted an incomplete saftey recall upon checking the VIN and advised the vehicle needs to go to an authorized dealer for recall service. At that point the vehicle was pushed into an outdoor storage lot and the key returned pending transport. I talked to a lady at the kia dealer in [xxx] where it was mentioned they only had 2 technicians and it would be a while to get it looked at, so I called the next closest dealer which is [xxx]. On the phone they told me to bring the car for recall inspection. Instead of processing the recall they text me mentioning diag fees and costs and tried to get me to trade it in instead. I feel duped having it towed there for recall based on there words just for them to try to get me to trade it in. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Engine · OK

On the way back from Missouri to Oklahoma, while on the turnpike the engine made a clanking sound and lost acceleration power. The car shook some, luckily the car was able to steer of to the right side of the shoulder just before a bridge. Car came to a stop and would not start. It was snowing and a child was in the car. The closest person for help was 3 1/2 hours away. The hazard lights did work but the car was not started back up after the loud clunk and shaking. Was not sure what happened at that moment. Did not want any further damage to occur. Attempted to have the car towed closer to home was made. A decision was made to take it to the closes kia dealership. As we was trying to figure out what might have happened with the engine. We found there where multiple recall on the car. I was unaware of the recalls. 2 of the recalls are on the engine for piston rod damage. A family member whom is a mechanic believed that was what happened. I called Kia they confirmed the recalls were made. They said there was a fix. I never received the recall notices. They also asked me if I knew someone by the name [XXX] something. If the mail was in this person name but sent to my address. I would not have opened it or paid any attention other then sending it back with the mail man. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · ID

On [XXX] around [XXX], we were headed westbound on [XXX] toward Boise when the car began making a clanking sound. In less than a minute, the car was pouring smoke, clanking stopped and car completely failed. I coasted to side of freeway, car would not turn over, i did not try more than once for fear of further damage or starting a fire. When tow driver came and car was moved, it exposed a giant puddle of oil and pieces of what looked like MELTED metal. The tow driver stated it was a connection rod piece and engine is likely shot. I immediately scheduled a service ticket to have it looked at my local Kia Dealership. They confirmed that i experienced a catastrophic engine failure and that it matched the exact recall SC176 issue. They attempted to contact and file a claim under both the recall and the powertrain warranty and were denied both by KIA, due to negligence of the owner. I had a passenger with me who has severe medical conditions. It was in 90's in desert like heat. It took 4-5 hours to have it towed and get out of the heat. We almost got into an accident when the car malfunctioned. There were ZERO warning notifications or lights on the dashboard until the car completely went disabled while coasting to the side of the freeway. No warning chugs. No previous issues with smoke/warning lights/ nothing prior. This literally happened out of no where and now I am being told by KIA they will not repair because its MY JOB to look into recalls. I have lived at the same address for the whole time i owned the car. I have printed records and digital records from my local DMV to prove it. I have written and digital proof that i properly maintenance my vehicle on time AND that i paid for synthetic oil rather than just the lowest possible choice they offered. I have proof that I was notified for the recall regarding the steering issue in 2017 and that i immediately made a service appt with my local dealership to have it address. I received NO notice for any other recall INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF IN

Filed Apr 3, 2024 · Engine · PA

Was driving on the highway I hard a pop sound and I look in my mirror and saw a big white smoke fog and then hard tapping from the hood and pulled over and my car would not start had it towed and had 2 mechanic look at it told me my engine is blown and there is a hole in it that my engine is defective

Filed Mar 2, 2023 · Engine · TX

While driving home from work late at night, the car just stopped without warning and would not start again. It was towed to the dealership where I was informed that there would be a $750 diagnostic fee, but that Kia would probably not replace the engine under warranty because the recall had not been taken care of. I am the second owner of the vehicle and bought it the same year that the recall was issued. Kia consumer affairs department states that it was sent to my address, but I did not receive the notification. I cannot afford to pay $750 to find out that I will not be reimbursed and I cannot afford to have the engine replaced in a car that is worth the value of the engine. I had just changed the oil and had a valve cover gasket replaced. There was no check engine light.

Filed Dec 1, 2022 · Engine · OR

On 11/14/22 I was driving on the freeway in my 2015 Kia soul, when the acceleration ability began to slowly decrease, eventually to nothing at all. No lights or anything on my dash area indicated what was happening, nor had I ever experienced this before. I was able to safely pull over to the right shoulder of the road. This was around 10pm at night so fortunately not a ton of people on the road to lose acceleration. Then my car would not start. I called AAA. I get 7 free miles of towing with them so I had it towed to the nearest auto mechanic store. The mechanics determined through a series of checks that it was the catalytic converter (not stolen, but congested, so needing to be replaced)— please see the “notes” section from the mechanic invoice. I am not sure if it would be available upon request at this point, likely not, but the mechanic could be called/asked. The mechanic was able to begin repairs the following day, and then I learned Kia might be able to reimburse me based on a catalytic converter recall for my make/model/year of car. My car is only about 7 years old so it seems odd that this significant of a repair would need to take place. I contacted Kia customer service for a reimbursement request via web submission on 11/19/22. On 11/29 I called Kia and spoke to someone on the phone. The representative told me that the catalytic converter recall was not for my exact engine type. He then indicated I report my problem to safecar.gov, and potentially this might be a problem more people with my engine of my make/model/year have experienced. I did not know about this website or that recalls developed from this! Very cool!

Filed Apr 19, 2022 · Engine · FL

Hello I have a 2015 Kia Soul with a 1.6L engine and I am awear that there is a recall on Kia souls in the same year as my car. I called and as you can see, it says my car does not have a recall on it. Today is April 19,2022 and due to my car giving me problems and would not start at times, and a few days ago the engine started shaking. When I took her to pepboys today the diagnosis was The same that’s described in the recall for Kia souls. My Cadillac converter needs to be changed and there is a chance of a fire combustion. I would like for someone to contact me because this could have ended badly and put my Safty at risk. A recall is created because customers find defaults in these models of Kia’s due to them being build improperly. And Kia have tried to fix the problems but I know they have missed my car. Don’t want to have to pay soo much money on something that’s not my fault because someone else have acknowledged their mistake and is fixing it.

Filed Mar 11, 2022 · Engine · CA

Vehicle started to lose oil and knocking sound in engine began which may be coming from the piston rings. It is available for inspection and I have taken it to 2 KIA Dealerships. In regards to safety Quest - I drive my daughter to school and home and myself to work. Our safety has been at risk every time we are in the car. The problem was confirmed by both dealerships KIA of Alhambra and KIA of Downtown Los Angeles. In regards to question of any other inspection - No. In regards to Quest of warning lamps - Yes engine light comes on and off. Car is drivable but the knocking in the engine and the loss of oil forced me to stop driving it because I believe the pistons are about to go out and cause an engine fire. This issue began in October of 2021 and that is when I found out about this recall from a friend. I contacted the dealership that I purchased the car from which was NOT a KIA dealer but a Nissan Dealer. I bought the car used at the end of 2019 but it did not start giving me this problem until October 2021. Both KIA dealers said that the recall should have been taken care of long ago and declined doing any repairs which included the recall repair stating that the issue would require changing the engine out as you state above could possibly happen. Recalls are missed all the time and I am not sure why this was not addressed before but I have attempted numerous avenues to get my car fixed and have had no success. Recalls do not expire. My car is only 6 years old. I am also an a 3 tour ARMY Vet and I am surprised to know that KIA treats their vets in this manner. This is a valid open recall that has not been addressed and KIA Dealers seem to blame me for their faulty engine. I am not surprised that there are so many lawsuits pending. Please help me get my car fixed so I can safely drive myself and my daughter around. Your attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Jul 27, 2021 · FL

My stability control light came on, the car started jerking, then shut off completely at the redlight when I stopped, I restarted it and the light went off, car ran fine, but it happened again and again, took to the shop they told me trans was fine, no codes on the diagnostic but it is still happening, the mechanic told me I need wheel bearings replaced I paid for that, now the light is still coming on and the car doesnt start unless you turn it off and turn it on again.

Filed May 13, 2021 · Engine · 63,200 miles · MI

Engine seized. Just had oil changed at summit place kia of grand rapids 2000 miles ago. Engine light never came on. No knocking. Call stalled, dash lights blinking and would not start. Towed,

Filed Nov 3, 2020 · Engine · 98,900 miles · WA

Driving stopped at a light. Car died at light. Tried to start would not start. Pushed it out of the intersection. Someone stopped to give me a jump. After getting a jump a loud knocking noise was coming from the engine. So I turned it off and had it towed. At the time it died it was running fine. No noises no lights, no indication for why this occured. Towed it to kia and a week later they said it needed and engine. After looks ng into it we found out 2015 kia souls had recalls for the same type of issue. We were told our VIN wasn't covered under the recall. But it displays the same issues for recall. The car has less than 100,000 miles?

Filed Aug 20, 2020 · Lights · 79,000 miles · LA

Headlights started flashing on and off in a 3 flash amber light sequence. Dash lights were on. Keyless entry would not work. Manual key entry required. Car would not start and light malfunction continued until all systems are dead. Planning to take to mechanic today if jumping battery will start car. Car was in my driveway when neighbor brought my attention to the lights.