2015 Kia Soul: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · SC

The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle began to hesitate and lose power while driving, making the vehicle unsafe to operate. The problem involves the engine and powertrain. A Kia dealer inspected the vehicle and found a timing-related engine fault code (P0014). The dealer stated the condition is consistent with the Kia engine bearing failure recall and referenced recall SC200PS, but said this VIN was not included. The vehicle has reduced power and cannot be safely driven. This creates a safety risk because the engine can lose power without warning while the vehicle is in motion. Warning lights were present before and during the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection.

Filed Nov 5, 2025 · Engine · 89,600 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling or accelerating, the vehicle started shaking at the front end near the engine. The vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine), and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact of DTC: P70300, which should have been resolved with the recall repair, which allowed the vehicle to pass the inspection as a successful repair; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle had not received any additional repairs. The contact found information on TSB: ENG222, the federal safety agency ID Number: 11014912 (Engine), which was related to the failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, then opened a case and informed the contact that no additional assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was approximately 89,600.

Filed Sep 29, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

P0420 code indicated during emissions test. Vehicle shut off after stopping and acceleration after stopping. Hesitates when trying to restart Vehicle. Contact kia manufacturer about engine and P0420 code, however no help was given.

Filed Jun 12, 2024 · Transmission · 133,000 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle began decelerating and vibrating while driving at approximately 40-45 MPH. When attempting to accelerate forward and switch lanes, the vehicle would hesitate to respond as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle began overheating causing smoke to come from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road. The contact waited until the smoke dissipated and the vehicle cooled down before moving the vehicle to the side of the road. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence and the following day it was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the catalytic converter and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed back to the same dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.

Filed Apr 27, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · OR

I bought this vehicle new (under 3k miles) from the dealer Kiefer Kia. The very next day I brought the car back as there were obvious problems with it immediately. The car would hesitate, almost as if it were about to die, while driving or even sitting at a light. When I took it in the repair person heard the problem but said "that's normal for a new car". I wanted to reopen the car but they said there were no returns. I came in 2 other times. On the 4th time they finally replaced the computer. It did nothing to fix the problem but from that time I had electrical problems. They denied the electrical problems. 2 more visits they replaced the computer again and some other recall. Both problems continued. I've had to replace the battery more than once a year. It still hesitates but covid happened and now I'm in a wheel chair and have problems getting around so brining it in is even more difficult. I don't trust any more repairs they're doing I just want my money back. I stopped driving it on the highway as I'm to afraid of the engine catching fire with how it eats oil. If I want to go out of town I have to rent a car!

Filed Mar 8, 2023 · Engine · 133,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at highway speeds, an abnormal revving sound would emit from the vehicle as it hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. Despite the failure, her daughter managed to drive the vehicle home; the next day, the contact started the vehicle and experienced the same failure. The contact drove the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a defective catalytic converter. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2022 · Engine · 60,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on several occasions and the knock sensor, O2 sensor, engine pistons, and other engine parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000

Filed Apr 4, 2022 · Engine · 100,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic where she was informed that piston ring #3 was damaged and needed to be replaced; she was also informed that there was a recall on her vehicle. The contact was informed by the mechanic to speak with a dealer for assistance. Upon calling the dealer, the contact was informed that her vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Apr 4, 2022 · Engine · 83,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that he received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the recall repair was performed. Several months after the repair, the contact stated that the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal and the vehicle was shaking while idling. Additionally, the vehicle was consuming and excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the transmission was flushed; however, after the repair was performed the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle shifted into limp mode with the check engine and oil level warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the independent mechanic and was informed that the knock sensor was defective. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the vehicle towed be towed to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and it was confirmed that the knock sensor was defective and that the repair would be covered under the original recall. Upon further investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which he also linked to the failure. The contact was informed that his vehicle was repaired but remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

Filed Jan 20, 2022 · Engine · 74,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the engine hesitated and emitted smoke from the tailpipe. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was not diagnosed. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

The engine is leaking oil and got so hot that it melted the inside of the Catalytic converter. This is a recall on 2015 Kia Soul 1.7 liter and not on my 2015 Kia Soul 2.0 liter. I had the car towed to the Kia dealership, Larry Stovesand-Carbondale IL, 5/7/21 to perform 3 recalls: PI2002B (knock sensor), SC200PS (engine inspect/bearing clearance test) and SC155B (pinion gear). The dealership service dept. told me that they had to do the knock sensor and pinion gear recall before they could do the engine inspect bearing clearance test. They kept my car for 3 months, until 8/4/21 and told me about the melted catalytic converter, but still had not performed the engine inspect. I marked the tire with a rock on top to make sure that they did the test. After a week, I went to the dealership. They told me the car passed the engine test. I asked if the test was performed in the garage and I was told yes. I told the service personnel that my car had not been moved because I had marked it with a rock and that the rock was still in the same place on the tire. He said he was going to get the tech and immediately walked out, came back with a tech person that said that he had performed the test but that he had not put it into the system yet. I got the keys to my car and called my local mechanic and had him tow my car to his garage to replace the catalytic converter. The car had the same problems with knocking, hesitation, top speed of 60 mph, and using oil. My local mechanic said the pistons are leaking. I finally got the recalled documentation in the mail from the dealership and it showed they only performed PI 2002B & SC200PS recalls. They did not perform the SC155B recall even though they had the car for 3 months. The car stalled on the highway with my daughter driving. That was terrifying! Now the car is back at Kia for the engine test that I don’t think they did the first time. Now they said it passed the engine test again and only needs a knock sensor. That will not fix it!

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 104,000 miles · LA

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate. The contact stated that the battery and the oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that since she did not have an extended warranty, they would not service the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V750000 (Engine) that was associated with the VIN. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.