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2015 Kia Soul

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Soul.

Body SUV

The 2015 Kia Soul is an SUV that takes 3.8 quarts of oil with recommended viscosities of 5W-20, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API. This model year recorded 898 owner complaints — the highest across the 2010–2025 span — with engine issues leading the categories and seven recalls issued. By contrast, the 2025 model year shows just 11 complaints, marking a dramatic improvement trajectory. The 2015 Soul therefore represents the peak of reported problems in the nameplate's modern history, a data point that frames its reliability profile for researchers.

Model year2025 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.8 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI With ISG: 48, Without ISG: 121R · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI With ISG: 48, Without ISG: 121R · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size205/60R16, 215/55R17, P235/45R18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5, 6.5, 7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	163 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	63 in
Wheelbase	101.2 in
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Soul of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.3–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.30 sec — 2015 !

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2015	! 2.0L I-4	8.30 sec	16.40 sec	164 hp	FWD
2015	+ 2.0L I-4	8.50 sec	16.70 sec	164 hp	FWD
2015	Eco Electric + Elec 27-kWh	9.20 sec	17.00 sec	109 hp	FWD
2015	Eco Electric + Elec 27-kWh	9.30 sec	17.10 sec	109 hp	FWD
2014	! 2.0L I-4	8.10 sec	16.40 sec	164 hp	FWD
2014	! 2.0L I-4	8.40 sec	16.40 sec	164 hp	FWD
2014	+ 2.0L I-4	8.40 sec	16.50 sec	164 hp	FWD
2014	! 2.0L I-4	8.60 sec	16.60 sec	164 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.8 qt of 5W-20 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to Aluminum: 33.0, Steel: 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	Ethylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity	5.28
Engine Coolant	Ethylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity	5.3
Engine Coolant	Ethylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity	5.4
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	22
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	Aluminum: 33.0, Steel: 30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	17.4-24.6 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	177-199 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	530-730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	600-800 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Kia
Spark Plug Gap	.035-.039 in
Spark Plug Torque	11-18 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Kia
Spark Plug Gap	.039 - .043 in

Battery & A/C

Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	3.35-4.05 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	With ISG: 48, Without ISG: 121R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	70-75 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	72-73 psi
Engine Compression	156-178 psi / max variation 14 psi
Engine Compression	psi 178-199 / max variation 15 psi
Intake Valve Lash	0.0067-0.0090 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.0126-0.0150 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque	Front or rear: 16-23 / 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque	Front: 58-; Rear: 47-; Front: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque	7 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness	0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement	Front: .827; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation	.0002
Maximum Rotor Runout	Front: .0016; Rear: .002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep M6 bolts: Step 1: 52 inch lbs.

2	104-112 inch lbs.; M8 bolts: Step 1: 7 ft. lbs.	104–112 in
2	14-17

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	13-16 ft. lbs.	13–16 ft. lbs
2	90

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Apply a 2.00-3.00 mm bead of Hyundai sealant or equivalent RTV to the front cylinder head corners of the upper and lower head gasket. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

1	22.0 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

1	13-16 ft. lbs.	13–16 ft. lbs
2	90

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs at 105,000 mi.

At 7,500 mi	Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Suspension System (torque)
Every 7,500 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
At 30,000 mi	Body Fasteners (inspect) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Suspension System (torque)
Every 30,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 37,500 mi	Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 90,000 mi	Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 Kia Soul marks the peak of consumer complaints and technical service bulletins for its generation, recording 898 complaints and 210 TSBs. This follows a consistent upward trend from 2010, which began with 134 complaints and 3 recalls. After 2015, these figures began to decline, with 2016 dropping to 800 complaints and 5 recalls. The 2015 model's primary concern was the engine with 443 complaints, alongside 81 fire complaints and 36 crash complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes. Because this year represents the highest volume of recalls, investigations, and complaints in the provided record, it is not a recommended year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

210

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

898

Owner complaints

36 involved a crash · 81 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14’15’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 898 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine443

Unknown Or Other52

Engine & Engine Cooling27

Unknown Or Other,Engine26

Engine & Engine Cooling,Engine25

Power Train,Engine25

Electrical System25

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System24

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V750000EngineReported 02/12/2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving. Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine…

19V120000EngineReported 22/02/2019

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting… Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 210 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CS2311_TSB_R4	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER…
SC176Y_TSB_R1	2026-03-24	Engine	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AND…
SC310Z_TSB_R1	2026-03-04	Electrical System	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: HIGH-VOLTAGE BPA REPLACEMENT…
SC267Z_TSB_R2	2026-03-04	Electrical System	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK ASSEMBLY…
PI2002B_OWNR_701	2026-02-24	Electrical System	PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2002B FL701) - This document is the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Soul. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group W battery Vehicles taking 3.8 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Soul take?

3.8 qt of Preferred oil-5W-20 SM API Certification. Above 0 degreesF 10W-30 SM API Certification. All temperatures 5W-20 or 5W-30 SM API Certification., per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Soul have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.