2016 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 821 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 29 involved a crash and 35 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineFeb 22, 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 in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
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 catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Campaign 19V120000 on NHTSA.gov
SteeringSep 29, 2017
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
Campaign 17V608000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
615 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 16, 2023
While driving the vehicle the car shuts off
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Aug 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the contact had to remove his foot from the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to shift gear. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, there was a slight delay before the vehicle responded. The contact then stated that he smelled an abnormal odor from the exhaust throughout the vehicle once the RPMs were at 2,500 to 3,000 RPM. The contact stated there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. Additionally, the contact stated that every second tank of fuel, he had to add 2 quarts of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
Engine, Aug 15, 2023
P0420 Code. I have replaced both oxygen sensors with genuine KIA parts. I even had a tune up and replaced the engine air filter. All of the parts were replaced with KIA genuine parts. The code is still coming on. I only have 84889 miles on this car.
Engine, Electrical system, Aug 12, 2023
My safety and the safety of others is put at risk when someone is attempting to steal my vehicle. I am not eligible for the antitheft software upgrade since I don't have a factory installed alarm system.
Engine, Aug 8, 2023
Check Engine Light won't turn off - I have had the catalitic converter replaced and the engine light has not turned off.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 1, 2023
Engine stalled on me while going 60mph on the freeway to almost 20 mph. Check Engine light flashed twice. Engine is now knocking.
Engine, Jul 21, 2023
We have a p0420 code with check engine light on (catalyst below threshold) with unusual oil consumption. We have been refused a replacement of the catalytic converter which is failing and may or may not have caused severe engine damage. Engine is going through an unusual high amount of oil with no oil leaks. Contacted Kia NA on July 21st and was told the cat was not covered even though it's failing and we have recall notices coming in the mail.
Engine, Jul 21, 2023
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine stall duo to faulty Piston rods. Probable cause of faulty Piston Rods is insufficient oil level. May also damage the crankshaft and cause the engine to seize. I have proof of oil changes on time and the car has only 92000 mile on it. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle may stall and shut off in the middle of the road unexpectedly which may cause an accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 20, 2023
I have a Kia Soul that is under the engine warranty recall. I was able to drive my vehicle while working with Kia to document issues with my engine. Today I was informed that my catalytic converters are clogged and that is what is causing my vehicle issues, not my engine. The only way my catalytic converters could be clogged would be from faulty engine, but Kia is denying any issue with my engine (that is under warranty) and instructing me to continue driving my vehicle. My vehicle is unable to maintain speed, shakes violently after running 5 minutes, and dies frequently. It is not a safe vehicle to drive on the road.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 19, 2023
The check engine light came on a day after i bought the car and never went off it read for several code’s including a catalytic converter fuel cap timing solenoid all which I replaced and the light still was on after oil changes it was discovered there is a low oil condition and the engine needed to be replaced and a few months later the car stopped running and it needs a new engine the dealership knowingly sold that vehicle to me in that condition and they won’t even fix it.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the check engine warning light started blinking and the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall. No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 149,400.
Engine, Jul 14, 2023
Due to no warning of a recall on my 2016 Kia soul both catalytic converters stopped up. Tried for weeks to get assistance with Kia motors but no assistance brought my car in twice when they said they would fix it sat at the dealership from 8am when they opened until approximately 4 pm before they closed only to be called and asked to return for a second all day long wait. Due to no warnings that my car had a recall and no assistance from the company I've had nothing but issue after issue and can no longer afford to completely fix the car. One issue including being stranded 10 hours away from home!
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 11, 2023
The catalytic system began breaking apart and throwing an engine light error. The system progressively got worse until it lead to complete failure not allowing the fuel system to work nor the vehicle to be able to accelerate.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 8, 2023
Ive gotten 3-4 tuneups every year for the past 4 years. Each year the car randomly shuts off and start running rough they change the coil packs and the spark plugs but every year I drive locally and not far yearly but I still have to get tune ups, 3rd party insurance and state farm spent a total of 12-14k of electrical wiring the doors were controlling the A/C the lights would flicker when trying to turn on A/C. The windows stopped working wouldnt go up or down, the A/C heat wouldnt work this was work everything new and rewired Kia of Anderson kept the car for 4-5 weeks and I had to turn around 2 days later bring it back because the doors and A/C and heat repeated the same thing, they changed the door panel on driver side and 4-5 months ago A/C heat stopped working randomly while my kids were waiting on bus one moring and couldnt use the heat...contacting Kia they said they were booked for a couple of weeks then, I would call get voicemails over and over and then I finally drove up there and they stated it may be the air resistor but then, under the car i hit a ditch where road work was being done on a one way in one way out street for 3 months cause the already loose muffler to cause the rest of the vehicle to not work. The A/C when on my son nose bleeds everytime if we are in the car for longer than 45 min to an hour. My daughter get migraines headaches dizzy spells when A/C heat is on, so do i. Also there is a random weird smell randomly off and on not everyday but atleast 12 days out of the month...scared to drive the car sometimes. Last week twice the car shut off once on the bridge randomly and then turned back on. Also, if i drive the car for more than 30-45 min my left leg swells with fluid never happened in any other vehicle...random devices can connect to my radio without me authorizing it..strange but i can wake up and have to delete a Windows or MAC desktop from radio, when using the radio the same ads play over and over not sure why we have to turn it
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 8, 2023
The vehicle suddenly stalls while in traffic without notice. It has to be put in on park, turned completely off, and then restarted. People behind my car almost rear end my vehicle causing a collision. Highly unsafe. This has happened numerous times usually after being stopped at a traffic light or stop sign.
Engine, Jun 28, 2023
Engine is consuming large amounts of oil. One quart every 500 miles and getting worse.
Engine, Jun 26, 2023, fire
My 2016 soul burst into flames following a loud explosion in the engine compartment. The vehicle is a total loss; but, the fire department extinguished the fire before the flames reached the fuel tank. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Engine and No How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Could have easily been killed had I not recognised the symptoms immediately and had the time to react. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Irrellavent. The vehicle caught fire. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. There is nothing left to inspect. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Only seconds before.
Engine, Jun 24, 2023
Excessive oil consumption-1 quart of oil every 400-600miles. This had been verified by a certified mechanic. The excessive oil consumption has destroyed the catalytic converter, code 420. The check engine light has been on since 95k miles. Spark plugs had to be replaced sooner than normal because they were covered w oil. Tail pipe has oil encrusted on the inside. While starting from a complete stop after 15 minutes of driving the car lost power and would not go over 45mph. Going up hill dropped to 15 mph. This has been replicated by a mechanic.
Engine, Jun 21, 2023
Vehicle is experiencing oil &/or carbon-like debree exiting out of the exhaust system. There are no warning indicators of any kind displaying. The car has regularly been taken to the dealership for service and maintenance problems. Motor has documented record of oil consumption due to testing at dealership. This is currently the second catalytic converter to be replaced. I have all receipts for work performed.
Engine, Jun 21, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, there was a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact checked the oil level and became aware that the vehicle was low on oil. The contact added oil, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 151,748.
Engine, Jun 20, 2023
Catalytic converters needed to be replaced
Power train, Engine, Jun 20, 2023
Bought 2016 Kia Soul one year ago (May 2022) with 79k miles. Feb 2023 engine light came on. Took it to Kia service center & they reset it and told us to come back if light came back on. It did along with oil change light (June 2023, 92k miles). We were told it had no oil, it was consuming oil, sludge in motor and there was nothing they could do. Service mgr told us to check oil level regularly, top it off as needed and get regular oil changes and if/when it failed, then they would replace engine under new lawsuit settlement (extended warranty to 15yr/150k). We consulted another mechanic and he said it is faulty piston rings that caused oil consumption, that caused low oil and that ultimately caused possible sludge. Why aren't they fixing the problem instead of waiting until the engine fails? Probably because they were waiting to see if your engine fails after 15yr/150k mile warranty expires. New lawsuit in the works regarding oil consumption because it's happening to a lot of KIAs.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 15, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced; however, the dealer declined the repair due to the mileage exceeding 80,000 miles. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Power train, Engine, Jun 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle vibrated violently and lost motive power. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle failed to exceed 10 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic failed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Jun 13, 2023
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shifted into LIMP Mode and decelerated to approximately 15 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the oxygen sensor and catalytic convertor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The oxygen sensor and catalytic convertor was replaced on three separate occasions however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was unavailable.