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, Apr 18, 2026, fire
I had the oil changed on my car at a local tire and lube shop. Two weeks later I drove to Vegas (7 hrs one way). While in Vegas I started to hear a super faint clicking noise coming from under my hood, but no lights came on inside, so I assumed maybe it was nothing serious and would have it checked when I returned home 3 days later. On the way home (2 hrs from home) the clicking got louder. I attempted to pass some cars and, as I accelerated, the clicking got much louder and then I heard a loud clank and the car shuttered. I proceeded to pull over and got out of the car and saw small flames and smoke coming from under my car. A couple had pulled over with me and had a fire extinguisher which they used to put the fire out. Upon towing the car home I found a piece of metal hanging from a melted piece of plastic. I inspected it and discovered that it was a piece of a piston from my engine. There was also a puddle of oil and a streak of gasoline on the trailer that had come from my car. I experienced catastrophic engine failure. When the engine broke it punched a hole in my oil pan which caused a fire and burned a hole in my fuel line. I am unsure of what caused the engine to fail, but in seeing the recalls for the exact same thing happening to previously recalled Kia Souls I figured i'd check it out to see if I may be included in that. No lights came on alerting me to any problems. There were no signs of leaking oil. Just clicking that got louder and then a loud noise and shudder and fire.
Engine, Apr 18, 2026
I just bought the car one month ago, and While driving my 2016 Kia Soul on a high-speed highway at approximately 98,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly lost power without warning. The engine stopped responding and the car could not accelerate. This created a very dangerous situation because traffic was moving at high speed and I was at risk of being hit from behind. I was driving with my son, who has a disability, and I was taking him to his therapy appointment. The sudden loss of power made the situation even more stressful and unsafe because I was responsible for his safety while the vehicle was failing in traffic. Fortunately, I was able to carefully move out of the main highway and exit the road to avoid a crash. I managed to reach a nearby auto mechanic shop, where the vehicle had to remain because the engine had failed and the car could no longer be driven safely. This incident represents a serious safety concern because the vehicle lost power suddenly while driving on a fast highway, which could easily have resulted in a serious accident.
Engine, Apr 1, 2026
I kept all of the maintenance records for the oil changes. The engine blew a piston and I will need a new engine. Driving down the road, it just lost power and died. Local mechanic looked at it and said I needed a new engine. When I began looking for a new engine, the cost would have been $3500.00 plus labor. When looking for a used engine, the salvage person said there was a recall on the engines. I took it to the local dealer, said I was over the mileage. and would probably cost the dealer $9000.00. The car is almost 10 years old. It was a good car. It was a standard, which should mad it last longer.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Firerelated, Mar 27, 2026, fire
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine made an abnormal sound. The contact turned off the vehicle to let it cool down. The vehicle was restarted and taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the catalytic converter and exhaust pipe had caught fire and melted. The mechanic performed an oil change and drilled a hole in the catalytic converter, and advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the spark plugs were saturated in engine oil. The dealer flushed the radiator and performed a second oil change; however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who replaced the spark plugs but refused to repair the engine until the recall was repaired. The contact stated that later while coasting downhill in neutral (N) after adding a quart of engine oil due to no oil in the engine, he heard an implosion coming from behind the driver's side front seat. No warning light was illuminated. The contact unbuckled his seat belt and jumped out of the vehicle, fracturing his ribs. The contact suffered burns to his right hand, legs, left side of face, nose, and eyebrows. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled downhill, and there were flames underneath the vehicle on the passenger's side. The contact ran after the vehicle. The vehicle drove into the bushes and came to a stop. Two bystanders alerted the contact that there were flames inside the vehicle. The police were called and arrived, attempting to extinguish the fire with an extinguisher until it was empty, and the fire had restarted. The firefighters arrived and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed and included with the fire department. The contact was transported to the hospital via ambulance and received medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the tow yard, where it was totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.
Power train, Engine, Mar 17, 2026
Safety defect P1326 code is a known indicator of rod bearing wear. When it triggered, the vehicle immediately went into Limp Mode, creating a significant safety hazard. The behavior aligns with the documented defect affecting NU GDI Engines and is not consistent with normal Engine wear. I have confirmed the KSDS software update was performed. I have taken the vehicle to Clay Cooley Kia of Plano and my service advisor has confirmed that the engine is defected per the NU GDI Engine Settlement and related federal safety actions.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Mar 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shut off while driving on a ramp, and the vehicle coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle lost automotive power and stalled in a high-traffic area, creating a safety risk. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the vehicle was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 17, 2026
SUBJECT: Engine → Stall → Loss of power while driving: While driving normally, the vehicle began losing power and could not accelerate properly. The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle repeatedly entered a reduced-power condition where it could barely maintain speed. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period of time and progressively worsened. The engine also began consuming large amounts of oil between oil changes. Eventually the engine suffered catastrophic failure and would no longer run. A dealership later stated internal engine damage was present, including a failed valve and spark plug damage. The vehicle is currently at a dealership and available for inspection. The loss of power and stalling created a safety hazard because the vehicle could not maintain normal traffic speed and could have been struck by other vehicles. The problem was confirmed by a dealership service department. Warning lights were present prior to final failure and appeared during the loss of power events.
Engine, Feb 10, 2026
I have put my 3rd Catalytic Convertor on this car. It looses power going uphill. Which is not safe. Just had 3rd on replaced yesterday Feb. 9, 2026. The mechanic said there is too much oil going to the engine. Mechanic said next thing would be replacing the engine. Why does my 2016 not have a recall on the engine.
Engine, Jan 25, 2026
The vehicle is suffering from excessive oil consumption (over 1 quart per 1,000 miles) and a recurring P0420 (Catalyst Efficiency) code. This is a documented precursor to catastrophic engine failure and engine compartment fire in the 2.oL Nu GDI engine. The engine's oil consumption is poisoning the catalytic converter, causing it to clog. This creates extreme exhaust backpressure, leading to sudden loss of motive power (stalling) while driving. This defect poses an unreasonable risk of a high-speed collision and fire if oil comes into contact with the hot exhaust manifold. Due to current extreme winter conditions (-20F with wind chill), a sudden engine stall or seizure creates a life-threatening emergency. I no longer feel safe operating this vehicle, as an engine failure in these temperatures could leave me stranded without heat in sub-zero weather.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2026
While driving on a road trip from Charleston, South Carolina to Florida in January of 2023 the factory installed catalytic converter failed (front facing) clogging the exhaust system and damaging the engine (engine now experiences blow by and pistons rings have been damaged). A recall for the overheating of the catalytic converter was marked as repaired before I bought the car. However, I believe that either the update was not done to the on-board computer or that a damaged catalytic converter was not replaced. This directly led to the subsequent failure in question and has since damaged my engine. At the time of the incident, an investigation of both catalytic converters revealed heavy sediment deposits and the core of the filtering component of the front facing unit had become so corroded that a chunck of it had broken loose and become lodged in the connecting hose that linked it to the rest of the exhaust system, leaving the entire system blocked. Because I bought the car used, I wasn't aware of the recall history at the time of purchase. Nor was I given a vehicle history report or receipts for any work that had previously been done. When I pulled a vehicle history report shortly after the incident I was unable to accertain what the actual repairs to the car were previous to my ownership, just that it had been taken to a Kia dealership for service with dates listed. The issues still remain and I am unable to afford the lengthy and very expensive repairs suggested by multiple mechanics to correct them. I also still owe money on the note as the result of having to deal with a predatory business to secure financing in the first place. I hate to think I was taken advantage of but I can't help but feel like the catalytic converter should have been changed during that previously marked recall repair and clearly wasn't. Please help me figure out what went wrong here and if possible help me remedy this situation, especially if there was indeed fraud involved. Thank you
Engine, Jan 19, 2026
Engine knock engine failure
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 11, 2026
They have a recall on the catalytic converters for the 1.6 engines but not the 2.0. I have had to have mine replaced two times in a year. There is definitely a problem. The second time it almost caught fire due to glowing red cause it got so hot. The same problem is happening to the 2.0 engines just like the 1.6 engines, but nothing is being done.
Engine, Dec 23, 2025
Greetings, I have a base 2016 kia soul manual transmission that I thought was under safety recall for its engine, but when I search it says 0 unrepaired recalls, when I look this up it does claim my vehicle had this problem, but I never had a dealer fix it, I did contact the one I got it from a couple of years ago and asked if my vehicle qualified for the recall since it already has 200,000 miles on it but they never got back to me, did they just claim to fix it, because it has not been worked on. Still runs great at 300,000 miles but if the engine has a safety issue that might catch on fire then I want to get it addressed regardless of its high mileage
Engine, Dec 17, 2025
A. Safety Defect and Failure Sequence I am filing this complaint because my Kia Soul, which is subject to the widespread engine defect and extended warranty under the Hyundai/Kia Class Action Settlement, suffered a catastrophic failure immediately following dealership intervention. Responsible Action: I brought the vehicle to the authorized Kia dealership on September 25th the instant the Check Engine Light illuminated for the very first time. The vehicle was driven to the dealership under its own power. Triggering Event: The dealership performed the required engine-related software update (Knock Sensor Detection System, KSDS) and routine service. Immediately following this service, the engine went into limp mode and ceased functioning, requiring a complete engine replacement. This sequence strongly suggests the failure was either caused by the known defect covered by the recall or was triggered by the software update itself. Manufacturer Denial: Kia is denying the claim under the Class Action Extended Warranty (which provides a lifetime or 15-year/150,000-mile warranty) using the unsubstantiated and unjustifiable excuse of "damage done prior to bringing the car in." B. Manager Misconduct and Manufacturer Bad Faith The Service Manager, Braden Anaya, has demonstrated calculated deception and bad faith, resulting in severe financial and logistical harm: Fraudulent Promise: The manager explicitly promised me the engine replacement would be approved if I titled, registered, and insured the vehicle. Relying on his direct word, I incurred a financial loss of $800 in fees for an unusable vehicle. Documented Deception: After a long delay, Mr. Anaya sent a formal denial email on December 5th confirming Kia would not cover the engine replacement. Despite this formal denial, he then contacted me and demanded "trust and patience," claiming he was actively fighting the claim for the following three weeks. This was an intentional stall and clear act of deception. Logistical Negli
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Dec 3, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while shifted into park(P), there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had been taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed as needing a Product Improvement Code before the failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that a rental vehicle was paid for out of pocket. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); and the contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired prior to ownership in 2020. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Dec 2, 2025
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 became aware that there was oil leaking from the engine near the spark plugs while checking prior to the warning light being illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the vehicle was still leaking oil, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was constantly adding oil to the engine. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer and was advised that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced, and a tune-up was needed. The catalytic converter was not replaced, and the contact stated that the engine was still leaking oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics and was advised that the engine needed to replace, however the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Nov 17, 2025
While driving my 2016 Kia Soul on the highway, the vehicle suddenly began shaking and immediately lost power. The check engine light came on and the car would not accelerate, even when pressing the gas pedal. This happened with no prior warning. I had to coast to the shoulder in moving traffic, which created a safety concern. The engine then stalled completely and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to Findlay Kia in Las Vegas. Their technicians diagnosed a major internal engine failure. The repair report shows zero compression in cylinder 2, a cracked intake valve, oil contamination, and extensive internal engine damage requiring a full engine replacement. Diagnostic trouble codes included P0300, P0302, P0303, and P0326. There were no earlier symptoms, no overheating, and the vehicle has been properly maintained. The failure was sudden and left the car completely inoperable. I opened Case #[XXX] with Kia Corporate. They reviewed all documents, service records, and the dealer’s findings. Although they did provide assistance in reviewing the case, the final outcome was not in my favor, and they declined to cover the repair. This is concerning given the history of engine-related issues and recalls involving Kia Souls from similar model years, particularly involving sudden engine failure and loss of power. My vehicle remains inoperable at the Kia dealership. The sudden loss of power while driving presents a clear safety risk. Based on my experience and the dealership’s findings, I believe this engine failure is safety-related and should be evaluated further by NHTSA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 3, 2025
I was driving in the carpool line to Anaheim with my daughter, the car starts pulling and make a noise in the front part and start loosing speed, from 75 miles per hour to 40 miles per hours in 2 minutes. I drove to the safety zone but in high risk to a crash. All the sensor lights on in the front part. And the steering feels hard, no movement. We feel so stressed and unsafe. The police officer help us and The 511 towing help this was on October 16th. We pay $830 dlls to the AAA to bring the car to San Diego.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Oct 22, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact heard an abnormal clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. In addition, the RPMs increased to 3,000 and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. However, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the RPMs increased to 3,000 again. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. In addition, the contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). However, the contact was informed that the repair was already performed on the vehicle and was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 97,945.
Engine, Oct 21, 2025
Car was purchased from dealership August 25, 2025 on September 19, 2025 at about 9:38 PM. Car experienced catastrophic engine failure due to an active recall/campaign that was not disclosed to buyer for an ECU problem. This problem caused total brake failure in the power brake system, forcing buyer to swerve across three lanes of traffic into breakdown lane.
Engine, Oct 21, 2025
Had 3 oil consumption test 2 oil leak repairs, low to no oil each time, now car is stalling , Catalytitic Converter problem, yellow engine light is blinking, Kia of Newton New Jersey need to fix my car.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 21, 2025
Catalytic converter may become damaged due to overheating caused by and excessive increase of exhaust gas temperatures.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Oct 20, 2025
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (STEERING); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at 40 MPH, the transmission seized and failed to function as intended. The vehicle stalled, and after several attempts, the vehicle was restarted. The contact continued to drive at slow speeds. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), but the failure persisted. The contact was informed that the recall part for the steering was not available. The dealer informed the contact that the catalytic converter was still under the previous recall and there would be no charge. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that the catalytic converter was not covered and that there would be an out-of-pocket expense. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 19, 2025
Rcall SC176 I have tried multiple times to schedule the required recall repair for my Kia, but my local dealer has not responded to phone calls or emails. I cannot travel to another state to complete this recall. Kia has not provided a reasonable option to complete the safety repair. I am requesting assistance to get this recall completed safely and locally, and at no cost.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Oct 10, 2025
The engine makes a noise like a knock, when the car is running or the speed increases the noise becomes louder and it feels like a strong blow coming from the engine.