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 and engine cooling
106 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Sep 9, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact then discovered that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called a dealer and scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle serviced. A few days after the appointment was made, the vehicle shut-off without warning while driving at 45 MPH. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle would not accelerate or shift out of first gear. The contact called the dealer and she was instructed to bring in the vehicle to have the recall service. A few days later, the contact was informed by the dealer that the resonator had become defective and was not covered under the recall; therefore, she had to pay for the resonator replacement. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and agreed with the diagnostic result from the dealer. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 16, 2021
My vehicle has a check engine light on. In an attempt to repair the code was identified as a catalytic converter failure. My engine is burning oil excessively now. The costs are far beyond my means to repair despite meticulous maintenance.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 3, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the contact slowed down then merged into another lane when the vehicle decelerated inadvertently and would not accelerate above 2 mph. Another vehicle crashed into the middle of the front and rear passenger’s side door frames of the vehicle, which caused the doors to not be able to open. No medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the catalytic converter was clogged. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer Spradley Kia (2145 HWY 50 West, Pueblo, CO 81008) and a product improvement campaign and ECU software update was performed however, the failure recurred. The contact was made aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the dealer Spradley Kia did not perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that previous vehicle owner had not taken the vehicle in for the recall repair. The manufacturer offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 122,698.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 2, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 55 mph and attempting to accelerate to pass a semi-truck in the left lane, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the overheating warning light was illuminated. The contact exited the highway and parked on the side of the roadway. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired however, the repair was pending. The contact towed the vehicle to her residence. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,187.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 4, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling). Upon retrieving the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the catalytic converter needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 128,500.
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A KNOCKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO GERALD KIA OF NAPERVILLE (1661 AURORA AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL 60540) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.