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
821 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Oct 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the engine would shudder and lose power while idling, without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The dealer informed her that bad gasoline might have caused the issue; however, the failure persisted. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000.
Engine, Oct 12, 2022, crash
Motor stalled while I was driving, steering wheel locked taking me to a ditch. No warning on the dashboard, no lights on. It only has 100k on it. My only car to get me where I need to be and I still owe money on it. I called Kia, they said they can’t do anything unless I take it there and paid their fees. That would mean pay a second toe truck, plus their diagnosis and then labor. The guy I talked to said I’m looking on about 12k to fix my car! I’m a single mom. It’s hard as it is now I have no car. Struggling to find my way to work so I don’t loose my job!
Engine, Oct 9, 2022
Engine stalled on numerous occasions causing no acceleration. Last incident occurred on highway at night resulting in a dangerous situation. Several months ago took car to service center that informed us of the oil consumption problem that Kia and Hyundai have been experiencing and to check the oil often. We have been doing this, but the oil light did not come on and no warning before having the most recent incident. We are very disappointed to know that this has been an issue with these makes for some time, yet there has been no recall to address this matter. We currently have one Kia and two Hyundais in our family.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 5, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated and the engine had experienced shaking and vibrating. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the catalytic converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Cadalic converter we clogged due to carbon emissions. Oil is low and light flashes when below 15 mph even though the oil was changed at a Kia dealership less than 3 weeks ago. Oil leak is visible on engine. The car will also shake and jerk when driving. It would be available depending on the day. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My wife and kids have been stuck on the road twice now due to this issue during heave traffic. The car started shaking and my wife had trouble controlling the car. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealership said the issue was with the gdi (gasoline direct engine), that it was clogged due to heavy carbon emissions and needed to be cleaned. We paid for the cleaning and sill have the problem. They also stated they have seen this issue before. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes the dealership has looked at the car. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The oil light will flash on and off. So the engine like will come on at times.
Engine, Sep 29, 2022
My car started losing power without warning and I had to quickly move out of traffic before it shut down completely, at which point the oil and check engine lights came on. This put me in danger having my car stop suddenly on a highway. Kia states that the motor failed because of a recall and denied my claim because the recall was never repaired. However, I never received notice of recall nor is there record of such in NHTSA. This is a huge negligence in Kia’s part regardless of it was incorrectly fixed prior to my purchasing the vehicle as certified used from a Kia dealership or if it was incorrectly marked as done so I was never notified. Kia should be responsible for their faulty engine because I was never notified and no recalls came up when I searched my VIN number.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 27, 2022
Catalytic converter is bad
Engine, Sep 27, 2022
Had the car no more than 2 months. I’ve been forced to get multiple oil changes since. Today, while Driving on the interstate, the oil light comes on and then the engine light comes on. Car drops speed and locks. Cars and trucks barreling behind me. Definitely said my prayers. A Good Samaritan who also was a former Kia owner said this happens to kia owners all the time and it has a lawsuit against the company. Shaken, I Called the lot that sold. They said there’s been recalls and I’ll have to take it to the dealership to see if they’ll fix the recall. Called kia after getting home safe. Kia says I’ll have to bring it in to “see if it’s under the recall”. Now I’m with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and without the new car I just purchased.
Engine, Sep 27, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle would not exceed 40 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after driving for an extended period, the vehicle accelerated to 60 MPH but would not exceed 60 MPH. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to determine if the vehicle could be repaired under an unknown recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
Engine, Sep 26, 2022
Engine light flashed and then died. Engine failure. Left me, wife, child and uncle stranded on side of road
Engine, Sep 20, 2022
My vehicle has around 138K miles, mostly highway miles commuting back & forth from work. The vehicle consumes engine oil very rapidly, after 1500 miles of a recent oil change. Had to top off the oil after checking that there was barely any oil left. There was no oil pressure light or any indication of low engine oil. Every week I have to check the oil levels to make sure there is oil still in the engine. This is a safety risk. Excess burning of engine oil can cause engine failure or worse.
Steering, Engine, Sep 19, 2022
Our car has been plagued with engine and exhaust problems for the past two years. We were told there were no recalls on our model. According to this website that is not true. Today, while driving after over $7500 in out of pocket repairs the car gave an error warning for an engine issue. The engine is less than 3 years old.
Other or unspecified, Sep 15, 2022, fire
VEHICLE STARTED FIRE. while driving we smelt a weird burning smell but went away we got off the highway and smelled it again but couldn't figure it out opened the hood and flame came up from back side of engine I was able to dump water on it and extinguish the fire then I noticed the cause of the fire the rubber strip under the hood towards back side of the motor somehow came off and fell into engine compartment laying across front pipe and exhaust manifold. Luckily no damage to vehicle
Steering, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 13, 2022
Check engine light stays on parts house said catalliconverter bad dealer said it's not covered car only has 112000 also said that the steering not covered now what
Engine, Sep 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2022
My car went out on me and was towed to the shop on Thursday 9/1/2022. I was told by the shop that I have been taking my car to for 15 years the catalytic converters were stopped up. I got online and looked up my car and found there was a recall issued on it. I never received anything telling me there had been or I would have taken it in for repair. This is what I found online.... MARCH 4, 2019 Kia is recalling 2012-2016 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, damage to the engine's pistons, and possible piston connecting rod failure. Engine damage can also stall the engine or result in an oil leak, which increases the risk of vehicle fires. I called Kia Covington Pike and talked with the service department and was told there was nothing they could do. I also talked to a supervisor there and was told the same thing and that the warranty had expired. I looked up do car recalls ever expired and this is what I found. When a manufacturer issues a recall for a car because of factory errors or faults, it fixes all affected vehicles for free. But what happens if you only learn that they recalled your vehicle several years after the recall announcement? You may be worried that the dealer would charge you for the repair since the recall was announced a while ago. Car recalls don’t expire. So according to this my car is still covered under the recall. Since Kia did not offer for me to bring it in and have them take care of the repair at no charge, I am asking when I get the bill for having my car repaired that Kia reimburse me for their error. I am writing to the Consumer Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation to file a complaint. This repair is costing me $1500.00 which I had to borrow from the company I work because I didn't have the money.
Engine, Aug 30, 2022
The vehicle just shuts off while driving. I managed to get the car back home and no warning lights were on but the oil was bear with no signs of leaking and just completed an oil change less than 6 months prior. Once we filled up the oil, it had a clicking noise that sounds like a lifter problem. After diagnosis, it was found that cylinders #3 and 4 were rotting due to poor lubrication and required a full engine replacement. We opted to decline the repairs as it costs more than the value of the vehicle.
Engine, Aug 29, 2022
Engine: My 2016 was purchased by me on 12/11/2020. With less than 75,000 miles the engine completely blew with no previous warnings while on the way home. Maintained this car since it was my first car purchased. Took the car to Kia and they wouldn't cover the powertrain coverage because I'm the 2nd owner past 60,000 miles and that I didn't get the product improvement when the campaign was going on. Never received a letter about it and the campaign started before I bought my cat. The kicker, the product improvement has a common problem of not detecting engine issues for a lot of people. Been researching and reading others experiences. It's neglectful to continue to let people unknownly drive their cars with faulty engines. They are using the kds product improvement to limit the amount of engines they repair as well. There's a reason why there are increase of engine issues all round the same car years. Kia of South Austin inspected and knew the problem right off the bat.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 26, 2022
While driving, my car's engine simply died while driving and refused to start back, giving a battery light and the oil light on the dash. A local mechanic is assuming the issues seen here are related to a recall for this model's GDI. Thankfully I was able to safely push it into a nearby parking lot to be towed. That said, my only car is now out of service until the Kia dealer can look at it to confirm if it was related to the recall, about 2-3 weeks for this one
Engine, Aug 25, 2022
In addition to the engine, my catalytic converter is also damaged.
Steering, Engine, Aug 25, 2022
X Company failed to install with apiece of equipment that prevents others from starting up and stealing your car without an key on the day I went outside to find my car back window broken and steering column roped apart and key entry resulting in costly repairs that parts on back order . there is post on social media explaining how to steal this car . unlike other cars this part is equipped preventing the cars from being started unless a code is transmitted
Engine, Aug 18, 2022
Car started burning oil WAY before I hit 100,000 miles which affects MANY other parts. Had to pay for a new O2 sensor, spark plugs keep going bad, catalytic converter failure while driving. Catalytic converter failure due to oil burning which causes the car to fail while driving 55 mph. Trying to press the gas pedal and only able to go 10 mph. Catalytic converter has failed twice in two years. Spark plugs need to be replaced again due to too much oil burning.
Engine, Aug 16, 2022
dealer stated that exhaust system caused engine to overheat and the catalytic converter to go causing the piston to seize completely. there is a recall out for this exact issue but it did not include my vin number. the vehicle stalled multiple times causing myself and my daughter to be stuck in ongoing traffic. the check engine light came on and it was brought to the dealer as soon as they had an opening. I am confused about how a vehicle can have the exact issue from a recall but because it wasn't the specified number that an unsafe vehicle can just be left on the road. it is no longer drivable due to this issue and being unsafe. the issues first appeared in 2021 when I first had the catalytic converter replaced, now barely over a year later it has failed again now also with engine damage to the cylinder and piston.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 16, 2022
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. Recall consequence 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. Recall action 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.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2022
Ignition DESIGN MAKE (Kia Soul) MY2016 KIA SOUL EASY TO STEAL ON 8/2/2022 When I woke to go to my work my back passengers window was broken .police was call during the investigation the officer showed my steering wheel dis connected not able to drive . Due to Kia not warning consumers that their cars are easy to steal has cost me deductible and rental fees to get to work . My car has not began to be service due to the back log of repairs for this incident that is not the consumer fault even if the car repaired is not safe because its target along with posting on social media how to steal kia cars in 30seconds and Kia Boys tik-tok challenge .