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, 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.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 31, 2021
My car just stopped without warning.. Kia dealership states it need a catalyst converter and 02 sensor.. no engine light came on.. it just stopped.. after they put an software for 50000 incase the engine fail.. well my catalyst converter fail.. without any warning
Engine, Jul 28, 2021
The check engine light is indicating catalytic converter issues. I took it to the mechanic and he is describing the exact problem as found in recall 19V120000. He measured 900-degree exhaust gas temperatures on one side and 500 degrees on the other. The catalytic converter has subsequently been damaged. The Kia dealership is telling me that there is no open recall under the VIN number for my vehicle yet my vehicle is having all the problems as indicated in the aforementioned recall. I'm afraid that this car will catch on fire. What are my options if the dealership refuses to repair this problem as a recall item although my vin number is not listed?
Exterior lighting, Jul 28, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front headlights failed to remain illuminated. The headlights independently regained normal function after a while. Also, on several occasions, while the vehicle was turned off, the headlights were erroneously turned on without driver input. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. An unknown dealer was contacted, and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.
Engine, Jul 21, 2021, fire
Catalytic converter failed, sending pieces into engine, causing engine to catch fire. Melted some major components while driving. Same thing as last MAJOR recall in which Kia Replaced my engine. so, this was a BRAND new 1 1/2 year old engine. This vehicle is currently at Keifer Kia in Eugene, OR awaiting Kia National to do their fire investigation.
Power train, Jul 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that due to the transmission failure, the vehicle would not allow the contact to shift gears. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with some loose wiring needing to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact then took the vehicle back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with the transmission needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact then took the vehicle back to the dealer for the third time where it was diagnosed with the catalytic converter needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine cooling). The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they would contact the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Engine, Jul 8, 2021
Right around kia announced catalytic converter recall issues with 2016 kia souls my car stopped running it was brought to a kia dealership where the muffler intake manifold was replaced for $3,000 and told it wasn't the catalytic converter despite having 90% of the listed "symptoms " of the recall.. a complaint was put in to you guys. An extended warranty Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter.was put on. A year later car Stopped again where i was told catalytic converter and even with replacing so much damage had been done most likely to engine since it was burning so much oil that it was a temporary fix. Only way i could sell it was to get it fixed though so another $2800 was spent to replace it. Yet all the issues i have with car are exactly what the recalls state. I feel the first dealership knew this and didnt want to eat the cost of labor. My car was kept there for a few days for them To diagnose and fix which ive never had happen maybe needed overnight but never for days unless a car was at a body shop. I believe the car issues and costs relate to Recall no. 19V120000 Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Steering, Engine, Jul 6, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, there was an abnormal cracking sound detected before the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering gear and pinion plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but declined to offer any repair assistance. The failure mileage was 70,055.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 2, 2021
The engine light is starting to appear more frequently this started about two years ago and every few months would appear and the oil would be a little low and more recently after oil changes... I had brought the car in late last year to check on the recall of the engine & mentioned concern... I was told everything was fine and this problem started occurring while before I reached 100,000 miles... I've been waiting over two weeks for an appointment and have one scheduled for July 14 which I made over two weeks ago when the problem occurred once again and I had my mother in the car 90 year old... I've been told by the Kia dealership that everything was good however it appears that this is put me in a situation that could be extremely dangerous if all the oil burns off or there are other issues similar to the below ...Optima Hybrid, 2012 Sportage, 2012–2013 Sorento, and 2012–2013 Forte and Forte Koup with the 2.4-liter Theta II engine; and the 2014–2015 Forte, Forte Koup, and Soul with the 2.0-liter Nu engine. Kia will notify owners starting on January 27, 2021. Dealers will inspect the engine compartments of affected vehicles, make repairs, and potentially replace engines. Kia also intends to carry out a software update to add a Knock Sensor Detection System as soon as possible, and the NHTSA report states that Kia will provide 15-year/150,000-mile warranty coverage for engine repairs needed "due to connecting-rod bearing damage." Kia will also reimburse owners for any repair expenses already incurred related to the problem, NHTSA's report says...Just to recap we can't get an appointment till the 14th they're trying to squeeze me in earlier I'll know next Tuesday however I have just paid off my Kia after five years and was hoping to enjoy many more years... I'm very disappointed that the safety of the car and the drivers and the owners are not of the upmost importance Something should be done immediately for their loyal customers... Call [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Steering, Jun 27, 2021, crash
It suddenly didn't want to turn and made me wreck it and bent the tie rods or something
Engine, Jun 25, 2021, fire
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while turning on the vehicle as well as while driving, an oil odor was detected, a knocking sound was heard, and the vehicle was consuming excessive amounts of engine oil. The check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who performed an oil change and stated that the catalytic converter was faulty. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and the dealer performed a recall for the Engine Control Unit (ECU) software update however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact stated that smoke was seen coming from under the hood while driving. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that she needed to pay for the diagnostic and since the recall repair was not performed in 2018, the dealer was not responsible for the engine replacement under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine) for which the Vin was included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 146,630.
Engine, Jun 22, 2021
Bought used Nov2020. June 2021 took for a long road trip. Daily car use is less than 10 miles a day. So a long road trip should be fine. Got regularly scheduled oil change 1 month before trip, according to them no major problems with vehicle to take long drive. Drove over 1200 miles in a weekend, oil light came on, the check engine light immediately after. Stopped at gas station to put oil in allow to cool. Not over heating but wanted to allow to cool. Turned on car, check engine light and oil light still on. Then it went pop and I was stranded. It wouldn’t start.
Engine, Jun 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle shuddered and loss motive power. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving to the residence. An unknown warning light was illuminated when the vehicle was restarted. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine rod had fractured and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 59,600.
Engine, Jun 7, 2021
In 2020 Kia Motors America sent letters about a Product Improvement Campaign. This 'campaign" was intended to update software for a Knock Sensor System (KSDS) that detects vibrations indicating the onset of excessive connecting rod bearing wear in the engine. Per letter "The KSDS is designed to alert the vehicle driver AT AN EARLY stage of bearing wear BEFORE the occurrence of severe engine damage including engine failure". I never received this letter. I never knew that there was a severe issue with my car, my check engine lights never came on. I took my car in to Car Pros Kia in Huntington Beach a couple months ago for a transmission fluid change and they never told me anything was wrong or that this Product Improvement Campaign was available. On 6/1/2021 my car died out of nowhere. I took the car to KIA where they filed a claim for a new engine per the product improvement campaign but it was denied. Dan Boyer, supervisor from Kia Motors America Claims Department told me the deadline was 4/16/21. This date isn't on any letter they sent. After searching, I realized that these letters are available for the public to view. I realized that one letter from 3/21/2020 states in bold underlined format "We would, however, like to assure you that there is no immediate need to have this software update performed". Clearly this is incorrect information, getting this software update is CRUCIAL-your engine WILL be damaged if the rod bearings are damaged as mine was. Kia Motors expected me to bring my car, despite I never received a letter, I had no idea there was product improvement campaign surrounding this issue, and expected people to bring their car in for it in the middle of a pandemic. Now I can't go to work, my livelihood is at stake, and they want me to pay $6,000 out of pocket + any other fee associated without taking any responsibility on the matter. I'm seeking assistance in making things right, I'm looking for compensation, and awareness about this corporation.
Engine, Jun 5, 2021
Engine started knocking and stalled on the highway going 70mph, almost caused a major accident. Had it towed to local KIA Dealership. Although I was the second owner, and the car was over 5 years old and had 71,000 miles, KIA replaced the engine under warranty. Metallic debris was found in engine, probably causing failure.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 2, 2021
Check Engine Light came on day before I took it in for KIA recall 4/27/2021. It was off after service done. 2 weeks later light came on again and went off 5 days later. Light came on again 2 weeks later- I went Auto Zone and Firestone to have code scan. Both scans showed code P050A----PCM has detected a problem with the idle air control. When I called Montrose KIA Sheffield Lake, Ohio Chris in service said they don't trust Auto Zone codes and wanted to charge me $129.99 for them to check code. He told me if the light was steady don't worry about and was very rude and unprofessional. While investigating code info online I found it was a known problem to KIA and nothing could be done-problem in ECU logic -no fix-expecting software update. If I went to dealership who knows what they would of done and charged me for.
Other or unspecified, May 25, 2021
On a partly cloudy, warm day, I got in my vehicle and closed my driver door; upon the driver door closing, the rear passenger door window exploded, shattering all over the back seat and floor of the car.
Engine, May 18, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND VIBRATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Engine, May 15, 2021
I HAVE A 2016 KIA SOUL, BASE MODEL 1.6L. ATTACHING RECALL NOTICE, AS I DO NOT KNOW THE NUMBER (THERE HAVE BEEN 2 THAT I KNOW OF) AFTER RECEIVING PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN NOTICE DATED 4/6/2021, I NOTIFIED MY KIA DEALERSHIP IN WHICH I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE (7301 NEW LAGRANGE RD, LOUISVILLE KY 40222) AND WAS TOLD THE NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT TO DO THE RECALL UPDATE WAS 2 WEEKS FROM WHEN I CALLED, I ASKED IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE THE RECALL IS ABOUT ENGINE FIRES AND MY ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE FINE, THIS WAS A "SOFTWARE UPDATE" BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THE RATE AT WHICH MY ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL, THE DAY BEFORE MY SCHEDULE RECALL APPOINTMENT (5/11/21), MY ENGINE APPARENTLY BLEW WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY. PRIOR TO THE SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK, I HEARD CLICKING AND THEN WHAT SEEMED LIKE SOMETHING SHOOTING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. THE OIL THAT I HAD PUT IN (EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE) WAS LEAKING AS THEY TOWED MY KIA TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DID NOT HEAR BACK ABOUT MY CAR UNTIL I REACHED OUT FOR THE 3RD TIME FRIDAY 5/14/21, WHERE THE TECH TOLD ME I NEEDED A REPLACEMENT ENGINE AND KIA MOTORS WILL NOT COVER IT, STATING IT WAS BECAUSE "THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR MY ENGINE AND I HAD NOT HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED" I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH KIA CUSTOMER AFFAIRS. KIA SERVICE CENTER WAS UNABLE TO GIVE ME THE DATE THAT THE RECALL STARTED.I DO KNOW THAT MY CAR WAS SERVICED FOR A RECALL PRIOR TO THIS, 3/31/2020, IN WHICH THERE HAD BEEN SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, IT NEEDED REPLACED. THAT WAS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL APPARENTLY, BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS MOST RECENT RECALL IS NOW SHOWING THAT IT IS NO LONGER OPEN ACCORDING TO MY VIN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE. SO THE DEALERSHIP MUST HAVE CLEARED IT, BUT STILL CLAIMS IT WAS NOT COMPLETED SO THAT THEY ARE REFUSING TO REPLACE MY ENGINE, QUOTING ME $6.3K SHOULD BE COVERED 100%
Engine, May 13, 2021
WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE ENGINE DIED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND GET HOME BUT THE MOTOR HAD A KNOCKING SOUND. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER, THEY SAID ENGINE WAS BAD AND THERE WERE RECALLS ON IT. THEY DID DID SOME RECALL WORK BUT SAID THE ENGINE WASN'T COVERED BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET THE RECALL WORK DONE SOONER.
Engine, May 7, 2021
I WAS DRIVING AT 40MPH AND IT STALLED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THERE WAS NO OIL IN IT.I WALKED TWO MILES TO WALMART FOR OIL. NONE OF IT LEAKED OUT. I RECENTLY HAD AN OIL CHANGE. THE COMPANY THAT DID THE OIL CHANGE FOUND NO LEAK AND NO RESPONSIBILITY. I FILED WITH KIA AND THEY DENIED A REVIEW AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THEM FIX MY VEHICLE. NO LEAK. NO OIL IN THE DRIVEWAY. NO EXCESSIVE WARE. THEN KIA CAME OUT WITH THE KNOCK SENSOR AND REFUSE TO FIX MY VEHICLE STILL.
Structure, May 4, 2021
SOLD DAMAGED CAR BY RON BOUCHARD KIA. DOOR DOESN'T CLOSE AND IT RAINS AND SNOWS INSIDE. SAID I LOCKED MY KEYS IN CAR, I DIDN'T. THEY FIXED THE BASHED IN DRIVER'S DOOR BUT WON'T FIX OTHER DOOR. CONVINCED ME IT WAS SEATBELT DAMAGE. AT DEALERSHIP THE NICK'S AND DENTS WERE VISIBLE BUT I DIDN'T NOTICE THE GAP, SALESMAN STOOD IN FRONT OF IT. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. LESS THAN 5K IN OVER A YEAR. I CAN'T FIND ANY RECORDS OF DAMAGE. I SAW THAT IT WAS PURCHASED AT AN INSURANCE AND SALVAGE AUCTION.
Engine, Apr 29, 2021
VEHICLE HAD RECALL FOR EXHAUST TOO HOT POSSIBLE FIRE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE AND ROD END ENGINE FAILURE.THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BEFORE RECALL AND NOW 2YRS 10MO LATER HAS FAILED AGAIN?TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND MY ASSUMPTION WAS CORRECT AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER BAD AGAIN.NOW FILED KIA COMPLAINT#14131010 AND AM WAITING BUT SPOKE WITH SERVICE MANAGER AND WAITING BUT PRETTY SURE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO COVER EVEN AFTER FAILURE OF CONVERTER BEFORE AND AFTER THEIR RECALL.I WAS DRIVING ON U.S.19 IN FLORIDA AND VEHICLE JUST IMMEDIATELY FAILED WITH NO POWER AND NO LIMP MODE AT APPROXIMATELY 4-5MPH,WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED IN A BAD ACCIDENT FROM THIS MALFUNCTIONING AND WHAT IS SAID IN KIA'S WORDS THAT LIMP MODE WOULD COME ON AND VEHICLE COULD BE DRIVEN AT 1800-2200RPM AND 65MPH.NOT TRUE MORE LIKE 500RPM AND 5MPH.VERY DANGEROUS POSSIBLE DEATHS FROM THIS FAILURE.
Power train, Engine, Apr 28, 2021
A FEW MONTHS AGO CAR INTERMITTENTLY STARTED BUCKING AS IF WATERY FUEL OR FUEL DEPLETION WAS OCCURRING ACCOMPANIED WITH A LOUD SOUND AS OF GRINDING METAL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR A SHORT WHILE AND THEN GO OFF AGAIN. BRAKING AND SLOWING WOULD TEMPORARILY STOP IT UNTIL IT RECURRED. WITH TIME THOSE EPISODES GREW MORE FREQUENT. I CONSULTED MARTIN KIA OF BOWLING GREEN, KY FROM WHOM I BOUGHT THE CAR WHOSE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SEEMED TO OFFER NO SUGGESTION AS TO THE DEFECT. TWO AUTOZONE STORES TESTED THE ENGINE, ONE WITH WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OFF AND ANOTHER WITH IT ON, AND BOTH TESTS AGREED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS MALFUNCTIONING. TESTS AT THE ABOVE KIA DEALER CONFIRMED THAT FINDING AND REPLACED THE CONVERTER AT A TOTAL COST OF ALMOST $1300.00 SAYING ITS 98000 MILES WAS OUT OF EMISSIONS WARRANTY. PROBLEM IS, THE INTERMITTENT BUCKING AND GRINDING PERSISTS. ONLINE I THEN READ THAT THIS IS LIKELY A RECALL CASE ALREADY RECEIVING 147 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND THAT SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAD BEEN FINALLY TOTALLY DESTROYED BY AN ENGINE FIRES. IT HAS BECOME A FEARFUL THING TO DRIVE IT WITH THAT KNOWLEDGE. WHAT IS YOUR ADVISED COURSE FOE A REMEDY?