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, May 16, 2019
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND. A COUPLE MINUTES LATER IT SLOWED DOWN UNTIL IT COMPLETELY STOPPED. I'M THANKFUL I WAS PULLING UP IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY DIED. I REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT IT STILL WON'T CRANK. THE LIGHTS, RADIO, AND AIR CONDITIONING WORKS. I WAS TOLD IT MAY BE THE ALTERNATOR.
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2019
GOT LETTER (4/12/2019) STATING THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DID AS INSTRUCTED AND PUT IT IN THE COMPUTER. NOTHING. CALLED THEM TWICE STILL NOTHING. CASE NO. 13166847.THAT 'S ALL WE GOT
Power train, May 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER INDEPENDENTLY MOVED OUT OF THE DRIVE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER MOVED TO THE LEFT OF THE DRIVE INDICATOR DESIGNATION AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DELAND KIA (LOCATED AT 2322 S WOODLAND BLVD, DELAND, FL 32720, (386) 734-7800) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND NO FAILURE CODES WERE RETRIEVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 13150055. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Power train, May 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS NOT PROPERLY STAYING IN GEAR AND INADVERTENTLY VEERED TO THE LEFT. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSING THE CONTACT TO HAVE TO MANEUVER THE GEAR SHIFT AND APPLY THE BRAKES TO PREVENT A CRASH. DELAND KIA (2322 S WOODLAND BLVD, DELAND, FL 32720, (386) 734-7800) WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR TEST DRIVEN TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ASKED THE VEHICLE OWNER TO VIDEO RECORD THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO DETERMINE IF THE DEALER WOULD PROVIDE A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 8, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SKID AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 6, 2019
GAS MILEAGE STATED IS NOWHERE EVEN CLOSE TO WHAT'S STATED ON EITHER CITY OR HIGHWAY. I WOULD GUESS 10-15% OFF
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, May 6, 2019
1ST ISSUE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON. CAR HAS 44K MILES ON IT. THE CAR HAS LOSS OF POWER AND CUTS OFF WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THE GAS MILEAGE HAS DROPPED CONSIDERABLY AND THE ENGINE IS RUNNING EXTREMELY HOT
Engine, May 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE SEPULVEDA PASS WHICH IS A 45-50 MPH ZONE AND SUDDENLY MY CAR LOST POWER AND FROM GOING 45MPH I AS GOING UPHILL AT 10MPH. I THEN LOST ALL CONTROL AND MY BATTERY DIED. I GOT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND SAID IT WAS AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM AT FIRST THEN SAID IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I THEN HAD A SENSOR CHANGE AND NEW BATTERY BOUGHT WHEN THOSE TWO THINGS WEREN'T THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Engine, Apr 25, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNINTENTIONALLY SLOWED DOWN TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CHECK ENGINE AND OIL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2019
THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GETTING DAMAGED BY EXHAUST HEAT AND IT IS STILL NOT ON AN OPEN RECALL. MY CAR VIN IS SUPPOSEDLY NOT AFFECTED BY THE ISSUE, BUT I JUST HAD TO HAVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND O2 SENSOR REPLACED FOR THIS ISSUE. THEY KNOW THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE FIRE OR SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE IF LEFT UNCHECKED. I CAN PROVIDE THE REPAIR TICKET IF NEEDED.
Engine, Apr 13, 2019
HAS A SMALL MISS IN THE ENGINE SINCE I BOUGHT IT JULY 2016. THE DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. JUST A SMALL HESITATION.
Engine, Apr 8, 2019
MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD I WAS TOLD ITS A RECALL ISSUE, YET HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED AND OTHER VEHICLES SAME YEAR AND MODEL HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER DUE TO A LOT OF CAR OWNERS ARE PAY COSTLY REPAIRS FOR SEAMS AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THANK YOU
Seats, Apr 4, 2019
TAKATA RECALL THE HEADRESTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE TILTED WAY TOO FORWARD AND INTERFERES WITH YOUR VISUAL AND DRIVING, AND CREATES UNSAFE CONDITIONS. THE ONLY THING MY HUSBAND COULD DO WAS TO TAKE THEM OFF AND PUT THEM BACKWARDS WHICH STILL MAKES IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND SOMETIMES PAINFUL TO YOUR NECK. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN SINCE BOUGHT. NO ACCIDENTS AND WHILE DRIVING.
Engine, Apr 3, 2019
I WAS DRIVING AND MY 2016 KIA SOUL STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR BEHIND ME ALMOST CRASHED INTO ME AND BEGIN BEEPING. WHEN I PUSHED ON THE GAS IT WOULD HESITATE GIVING ME JUST ENOUGH TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE RIDE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LONG ENGINE BLOCK FREE OF CHARGE AT 66,000 MILES THIS TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME IT'S THE SAME EXACT THING WRONG BUT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY ALSO SAID I DON'T HAVE REGULAR OIL CHANGES BUT I HAVE RECEIPTS FROM BOTH KIA DEALERSHIPS THAT I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED BUT THEY ONLY ARE GOING BY THERE RECORDS FROM THEY DEALERSHIP, I DO SEE THERE WAS A RECALL (SC176)ON THE ENGINES FEB 2019 AND WANT TO KNOW IF AND WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY FIRST COMPLAINT ABOUT MY ENGINE WAS 2 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT. TO HAVE YOUR CAR STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY IS VERY SCARY AND A HAZARD TO EVERYONE
Other or unspecified, Apr 3, 2019, fire
WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE UP A SNOW COVERED ROAD I HAD SMOKE START COMING INTO THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE. I WAS GOING TO PULL INTO A GAS STATION WHEN SOMEONE CAME RUNNING OVER AND STATED THAT THE UNDERSIDE OF MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND THEN MY CAR WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE WHERE MY INSURANCE AGENT WENT TO LOOK AT IT. THE OIL WAS SO LOW THAT THEY WOULDN'T CHECK IT UNTIL IT RECEIVED AN OIL CHANGE. ONCE THAT WAS PERFORMED THEY WERE STILL UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THEY THEN HAD ME TOW IT TO A KIA DEALERSHIP. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH AND THEY HAVE DETERMINED THAT IT IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. WHEN I INQUIRED AS TO WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD BE $110 DOLLARS TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THEY FINALLY WENT OVER THE VEHICLE, BUT STILL NO ANSWERS TO WHY MY VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND IF IT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN AGAIN.
Suspension, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 31, 2019
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE CPO BACK IN AUGUST 2018 WITH MY WIFE. APPROXIMATELY IN NOVEMBER, COMPUTER TRIPPED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK IT IN BECAUSE IT HAD TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN AND I FOUND IT ABNORMAL. SERVICE CENTER REPLACED THE CLOGGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER. STARTING IN DECEMBER, A FOUL SMELL BEGAN TO DEVELOP INSIDE THE CAR AND SLOWLY GOT WORSE IN JANUARY. I CLEANED AND PURGED THE ENTIRE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES TRYING TO FIND THE SOURCE SINCE IT HAD GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT IT SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. TOOK IT IN IN FEBRUARY FOR THIS ISSUE AND THE CRUNCHING SOUND THE FRONT BEGAN MAKING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND RAMPS. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALSO REPORTED TO THE SERVICE CENTER THAT POWER WOULD BE DAMPED WHILE UNDER LOAD AND GOING UP HILLS. AFTER I GOT BACK THE CAR, THEY HAD REPLACED THE SWAY ARM LINKS AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO SMELL. CALLED KIA CORP TO REPORT THE ISSUE AND THEY SENT OUT A TECH. THEY ENDED UP REPLACING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN AND THE FRONT STRUTS. CRUNCHING SOUND FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION REMAINS AS WELL AS THE SMELL. CONTACTED KIA CORP AGAIN AND REQUESTED THEY BUY BACK THE CAR BEFORE WE SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL AND SUE THEM UNDER THE CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW BUT ARE GIVING USTHE RUN ABOUT. THE PERSON I SPOKE WITH DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE THAT HIS OWN COMPANY WAS GOING TO RELEASE A NEW RECALL REGARDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BEING OVERHEATED UNTIL I POINTED IT OUT. DURING HIS WHOLE TIME, MY WIFE AND I WERE TREATED AS IF WE WERE CRAZY AND THEY KEPT SAYING THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND HAVE YET TO FIX ANY OF THE ISSUES.
Engine, Mar 29, 2019
WHILE ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED RUNNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER OVER IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A PISTON BROKE AND POKED THROUGH THE CRANK CASE CAUSING MAJOR OIL LOSS.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 20, 2019
MY CAR WAS NOT STARTING. I DO NOT DRIVE IT EVERYDAY AND BEGAN TO THINK IT WAS THE BATTERY. I HAD IT TESTED AT THE AUTO ZONE AND THERY SAID IT WAS GREAT NO PROBLEMS. SAID IT COULD BE THE STARTER BUT THOUGHT THAT ODD WITH AS FEW MILES AS ON IT. I ALSO NOTICE THE RECALL FOR THE STEERING ISSUE I WILL SCHEDULE AN APPT FOR. I ALSO HAVE A LIGHT IN MY DASH THAT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME.
Air bags, Mar 15, 2019, crash
MY WIFE HIT A CAR (T BONED) THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DIPLOID. SHE WENT IN THE HOSPITAL. THE S BELT WENT IN HER CHEST AND SHE HAS NECK AND BACK PAIN. I REPORTED IT TO THE KIA DEALER AND NEVER GOT AN ANSWER.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 5, 2019
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE TAKEN INTO A AUTO SHOP. TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I SAW THAT 2016 KIA SOULS WERE BEING RECALLED WITH DAMAGED CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. WANTING TO KNOW IF MY VEHICLE QUALIFIED.
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 4, 2019
THIS IS REGARDING HIGH EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURES THAT MAY DAMAGE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND POTENTIALLY OTHER PARTS, DEALERS ARE SUPPOSED TO UPGRADE SOFTWARE ON ALL KIA SOULS EVEN IF NOT RECALLED. THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN WARRENTON OREGON SAYS MY CAR DOESN'T NEED IT, I STRONGLY DISAGREE AND WANRYTHIS SOFTWARE UPDATED ASAP!
Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2019
WHEN I AM AT A STOP OR GOING TO TURN FROM A STOP MY CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALERSHIP A FEW TIMES AND THEY JUST SAY IT IS A SAFETY SENSOR IN THE CAR. I FIND IT A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND TAKING OFF FROM STOPS AT SIGNAL LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS NUMEROUS OF TIMES.
Engine, Mar 1, 2019
I PURCHASED MY KIA SOUL IN FEBRUARY 2016. I'VE DRIVEN AROUND 45,000 MILES AND REALLY ENJOYED IT UNTIL THE OTHER NIGHT. DRIVING ABOUT 45MPH ON A MAJOR STREET WHEN A LOUD SCREECH CAME FROM THE ENGINE. THE CAR JERKED AND I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO STALL BUT IT DIDN'T. A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED A COUPLE OF TIMES. DROVE ABOUT 1/4 MILE TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. ADDED AROUND 1 QUART OF OIL SINCE I SAW THE OIL LIGHT FLICKER. I THEN DROVE HOME (ABOUT 5 MILES) AND THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERED A COUPLE OF TIMES ON THE WAY. THE NEXT DAY I STARTED THE CAR, THE OIL LIGHT WAS OFF BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. SO, I DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (1.5 MILES AT THE MOST) AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. I WAS QUOTED $4,000 TO $6,000 FOR A USED ONE AND FOR A NEW ONE IT WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE. I'VE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAVE MAINTAINED AND REGULAR OIL CHANGES. SEVERAL OF THE OIL CHANGES WERE PERFORMED AT AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP THAT WENT BANKRUPT. I HAVE NO WAY TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THOSE RECEIPTS. ALL I COULD SUPPLY THE DEALERSHIP WAS ONE RECEIPT AND THEY HAD ONE RECEIPT IN THEIR SERVICE RECORDS. THEREFORE, NO COPIES... NO WARRANTY. I CAN'T AFFORD THE COST TO REPAIR IT AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT. THE DEALER WILL BUY THE CAR BACK FOR AROUND $4,000 AT BEST. WHY IS IT THAT ONE MINUTE A 3 YEAR OLD CAR IS RUNNING GREAT WITHOUT A PROBLEM AND THE NEXT MINUTE IT'S PARKED AND IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE? SOMETHING ISN'T RIGHT ABOUT THAT AND I AM AT A LOSS OF WHAT TO DO NEXT.
Power train, Engine, Mar 1, 2019
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND CAR STARTED SLIPPING GEARS AND HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND IT HAD NO OIL, ADDED PROPER AMOUNT AND TYPE OF OIL. WHEN IDLING CHECK OIL LIGHT FLASHES RED EVEN WITH PROPER OIL LEVEL. DEALERSHIP STATES SOUNDS LIKE, THEY CURRENTLY ARE CHECKING IT, ENGINE AND ROD ISSUE.
Engine, Feb 28, 2019
AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A LOUD BANGING SOUND ON START UP. MY MECHANIC HAD THE VEHICLE OVER NIGHT AND THE ENGINE WAS STARTED COLD IN THE MORNING ON A QUIET STREET. I HAD NOTICED THAT WEEK, THAT WHILE IDLING AT RED LIGHTS, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE CAR WAS STALLING. THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE CAR FOR TWO FULL DAYS AND WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE BANGING SOUND AND SO COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. THE CAR WENT BACK TO MY MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, WHICH THEY COMPLETED AND AGAIN HAD THE CAR OVER NIGHT. WHEN I PICKED IT UP, THEY MENTIONED THAT THE BANGING SOUND HAD CEASED; HOWEVER, HE MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE WAS STILL "MISSING" ON START UP AND WHILE IDLING. GIVEN THE RECENT INCIDENTS WITH KIA MOTORS, AM I JUST WAITING FOR MY CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS? IT APPEARS THAT ONLY THE 1.6 LITERS TRIM LEVEL IS CURRENTLY INCLUDED (BASE MODEL).