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.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 11, 2024
i have a 2016 Kia Soul EV+. The Hghi Voltage Battery Pack Assembly is malfunctioning and it only charges to 30 percent or a 30-mile range. It should charge to a 90-mile range. While driving, it suddenly drops from a 25-mile range to an 18- mile range, I sometimes smell an electrical burning smell. When the battery gets down to an 18-mile range. it suddenly starts to drop dramatically. The car goes into a turtle mode and cannot even reach 20 miles per hour. KIA has issued an IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL INTERIM NOTICE for this problem, and I contacted a KIA dealership to resolve the issue. According to the notice, KIA is supposed to replace the defective battery. I have put in three service requests, but I have not heard back from kIA after the initial contacts. I cannot drive this vehicle like this, and I am making payments on it. I am requesting assistance with this problem.
Steering, Power train, May 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced under recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V218000 (Electrical System) and the vehicle started experiencing steering failure after the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, especially over uneven road surfaces, there was an abnormal sound like metal banging together coming from all four wheels. The contact stated that the sound was more pronounced near the front wheels. While driving approximately 35-45 MPH and attempting to turn the vehicle to the left or the right, there was a delay between the steering wheel turning and the wheels responding. The contact stated that there was a clanking sound coming from the steering wheel while turning to the left or the right. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose and there was play in the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,100.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 7, 2024
On Saturday morning may 4th, I found the driver side window smashed in and lots of broken glass on street and in my car. I wasn't driving .. it was parked on atreet
Engine and engine cooling, May 2, 2024
Engine start failing becoause of the catalytic converter issues.
Engine, May 2, 2024
My vehicle is consuming a lot of oil. Two weeks after an oil change my oil was low. This can’t be safe at all. What can be done about this issue?
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 27, 2024
The propulsion battery has so much degradation that when I drive on the freeway the "turtle" mode activated not allowing me to do freeway speeds with cars around me. It forced me to slow unsafely while cars were behind me, I had to react quickly to turn on my hazards and try to get the vehicle to speed up. If I was too slow or another driver was inattentive we would have been hit from behind by a vehicle going much faster.
Engine, Apr 25, 2024
to whom it may concern my name is [XXX] I'm writing in regards to my girlfriends and I 2016 kia soul. we bought the vehicle in 2022 and the check engine light came on with a code for catalytic converter and there was a recall concerning the catalytic converter but I was told the recall got done in 2019 but obviously it wasn't done right or it failed again now kia won't do anything for me. you can contact me at [XXX] or email [XXX] thanks INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 19, 2024
Kia is refusing to repair a 2016 Soul subject to NHTSA recall No. 23V-218.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 18, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer in 2022 for a Warranty upgrade on the catalytic converter. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired, but the failure occurred. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 91,283.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 16, 2024
Vehicle entered limp mode on a dangerous rode in central Florida and would not accelerate over 20 mph. We had the vehicle towed 70 miles at the expense of $350 outside of coverage by our auto insurance. The dealership advised this was a failure of the catalytic converter which was just changed in Dec 2021 under a Kia recall campaign. They’re now saying it is not under warranty as they only cover 12 months 12,000 miles.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 13, 2024
Reoccurring check engine light for the omissions system. Damage to the catalytic converter, diagnostic codes. Poor gas mileage and abnormal engine combustion. Oil is burning extremely fast in engine, having to get oil changes more frequently. Incident where vehicle was driving, came to a complete stop and would not accelerate in the middle of heavy traffic. Had to replace all 4 fuel injections and spark plugs due to how ineffective the GDI engine runs.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 13, 2024
Intermittent problem with acceleration. Very occasionally, 200+ miles between episodes, while accelerating, the car slows down. When this happens the gas pedal fades similar to brake fade when brakes are about to fail. It lasts 2-3 seconds and then returns to normal. There are no error codes. Has occurred while driving on the freeway and when accelerating from a stop. There have been 5-10 incidences of this in the past 12 months, because the problem is so intermittent, mechanics are unable to reproduce it. We have replaced the throttle position sensor The local Kia dealer and independent mechanics are unable to shed any light on why this may occur. An internet search found other owners of Kia cars with similar complaints
Engine and engine cooling, Engine, Apr 8, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who observed that the engine was knocking, and diagnosed a failure with the engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 161,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 8, 2024
Bought car in March 2023, two days after purchasing the light came on with code 0456. Which is a small evap leak. Got multiple fixes with various mechanics including dealer. And no one can figure out what is wrong with it. It shows as a permanent code not allowing for emissions. Spent thousands and called corporate Kia and they were no help. So car had a permanent code which seems to be an electrical issue from computer not sensing the right thing as the car drives perfectly fine.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Apr 4, 2024
The contact’s son owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle shifted into LIMP Mode. The contact stated that the knock sensor warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed and cleared the LIMP Mode status for the vehicle to be driven to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle, and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that knock sensor warning light became illuminated again and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced due to piston damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,667.
Engine, Apr 3, 2024
Catastrophic engine failure. 2016 Kia soul 2.0, (120000 miles) traveling 35 mph when the check engine light started blinking and the engine started making a rattling sound. Engine lost power and had trouble accelerating. If I was in an intersection or pulling out in front of on coming traffic it could have caused a sever accident. Kia needs to be held responsible for this common engine failure. It has been reported and complained about numerous times on multiple websites and Kia says it is not their problem. Please investigate Kia motors. Thank you.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 3, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that after turning on the vehicle and shifting into reverse, the vehicle turned off independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the Knock sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine service and the contact was informed to take the vehicle to a local dealer due to the vehicle having an engine knock. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated again, and the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Engine, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contacted stated that the check engine warning light illuminated; and the contact's parents took the vehicle to the dealer where it was repaired; however, the check engine light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence and the contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a catalytic converter failure. The contact found info of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2024, crash
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the battery, steering, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The steering wheel then seized. The contact stopped the vehicle in the left lane of the highway when another vehicle sideswiped the passenger side of her vehicle and fled the scene. The air bags did not deploy. The contact experienced sore body pains, but medical attention was not received. No police report was filed. The contact activated the hazard lights, and the vehicle shut off after an hour of idling. VDOT arrived on the scene and attempted to jumpstart the vehicle, but the vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 19, 2024
Within the first year of purchase, vehicle was emitting large amounts of smoke from tailpipe while going uphill while accelerating. The smoke would completely envelope the car behind. Mr. Friendly Kia (now Ken Ganley Kia) of New Port Richey, Florida, would not repair because "they could not reproduce the event in their shop". I made several requests to fix the problem. Vehicle eventually started to have lessened power upon accelerating from a stop light. Took it to other repair shops, since Kia wouldn't fix it, but vehicle did not produce any repair codes. Vehicle was always serviced with oil changes, etc. In 2022, with acceleration issue getting much worse, vehicle ran completely out of oil, but didn't produce any oil light or codes. Oil started appearing very dark, blackish. Late 2023, and several trips to repair shop later, still with no codes, vehicle started to exhibit periodic flashing oil light while driving, but upon oil check oil showed full. Vehicle does not seem to shift passed 2nd gear, and makes banging sounds below the middle passenger's side underneath the car if foot pedal is pushed more than halfway down. Vehicle would not accelerate over 40 mph, which reduced to 25-30 mph in Feb 2024. Very dangerous! Gas mileage dropped to around 5-10 mph. Took it to the shop again, and no codes. Replaced parts piecemeal such as spark plugs, coils, battery, etc. All along, still producing the periodic smoke out of the tailpipe. Called Ken Ganley Kia again in Feb 2024. They said they have never heard of this problem happening to a Kia Soul and it would cost $180 to diagnose. They also tried to upsell several hundred dollars of "flushes". The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been independently confirmed, just unknown what the problem is? It is very dangerous to drive 25 mph, but even more dangerous that the vehicle isn't producing even basic warning lights, let alone isn't producing codes on repair shop code readers.
Other or unspecified, Mar 19, 2024
Kia issued an interim recall on ([XXX]) for a potential battery fire: [XXX] It has been 10 months; I called Kia and they have no remedy and no ETA. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 14, 2024
I had recently acquired my 2016 Kia soul from a used dealership, and as I had gotten it, inspected by a mechanic, the back rear brake was locked. The Penrod was missing on one of them, and my driver side door lock was broken and I thought that was simple issues that could be repaired. You know that’s a used car whatever as I started driving it not even a month later I start feeling heavy acceleration when barely hitting the gas and trying to shift because it is a manual and loss of power on first and second gear, like it was going to stall out without even rubbing the RPMs to get it to move. I did some research found out that there was multiple recalls on the catalytic converter and it’s causing a fire the ECUs and also the antitheft system so I am a single mom. I work constantly and my only vehicle with 4kids, so a full month mark my Oil light all of a sudden started coming on but flickering I pulled over there’s no smell of burning oil no leaks no high temp I checked my oil stick. It was fine a thick drip on it. I Thought everything was fine, but the light still kept coming on and flickering when I would accelerate it would go off when I would decelerator push clutch in it would stay. I called kia dealer had it taken, did the recall orders on it but they told me they wouldnt do an oil check or do a code diagnostics for it unless I paid over $200 for just that diagnostics after they did all the recall orders I picked up the car over a day later. started having misfires the car was driving worse then when I took it to the dealership, i would drive up hill I’d lose power. Shifting gears from 1-4 it sounds like the whole engine was shaking like it was gonna fall out of the car I called the dealership and told them what was goin on. They were really rude to me and told me an hour later it was throwing codes of misfires an again have to pay for it, they stated the oil an misfires werent their fault doin the recalls. ECU an ANTITHEFT, I am worried for my kids safety!!!!!
Engine, Mar 11, 2024
UNKNOWN. I was driving uphill on the freeway and the vehicle was decelerating rather than accelerating. The vehicle was sluggish and there was a noticeable loss of power and a ticking sound coming from the engine. There was no warning lamps or messages. I took it to the workshop for diagnostics and was informed that the catalytic converter was clogged and affecting the exhaust. I have been told that it would cost approximately $3800 to repair.
Engine, Mar 9, 2024
Engine loss power when driving, specially when going up on bridges way. If I’m driving 30mph then get to 20 mph even less. Since that, it’s been bad
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 5, 2024
The PCP valve is coming apart causing the vehicle to lose oil. There is wet oil on the spark plugs. Oil is getting into the cylinders. The catalytic converter is clogged. The engine is having issues which I will find out more about soon. The car is still in the shop. I had to leave it 2.5 hours away and find a ride home because the car would not accelerate over 40 mph on my way back from a trip. I almost got slammed into on a hill on the highway TWICE because the car would not speed up. It has been in the shop for this same issue three times. All three times it gave out on me on the highway. There was NO engine light or light on the dash any of the times it failed me, and there have never been any codes. This issue falls under the recall even though my VIN does not. At the current shop visit I have been told my catalytic converter and possibly engine must be replaced. I am already up to $650 in diagnostic fees for this shop visit and have spent over $800 the last two visits to the shop for this issue . This car is only EIGHT years old with just over 100,000 miles. I have included receipts from the last two visits. The car is still in the shop for the current visit. I will not be paying to replace the catalytic converter or engine. Kia needs to step in and do what is RIGHT.