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2016 Kia Soul

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Soul years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul are substantially higher than the model-year median of 225.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

362 reports with mileage · 448 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 555 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

28 crash reports35 fire reports17 injury reports

Engine complaints

555 reports
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51,188 miles · Jul 6, 2020
Engine

I LEASED A 2016 KIA SOUL ! FOR MY DAUGHTER. AT THE END OF THE LEASE (AUGUST 2018), I PAID PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE KIA. 31 MAY 2019 WHILE DRIVING HER CAR THE ENGINE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO DUTCH MILLER KIA OF CHARLOTTE. THE CAR HAD 51,188 MILES. AFTER A WEEK THE DEALER TOLD US THE CAR WASN'T…

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I LEASED A 2016 KIA SOUL ! FOR MY DAUGHTER. AT THE END OF THE LEASE (AUGUST 2018), I PAID PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE KIA. 31 MAY 2019 WHILE DRIVING HER CAR THE ENGINE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO DUTCH MILLER KIA OF CHARLOTTE. THE CAR HAD 51,188 MILES. AFTER A WEEK THE DEALER TOLD US THE CAR WASN'T GOING TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I THEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH KIA CUSTOMER RELATIONS WHO REVIEWED THE CASE AND DID NOTHING TO HELP. I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER, BRANT BLACKWELDER WHO AGREED TO SPEAK WITH THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. ON 26 JUNE, THEY STATED THEY WOULD EXTEND A "GOOD FAITH" OFFER OF REPLACING THE ENGINE, BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR ($1,700 ESTIMATED). DURING THE 3 MONTHS IT TOOK TO REBUILD THE ENGINE, I WAS FORCED TO PAY FOR ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND PAID $1,517.47 IN RENTAL CAR AND LYFT FEES. THE CAR HAS HAD REGULAR OIL CHANGES AS DIRECTED BY THE MAINTENANCE MINDER. THE LAST OIL CHANGE WAS IN JANUARY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 44,586 MILES (6,6602 MILES AGO). THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THE ENGINE WAS LOW ON OIL: THE MAINTENANCE MINDER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, NOR THE LOW OIL LIGHT EVER CAME ON. DURING MY CONVERSATION WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER ON 25 JUNE, HE ADMITTED THAT KIA ENGINES HAVE A PROBLEM WITH BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL EVEN AFTER AS LITTLE AS 2,000 MILES FROM AN OIL CHANGE. AT NO TIME DID KIA DISCLOSE THIS ISSUE OF ENGINES BURNING OIL TO ME OR OTHER OWNERS. WHILE THIS CAR HAS THE 2.0-LITER ENGINE THAT ISN'T CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL, I BELIEVE THIS IS A SIMILAR CASE TO THE 379,000 KIA 1.6-LITER ENGINES THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. KIA IS SIMPLY PASSING THE BLAME ON TO CUSTOMERS FOR A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THEIR FAULTY ENGINES. THIS ISSUE IS SIMILAR TO THE 1.6L ENGINES NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ODI #11337796

Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2020
Engine

MY CAR IS USING EXCESSIVE OIL. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKING EXTERNALLY (ON THE GROUND) OR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I GO THROUGH ABOUT 4 QUARTS PER MONTH / 2500 MILES. THE OIL LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON, EVEN WHEN I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO CHECK AND THE OIL DIPSTICK IS COMPLETELY DRY. THIS COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF THE ENGINE L…

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MY CAR IS USING EXCESSIVE OIL. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKING EXTERNALLY (ON THE GROUND) OR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I GO THROUGH ABOUT 4 QUARTS PER MONTH / 2500 MILES. THE OIL LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON, EVEN WHEN I HAVE FORGOTTEN TO CHECK AND THE OIL DIPSTICK IS COMPLETELY DRY. THIS COULD BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE IF THE ENGINE LOCKS UP AND THROWS A ROD IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

NHTSA ODI #11337469

88,001 miles · Jul 1, 2020
Engine

KIA HAS 88K MILES AND RECENT OIL CHANGE AND CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPHON HIGHWAY AND NOW ENGINE MAKES KNOCKING NOISE FROM DETACHED RODS. IT WILL COST OVER $5000 TO FIX( EST.). BOUGHT CAR USED FROM KLAMATH FALLS SUBARU AT 58K MILES

NHTSA ODI #11332002

20,000 miles · Jun 29, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED ONE QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 2,500 MILES DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DAYTON LOCATED AT 8560 TROY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED ONE QUART OF OIL FOR EVERY 2,500 MILES DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA OF DAYTON LOCATED AT 8560 TROY PIKE, HUBER HEIGHTS, OH 45424, (877) 862-6928, HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT TAKEN TO MATT CASTRUCCI KIA LOCATED AT 3013 MALL PARK DR, DAYTON, OH 45459, (855) 250-8987, AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND SHUDDERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND WAITING FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES BEFORE CONTINUING ON TO HER DESTINATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS OIL ON THE SPARK PLUGS, THERE WAS LOW COMPRESSION ON 3 CYLINDERS, AND THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11331565

130,000 miles · Jun 29, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RIMROCK KIA LOCATED AT 4040 KING AVE W, BILLINGS, MT 59106, (866) 979-1682, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORME…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RIMROCK KIA LOCATED AT 4040 KING AVE W, BILLINGS, MT 59106, (866) 979-1682, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ECU SYSTEM SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11331467

76,000 miles · Jun 28, 2020
EngineVehicle Speed Control

CAR BURNS OIL AND TODAY LOST ALL POWER TO ENGINEAND MAKES A HORRIBLE SOUND WHILE IN MOTION ON TOWN STREET.

NHTSA ODI #11331280

80,419 miles · Jun 22, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND JUST LOST ENGINE PRESSURE AND THE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE DIED. POPPED THE HOOD AND SAW OIL ALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR. TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE AND ITS NOT COVERED. SAW THE RECALL GOD THEM ABOUT IT AND THEY DID NOTHING BUT TELL ME THE COST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330202

112,000 miles · Jun 8, 2020
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE VEHICLE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY AND STARTER FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE VEHICLE IDLING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BATTERY AND STARTER FUNCTIONED AS DESIGNED. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #11327713

85,607 miles · Jun 4, 2020
Engine

2016 KIA ENGINE DIED WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. PRIOR TO THE STRAIGHT AWAY THE ROUTE WAS A WINDING ROAD WITH WATER ON ONE SIDE AND A MOUNTAIN WALL ON THE OTHER. HAD THIS HAPPENED PRIOR TO THE STRAIGHT AWAY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. KIA NEEDS TO BE COMPELLED TO FIX THEIR PRODUCT BEFORE IT HURTS SOME I…

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2016 KIA ENGINE DIED WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. PRIOR TO THE STRAIGHT AWAY THE ROUTE WAS A WINDING ROAD WITH WATER ON ONE SIDE AND A MOUNTAIN WALL ON THE OTHER. HAD THIS HAPPENED PRIOR TO THE STRAIGHT AWAY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. KIA NEEDS TO BE COMPELLED TO FIX THEIR PRODUCT BEFORE IT HURTS SOME INNOCENT PERSON (S). *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327337

31,000 miles · May 28, 2020
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RODEO KIA LOCATED AT 10685 PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, (623) 298-1200) WHO WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO RODEO KIA LOCATED AT 10685 PAPAGO FWY, AVONDALE, AZ 85323, (623) 298-1200) WHO WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.

NHTSA ODI #11326289

Official recalls

2

19V120000 · Engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor

Feb 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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Engine

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.

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.

Remedy: 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.

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor

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.

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.

Remedy: 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.

17V608000 · Steering

Sep 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA21003 · Engine Fires

Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types.  The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement.  Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia.  The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio.  The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires.  In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines.  The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS.  It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension.  For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied.  Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates.  To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years.  In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires.  Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis.  Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023).  The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.  To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.