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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

What owners actually said

810 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2024
Engine

While driving vehicle suddenly lost power and the battery light, engine light and oil light turned on. My car did not start after. Upon inspection my mechanic added oil to the car to see if that will work and it didn’t. Granted I had an oil change one month ago and still had a bit of miles to go before my next one. The oil ligh…

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While driving vehicle suddenly lost power and the battery light, engine light and oil light turned on. My car did not start after. Upon inspection my mechanic added oil to the car to see if that will work and it didn’t. Granted I had an oil change one month ago and still had a bit of miles to go before my next one. The oil light never turned on before this so I thought it was odd that it was low in oil. Secondly we charged the battery and tried to jump start it. That was futile. When he inspected it more he said it was the engine that became detective. I’m glad this happened on a safe road rather than the freeway! There was zero indication prior , that my car was going to stop . I know there’s active recalls for this same issue …

NHTSA ODI #11593436

Mileage unknown · Jun 7, 2024
Unknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

I was driving my 2016 Kia Soul down the road at about 20 mph when I heard a very loud bang that startled me. I looked behind and to the sides and nothing but when I looked up, the fixed panel in the sunroof had shattered but not yet fallen in.There are several lawsuits against Kia for the sunroofs, including through Gibbs Law Gr…

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I was driving my 2016 Kia Soul down the road at about 20 mph when I heard a very loud bang that startled me. I looked behind and to the sides and nothing but when I looked up, the fixed panel in the sunroof had shattered but not yet fallen in.There are several lawsuits against Kia for the sunroofs, including through Gibbs Law Group and a case in Canada.They continue deny responsibility for all their defects despite their cars catching on fire, getting stolen, stalling out, rolling away and having exploding sunroofs. NHTSA has to do something to stop Kia and Hyundai from continuing to sell cars in the US or hold them responsible for the numerous defects.

NHTSA ODI #11593169

57,000 miles · Jun 4, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving out of the parking lot of an airport, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalyt…

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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving out of the parking lot of an airport, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

NHTSA ODI #11592490

74,693 miles · May 22, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The light disengaged independently; however, over time the warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle had been repaired twice; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that one mo…

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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The light disengaged independently; however, over time the warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle had been repaired twice; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that one month after one of the repairs while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, lost motive power, and stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer nearby. The contact inquired about a possible oil leak being the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer after the first initial failure and was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The vehicle was repaired under Warranty. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was returned to the dealer where the spark plugs and ignition coils were replaced. After the third failure with the vehicle stalling, the second dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the catalytic converter and spark plugs needed to be replaced, again. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the repair no longer being covered under the Warranty. The dealers were not able to confirm any oil leaks. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 74,693.

NHTSA ODI #11590104

85,000 miles · May 21, 2024
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to work as needed. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull the vehicle over. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failur…

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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to work as needed. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull the vehicle over. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #11590001

100,000 miles · May 17, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converters needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the torque converters were replaced three different times. The v…

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The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converters needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the torque converters were replaced three different times. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #11589289

Mileage unknown · May 11, 2024
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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 t…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11588274

66,100 miles · May 8, 2024
Power TrainSteering

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 ab…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11587622

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2024
Air BagsUnknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #11587503

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling

Engine start failing becoause of the catalytic converter issues.

NHTSA ODI #11586616

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.