2016 Kia Soul

We would like to file a complaint and request a recall so that Kia Corporation is responsible to pay for a new paint job on our vehicle, 2016 Kia Soul. With Kia Corp, paint is covered under warranty for 3 years, however a customer would not know there is a paint adhesion problem within the first 3 years. The problem - Our paint is peeling off of the vehicle and started out of nowhere, no rock chip...nothing. It started as a bubble on the side of our vehicle and that bubble broke open and began peeling. We also have areas SEPARATE from the original area that just randomly flaked off with no bubble...just started peeling from the edges of the window, especially on top of the roof. No matter where it starts (and it continues to do so), it peels on its own. We have a white Kia and white (amongst a few other colors) seems to be an issue from KIA's manufacturer. Kia knows it. It seems the mfg used the incorrect paint adhesion product from the beginning, therefore it is peeling off. We've never seen anything like it. We currently have 77K miles on the car, but this started a year ago. We just had no idea this first, tiny area would turn into the entire car's paint peeling off. This is a manufacturing issue. The vehicle peels to the gray level first and then to a mustard color, so we are down to the original metal. This is all without us touching it at all. It peels ON ITS OWN. I have called Kia customer care to see what is wrong with the Kia Soul. The first time, KIA's customer care rep did not log it as a case number, so there is no record of my call. The 2nd time, calling on 6/15/26, I had to request to file a complaint so that a case number was created. I am now filing a complaint with NHTSA. Please see photos. Thank you for your consideration, [XXX] and [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

hello nhtsa i have a problem with my car. which kia soul plus with 83000 miles on it. It have check engine light blinks with code p1326 which is knock sensor recall. i went to kia dealer at federico kia at wood river illinois they replaced the knock sensor. it show up back in 6 miles. i took it back to the dealer.they hold the car for one week. they said you got denied of engine replacement due to lack of maintenence. it have sevice records on carfax.

UNKNOWN. See my statement below. I also have pictures I will upload. My vehicle is suffering from Severe factory paint and clear coat delamination on the vehicle's flat surfaces (hood and roof and now starting on the door handles and mirrors), resulting in total material deterioration down to the bare primer and exposed underlying metal sheet. This vehicle has been driven only 63,000 miles, has been impeccably serviced entirely at authorized Kia dealerships on schedule, and has suffered no accidents or body modifications. The factory finish has completely dissolved, exposing the bare structural metal of the roof and hood to rain and heavy humidity. This structural exposure presents an imminent safety risk of premature body panel corrosion, structural rust degradation, and potential panel perforation, which will compromise the structural integrity of the cabin and roof in a collision. Furthermore, this clear coat failure has been visually documented on multiple identical 2016 Caribbean Blue models in my immediate geographic area, confirming a widespread chemical bonding defect at the manufacturing plant. I have color photos I will uplaod of my vehicle sitting next to an identical 2016 Kia Soul, the same paint color, that has the same paint issues. That's when I first realized this must be a factory issue when the vehicle was manufactured. I have since discoverd many customers complaining on the Internet about the same issues with their 2016 Kias, proving once again this was an issue that happened at the factory but was never recalled by Kia North Amercia. I am in the process of writing Kia North America requesting a Goodwill paint job for my vehicle. I will be including all service records, vehicle registation, numerous color photos of the vehicle as well as a copy of the original sticker on the vehicle when I purchased it new. I am requesting that the NHTSA you open a case concerting my issue.

My 2016 Kia Soul (1.6L GDI engine) experienced a catastrophic, sudden engine failure while driving, preceded by Check Engine Light code P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold). This exact failure sequence is the precise subject of active NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 19V120 (Kia Campaign SC176).Although the vehicle received the mandated SC176 preventative software update in 2019, the underlying mechanical defect was not cured. High exhaust gas temperatures caused the catalytic converter to degrade and fracture internally. The fractured abrasive substrate particles were then siphoned backward into the engine combustion chamber during normal valve operation. This caused immediate, severe scoring of the cylinder walls and piston damage, leading to total engine seizure and failure. This defect presents an extreme safety risk. Sudden engine failure at highway speeds causes an immediate loss of motive power, braking assistance, and power steering, significantly increasing the risk of a high-speed collision. Furthermore, fractured connecting rods or oil leakage stemming from this specific engine failure pose a severe vehicle fire hazard. The vehicle is currently held for diagnostic verification at Kia Riverside in California. I am filing this complaint because the manufacturer's 2019 software remedy was entirely ineffective at preventing the mechanical destruction of the engine and catalytic converter. I am requesting that the NHTSA hold Kia accountable to fulfill the physical repair and replacement mandates of Recall SC176 at zero cost to the consumer, regardless of the prior software logging.

The vehicle is burning oil. It creates residue in my engine which may make it dangerous to drive and ruin the catalytic converter, among other issues. I was first notified of this problem during my second oil change in 01/2026 at a Kwik Kar Lube & Tune, about 6 months after purchasing the vehicle in 06/2025. As of 05/2026, an oil warning lamp began to appear on the vehicle dashboard to notify me that the oil was low. I checked the oil stick, and there was burnt oil, albeit very little of it. I had gotten a full synthetic oil change, so it was not yet time to change my oil, but clearly this issue is causing premature oil loss.

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle suddenly stalled. During the failure the odor of fuel was present. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that catalytic converter and damaged exhaust muffler. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The contact indicated that the catalytic converter was previously replaced but the failure had reoccurred. The failure mileage was 120,786

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was no oil in the engine; however, the vehicle previously had an oil change. The contact added oil to the engine. The failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle made rattling sounds and emitted a burning oil odor. The brake pedal had to be firmly depressed to stop the vehicle, the windows inadvertently rolled down, and the interior lights intermittently failed due to an electrical system failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the timing cover needed to be resealed and the brake master cylinder, oil pan gasket, brake fluid, spark plugs, ABS, and window master switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine And Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

I reported to Kia regarding 2016 KIA Soul EV electronic gear shift and power system as follows. "I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern regarding the electronic gear shift and power system on my Kia Soul EV. I have experienced several dangerous incidents involving the vehicle's behavior when parking on an incline. Specifically, if the vehicle is parked on a slope and the power switch is turned off while the gear selector is still in 'Drive' (D), the control power shuts down immediately, and the vehicle begins to roll down the hill because it does not automatically engage 'Park' (P) or the electronic parking brake. While I understand the importance of manually selecting 'Park,' it is common for electronic shifters in modern EVs to automatically shift to 'Park' or engage a safety brake when the power is turned off to prevent such hazardous rolling. The current logic poses a significant safety risk to the driver, passengers, and bystanders. I would like to know if there is a software update available to address this logic or if Kia has a recommended safety protocol to mitigate this risk. I look forward to your prompt response regarding this matter." and received email from KIA "After reviewing your concern, we can confirm that at this time there are no updates, recalls, or service campaigns related to the parking logic or automatic engagement of Park or the parking brake for the condition you described. We recommend reviewing the Parking Brake section of your Owner’s Manual (Section 5, Page 25), which outlines the designed operation and proper procedures when parking the vehicle, particularly on an incline." Please review this case and find resolutions for this safety issues. Thank you

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that an abnormal, knocking sound would emit upon depression of the accelerator pedal as a check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle was initially taken to an independent mechanic where the diagnosed the vehicle with a defective rod knock sensor; he was then advised to no longer operate the vehicle. The vehicle was later towed to a dealer where they discovered that engine rod#4 had become defective which led to engine failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) which he linked to his failure. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was already serviced for the recall prior to him owning the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in his possession. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.