What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Soul?

Owners have filed 816 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (561 complaints), followed by unknown or other (123).

How many 2016 Kia Soul complaints mention a crash or fire?

28 of 816 complaints report a crash and 35 a fire; 25 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2016 Kia Soul recalls and problems

2 recalls and 816 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Soul.

recalls

816

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Kia Soul recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, catalytic convertor · Engine

NHTSA campaign 19V120000 · reported February 22, 2019 · Kia Motors America · 378,967 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: 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.

Steering

NHTSA campaign 17V608000 · reported September 29, 2017 · Kia Motors America · 342,381 vehicles potentially affected

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

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine561
Unknown or other123
Engine and engine cooling106
Fuel/propulsion system84
Power train62
Electrical system56
Vehicle speed control33
Steering30
Exterior lighting18
Service brakes18

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 2, 2026 · Engine
Vehicle suffered a sudden, dangerous loss of power on the highway at 70 mph, dropping immediately to 20 mph, creating a severe safety risk. The vehicle has an active P0420 code. The official NHTSA database confirms that Safety Recall SC176 (Campaign 19V120) is INCOMPLETE for this vehicle. However, the KIA dealership…

Sep 30, 2026 · Engine
I HAVE A 2016 KIA SOUL THAT HAS BEEN HAVING DRINKING OIL EVERY 2-3 WEEKS BUT THERE ISNT ANY OIL LEAKING ON THE GROUND.LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING HOME AND MY CAR WOULNT GO OVER 20MPH I TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY SAID I NEED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER THE OIL IS STILL ESCAPING SOMEWHERE AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE RECALLS MY VIN…

Sep 27, 2026 · Engine
Dear Kia Customer Care, I am writing to formally express my disappointment and serious concern regarding my 2016 Kia Soul, VIN […], its engine failure, the applicable engine recall/warranty coverage, and my experience obtaining assistance and repairs through Kia. Most importantly, this situation involved more than an…

Sep 25, 2026 · Engine
My 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI has an unresolved engine-related safety and recall concern. The vehicle is associated with safety recall SC176 / NHTSA 19V120, which remains identified as incomplete in the vehicle’s recall records. Kia also sent a recall renotification stating that the recall had not been completed. The…

Sep 24, 2026 · Engine
The engine long-block assembly suffered a catastrophic, terminal internal collapse and sudden stall due to abrasive substrate particle ingestion from a previously failed, melted manifold catalytic converter under Safety Recall SC176 (NHTSA Campaign 19V120000). The vehicle has been extracted to preserve evidence and is…

Soul model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2013	3	667	22	46
2014	5	903	33	69
2015	4	902	34	84
2016	2	816	28	35
2017	1	272	17	14
2018	1	220	14	14
2019	1	137	11	8

Across all years, the 2014 Soul has the most complaints (903). All Kia Soul years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Kia Soul have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Kia Soul, the most recent reported on February 22, 2019 (Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, catalytic convertor, Engine). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Soul?: Owners have filed 816 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (561 complaints), followed by unknown or other (123).
How many 2016 Kia Soul complaints mention a crash or fire?: 28 of 816 complaints report a crash and 35 a fire; 25 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 2, 2026.