CarRecallWatchThe 2016 Kia Soul has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 818 complaints with NHTSA, including 28 crashes, 35 fires, 25 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (563 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2016 Kia Soul recalls
Engine May Stall or Leak Oil, Creating Crash and Fire Risk
Certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles with a 1.6L gasoline direct injection engine may have excessively high exhaust gas temperatures.
Steering Can Be Lost if Pinion Gear Separates
The pinion plug in the steering gear assembly may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear.
Most common 2016 Kia Soul problems
Problem areas named in the 818 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 563 |
| Unknown Or Other | 123 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 108 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 84 |
| Power Train | 62 |
| Electrical System | 57 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 33 |
| Steering | 30 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Structure | 18 |
What owners report
Issues with catalytic converters , manifold, fuel 02 sensor. Have had to replace multiple times. Not listed as a recal vin.
The vehicle won't go faster than 60mph. It will go in limp mode. Vehicle should be part of the engine replace campaign, but it is not showing up on the NHTSA website.
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 and KIA corporate are actively refusing to honor the federal recall, falsely claiming the vehicle is past an 8-year/80,000-mile emissions warranty limitation. They are also forcing a $249 diagnostic fee to investigate an open, incomplete safety campaign.
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 DIDNT SHOW I HAD ANY BUT MY CAR IS SOMEHOW HAVING THE SAME ISSUES AND I HAVE 108,000 MILES
Dear Kia Customer Care, I am writing to formally express my disappointment and serious concern regarding my 2016 Kia Soul, VIN [XXX], 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 inconvenience or ordinary mechanical problem. My son's safety was placed at serious risk when my Kia abruptly lost power and became disabled in high-speed freeway traffic. XXX â Dangerous Freeway Breakdown On Saturday, XXXX, at approximately 9:30 p.m., my son, [XXX], was driving my Kia Soul on the [XXX] from [XXX] toward [XXX], for his 11:00 p.m. work shift. According t
2016 Kia Soul safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 5 | 5 | 4 (14.7% rollover risk) |
2016 Kia Soul questions
Does the 2016 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 Kia Soul: Engine May Stall or Leak Oil, Creating Crash and Fire Risk; Steering Can Be Lost if Pinion Gear Separates. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Soul?
Based on 818 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (563), Unknown Or Other (123), Engine And Engine Cooling (108).
How safe is the 2016 Kia Soul?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2016 Kia Soul up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2016 Kia Soul has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.