2016 Kia Soul

2016 Kia Soul recalls (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.

  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.

• STEERING

  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.

  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.

2016 Kia Soul safety ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.

2016 Kia Soul owner complaints (15)

• POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

  What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle is a 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI with approximately 83,000 miles. The vehicle experienced engine performance issues, loss of power, and stalling. A Kia dealership diagnosed a failed/melted catalytic converter and reported metal shavings in the engine oil. The vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle stalls and loses power, creating a safety hazard while driving in traffic. A sudden loss of power increases the risk of being struck by another vehicle and makes it difficult to safely maintain speed, merge, or cross intersections. Because the vehicle is unreliable and may stall unexpectedly, I do not consider it safe to operate. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The condition was confirmed by an authorized Kia dealership. The dealership diagnosed a clogged/melted catalytic converter and reported metal shavings in the engine oil. The dealership advised that the catalytic converter must be replaced before they would perform further engine diagnosis. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle was inspected by an authorized Kia dealership. Kia Customer Care was notified of the issue and reviewed the claim but declined assistance. To my knowledge, the vehicle has not been inspected by a Kia field engineer, police agency, or insurance investigator. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. The vehicle experienced drivability issues, loss of power, and check engine light illumination. Diagnostic trouble codes reported included P0420, P2191, and P2196. The symptoms progressively worsened and eventually resulted in severe performance issues and stalling.

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The contact’s husband, who is an independent mechanic, inspected the vehicle and became aware that the brake fluid lines were rusted and ruptured underneath the middle of the vehicle. The contact stated that brake fluid was added but the brake pedal was mushy while depressed. The brake warning light was illuminated after the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

• AIR BAGS

  AIR BAG

• ENGINE

  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 OR OTHER

  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)

• STRUCTURE

  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.

• ENGINE

  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.

• ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  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.

• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY

  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.

• SERVICE BRAKES

  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

• POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

  sudden reduced acceleration / limp mode while driving P1326 knock code potential engine failure / loss of power

• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE

  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.

• ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  I am reporting a safety concern related to NHTSA Recall 19V120 involving my Kia Soul. The recall identifies a defect related to catalytic converter overheating, which can lead to engine damage, stalling, and increased risk of fire. My vehicle is currently experiencing an illuminated check engine light and unsafe driving conditions. During service evaluation at Kia of Columbus, I was informed that my vehicle has a catalytic converter blockage contributing to these issues. However, I was also told that my vehicle does not qualify for recall repair because no engine code was detected during diagnostics. This is concerning, as the vehicle is actively exhibiting symptoms consistent with the recall condition, including a confirmed catalytic converter issue and an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp. Despite this, I was denied full recall coverage and instead offered a goodwill repair requiring me to pay 50% of the cost. I believe this situation represents a failure to properly apply recall criteria and raises concerns regarding customer safety, as the vehicle may be at risk for engine failure or fire. I am requesting further review of this matter and investigation into the handling of this recall by the servicing dealership.

• ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE

  The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. Upon further research, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the inside of the catalytic converter had melted, but there was no fire. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.