Kia · Soul · 2016
2016 Kia Soul
2
Recalls
787
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Kia Soul has 2 recalls and 787 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (331 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Kia Soul page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 331 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2016 Kia Soul reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Kia Soul currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 787 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (331), engine and engine cooling (50), unknown or other (46).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Kia Soul
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 787
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
14.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 19V120000February 22, 2019
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 Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 17V608000September 29, 2017
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 Status
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.
Owner Complaints
787 totalENGINE
Apr 13, 2026
I just bought the car one month ago, and While driving my 2016 Kia Soul on a high-speed highway at approximately 98,000 miles, the vehicle suddenly lost power without warning. The engine stopped responding and the car could not accelerate. This created a very dangerous situation ...
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ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 9, 2026
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 illumin...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 22, 2026
March 22, 2026: driving through town when the engine started making an odd high pitched sound then lost all acceleration and had to get it towed back to my house. No indicator lights on the dashboard came on. March 26, 2026: my mechanic diagnosed it as a catalytic converter clog...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 13, 2026
Complaint Summary: Post recall catalytic converter failure on 2016 Kia Soul with 1.6L GDI engine (SC176 recall previously performed). Complaint Details: I own a 2016 Kia Soul equipped with the 1.6 liter Gamma GDI engine (engine code G4FD, emissions family GKMXV01.6DBE). This eng...
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ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE,FIRERELATED
FIRE1 injuryMar 8, 2026
The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine made an abnormal sound. The co...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 2, 2026
Vehicle paint(white) is peeling off 2016 Kia Soul
ENGINE
FIREMar 1, 2026
I had the oil changed on my car at a local tire and lube shop. Two weeks later I drove to Vegas (7 hrs one way). While in Vegas I started to hear a super faint clicking noise coming from under my hood, but no lights came on inside, so I assumed maybe it was nothing serious and wo...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 20, 2026
I can not gain speed. The dealership says it’s the catalytic converter and there is an active recall for this on Kia souls. They previously did recall work to my car but now the catalytic converters not showing as a recall
STEERING
Feb 16, 2026
When car is turning a right, the car turns off. When car is parked & stearing isnt straight car wont turn on.
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Feb 12, 2026
SUBJECT: Engine → Stall → Loss of power while driving: While driving normally, the vehicle began losing power and could not accelerate properly. The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle repeatedly entered a reduced-power condition where it could barely maintain speed...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 787 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Soul have?
The 2016 Kia Soul has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has received 787 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Kia Soul?
The 2016 Kia Soul received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Soul?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Kia Soul are engine (331 reports), engine and engine cooling (50 reports), unknown or other (46 reports).
Does the 2016 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2016 Kia Soul. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.