2016 Kia Soul
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Soul, covering engine and steering, and 63 consumer complaints received since 2016.
The component named most often is engine: 238.1 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 119.7 per 1,000 across all 2016 model-year vehicles and against 167.6 per 1,000 for the Kia Soul line as a whole.
That is about the same as the average of 75.8 complaints per model year across the 14 Kia Soul model years on this register; 9 complaints reported a crash and 4 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2019 (28); the most recent in the file is dated 8 May 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Filed by Kia Motors America (manufacturer campaign SC176); components: engine; engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Filed by Kia Motors America (manufacturer campaign SC155).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2016 Kia Soul (black) against all 2016 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2016 | Soul line | All 2016 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 238.1 | 167.6 | 119.7 |
| Unknown or Other | 154.8 | 64.5 | 120.5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 95.2 | 27.3 | 43.9 |
| Power Train | 83.3 | 46.3 | 128.6 |
| Steering | 83.3 | 153.6 | 56.4 |
| Air Bags | 59.5 | 63.1 | 48.1 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 20 | 238.1 | 167.6 | 119.7 |
| Unknown or Other | 13 | 154.8 | 64.5 | 120.5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | 95.2 | 27.3 | 43.9 |
| Power Train | 7 | 83.3 | 46.3 | 128.6 |
| Steering | 7 | 83.3 | 153.6 | 56.4 |
| Air Bags | 5 | 59.5 | 63.1 | 48.1 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 47.6 | 102.4 | 100.4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 35.7 | 42.1 | 76.8 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 35.7 | 19.6 | 12.7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 35.7 | 33.7 | 54.3 |
| Suspension | 3 | 35.7 | 19.6 | 28.8 |
| Structure | 2 | 23.8 | 51.2 | 49.7 |
| Seats | 2 | 23.8 | 7 | 12.6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 2 | 23.8 | 16.8 | 24.7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 11.9 | 72.2 | 33.3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | 11.9 | 21.7 | 29.5 |
63 unique complaints, 84 component mentions; 5 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA21003 | Engineering analysis | Engine Fires | engine | 22 Dec 2021 | 5 Feb 2024 | 23V877 |
Other Kia Soul model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 109 | 1,110,876 |
| 2011 | 3 | 117 | 2,805,883 |
| 2012 | 3 | 184 | 2,204,473 |
| 2013 | 3 | 178 | 2,204,473 |
| 2014 | 5 | 233 | 1,353,242 |
| 2015 | 4 | 129 | 1,224,962 |
| 2016 | 2 | 63 | 721,348 |
| 2017 | 1 | 26 | 410,619 |
| 2018 NHTSA | 1 | 16 | 410,619 |
| 2019 NHTSA | 1 | 6 | 410,619 |
| 2020 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 147,249 |
| 2021 | 2 | 0 | 284,505 |
| 2022 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 137,256 |
| 2023 | 4 | 0 | 288,924 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Kia Soul model years · Kia: 34 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Soul have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 19V120000, was reported to NHTSA on 22 Feb 2019 and concerns engine. Across all model years the Kia Soul line has 15 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2016 Kia Soul?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2016 Kia Soul complain about most?
Engine: 20 of 84 component mentions (238.1 per 1,000). Next is unknown or other with 13. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.