YearToAvoid

2016 Kia Soul Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

87/100

#3 most-complained of 16 Soul years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2016 Kia Soul ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years, with a Complaint Index of 87 and 812 complaints, most tied to the engine. NHTSA lists 2 recalls, including an engine catalytic converter overheating issue and a steering pinion plug defect. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Soul years.

Complaints
812
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
28 / 35
Injuries / deaths
25 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26
24 city / 30 hwy

Top 2016 Kia Soul problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine622 (77%)
  2. Other124 (15%)
  3. Fuel System83 (10%)
  4. Electrical System69 (8%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain61 (8%)
  6. Steering30 (4%)
  7. Brakes26 (3%)
  8. Structure & Body22 (3%)
  9. Airbags17 (2%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (1%)

What owners report

  • Owners report engine fires starting under the hood or in the front fender area, sometimes while parked in a garage shortly after driving.
  • Some drivers describe sudden loss of acceleration or engine stalling accompanied by smoke from the engine compartment.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal and off-road impacts, including high-speed collisions.
  • Owners describe unexpected steering pull to one side during low-speed turns, causing collisions with parked cars or curbs.
  • One owner reported complete brake pedal failure while using regenerative braking, resulting in a collision.
  • An accelerator pedal reportedly broke and stuck, preventing the vehicle from stopping.
2016 Kia Soul complaints: complaints filed per quarter702016 Q12017 Q42019 Q22020 Q42022 Q22023 Q42025 Q2
1077 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q3 (70).

2016 Kia Soul recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 19V120000Feb 22, 2019Engine378,967 vehicles

    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.

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 17V608000Sep 29, 2017Steering342,381 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2016 Kia Soul fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,500
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Soul years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid93900526
2015Avoid100898426
2016Avoid87812226
2017Caution53272127
2018Good40218127

All Kia Soul years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Kia Soul reliable?
Compared with other Soul model years, the 2016 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 87 and 812 NHTSA complaints, mostly involving the engine.
What problems does the 2016 Kia Soul have?
NHTSA data shows the top problem area is the engine, accounting for 77% of complaints (622 complaints), followed by fuel system issues at 10% and electrical system issues at 8%.
Does the 2016 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for engine catalytic converter overheating (campaign 19V120000) and one for a steering pinion plug that could separate from the steering gear assembly (campaign 17V608000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
What year Kia Soul should I avoid?
Among Soul years, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 all carry Avoid verdicts, with 2015 showing the highest Complaint Index at 100 and 2016 close behind at 87.
How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2016 Kia Soul?
NHTSA lists 812 complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul, including 28 crashes, 35 fires, and 25 injuries, with no reported deaths.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.