10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,223 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2016 Kia Soul:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #9

May 262019

Soul

  • 63,000 miles
On Sunday, May 26th, 2019, our Kia Soul caught fire as we were driving on the interstate highway. My family was in the car when my husband felt the car lose power. We heard a knocking sound between us and under us, forward between our seats and the engine. My husband saw smoke as he pulled over on the side of the highway. A few seconds after we pulled over, we saw flames erupt from the hood of the car. We got our three kids out of the car as fast as we could and ran from the car. We called 911 and the fire department and police came to put out the fire and direct traffic, as at least one lane was closed. In the time it took for the first responders to arrive, our car exploded into a fire ball.

- Bellevue, WA, USA

problem #8

May 062019

Soul

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. On several occasions, while driving at unknown speeds, the gear shift lever independently moved out of the drive gear into neutral. The contact also stated that the gear shift lever moved to the left of the drive indicator designation and the vehicle lost power. The contact coasted the vehicle off the roadway. When the vehicle was shifted from park into drive, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to deland Kia (located at 2322 S woodland blvd, deland, fl 32720, (386) 734-7800) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure and no failure codes were retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 13150055. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #7

Feb 012019

Soul

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the gear shifter was not properly staying in gear and inadvertently veered to the left. The failure was causing the contact to have to maneuver the gear shift and apply the brakes to prevent a crash. Deland Kia (2322 S woodland blvd, deland, fl 32720, (386) 734-7800) was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or test driven to duplicate the failure. The dealer asked the vehicle owner to video record the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was waiting to determine if the dealer would provide a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #6

May 032019

Soul

  • 45,000 miles
1st issue the malfunction indicator lamp came on. Car has 44K miles on it. The car has loss of power and cuts off when trying to accelerate. The gas mileage has dropped considerably and the engine is running extremely hot

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #5

Apr 252019

Soul

  • 105,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle unintentionally slowed down to a complete stop without depressing the brake pedal. The check engine and oil warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Munas, AR, USA

problem #4

Feb 282019

Soul

  • 41,000 miles
Driving on highway and car started slipping gears and having trouble accelerating from a stop. Oil light came on and it had no oil, added proper amount and type of oil. When idling check oil light flashes red even with proper oil level. Dealership states sounds like, they currently are checking it, engine and rod issue.

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #3

Apr 192018

Soul

  • 32,400 miles
Transmission started slipping while driving. Then transmission slipped while going 45 and engine red lined then died. Would not restart.

- Douglasville, GA, USA

problem #2

May 062017

Soul

  • 6,300 miles
Last year I found out that when I engaged reverse right or left a grinding noise was coming from the steering column area. Also when I was driving over a speed bump or in a dip a squeeking sound was coming from the back of the car. I took the car to the [Kia of orange,210 katella ave.,orange, ca.92867, (714)453-3800], twice 5/6/2017 & 14/9/2017, but they couldn't or didn't know how to fix the problems. On 1/26/2018 I called Kia corporate office in irvine (800)333-4542 and explained to "lorre" the problems that my car has and that I took it to Kia of orange which they couldn't fix in addition to their bad customer service that I had anytime I took the car for service. Her response over the phone and with her emails was pathetic, in denial and supportive for the Kia of orange. I will never buy a Kia/junk again.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #1

Dec 182015

Soul

  • miles
Since day one, my Kia loose communication with gas pedal to transmission or computer.from stop I accelerate, and if for any reason I ought to release the gas pedal, the transmission act like it is in neutral gear, after accelerate two or three times it accelerate abruptly.it act exactly like hiundai recall no.16V6280.I take the veh. To the dealer, I report the problem but they tell me that they does not find nothin wrong, but the problem persisted.my veh. Transmission is a 5 speed eco shift dual clutch

- Isabela, PR, USA