10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,538 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 #37

Jul 132019

Soul

  • 80,000 miles
(mn) engine threw a rod at 80,000 miles. I was told by a mechanic who performed a diagnostic reading that the knock sensor (po...26) was faulted and that there was a recall for an engine issue, therefore I should look into it to see if this vehicle was included. Upon reading articles and complaints the exact issue that happened with my 2016 Kia Soul is what is described, however, my VIN # does not seem to fall within the production of this but I don't think this is accurate, the issue definitely seems relative.

- Princeton, MN, USA

problem #36

Jul 082019

Soul

  • 90 miles
Driving home normally, engine knock loudly, lost of power, barley made it home. Oil light came on in when I was checking engine. No oil, just had a oil change month ago. No leakage, no smoke from tail pike. Oil pressure light never came on until it's out. I read 10 post that is the same as what happen to me.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

problem #35

Jun 272019

Soul

  • 110,000 miles
My vehicle stalled, cut out while I was driving in traffic, and died. It was diagnosed with am issue with the engine. All maintenance for the vehicle were being properly maintained ap rhere should not have had any issues. There was a defect in the engine.

- Aberdeen, MD, USA

problem #34

Jun 142019

Soul

  • 94,000 miles
My 2016 Kia Soul is under a recall due to burning oil that wrecked the candle at a converter in has the potential of throwing a rod. I threw a rod and took it to the dealership in the dealership is trying to say it's like a mint maintenance not the actual problem of the burning oil which is a cause for lawsuits towards Kia. The dealership and Kia are refusing to fix the car even knowing it is under a recall and what happened to my car is part of the recall. I have talked to the dealership in I have talked to people at the kis at customer care and they are refusing to fix it.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #33

May 312019

Soul

  • 51,188 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. While driving into an intersection, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to dutch miller Kia (7725 South blvd, charlotte, nc) where it was diagnosed that the engine was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 51,188.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #32

Jun 142019

Soul 4-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled and lost power in the middle of the road. The vehicle would not restart and was towed to bob bell Kia (7900 eastern ave, baltimore, md 21224, (410) 766-3600), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling), although the failure was similar. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,500. The vehicle overheated, stalled in the street and would not restart. The oil leaked out of the vehicle. I had the vehicle 7900 eastern ave. Baltimore, md 21224. I was called on 17-Jun-2019 and I told that I had to pay $139 before they would look at it. On 18-June-2019, I was told that my engine had no oil in it. I was no longer under warranty and I had to pay $8, $373.47 for a new engine.

- Essex, MD, USA

problem #31

Jun 122019

Soul

  • 88,439 miles
Driving vehicle approximately 35-45 miles per hour on city street - load noise under engine, it started knocking, loss of power, large puddle of oil under vehicle. Had to be towed home. Prior to failure - no lights/warnings Kia Soul + with 2.0 engine found following information for the 1.6 L engine - I suspect it is occurring on the 2.0L engines also NHTSA recall #140711 NHTSA compaign #19V120000 mfg compaign #SC176 removed oil pan and found piston closest to the passenger side tire destroyed and in oil pan. Rod punctured front and rear of block. Vehicle has 88,439 miles 2nd owner so 100,000 mile warranty not applicable I have to fix the vehicle now - cannot wait for solution on this - curious if the above listed recall is modified to include 2.0 engines, what is the possibility of the costs being covered?

- Borden, IN, USA

problem #30

Jun 102019

Soul

  • 38,950 miles
On 6-10-19 the 2.0L engine failed in my 2016 Kia Soul+ with less than 40,000 miles. The dealership determined this was due to a "manufacturer defect" and will be "repaired under warranty." The service department at the Kia dealership stated the cylinders in the block were "out of round." They said it appeared that allow oil to get burned with the exhaust and burn up in the catalytic converter. This caused high amounts of carbon build up in the catalytic converter. I have no time frame as to when my vehicle will be repaired and returned to me.

- Piqua, OH, USA

problem #29

Dec 042018

Soul

  • miles
At first there was a gurgle that started when accelerating. Then the vehicle would stall out when put in drive. Following that, when parked if I turn on and off the A/C the car will accelerate itself, I've only let it reach 4rpm before I shut it off the ignition because it doesn't go down on it's own. I've had it looked at and I was told there was an extreme amount of oil inside my engine and it's just a matter of time till it dies. This problem was recently recalled for engines a year make before mine. But I am having the same issues.

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #28

May 282019

Soul

  • miles
I received recall notice for the engine control unit that can cause catalytic converter to go bad and can cause oil leak. I took my car in cause the check engine light and my car failed emissions I told them it was catalytic converter and I had a major oil leak they fixed the ctalytic converter and told me that the oil leak is because my gasket is messed up and if I pay for an oil change they will fix it and I wont have any more oil leaks well its 2 weeks later and my oil light is coming back on they are crooked and I know they are going to give me a hard time about it since I already had my catalytic converter fixed...the oil started leaking at same time check engine light was coming on so I know that it has something to do with catalytic converter over heating and in recall and Kia told them if engine needs replaced they need to do it. I have an appoinment at 7:30 on 6/12 with Kia of coatseville I need to know what I need to do to get them to fix my vehicle its costing me money to take off work to get this done

- Christiana, PA, USA

problem #27

Sep 282018

Soul

  • 47,937 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost power and went into limp mode. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove to an auto parts store where it was diagnosed that there was an emissions failure. The contact called haddad Kia (located at 5445 gasoline alley dr, bakerfield, ca 93313, (661) 398-0264) and was informed that they would send a tow truck to have the vehicle towed to their facility. The dealer diagnosed that the catalytic converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. In addition, the contact was concerned of an oil failure. At 5,961 miles, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for service and the contact was informed that the oil was a quart low. At 57,000 miles, the vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who stated that the oil was a quart low. The contact called haddad Kia and was informed to schedule an appointment for the next scheduled oil service. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine, and engine cooling). The contact scheduled an appointment with the dealer for the recall repair, and the cop and ECU were upgraded. The contact was concerned with the failure of the engine and felt that the dealer should have replaced the engine and catalytic converter. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and provided case numbers: 13188706 and 13188698. The approximate failure mileage was 47,937.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #26

Jun 032019

Soul

  • miles
Soul began using excessive amounts of oil. I did all the oil changes at the dealer. While specs say every 5000 miles, we were changing it at 3000 and adding in a quart every 1000 miles between changes. Car performance has dropped significantly in the last year. They said it was my plugs. The last two times in, they said it was my catalytic converter (4 yrs old; 145K miles). 1st quote was 1300. Last quote was 1600. They told me they removed it to confirm that was the problem. My son crawled under the car and flat out said they lied. It was never removed. He was the one to find that there is a recall out for Kia Souls specifically for this issue. The VIN is not covered. I am asking that this car be added to the list as it sounds horrible and is a risk to drive. I have rented a car last week and my son is loaning me a car this week. I am attaching a picture of the converter. My son notes that if they removed it to test their conclusion, then the bolts would show signs of removal and that they would have had to weld that back pipe. **date** I am putting today's date since I do not know which date to use. It is my opinion that the excessive oil use starting a couple of years ago was the first indication that the catalytic converter was causing problems.

- Dimondale, MI, USA

problem #25

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 #24

May 032019

Soul

  • 120,000 miles
Car would lose power while driving and could not reach any speed over 65 with out the RPM gauge going very high. It would not completely loose power and I can keep it moving. The check engine light did not come on and the temperature gauge read as normal. I got a second opinion on the car and they said it was the catalytic converter.

- Peoria Il, IL, USA

problem #23

May 162019

Soul

  • 89,000 miles
I have a recall on my 2016 Kia Soul engine control unit

- Holly Hill, SC, USA

problem #22

May 232019

Soul

  • miles
Tamara recall: My car has been losing oil but do not see oil anywhere. Received a recall letter regarding catalytic converter needing replaced. I took it to the dealership. They replaced the converter, gave me an oil change and replaced a pressure valve. Four days after I received my car back, there was no oil in the engine. I took it back to Kia and they are refusing to replace the engine.

- Mount Eden, KY, USA

problem #21

May 102019

Soul

  • 74,500 miles
I was driving home from work and my car started making a clicking sound. A couple minutes later it slowed down until it completely stopped. I'm thankful I was pulling up in front of my house before the car completely died. I replaced the battery but it still won't crank. The lights, radio, and air conditioning works. I was told it may be the alternator.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #20

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 #19

Apr 242019

Soul

  • 66,245 miles
I was driving home on the sepulveda pass which is a 45-50 mph zone and suddenly my car lost power and from going 45mph I as going uphill at 10mph. I then lost all control and my battery died. I got towed to a mechanic and said it was an alternator problem at first then said it was the catalytic converter. I then had a sensor change and new battery bought when those two things weren't the problem.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #18

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

Read the next 17 complaints »