2016 KIA SOUL — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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5/5

★★★★★

Safety Rating

1,094

Owner Complaints

34 Crashes 55 Fires

2

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

29

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2016 KIA SOUL

The 2016 KIA SOUL has received a total of 1,094 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, STEERING. 29 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (531 complaints), Unknown Or Other (110 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (77 complaints).

Recalls for the 2016 KIA SOUL

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2016 KIA SOUL, potentially affecting up to 1,100,315 vehicles.

Recall 19V120000 — ENGINE

| 378,967 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Recall 19V120000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

| 378,967 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Recall 17V608000 — STEERING

| 342,381 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Owner Complaints for the 2016 KIA SOUL

1,094 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 KIA SOUL. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Engine
Complaints: 531 4 Crashes 26 Fires 1 Injury
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 110 3 Crashes 7 Fires 3 Injuries
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 77 4 Fires 1 Injury
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 59 1 Fire
Power Train
Complaints: 57 2 Fires
Electrical System
Complaints: 53 7 Fires 4 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
Complaints: 38 1 Crash
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 29 1 Crash 1 Fire 3 Injuries
Steering
Complaints: 28 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Air Bags
Complaints: 16 13 Crashes 10 Injuries
Structurebody
Complaints: 16 2 Crashes 4 Fires 1 Injury
Service Brakes
Complaints: 15 2 Crashes 4 Injuries
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 13
Suspension
Complaints: 8 2 Crashes
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 7
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 6 1 Crash
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 4
Seat Belts
Complaints: 4
Seats
Complaints: 4 1 Fire 4 Injuries
Firerelated
Complaints: 2 2 Fires
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 1 Injury
Electrical Systemignitionanti Theftimmobilizerproximitykeysender
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingengineoillubrication
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 1
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
Complaints: 1
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
Complaints: 1
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Steeringcolumn
Complaints: 1
Steeringsteering Wheel Handle Baryawangle Sensor
Complaints: 1
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Traction Control System
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash

Most Recent Complaints

#11718798 | STEERING | | N/A miles
When car is turning a right, the car turns off. When car is parked & stearing isnt straight car wont turn on.
#11718966 | STRUCTURE:BODY | | N/A miles
Kia Soul 2016 white color. The factory paint is peeling off completely.
#11718401 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
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. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period of time and progressively worsened. The engine also began consuming large amounts of oil between oil changes. Eventually the engine suffered catastrophic failure and would no longer run. A dealership later stated internal engine damage was present, including a failed valve and spark plug damage. The vehicle is currently at a dealership and available for inspection. The loss of power and stalling created a safety hazard because the vehicle could not maintain normal traffic speed and could have been struck by other vehicles. The problem was confirmed by a dealership service department. Warning lights were present prior to final failure and appeared during the loss of power events.
#11718401 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
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. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period of time and progressively worsened. The engine also began consuming large amounts of oil between oil changes. Eventually the engine suffered catastrophic failure and would no longer run. A dealership later stated internal engine damage was present, including a failed valve and spark plug damage. The vehicle is currently at a dealership and available for inspection. The loss of power and stalling created a safety hazard because the vehicle could not maintain normal traffic speed and could have been struck by other vehicles. The problem was confirmed by a dealership service department. Warning lights were present prior to final failure and appeared during the loss of power events.
#11718401 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
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. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period of time and progressively worsened. The engine also began consuming large amounts of oil between oil changes. Eventually the engine suffered catastrophic failure and would no longer run. A dealership later stated internal engine damage was present, including a failed valve and spark plug damage. The vehicle is currently at a dealership and available for inspection. The loss of power and stalling created a safety hazard because the vehicle could not maintain normal traffic speed and could have been struck by other vehicles. The problem was confirmed by a dealership service department. Warning lights were present prior to final failure and appeared during the loss of power events.

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Safety Rating for the 2016 KIA SOUL

The 2016 KIA SOUL received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Test Category Rating
Overall Rating ★★★★★ (5/5)
Frontal Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Side Crash ★★★★★ (5/5)
Rollover ★★★★ (4/5)

Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 KIA SOUL

Kia America, Inc. has issued 29 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2016 KIA SOUL. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

SC334_DP — SERVICE BRAKES

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC334) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake line(s) in certain 2014-2019 MY Soul vehicles, manufactured from July 21, 2013 through December 24, 2018,...

SC334_DPSM — SERVICE BRAKES

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC334) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake line(s) in certain 2014-2019 MY Soul vehicles, manufactured from July...

SC334_QA — SERVICE BRAKES

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC334) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC334.

PI2002B_OWNR_501 — ENGINE

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2014-2016 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be...

SC310A_DPSM — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGERS MEMO (SC310A) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to update the battery management system (BMS) software on certain 2015-2017 MY Soul EV vehicles manufactured from July 15,...

PI2002B_OWNR_401 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2014-2016 MY Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 2.0-liter engines to protect the engine from excessive connecting rod bearing damage. The update will be...

CS2306L_OWNRPS2 — EQUIPMENT

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER RE-NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner re-notification advising that Kia is now making steering wheel lock devices available directly to certain Kia vehicle owners. These devices can help deter a theft attempt. We are making this device available to customers free of charge and will...

PI2002A_OWNR_401 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is a renotification to the 2012-2016 MY Soul vehicle owners advising them to have the Product Improvement campaign PI2002A performed.

PI2002A_OWNR_U1 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the notification to the 2012-2016 MY Soul vehicle owners advising them of the updated warranty coverage for the Product Improvement campaign PI2002A. The coverage has been expanded to cover the engine long block assembly for 15 years from the date the...

PI2002B_TSB_R2 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - NU 2.0L GDI - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) ECU UPGRADE (PI2002B) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to...

Showing 10 of 29 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 KIA SOUL

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the KIA SOUL

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Other KIA Models

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