2016 Kia Soul problems
The Kia Soul is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Kia since 2008. Often described and marketed as a crossover since its introduction, the Soul is a hatchback with a box proportion and tall roof, which are designed to maximize its interior space. Despite its SUV-like styling, the Soul was never available with all-wheel drive, instead it is exclusively a front-wheel drive vehicle.
The Soul first appeared in 2006 in the form of a concept model displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The production model made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2008. During its introduction, Kia stated that the Soul is aimed at the North American market, and targeted towards buyers in the 18 to 35-year old range.
The second-generation model was introduced in 2013 for the 2014 model year, which featured a larger exterior and interior dimensions along with a reworked chassis, while keeping its boxy styling. The Soul is currently in its third generation, which was introduced in 2018 for the 2019 model year. Since 2014, Kia has also marketed a battery electric variant as the Soul EV.
The name "Soul" comes from the homophone of Seoul, the city that hosts Kia's headquarters.
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Common 2016 Kia Soul problems
The 2016 Kia Soul has garnered a significant amount of complaints from owners, with engine failure being the most prominent issue. The engine is known to blow up around 90,000 miles, which not only poses a safety risk but also leads to an expensive repair bill of approximately $7,000 for an engine replacement.
In addition to engine failure, the Kia Soul has been plagued by other issues affecting various models. These include:
- Engine failure: This issue has been prevalent across multiple Kia Soul models, with many complaints detailing how the vehicle suddenly loses power and stops altogether.
- Cruise control surge: Some Soul models have a cruise control system that tends to surge, causing the SUV to suddenly surge in speed and then slow down to a crawl while on cruise control mode. Kia has yet to address this potentially dangerous issue.
- Ticking noises: The 2013 Soul, in particular, has been known to emit loud knocking or ticking noises from the engine, which can be quite annoying for owners.
- Clicking while turning: The 2012 Soul has been afflicted by clunking noises while turning, indicating a body integrity issue that Kia has yet to address.
- Defective catalytic converter: Many Kia Soul owners, particularly those with 2014-2015 models, have complained about the defective catalytic converter. This issue can lead to erratic idling, engine stalls, O2 sensor issues, poor emission results, and even be a fire hazard if not addressed promptly.
Despite these issues, the Kia Soul has been praised for its excellent safety ratings, attractive cabin with user-friendly controls and ample passenger space, long warranty, and fun-to-drive attitude.
In conclusion, while the Kia Soul has many positive attributes, its engine failure issues, particularly in the 2016 model year, are a significant concern for potential buyers. It is crucial to thoroughly research and consider these problems before making a purchasing decision.
How reliable is a 2016 Kia Soul?
How Reliable Is the 2016 Kia Soul? The Soul has an above-average reliability score of four out of five from J.D. Power.
What is the engine problem with the 2016 Kia Soul?
2012-2016 models of the Kia Soul are plagued by engine problems. Faulty oil piston rings and blown head gaskets cause knocking and engine failure under 100,000 miles. Defective steering pinions and damaged catalytic converters are also common in the Kia Soul.
How many miles can a 2016 Kia Soul last?
The 2016 Kia Soul only lasts around 150,000 miles with serious engine failures and catalytic converter issues. At $11,625 to $14,250, it's cheap, but not worth it when you can spend over $6,000 replacing a blown engine.
Does the 2016 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Summary: 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. Tip: Recalls don't affect every vehicle of the same year, make and model.
2016 Kia Soul car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Kia Soul problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Kia Soul vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2016 Kia Soul
The NHTSA has received 667 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Kia Soul. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2016 Kia Soul vehicles.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-24
- VIN: KNDJX3A58G7
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to accelerate to highway speeds. The vehicle continuously went into LIMP Mode. The message for rod bearing failure was displayed on the display screen. The contact used a code reader and reset the system. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The knock sensor message was displayed. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the vehicle had a salvage title and declined to perform the service. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- VIN: KNDJP3AE8G7
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: My wife was driving the 2016 KIA Soul EV and the car just shut itself off in the middle of the intersection. She was able to turn the car off and turn it back on, but nearly caused an accident. A few months later it did it again. After getting a new software update, I told KIA About the vehicle shutting down, and they told me that if it happens again that we will need to bring it it. So we brought it in. We believe we were able to narrow down the cause to be related to regenerative breaking on a full battery. On Newer EV models, when the battery is fully recharged, regenerative breaking is disabled to prevent overcharging the battery, I dont know what they do to these kias. When we brought it in they said it needed a new battery, but I am not sure if they are going to fix the vehicle shutdown issue. I think that the BMS may be shutting the car down to prevent the vehicle from overcharging the battery when we are going down hills. I've got tired of KIA and their lies. I read information about a battery recall, and they wouldn't recall the battery and replace it with the e400 battery. They said the battery was fine. They lied to me and my wife. The battery was proven recently to be defective and they were hoping the vehicle would make it past its warranty date so they wouldn't have to replace it. We took the vehicle to KIA to replace the battery, and a couple of weeks later they were able to put a battery in it, then driving it home I was bombarded with warnings, and the vehicle power was reduced by 50%, I was afraid something would happen. The vehicle also would not charge. KIA Techs came to our house and drove it back to the dealership, and it's been there ever since. They say the vehicle needs a new BMS. I think this issue with the vehicle shutting down like this is highly dangerous and needs to be reported. It even happened once when I was in the vehicle at the middle of an intersection, which could have caused an accident! (29k miles)
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-21
- VIN: KNDJX3A52G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My kia has always used a lot of oil to the point I need to top it off regularly despite getting recommended oil changes and doing recommended maintenance. Recently My engine started misfiring so I replaced all spark plugs and ignition coils, but was still having issues. Found out today that catalytic converter is main issue and needs to be replaced. Dealer is requiring I bring in to determine if a warranty will cover. Never had a check engine light but very slow acceleration that created several dangerous situations for me on the road. My professional mechanic repaired other issues/diagnosed this problem.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-06
- VIN: KNDJN2A21G7
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, failed to accelerate, and stalled. The check engine warning light was flashing. The contact pulled over and checked the oil level. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the pistons were not operating correctly. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the engine. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-15
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNDJP3A59G7
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE SIDE AIBAGS DID DEPLOYED. CAR WAS GOING 55MPH AND COLIDED INTO ANOTHER CAR WITH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TOOK MAJORITY OF THE FORCE.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-25
- VIN: KNDJP3A5XG7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine coils needing replacing and knock system sensors were replaced, car continues to burn oil from engine until there is none left. The engine is reported as failed by mechanic. I constantly put oil in between the frequent oil changes.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-06
- VIN: KNDJN2A23G7
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was referred to the manufacturer who later referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-19
- VIN: KNDJN2A2XG7
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact called on behalf of a consumer who owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact pulled over and allowed the vehicle to cool down for several minutes for the vehicle to return to normal operation. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an auto repair shop to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-20
- VIN: KNDJN2A28G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check oil warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed. The dealer advised the contact to have a service treatment performed to the engine because of a possible oil consumption issue. The vehicle was serviced; however, the vehicle was consuming engine oil. The vehicle was returned to the dealer for service; however, the dealer declined to service the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,507.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-29
- VIN: KNDJP3A59G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I've never had an issue with my car since I got it about 5 years ago. Then all of a sudden on Sunday the engine just went out and I lost power . Now it won't start unless it's charged and my mechanic says I need a whole new engine.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
- VIN: KNDJX3A58G7
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: Paint started peeling on the side mirrors, door handles within the last year and seems to have progressed really quickly. They are bubbling, cracking and then just chipping off to reveal the unfinished layer underneath. This seems like it will expose the car body to more elements and encourage rusting. I'd like to avoid that.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-27
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that there was oil leaking from the front end of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,980. The VIN was not available.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-23
- VIN: KNDJN2A23G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-20
- VIN: KNDJP3A54G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Catalytic converter is not working properly. Car lost power. Coral Springs Kia diagnosed but they say it is not warranted by factory. I have the contract where it says engine warranty until 100k miles or 10yr. This car has less than 90k miles in this moment. They are billing me 5,880 if I want they repair
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-08
- Fire: 1
- VIN: KNDJN2A28G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: On July 8th at 12:15 am my 2016 Kia Soul Engine suddenly caught on fire while I was driving alone on the I-5 by the grapevine. I am a 25 year old woman and was stranded alone on the side of the highway in a very flammable remote area known for fires at 1am. I heard a strange knocking sound while driving and pulled over as it started smoking and it immediately caught fire under the hood while I was still in the vehicle. Cars were flying by and I was stranded alone in flip flops and pajamas as the glass windows were exploding and I threw my heavy luggage to the side of the road. I was 4 hours into a 6 hour drive away from anyone I know in the middle of the night in a dangerous situation. I texted my boss I wouldn’t be able to make it to work the next morning. My car was totaled and I had to pay $982.50 for towing and additional fees and my friend had to drive 2 hours to pick me up at 2am since my family lived 4 hours north and all my friends lives 2 hours south. No warning lights came on, it's been properly serviced with oil changes every December and July each year within less than 7,000-10,500 miles between each oil change. I was terrified I almost started a forest fire and I have a copy of my 911 call recording where I frantically called and panicked because I was so scared and alone. 16 other people called it in. I submitted a claim for the Kia engine fire risk settlement that was ironically due that day of the accident and my VIN# was a class action vehicle because the previous owner had the KSDS "knock detection sensor" service done on the car. My settlement claim was denied because they state there wasn't enough proof of a qualifying fire but I'm currently trying to sort this with Kia since it burst into flames without any warning other than a loud noise 20 seconds before. The firefighter's incident report states the fire started in the engine area and the police report says it was caused by an unknown mechanical issue in the engine.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-29
- VIN: KNDJN2A21G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The catalytic converter is damaged. The check engine light will come on but will reset when checked with a code reader. At the time of the initial incident, all but .5 quart of oil had been consumed by the engine and would not hold speed above 30mph. I did have a non Kia mechanic look at the car and was told that it fit under the recall and to have it serviced by Kia. I took it to Kia. They have told me that since it wasn't giving any codes, they would not replace the catalytic converter and denied the recall repair. The letter from Kia Corp. stated the catalytic converter would be replaced if there was damage. All of this took place from 7/29/2024 to 9/16/2024. On 9/16/2024, the dealership basically told me to drive an unsafe car until the check engine light came back on and then bring it back in to see if it will fall under the recall. I have attached the letter from Kia along with my notes from phone calls with them, and a the notes from the first mechanic.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-12
- VIN: KNDJN2A27G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power, and the contact became aware that there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-09
- VIN: KNDJP3A54G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: My 2016 Kia soul 1.6 L engine has been serviced more than once within a month for the past year due to low oil. If not serviced then it could result in an engine lock up. The worker was concerned my engine might be on recall due to other Kia souls having the same problem.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-01
- VIN: KNDJN2A23G7
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: I believe my vehicle is apart of a recall that affects the same vehicle Yr./Mk./Mdl. as mine. When my VIN was searched by the service department at the dealer (same manufacture) it said no recall. I was told that the recall was for the vehicles from a different assembly plant. My vehicle seams to be having the same affect/issues as described in the recall. Recall in reference: Recall Date: April 17, 2019 Recall Number: SC176 Issue: 1) Car ran bad 2) Replaced Spark plugs and coil packs and the car ran good 3) Car ran bad 4) Replaced downstream 02 and the car ran good 5) Car ran bad 6) Replaced upstream O2 sensor and the car ran good 7) Car ran bad 8) Car spits oil out the exhaust pipe 9) Car no longer operable
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-17
- VIN: KNDJN2A24G7
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road to restart the vehicle; however, the engine failed to turn over. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the dealer related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the contact was informed that the vehicle could not be repaired due to the Knock Sensor repair not being performed. The contact stated that the notice was sent to the incorrect address and the repair was not performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-07
- VIN: KNDJN2A2XG7
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 - 35 MPH, the vehicle started to decelerate independently. The contact pulled to the side of the road and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact waited approximately 30-minutes before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle started but lost power immediately thereafter. The vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed. The contact was informed that the engine was consuming one quart of engine oil per 150 miles driven. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 116,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-26
- VIN: KNDJX3A59G7
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: I have a 2016 Kia soul. Second owner. 144,000+ miles. For nearly a year my car has been consuming oil at an alarming rate. But I have no oil leaks anywhere. My dealership did an oil consumption test about 5-6 months ago and within 1000 miles, I was already below the half way line on my dipstick but the dealership told me I was still in range and sent me on my way. Fast forward a few months and I brought up my concerns again with my dealership and the oil consumption. I was told to drive it until the engine seizes and they would tow me. At which point, I told them that sounded dangerous but apparently Kia will not do anything for my vehicle if all it is doing is consuming oil. July 26, I’m out of town about two hours + from home and out of nowhere my car starts idling high. Failing to shift gears. If I go to speed up past 60mph, the car forcibly bogs down to 45mph and struggles to get back up to speed. The vehicle was shaking, knocking, and struggling with performance. I drove the car to a small town and checked my oil. Bone dry. So I top it off with a couple quarts. I drove the car to a non Kia dealership where a mechanic told me my car was misfiring. He popped the hood and for the first time, my engine was knocking back and forth. It’s never done that. He said that he felt confident there was rod damage and drove it around the block. When he returned he said it was not safe to drive and I had it towed to the closest dealership over an hour away. The dealership felt extremely confident that my car was going to qualify for the motor swap warranty that Kia offers up to 150,000 miles or 15 years. Keep in mind, my car NEVER once threw a check engine light during any of these occurrences, nor did a low oil light ever come on in the 4 years I owned the vehicle. My vehicle has been down 3 weeks and still has not been fixed from Kia.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
- VIN: KNDJP3A50G7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The vehicle stalled due to lack of oil.(Before the 6 month oil change was due.)Yes it is available for inspection upon request. No one’s safety was put at risk. When the problem was brought up to the Kia dealership We were told that they had called in November 2023 And since we did not respond we voided our opportunity to have the engine Covered under the recall warranty. We did not receive a call. The vehicle has only been inspected by mechanic no work has been done on it. No lights came on to indicate there was a problem, it happened suddenly.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-09
- VIN: KNDJN2A26G7
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My vehicle showed a code for the catalytic converter and while driving the vehicle it started revving up really high and then smoke came out the back and it started knocking. I had to pull over on the interstate and have my car towed back to my residence with AAA which cost $490. Went to Kia to speak with them about the recall and they said they would not fix it because it was not a recall recognized in their system. But there are other recalls in their system they will fix those. My vehicle is undrivable. It's sitting in my driveway and I don't have the Ability to just purchase a new vehicle. This is leaving me stranded with no ability to even get to work without having to get a ride.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-09
- VIN: KNDJN2A28G7
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: For the 4th time in a year, my headlights automatically turned on while vehicle was parked. I have the headlights set to turn on/off when vehicle is started or shut off. I do not have a DLR options to set the lights to. All four times the vehicle started and I have no idea how long lights were off. Two of the 4 times, I noticed they were on in the middle of the night. The other two times, the neighbor texted me during the day, while vehicle had been parked, for hours and or a few days, and said I should check my lights and when I did, they were on. I rarely drive at night and have read some owners of a Kia Soul have experienced their headlights automatically turning off without notice while driving at night. I am sure most people would not notice or have a clue that there headlights turned off during the daytime by their selves, I know I wouldn't especially since the lights seem to turn on/off by themselves without any notice.
2016 Kia Soul recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2016 Kia Soul.
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: 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.
Negative 2016 Kia Soul car reviews
Positive 2016 Kia Soul car reviews
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I'm 6'5Six months later, we are still very happy with this car as we have had no problems with it. The controls are intuitive and easy to use. After a year of buying it, we have only experienced one issue with one tire leaking air, which we have to top off more often than normal. Nonetheless, we are still very happy with the car. I have noticed that there are many white Soul's around town now, which is not surprising as it is very popular here in my area of Florida. Every few years, there is a car that just seems to catch on because it really fills a niche, and this is one of them. Although it was designed for young people, folks my age saw the car as reliable and useful transportation and made it popular.
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Small car but feels bigger inside. Great on gas too!!!! Been 7 months now still loving the Soul, I would highly recommend!! The only downside is no CD player but overall good performance
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If there is one thing I would add to a con list, it would be the lack of a place for a spare tire, which I don't like. However, I absolutely love this car! It's so roomy inside and you feel like you're sitting up high. It has all the get up and go one could ask for. I would highly recommend the Kia Soul to anyone looking for an economical yet stylish car.
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If you're in the market for a smaller vehicle that rides like a big SUV but is more economical, the Kia Soul might be just what you need. I didn't want to pay 25 or 30 thousand for a conventional SUV, so I rented a Soul for a week while on a trip. After returning home and getting back into my car, I realized how much I missed the Kia Soul's smooth ride and roomy interior. The storage is great, especially when you fold down the rear seat. I paid a bit over 17 K and you can't beat the Kia warranty. The vehicle quality is top-notch and it's a very solid vehicle, even though they call it a wagon. I have the 1.6 L engine, but I would suggest going with the 2.0 L engine if you live in a mountainous or hilly region of the country. If I keep it around 2000 rpm, my mileage has been about 33 mpg on a regular basis. Overall, I love the Soul. It's a fun and surprising vehicle to own. I even drove my Soul across the country in September 2016 and it did great in the mountains of the Pennsylvania turnpike. There's a rumor that the 2018 Soul will be redesigned and a bit larger. I can't wait to see what they come out with next!
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I'm glad to hear that you've had a positive experience with your 2016 Soul+! With its 2.0 liter engine, it definitely has more power than the standard Soul (1.6 liter) and comes with more features. It's great to hear that you find the front seats comfortable and supportive, especially since you're tall and need plenty of leg room. The Soul definitely doesn't compromise on leg room, which is a major plus. While there isn't a lot of storage room behind the rear seats, you can push them down if necessary. Overall, the Soul is a great small SUV, despite its quirky looks. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2016 Kia Soul problems:
2016 Kia Soul, yay or nay? : r/kia
Aug 13, 2023 ... She has always loved the look of the Kia Soul's and our price range due to insurance is in thr 2014-2016 Soul range. Common problems? She is ...
2016 Kia Soul Problems Include Engine Failures, Overheating ...
Apr 27, 2022 ... 2012-2016 models of the Kia Soul are plagued by engine problems. Faulty oil piston rings and blown head gaskets cause knocking and engine ...
2016 Kia Soul engine fail : r/KiaSoulClub
Apr 15, 2023 ... I have been to the Kia dealership with the Soul, they are not covering under warranty. The Sorrento is going in for the theft problem software ...
2016 Kia Soul Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life Expectancy ...
Nov 9, 2022 ... Overall Rating 5/10 – 2016 is a bad year for the Kia Soul since there are still a lot of engine failures reported, giving it a low overall score ...
2016 Kia Soul Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2016 Kia Soul? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Other years of Kia Soul
Are you having problems with your 2016 Kia Soul?
Elbert Pacocha 2024-11-04
Hi there, I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my recent experience with my Kia Soul. I purchased it brand new in 2012 and have always had it serviced at Haleen Kia. Unfortunately, during my last visit, my wife was convinced to get a 'fuel injector service' and 'radiator service' for $300. However, shortly after, the 'check engine' light came on and when I reached out to Haleen Kia, they were not very helpful. I even contacted Kia Motors, but they informed me that each dealer is independent and can make their own decisions. They suggested I try another dealer, but the closest one is 59 miles away. I'm now considering taking it to a different mechanic to get it fixed. Despite this frustrating experience, I have to say that my Kia Soul has been a great little car. Thank you for listening to my story.
Orlo Ritchie 2024-08-11
I have loved my 2016 Soul Exclaim, it has every option available from leather seats, navigation, panoramic moon roof, Infinity sound, etc. However, I have had some issues with reliability. Despite being exceptionally well-maintained, it has had to be towed multiple times due to unexpected breakdowns. Although the dealership could not find anything wrong on the first few occasions, they eventually discovered a bad plug wire. I am currently experiencing issues with my driver's door not latching properly, which is inconvenient, but I have been assured that the part will be available soon. I have had to use a bungee cord to keep the door closed, which has attracted some unwanted attention. Additionally, I have had issues with the hatch staying open and some cheap plastic parts falling off the interior. Despite these issues, the manager at the dealership has expressed interest in trading for my car due to its looks, options, and low mileage. While I cannot afford to trade, I still appreciate the positive aspects of my car. Overall, I have had some problems with my Soul Exclaim, but I still enjoy driving it and appreciate its features.
Narciso Kilback 2024-05-15
I have the base model. Although the resale value could be better, it's not a bad little car. The cargo area is smaller than you would think, but it's still quite practical. I've had some snow related issues, but I think they are related to the lack of power rather than something with the car itself. While Kia suggests that they are the only ones who can service your car, I've found that other mechanics can do a great job too. Overall, it's a decent car that could benefit from more get up and go.
Devonte Larkin 2024-04-28
Hey there! As a fellow weekend warrior gigging musician, I totally understand the importance of having a reliable car to haul your music gear. I was excited to come across a small hatchback/wagon with a manual transmission that boasted 30+ miles per gallon. However, after less than a year of ownership, I had to trade it in for something else. Unfortunately, the car was quite slow and the acceleration was very poor. I've driven many manual transmission cars/trucks in my 30+ years of driving, and this one was by far the worst. It seems like the transmission wasn't paired well with the engine and was geared for gas mileage only. I even had some close calls when trying to merge onto the highway. However, it's a great little commuter car with plenty of storage and decent MPG, just don't expect to get there quickly. By the way, if you're interested, there are some helpful tips on the Soul forums on how to bypass/replace the switch on the clutch pedal without getting warning lights on the dash. Lastly, the suspension did creak and moan a bit, but it's nothing that can't be fixed. Overall, it's a decent car that's perfect for commuting and hauling gear. Hope this helps!
Noe Koch 2024-04-24
First off, this is a great value-for-money 'cube car'. There are a lot of things I like and miss about this car. But let me tell you about the three things that bothered me the most with this cute thing. Firstly, the transmission. It couldn't figure out what gear it was supposed to be in - constantly upshifting and downshifting even while in Cruise mode, and most of the time it was in the wrong gear. For instance, every day on my way to work, I had to drive up a moderately steep hill. I couldn't do 35 to 40 mph up the hill. When I gave it a little bit more gas to not bog down, it would downshift, and if I let off the gas to keep it at the speed I wanted, it would upshift and start bogging down again. Grrr! This transmission is definitely bipolar. Secondly, the gas pedal... it's basically an on-off switch! There's no way to start this car at a light without sending your passengers' heads crashing into the headrest. Lastly, the seats have no ergonomic lumbar support, and the top of the seats, shoulders, and headrest are too far forward, making you feel crunched up. These are just the three things I feel could have been better with this car. The one thing I liked the most was the interior - it was roomy, quiet, and the sound system is awesome.