NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The parking mechanism may fail, allowing the vehicle to move unintentionally when the gear shift is in Park and the parking brake is not applied while the engine is on.
This page covers 5 recalls, 790 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Kia Soul.
105 MPGe combined
Small Station Wagons
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Engine complaints dominate the 2016 Kia Soul's complaint record by a wide margin. The most common pattern owners describe is an internal engine knock, often accompanied by a check engine light and a specific knock-related fault code, that progresses to reduced power or a complete loss of power while driving. Many owners report being told by mechanics not to continue driving the vehicle once this knock is diagnosed. A related cluster involves the engine stalling at highway speeds, again with the check engine light illuminating beforehand. Engine cooling and fuel system complaints follow at lower volumes, but the core concern owners keep returning to is that internal engine knock and the sudden power loss or stall it can produce on the road.
790
Total Complaints
29
Crash-Related
34
Fire-Related
16
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Kia Soul has 5 recalls, the most serious being a steering defect where the pinion gear can separate from the steering assembly, causing a complete and sudden loss of steering control.
Two recalls affect Soul EV models specifically. The high-voltage battery pack can develop an internal short circuit while driving, raising the risk of a fire. On the drivetrain side, the parking mechanism can be damaged and allow the vehicle to roll even when the gear selector is in Park and the parking brake is not applied. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, and a software update was later issued to address cases where shifting into Park before the vehicle fully stops can cause the same damage.
Gas-powered Soul models with the 1.6-liter direct injection engine face a separate concern: high exhaust temperatures can damage the catalytic converter, which can lead to abnormal combustion, piston damage, and in more severe cases a broken connecting rod that punches through the engine block and lets engine oil spill out. Piston failure can also cause the engine to stall without warning.
At a glance
What can fail
The parking mechanism may fail, allowing the vehicle to move unintentionally when the gear shift is in Park and the parking brake is not applied while the engine is on.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will update the electronic control unit software at no charge to fix the parking mechanism.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high-voltage battery pack may develop an electrical short circuit while you're driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update or replace the battery management system and software. New software detects abnormal voltage and limits charging and power. If needed, the battery will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Shifting into Park before the vehicle fully stops can damage the parking mechanism, potentially allowing the car to move unexpectedly when parked without the parking brake engaged.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle's electronic control unit software at no cost to address the parking mechanism issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
High exhaust temperatures can damage the catalytic converter, potentially causing abnormal engine combustion and damage to pistons or connecting rods.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control system to prevent catalytic converter overheating, replace the damaged catalytic converter, and replace the engine if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The pinion plug in the steering gear assembly may loosen, allowing the pinion gear to separate and potentially cause loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the entire steering gear assembly as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.