IllustrationCHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE TAKEN INTO A AUTO SHOP. TOLD IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I SAW THAT 2016 KIA SOULS WERE BEING RECALLED WITH DAMAGED CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. WANTING TO KNOW IF MY VEHICLE QUALIFIED.
2016 Kia Soul
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Soul years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul are substantially higher than the model-year median of 225.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Soul years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
320–25K
3825–50K
7750–75K
9375–100K
108100–150K
14150K+
362 reports with mileage · 448 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 555 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 105 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
28 crash reports35 fire reports17 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
121 reportsWHEN I AM AT A STOP OR GOING TO TURN FROM A STOP MY CAR SEEMS TO LOSE POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. I HAVE CALLED MY DEALERSHIP A FEW TIMES AND THEY JUST SAY IT IS A SAFETY SENSOR IN THE CAR. I FIND IT A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND TAKING OFF FROM STOPS AT SIGNAL LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS NUMEROUS OF TIMES.
TAKATA RECALL IS INCOMPLETE FOR GEAR SHIFT PENION
WHILE DRIVING CONDENSATION BUILD UP INSIDE OF MY CAR AND THIS HAPPEN TWICE. SO I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO HAVE A HOSE DRAINED.
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT INVOLVED ME LEAVING THE ROAD AND THAT I WAS COMPLETELY AIRBORNE LANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EMBANKMENT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNDER THE FORCE OF MY CAR GOING AIRBORNE AND LANDING SO HARD THAT MY UNDERSIDE OF MY CAR WAS TORN UP NEEDING ALMOST 6,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. INCLUDI…
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I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT INVOLVED ME LEAVING THE ROAD AND THAT I WAS COMPLETELY AIRBORNE LANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EMBANKMENT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNDER THE FORCE OF MY CAR GOING AIRBORNE AND LANDING SO HARD THAT MY UNDERSIDE OF MY CAR WAS TORN UP NEEDING ALMOST 6,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. INCLUDING BREAKING MY OIL FILTER OFF OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETELY DEPLOYED. BUT THEY DID NOT. I REALLY AM SCARED THAT IF I WAS IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED TO SAVE MY OR MY FAMILIES LIFE.
MY SOUL HAS BEEN OVER HEATING,STALLING,AND BACK FIRING,EVEN HAD SMOKE COME FROM ENGINE 2 TIMES.HAS BEEN IN SHOP OVER 7 TIMES FOR THERMOSTAT ISSUE, THAT THEY SAID THEY CAN NOT FIX .PLUS MY CAR HAS BEEN IN A NUMBER OF TIMES FOR IT NOT HAVING ANY GET UP AND GO .IT HAS TO BE REALLY FAST TO GO UP HILLS .ON HIGHWAY OR MAIN ROADS .
MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HAD NOT BEEN RUNNING. I SHUT THE CAR DOOR TO GO BACK INSIDE THE HOUSE AND I HEARD A POP NOISE. THE FRONT PART OF THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF HAD BROKEN AND SHATTERED.
KEY WILL GET STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE KEY AFTER TURNING KEY TO OFF POSITION. KEY WILL ALSO NOT TURN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE INABILITY TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016. THE INA…
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KEY WILL GET STUCK IN IGNITION AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE KEY AFTER TURNING KEY TO OFF POSITION. KEY WILL ALSO NOT TURN WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND PARKED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE INABILITY TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER OF 2016. THE INABILITY TO TURN THE KEY TO START THE CAR HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 5 SEPARATE TIMES. MOST RECENTLY WAS SATURDAY, JULY 15, 2017 AND I WAS AT A HIKING TRAIL IN THE MOUNTAINS.
ALL INTERIOR WINDOWS FOGGED UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUTSIDE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE EARLY MORNING, MID TO LOW 60 DEGREE TEMPS, I PUT HEAT ON LOW FAN SPEED AND MID TEMP, INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO FOG UP AND WINDSHIELD STARTED TO FOG UP, I SWITCHED HEATER TO DEFOG AND IN A FEW SECONDS ALL WINDOWS FOGGED UP. I…
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ALL INTERIOR WINDOWS FOGGED UP MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE OUTSIDE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE EARLY MORNING, MID TO LOW 60 DEGREE TEMPS, I PUT HEAT ON LOW FAN SPEED AND MID TEMP, INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED TO FOG UP AND WINDSHIELD STARTED TO FOG UP, I SWITCHED HEATER TO DEFOG AND IN A FEW SECONDS ALL WINDOWS FOGGED UP. IT WAS DARK AND I WAS IN A ROUNDABOUT WITH TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME AND BEHIND ME. I OPENED ALL WINDOWS AND PUT DEFOG TO FULL SPEED AND AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE WAS THE WINDSHIELD DEFOGGED. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWED POSSIBLE CLOGGED HEATER/AC BLOWER BOX, WHICH WAS REPORTED TO BE A SERVICE ISSUE AND NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I WAS ABOUT TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND MY FAMILY BEING IN THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE THAT WILL LEAD TO VEHICLE COLLISION WITH INJURY AND.OR FATALITIES.
THE 2016 KIA SOUL OWNERS MANUAL HAS FALSE, MISLEADING AND INCORRECT INFORMATION. BEFORE PURCHASING THIS NEW KIA SOUL IN 12/16 I LOOKED THROUGH THE CARS OWNERS MANUAL. SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE AND HELPED SWAY ME TO PURCHASE THIS CAR WAS THE INFORMATION IN SECTION 8 PAGE 15 UNDER ONLINE FACTORY AUTHORIZED MANUALS (U.S. ONLY) …
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THE 2016 KIA SOUL OWNERS MANUAL HAS FALSE, MISLEADING AND INCORRECT INFORMATION. BEFORE PURCHASING THIS NEW KIA SOUL IN 12/16 I LOOKED THROUGH THE CARS OWNERS MANUAL. SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE AND HELPED SWAY ME TO PURCHASE THIS CAR WAS THE INFORMATION IN SECTION 8 PAGE 15 UNDER ONLINE FACTORY AUTHORIZED MANUALS (U.S. ONLY) IT STATES THAT THE FOLLOWING PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON WWW.KIATECHINFO.CON AT NO CHARGE. SERVICE MANUAL, ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL, OWNERS MANUAL. IF YOU VISIT THAT SITE WWW.KIATEAHINFO.COM THE FIRST SCREEN THAT POPS UP STATES THAT EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 17,2014 THE SITE HAS BEEN CHANGED TO A SUBSCRIPTION-BASED PAY PER USE SITE. KIA REFUSES TO HONOR THE INFORMATION IN THE 2016 OWNERS MANUAL STATING THAT THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. THIS INACCURATE AND MISLEADING INFORMATION NEEDS TO HONORED BUY KIA MOTORS AND THIS AND ANY FUTURE INACCURATE INFORMATION IN THE KIA SUPPLIED OWNERS MANUAL NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED PRIOR TO THE SALE OF ANY AND ALL KIA AUTOMOBILES.
Official recalls
219V120000 · Engine; Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor
Feb 22, 2019
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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor
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.
17V608000 · Steering
Sep 29, 2017
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA21003 · Engine Fires
Opened Dec 22, 2021 · Closed Feb 5, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On March 29, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened two Preliminary Evaluations (PE19-003 on Hyundai and PE19-004 on Kia) to broadly investigate incidents of non-crash fires (regardless of origin or operational status of the vehicle) on various model year Hyundai and Kia vehicles. During the PE investigations, Hyundai and Kia issued several recalls to address vehicle fires, including those due to engine failures involving various engine types. The remedies for the engine failure recalls typically involve engine inspection (to detect existing damage), and if necessary, engine replacement. Additionally, both manufacturers have been installing an engine control software modification known as Knock Sensor Detection Software (KSDS) which is intended to detect impending engine failure, alert the driver, and limit engine power (to lessen likelihood of engine failure).KSDS is being installed under recalls and non-safety field actions, and both companies have extended limited engine warranties (see recall files). On December 22, 2021, ODI upgraded PE19-003 and PE19-004 to this Engineering Analysis (EA21-003, covering both Hyundai and Kia) to evaluate the scope of the prior recalls related to engine failures/fires and the efficacy of the recall remedies for the recalls, as well as the long-term viability of related programs and non-safety field actions being conducted by Hyundai and Kia. The former issue involved approximately 550,000 MY 2013 Hyundai Elantra, MY 2011 Kia Sorento, and MY 2012-2015 Kia Rio. The latter issue involved approximately 2.5 million recalled vehicles, which have been identified as displaying potential remedy concerns: Hyundai recalls 15V-568, 17V-226, 20V-746, and 21V-727; and Kia recalls 17V-224, 19V-120, 20V-750, and 21V-844. Regarding the recall scope issue, among all of the scope vehicles identified at EA opening, ODI found only the MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with both the Theta II 2.4L 4-cylinder Multi-Point Injection (MPI) and the Lambda II 3.5L 6-cylinder MPI engines experienced relatively high rates of reported fires. In December 2023, Kia issued recall 23V-877 that will cover about 80,000 MY 2011 Kia Sorento vehicles equipped with the Theta II 2.4L MPI engines. The remedy will involve an inspection, and if necessary, a replacement of the engine, as well as the installation of KSDS. It should be noted that in 2021 these vehicles were included in a KSDS product improvement campaign with warranty extension. For the MY 2011 Sorento vehicles equipped with the Lambda II 3.5L engines, ODI believes that future engine failures/fires involving these vehicles will likely be due to a lax in adhering to the proper or scheduled engine maintenance (regular engine oil changes), rather than a design or manufacturing engine issue. Regarding the issue of the efficacy of the recall remedies, ODI found the majority of the recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles, by model, experienced lower reported fire rates after the remedies were applied. Furthermore, ODI found that for most vehicles that did not receive the recall remedies, by model, experienced relatively high fire rates. To address this problem, Hyundai informed ODI in December 2023, that it will renotify all of its owners covered by the Hyundai recalls of engine failures/fires every 8 months for the next 3 years. In December 2023, Kia stated that it will renotify the majority of its owners every 8 months for the next 3 years.Several previously recalled Kia models are excluded from the renotification due to their lower reported rates of engine fires. Overall, the renotification actions will help to increase the recall completion rates, thus reduce the frequency of engine fires in the future. In view of the recall action being taken by Kia and renotification actions being taken by both Kia and Hyundai, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis. Also, both companies have been released from the 2020-iniated Consent Orders (Kia since November 2022 and Hyundai since November 2023). The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.