Skip to content

Free public service · Official NHTSA & EPA data

2016 Kia Soul

Verified July 23, 2026Sources: NHTSA · EPA · vPIC

Compare
Safety
5
of 5 stars
Recalls
2
on record
MPG
27
combined

Open recalls on record

2 safety recalls. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer — check the VIN before you buy.

Vehicle Summary

2016 Kia Soul

2 recalls
802 complaints
27 MPG combined
5/5 safety rating

Before You Buy

Check all recalls are completed
Review consumer complaints
Verify no crash-related complaints
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Check vehicle history report
Verify title is clean

Safety record at a glance

Recall campaigns
2
Owner complaints
802
Complaints citing a crash
29

These are raw counts from NHTSA records. They are not normalised by how many of these vehicles are on the road, so a model that sold in large numbers will tend to show more of everything. We do not publish a composite safety or reliability score.

2 Recalls on Record

These recalls have been issued by the manufacturer. Contact any authorized dealer to verify they have been completed — repairs are free.

Enter your VIN to check if specific recalls apply to your vehicle.

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns affecting this model year.

  • 19V120000high

    Engine issue

    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.

  • 17V608000high

    Steering issue

    STEERING

    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.

Consumer complaints

802 owner reports filed with NHTSA.

802
Total
29
Crashes
34
Fires
24
Injuries

Most reported components

  • ENGINE615
  • OTHER53
  • FUEL SYSTEM22
  • ELECTRICAL21
  • BRAKES19

Notable Issues

802 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA. 24 reports involve injuries. 29 reports involve a crash.

Most reported problems

engine problems (stalling, power loss, warning lights)615
miscellaneous issues53
fuel system problems (leaks, pump failure)22

Specifications & ratings

Specifications

Body class
Small Station Wagons
Drive type
Front-Wheel Drive
Engine
2L 4-cyl
Fuel type
Unknown
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Seats
0

Fuel economy

24

City

31

Hwy

27

Comb

Annual cost
$2,200
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

NHTSA crash ratings

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Explore related

Adjacent model years

All Kia Soul years

Common problems

Kia Soul problems

3,073 owner complaints analysed

Compare with

Systems recalled

Safety timeline

Full timeline
  1. Investigation closed

    NHTSA closed investigation EA21003

    Engine Fires

  2. Investigation opened

    NHTSA opened investigation EA21003

    Engine Fires

  3. Recall

    Recall 19V120000

    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.

  4. Recall

    Recall 17V608000

    If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.