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Kia Soul

EPA MPG: 26 mpg
Average Retail Price
$3,625 - $7,700

RECALL ALERT:
There are 5 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability

Overall Reliability
/ 100

We expect the 2025 Soul will have about average reliability when compared to the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2022, 2023, and 2024 models and the Kia brand score.

The 2016 Kia Soul has been recalled 5 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
/ 5
Common Trouble Spot
/ 5

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2016 Kia Soul owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Engine rebuild or replacement

"started in the fall of 2023, vehicle went into 'limp' mode. dealer service department claimed it was a sensor. they replaced the sensor and it was fine for 6 months. In the spring of 2024, the car went into 'limp' mode again. This time, the service department at the dealer thought the issue was the engine. over a 3 week period of time, they submitted to Kia information for warranty coverage. Kia determined that the replacement would be covered by the warranty and is replacing the engine."

Anonymous, TN (2016 Kia Soul 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"On a road trip, engine completely quit and would not restart. Apparently a known Kia Soul problem at 75,000 miles."

Anonymous, CA (2016 Kia Soul 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

"A known issue in the crankshaft bearing happened to mine just after the warranty ran out, which can lead to catastrophic engine failure, and it required replacing the entire main engine block, very expensive and upsetting, and they would not warranty it even tho it's a known problem."

Anonymous, CA (2016 Kia Soul Plus 2.0-L 4 Cyl)
Other major engine problem

"only 60,000 miles and needed a new catalytic converter. REALLY!"

Anonymous, FL (2016 Kia Soul Base Unsure)

"iOS engines from this year are known to fail as did the Hyundai cars from from years before. At least Hyundai stepped up and fixed those cars. Kia did nothing to help."

Anonymous, WI (2016 Kia Soul 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

"Piston rings wear out starts burning oil at 80K, complete failure at 120K."

Anonymous A., NJ (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

"Every Kia Soul starts burning oil at about 70000 miles. This is my third Soul with this problem."

Anonymous A., NJ (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

"Oil light started coming on in the last 6 months. Had mechanic check it, no leak, but the engine is burning oil. The only recommendation was to replace or rebuild the engine. Its not worth the cost of the car so until I buy a new one, I check it weekly and its using about 2 quarts per month."

Anonymous, SC (2016 Kia Soul EV 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

"At about 90000 miles it started using a quart of oil every 1000 miles. After testing Kia said that was normal oil usage. the increased burned oil plugged the catalytic converter and we have had to replace it twice. Putting oil in every 2 weeks."

Anonymous A., MI (2016 Kia Soul EV 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Catalytic converter

"catalytic conerter went out at app. 107,000 miles.Auto repair shop did replacement when tuneup was done."

Anonymous, CA (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)
Other/unsure

"Car theft potential due to the tic toc how to steal kia etc"

Anonymous A., KY (2016 Kia Soul EV 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

"Recall for ignition and now another recall that has to go to the dealership."

Anonymous A., FL (2016 Kia Soul Plus 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"twice I allowed the batteries to drain to 0. It took me until the 2nd time to figure out that when the 12V battery is depleted, the main battery will not charge until the 12V is completely charged, and it must be disconnected to charge properly. The main will charge to full, but it is probably not good to operate this way, I just need to charge at least every 6 weeks."

Anonymous, OR (2016 Kia Soul EV Electric)

"Oil pan damage was discovered by independent repair shop & replaced."

Anonymous A., TX (2016 Kia Soul Exclaim 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"Failed Warning sensor for low oil, Couple of recalls."

Anonymous, (2016 Kia Soul Plus 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

"The charging battery had dtopped in charge to 60% by summer of 2023.we took it into Kia for testing and theh confirmed that the battery was still within its 8yr warranty. Do we got as brand new battery with installation free"

Anonymous, BC (2016 Kia Soul EV)

"Main battery degradation in the last year. It went from 83% SOH to 70 % in 1 year. It was the last year of the warranty and the SOH was stuck at 70.2 for a few weeks. It finally went down straight to 60%"

Anonymous A., QC (2016 Kia Soul EV)

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Engine knock or ping

"And Janak had to have Kia replace it, which took three weeks. It was super frustrating."

Anonymous A., IL (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)
Oil leaks

"Oil is continuously being lost. Garage cannot figure it out after multitude of checks on the problem. Kia garage says they will not put in new engine. Garage says my engine could go at any time. Should never have purchased this car!!!"

Anonymous, WI (2016 Kia Soul 1.6-L 4 Cyl)
Other minor engine problem

"The car had regular oil consumption issues over the course of months, and it was difficult to get Kia to address. After changing the oil, it would be fully empty within 500 miles (without any oil leaks). Kia required several rounds of testing before they would do anything, which likely added to engine damage. An engine soak fixed it for the time being, but damaged the oil sensor."

Anonymous, NJ (2016 Kia Soul Plus 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Electrical Accessories

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Headlights

"headlight flash on and off when driving"

Anonymous, FL (2016 Kia Soul Base Unsure)
Other electrical system problem

"Mechanic told me take it to dealer. Its a problem with the computer system not the lock itself. (Reach hatch lock & window unresponsive to buttons)"

Anonymous, PA (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)
Tire pressure monitor

"They are a pain in the rear, it's some more gadget's that we don't need , break down and cost us money."

Anonymous, CA (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

Engine Electrical

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Coil

"Just another item that needed fixed"

Anonymous A., IL (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)
Starter

"Starter fails at 70K."

Anonymous A., NJ (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

Brakes

Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Premature brake wear

"Living in the Los Angelesarea of California, the constant stop and go/traffic jams kill most brake pads. Next time, I'll pay more and get Bono brake pads."

Anonymous, CA (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)
Rotors

"Caliper was locking up"

Anonymous, (2016 Kia Soul Base 1.6-L 4 Cyl)

Climate System

AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Blower (fan) motor

"Stopped working. Hard to replace"

Anonymous, (2016 Kia Soul Plus 1.6-L 4 Cyl)
Refrigerant leaks

"Car heat would not work was told refridgerant needed to be refilled. That system should be sealed and not leak. Never had this before, even with a car I had since 1994."

Anonymous, UT (2016 Kia Soul EV Electric)

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Other engine cooling problem

"Twice, in less than 97,000 km, the engine warning light starting flashing, in one case the engine shut-off, in the other causing a reduced power mode and forcing a long-distance tow to closest dealer."

Anonymous, BC (2016 Kia Soul Base 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

Noises/Leaks

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

/ 5

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"The car began shaking intensely particularly when switching gears- it needed new spark plus and some attachments replaced- the Kia souls have a shorter short plug apparently."

Anonymous, (2016 Kia Soul Plus 2.0-L 4 Cyl)

In-car Electronics

Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

/ 5

Transmission Minor

Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

/ 5

Body Hardware

Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

/ 5

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

/ 5

Transmission Major

Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

/ 5

Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

/ 5

Suspension/Steering

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

/ 5

Fuel System/Emissions

Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

/ 5

2016 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

No Data Available

Kia vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

Reliability History
* Redesign year
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13
14*
15
16
17
18
19
20*
21
Overall Reliability Verdict

POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Powertrain
Engine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Engine Electrical
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System/Emissions
Exhaust
Suspension/Steering
Brakes
Climate System
Build Quality
Electrical Accessories
Body Hardware
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
In-car Electronics
Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Oct 26, 2023
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Summary:
Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on.
What should you do:
Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 23V724000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 6262
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Mar 29, 2023
A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Summary:
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving.
What should you do:
Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC267.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 23V218000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 2689
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
Jul 02, 2020
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Summary:
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle (EV) vehicles. The parking mechanism may become damaged if the driver moves the gear shift lever into Park 'P' before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. If the parking mechanism is damaged, unintended vehicle movement may occur when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied.
What should you do:
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC191.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 20V389000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 3714
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