The 2016 Kia Soul has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 721,348 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,135 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE19V1200002019-02-22378,967 affected
Defect
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…
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…
STEERING17V6080002017-09-29342,381 affected
Defect
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…
Complaints by component
ENGINE
545
4crashes28fires2injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
116
3crashes7fires3injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
79
4fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
64
2fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN
60
2fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
54
7fires4injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
39
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
30
1crashes1fires3injuries
STEERING
28
2crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS
17
13crashes10injuries
Total complaints1,135
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The contact owns a 2016 kia soul. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 mph, the brakes became inoperable. The contact’s husband, who is an independent mechanic, inspected the vehicle and became aware that the brake fluid lines were rusted and ruptured underneath the middle of…”
“Hello nhtsa I have a problem with my car. Which kia soul plus with 83000 miles on it. It have check engine light blinks with code p1326 which is knock sensor recall. I went to kia dealer at federico kia at wood river illinois they replaced the knock sensor. It show up back in 6 miles. I took it…”
“My 2016 kia soul (1.6l gdi engine) experienced a catastrophic, sudden engine failure while driving, preceded by check engine light code p0420 (catalyst system efficiency below threshold). This exact failure sequence is the precise subject of active nhtsa safety recall campaign 19v120 (kia campaign…”
“The vehicle is burning oil. It creates residue in my engine which may make it dangerous to drive and ruin the catalytic converter, among other issues. I was first notified of this problem during my second oil change in 01/2026 at a kwik kar lube & tune, about 6 months after purchasing the vehicle…”
“The vehicle is burning oil. It creates residue in my engine which may make it dangerous to drive and ruin the catalytic converter, among other issues. I was first notified of this problem during my second oil change in 01/2026 at a kwik kar lube & tune, about 6 months after purchasing the vehicle…”
“I reported to kia regarding 2016 kia soul ev electronic gear shift and power system as follows. "I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern regarding the electronic gear shift and power system on my kia soul ev. I have experienced several dangerous incidents involving the vehicle's…”
“Sudden reduced acceleration / limp mode while driving p1326 knock code potential engine failure / loss of power”
“Sudden reduced acceleration / limp mode while driving p1326 knock code potential engine failure / loss of power”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA21003 Opened 2021-12-22 · closed 2024-02-05
Engine Fires
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2016 Kia Soul as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.