Is the 2016 Kia Soul a bad year?
824 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 592, 7.8× a quiet Soul year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Kia Soul were filed between 70k and 112k miles. You're at 89,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2016 Soul owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 89,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 591 (72%) | 70k–112k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 62 (8%) | 54k–90k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 56 (7%) | 33k–93k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 33 (4%) | 53k–113k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 39 (5%) | 90k–121k miles · ahead | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 85 (10%) | 48k–85k miles · mostly behind | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 30 (4%) | 13k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 21 (3%) | 18k–78k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 18 (2%) | 58k–88k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 17 (2%) | 9k–53k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 19 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 89,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 824 complaints: 28 mention a crash · 35 mention a fire · 17 report an injury · 94 say the car was towed.
78 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Driving vehicle approximately 35-45 miles per hour on city street - load noise under engine, it started knocking, loss of power, large puddle of oil under vehicle.
Car was in motion making a knocking sound. Car felt like it was going to stall so I pulled over to the shoulder.
I was driving my vehicle on the interstate (I-90 wb) on 10/11/2019 at approx 70 mph. My engine started to lose power then I saw smoke coming from under my hood.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 89,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2016 Kia Soul: 2
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. 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.
The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly. If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Kia: 87
Repair instructions Kia sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2016 Kia Soul. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Product improvement campaign: engine replacement instructions for DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z)
Low oil pressure at idle after gamma 1.6L GDI short block engine replacement
DTC P0011/ P0014/ P0016/ P0017 DUE TO INCORRECT CAMSHAFT RELUCTOR WHEEL CONFIGURATION - This Pitstop provides information on some 2010-2013MY Soul (AM)…
1.6L GDI with MIL on DTC P050A ECM logic improvement (SA485)
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Engine Fires
Neighbouring years
2015 Soul: 903 complaints, consider selling · 2017 Soul: 273 complaints, consider selling.
Every Kia Soul year
2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · All Soul years side by side
Other Kia models: Kia Amanti · Kia Cadenza · Kia Carnival · Kia EV6 · Kia EV9 · Kia Forte · Kia K5 · Kia Niro · Kia Optima · Kia Optima Hybrid · Kia Rio · Kia Rondo · Kia Sedona · Kia Seltos · Kia Sephia · Kia Sorento · Kia Spectra · Kia Sportage · Kia Stinger · Kia Telluride. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2016 Kia Soul a bad year?
824 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 592, 7.8× a quiet Soul year. At 89,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2016 Kia Soul were filed between 70k and 112k miles. You're at 89,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Soul?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (591), transmission and drivetrain (62), electrical system (56), speed control (33), exhaust (39). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 70k–112k miles.
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Soul have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Exhaust (NHTSA 19V-120), Steering (NHTSA 17V-608). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.