Worst 2016 Kia Soul Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Engine Problems
Fuel System
Engine & Cooling
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Kia Soul.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 535 | 4 | 27 | 86,886 mi | |
| Fuel System | 77 | — | 4 | 67,308 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 61 | — | 2 | 97,740 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 58 | — | 2 | 70,780 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 54 | — | 7 | 50,851 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 38 | 1 | — | 103,537 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 30 | 1 | 1 | 66,342 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 28 | 2 | — | 64,194 mi | |
| Airbags | 16 | 13 | — | 120,011 mi | |
| Body Structure | 16 | 2 | 4 | 53,905 mi | |
| Brakes | 15 | 2 | — | 48,508 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 13 | — | — | 32,950 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 8 | 2 | — | 38,510 mi | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 7 | — | — | 30,650 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 6 | 1 | — | 47,400 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Firerelated | 3 | — | 3 | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Immobilizer/Proximity:Key/Sender | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Oil/Lubrication | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Soul. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2016 Kia Soul
2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~721,348 vehicles.
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.
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.
Other Kia Soul Years
2016 Kia Soul — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2016 Kia Soul reliable?
What are common problems with the 2016 Kia Soul?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Kia Soul?
How safe is the 2016 Kia Soul?
Does the 2016 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2016 Kia Soul?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Kia Soul reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2016 Kia Soul
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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