10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 25
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
40,888 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Kia Soul engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 11 of 24)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #268

Sep 272022

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Had the car no more than 2 months. I-??ve been forced to get multiple oil changes since. Today, while Driving on the interstate, the oil light comes on and then the engine light comes on. Car drops speed and locks. Cars and trucks barreling behind me. Definitely said my prayers. A Good Samaritan who also was a former Kia owner said this happens to kia owners all the time and it has a lawsuit against the company. Shaken, I Called the lot that sold. They said there-??s been recalls and I-??ll have to take it to the dealership to see if they-??ll fix the recall. Called kia after getting home safe. Kia says I-??ll have to bring it in to -??see if it-??s under the recall-??. Now I-??m with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and without the new car I just purchased.

- Nashville , TN, USA

problem #267

Aug 042022

Soul

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle would not exceed 40 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after driving for an extended period, the vehicle accelerated to 60 MPH but would not exceed 60 MPH. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed to determine if the vehicle could be repaired under an unknown recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Tarboro, NC, USA

problem #266

Sep 252022

Soul

  • miles
Engine light flashed and then died. Engine failure. Left me, wife, child and uncle stranded on side of road

- Murrieta, CA, USA

problem #265

Sep 182022

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My vehicle has around 138K miles, mostly highway miles commuting back & forth from work. The vehicle consumes engine oil very rapidly, after 1500 miles of a recent oil change. Had to top off the oil after checking that there was barely any oil left. There was no oil pressure light or any indication of low engine oil. Every week I have to check the oil levels to make sure there is oil still in the engine. This is a safety risk. Excess burning of engine oil can cause engine failure or worse.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #264

Sep 192022

Soul

  • miles
Our car has been plagued with engine and exhaust problems for the past two years. We were told there were no recalls on our model. According to this website that is not true. Today, while driving after over $7500 in out of pocket repairs the car gave an error warning for an engine issue. The engine is less than 3 years old.

- West Greenwich, RI, USA

problem #263

Sep 132022

Soul

  • miles
Check engine light stays on parts house said catalliconverter bad dealer said it's not covered car only has 112000 also said that the steering not covered now what

- Lawton, OK, USA

problem #262

Sep 032022

Soul 4-cyl

  • 93,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

problem #261

Aug 262022

Soul

  • miles
The vehicle just shuts off while driving. I managed to get the car back home and no warning lights were on but the oil was bear with no signs of leaking and just completed an oil change less than 6 months prior. Once we filled up the oil, it had a clicking noise that sounds like a lifter problem. After diagnosis, it was found that cylinders #3 and 4 were rotting due to poor lubrication and required a full engine replacement. We opted to decline the repairs as it costs more than the value of the vehicle.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #260

Aug 222022

Soul

  • miles
Engine: My 2016 was purchased by me on 12/11/2020. With less than 75,000 miles the engine completely blew with no previous warnings while on the way home. Maintained this car since it was my first car purchased. Took the car to Kia and they wouldn't cover the powertrain coverage because I'm the 2nd owner past 60,000 miles and that I didn't get the product improvement when the campaign was going on. Never received a letter about it and the campaign started before I bought my cat. The kicker, the product improvement has a common problem of not detecting engine issues for a lot of people. Been researching and reading others experiences. It's neglectful to continue to let people unknownly drive their cars with faulty engines. They are using the kds product improvement to limit the amount of engines they repair as well. There's a reason why there are increase of engine issues all round the same car years. Kia of South Austin inspected and knew the problem right off the bat.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #259

Aug 252022

Soul

  • miles
While driving, my car's engine simply died while driving and refused to start back, giving a battery light and the oil light on the dash. A local mechanic is assuming the issues seen here are related to a recall for this model's GDI. Thankfully I was able to safely push it into a nearby parking lot to be towed. That said, my only car is now out of service until the Kia dealer can look at it to confirm if it was related to the recall, about 2-3 weeks for this one

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #258

Aug 012022

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In addition to the engine, my catalytic converter is also damaged.

- Lansing, IL, USA

problem #257

Aug 012022

Soul

  • miles
X Company failed to install with apiece of equipment that prevents others from starting up and stealing your car without an key on the day I went outside to find my car back window broken and steering column roped apart and key entry resulting in costly repairs that parts on back order. there is post on social media explaining how to steal this car. unlike other cars this part is equipped preventing the cars from being started unless a code is transmitted

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #256

Sep 102020

Soul

  • miles
Car started burning oil WAY before I hit 100,000 miles which affects MANY other parts. Had to pay for a new O2 sensor, spark plugs keep going bad, catalytic converter failure while driving. Catalytic converter failure due to oil burning which causes the car to fail while driving 55 mph. Trying to press the gas pedal and only able to go 10 mph. Catalytic converter has failed twice in two years. Spark plugs need to be replaced again due to too much oil burning.

- Riley, MI, USA

problem #255

Jun 242022

Soul

  • miles
dealer stated that exhaust system caused engine to overheat and the catalytic converter to go causing the piston to seize completely. there is a recall out for this exact issue but it did not include my vin number. the vehicle stalled multiple times causing myself and my daughter to be stuck in ongoing traffic. the check engine light came on and it was brought to the dealer as soon as they had an opening. I am confused about how a vehicle can have the exact issue from a recall but because it wasn't the specified number that an unsafe vehicle can just be left on the road. it is no longer drivable due to this issue and being unsafe. the issues first appeared in 2021 when I first had the catalytic converter replaced, now barely over a year later it has failed again now also with engine damage to the cylinder and piston.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #254

Aug 162022

Soul

  • miles
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. Recall 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. Recall action 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 replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.

- Dayton, OH, USA

problem #253

Jul 282022

Soul

  • miles
Traveling at low rate of speed, engine began knocking and car stalled. Had car towed to Kia dealership to be told engine seized. No engine lights ever came on. Dealer stated no warranty coverage by KIA because a product IMPROVEMENT update was not completed that would have warned about the upcoming engine failure. We NEVER received a Product IMPROVEMENT notice, we have checked the VIN on numerous web sites and not one sight shows a product recall. Kia dealership wants 8600. To install a salvage engine, Odometer is at about 74,000

- Waterford , WI, USA

problem #252

Jul 302022

Soul

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 85 MPH, there was an abnormal ticking noise detected. The contact stated that the connecting rod went through the engine block. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 102,000.

- Cottage Grove, OR, USA

problem #251

Jul 102022

Soul

  • miles
While driving to work vehicle oil light started flashing and vehicle started making metal on metal noises and vehicle would not accelerate. I pulled over, turned off the engine. The vehicle would not start again. Took vehicle to a mechanic and he told me that I needed a new engine. I went to the dealer when I found out about the recall. I was told they couldn't do anything for me because I never had the car serviced there.

- Orlando , FL, USA

problem #250

Aug 052022

Soul

  • 65,548 miles
The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at approximately 65 MPH, there was a knocking and scrapping sound coming from the engine. The driver pulled over safely and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed with complete engine failure due to a knock sensor detection system failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to Kia Technical Service Bulletin: PI2002B. The approximate failure mileage was 65,548.

- Gold Canyon, AZ, USA

problem #249

Jul 202022

Soul

  • miles
I found a recall issued for my car in 2019, the dealership I bought it from told me it was repaired somewhere in New York in 2019, but it is having the same issues. I paid 2400 out of pocket to have the catalytic converters replaced, along with replacing the pcv and purge valves, as they were clogged due to the overheating. My oil consumption is crazy, about 5qt a week. If the 9V120000 recall WAS actually done, it wasn't successful or done properly because I am having the same issues and my engine could fail at any time. Due to stalling and acceleration issues, I think my pistons are beginning to go. I've already put thousands into this car I've only had for a year, and that is unacceptable. I need to know what can be done. I got in an accident with a pickup truck due to my engine stalling unexpectedly.

- Quakertown, PA, USA

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