10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 24
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
41,249 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 14 of 22)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #180

Oct 092021

Soul

  • miles

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

My check engine light was continually going on and off for a month took it t get it check found out it was converter and their a recall for converter. Took to the Kia dealership with check engine light on to have this taken care they did only a reboot of the engine and light was off so I thought the problem was solve bit the very next day the light was back on went again to the check engine light and again they said it was the catalyst converter took it back to dealership and told their was no more recall on my vehicle I told them about the problem and recall they didn't fix and was told it cost me to do diagnostic test and I week to do that I told I can't be with out a car that long so it was nothing they can do I left and now my check engine light coming on more frequently I might have this fix myself I don't want more engine or worst but why should I pay when this was be taken of them I received a recall notice for same thing 2 days ago and they still won't fix it free of charge what going on and now what shall I do?

- N Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #179

Oct 062021

Soul

  • miles
The component that has failed on this vehicle is the catalytic converter. Two weeks before taking the vehicle in, I noticed that the check engine indicator light was on. As of this writing, the vehicle was taken into Car town Kia ( Oct. 6, 2021) for inspection and computer upgrade but vehicle was not fixed to solve the problem. There was a recall for this particular item but the vehicle still was not fixed. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion, damage to the engine's pistons, and possible piston connecting rod failure but yet, the vehicle has not been fixed. I am afraid that this vehicle will probably catch fire while I am driving it while family members are in the vehicle. I believe my safety as well as the general public can/could be jeopardized if the vehicle were to catch fire. I have no actual confirmation that the vehicle was actually inspected. Kia service managers take no responsibility for the matter and I have been told to resolve the complaint with KIA general management. This issue is a safety hazard and there have been many instances of these vehicles electrical/engine components catching fire while someone is driving.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #178

Sep 222021

Soul

  • miles
My soul is having same problems as others with catalytic converter and engine. Had to replace throttle body that showed bad code to pass inspection. Turned out to be a needed software update to computer not bad throttle body. I'm out $600. Now getting p0420 code. Car stall out around 9/22/21. Another software update given on 10/2/21. Reset, still getting code. Car is also losing oil with no sign of leak. Possibly causing code. Damage may already be done to engine. Telling me I have to pay for repairs if needed.

- Four Oaks, NC, USA

problem #177

Sep 302021

Soul

  • miles

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

Was told by my dealership where I bought the car new. That there have been issues with them burning oil. I checked the oil dip stick and showed no oil and called them and that's what they told me. I was never told or received any kind of notice about this issue

- Minooka, IL, USA

problem #176

Jul 312021

Soul

  • miles
My Kia Soul's engine failed when we were exiting the highway. The car started making awful grinding sounds and went into "limp mode." When I tried to restart the vehicle, the oil lamp and check engine lamp illuminated. The car had shown NO issues the entire day and I had put oil in it earlier that morning because I noticed it was low (I try to check the oil every time I get gas). I had my partner and our dogs in the car with us and had to walk down the highway to the gas station to call somebody since we didn't have service. It was also 110 degrees outside, so the car failing put us in a pretty dangerous situation. We had JUST gotten the recall notice for the vehicle's engine a week before (it looked like it had gotten lost in the mail) and had called around to the Kia Dealerships in the area and none could see us for over a month, which was a problem because we were going to be moving back to the PNW from Death Valley (we had to relocate because I was laid off due to COVID) in less than a month. The closest dealerships were also 100+ miles away. We towed the car with us to WA and got it into a dealership ASAP and they confirmed that the engine had a knock, but Kia refused to fix the issue, stating that because the Knock Sensor Detection Software hadn't been installed, it was not under warranty. The car got serviced at least once every 4 months (I have service records), and I would check and fill the engine oil regularly because the car would burn through it like crazy.

- Tulalip, WA, USA

problem #175

Sep 182021

Soul

  • miles
Catalytic converter, recall SC176" Have issues with code: p0420, replaced the Catalytic converter once and code appears again with engine light on, Kia dealership says they won't perform recall since car is slightly over 80,000. Also oil is constantly running out, not noticing a leak on the ground so must be burning away"

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #174

Sep 062021

Soul

  • miles

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

On Monday September 6, 2021 at about 11:30 pm, I was driving home east on interstate 90, just east of Roselle rd. near Schaumburg, Illinois. When the car began to violently shake. The dash board lights began to flash and the engine just stopped. We managed to steer the car to the side of the express way, in an attempt to restart the car with no luck. A Illinois Dept. of Transportation road side assistance driver tried to start the car when the car explored into fire, the driver put the fire out and provided us with the number of a toe truck, which we had the car toed to the Schaumburg Kia Dealer, located at 1100 East Golf Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173, phone No. is (847) 908-0502, where the dealer is trying to determine the cause of the fire and the amount of damage, if the car is a total loss or not. My car is a 2016 Kia Soul. At this point I have not heard from the dealer after a week, I have called the dealer several times with no reply at all.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

problem #173

Jul 052021

Soul

  • miles
After having my oil and filter changed at jiffy lube in approximately 3 weeks my oil light came on. Had to add 3 quarts. Have had to add 1 quart every 400 miles since. Never had to add oil before the last change. No signs of leak/burning etc. Making an appointment with Kia dealer to investigate - also having them perform the WCU upgrade related to Kia Product Improvement Campaign dated 8/20/20. I was never notified. I have read a number of complaints and quite a few are related to both oil and knock sensor issues. I will update after visit to Kia Dealer.

- Warminster, PA, USA

problem #172

Aug 102021

Soul

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact then discovered that her vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact called a dealer and scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle serviced. A few days after the appointment was made, the vehicle shut-off without warning while driving at 45 MPH. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle would not accelerate or shift out of first gear. The contact called the dealer and she was instructed to bring in the vehicle to have the recall service. A few days later, the contact was informed by the dealer that the resonator had become defective and was not covered under the recall; therefore, she had to pay for the resonator replacement. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and agreed with the diagnostic result from the dealer. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #171

Jul 272021

Soul

  • miles
My newly permitted driver was driving when after crossing highway my car all of sudden was halted to an almost complete stop. the motor stalled in the middle of the highway, thankfully no oncoming traffic was coming. I took the vehicle to mechanic and they said i could have a recall on catalytic converter, called dealership and they state that my car was not in the recall. However my car did exactly what the recall states. now i'm looking at anywhere from 2000-3000 to fix my car is only 5 years old with 75,000 miles. I'm a very dissapointed customer as i was looking to purchase the new telluride however I think I will stay clear from all Kia Products. Concerned Customer

- Erath, LA, USA

problem #170

Aug 262021

Soul

  • miles

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

Three issues: 1) Upon stepping on the gas from a stop, the car often takes 4 or more seconds to actually move. This more than once has gotten me almost hit in the back by the other cars. 2) The car often makes "tractor noises" that are extremely loud and annoying. 3) The mechanic at the shop I took it to said that there's a crazy amount of oil going though the exhaust system. This could result in hat accumulation in the engine and jam it up (at best) or actually lead to a spontaneous fire. I am afraid of getting stranded so I haven't been driving very much. The KIA dealership said that there's nothing they can do. are you kidding me?

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #169

Jul 302021

Soul

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine started knocking. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the contact was informed that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #168

Aug 142021

Soul

  • miles
On/around August 13, 2021 I went to get an oil change and Safety recall performed for the 1.6L engines to protect it from excessive connecting rod bearing damage at a Kia Dealer. It was performed in the AM drove it pretty much all day. the next morning 8.14.21 in the AM drove it for roughly 1hr parked then decided to move the car out of the sun the car would not start. I could put it in the ACC and ON positions to work the radio and windows etc. but it would not start. I was there for 1.5 hrs. then I tried the car again and it started as if nothing was wrong. I drove it for 1 week no issues, then on 08.21.21 I was waiting at a red light when the light turned green I could not move as the car shut down with no warning or warning lights. I put the car in park and then tried turning on the vehicle again it started no issues, I was nervous and scared because we, my daughter and I, were at a very busy intersection not knowing if the car was going to start again. On 08.22.21 I tried starting the car and it took a while for it start as well but started. On 08.23.21 I called the KIA dealer and let them know what happened and took it to them on 8.24.21 in the AM. They were not able to replicate the problem but adjusted the values and said that there were no shut off codes indicated and that was a good sign. I was able to drive it all morning then at 3:15pm it would not start then at around 4:45pm I tried it again and the car started. When it started the stability control light was on and pressing the button to turn it off would not turn it off. I drove it about 5 minutes parked it turned the car off, when I started the car again the stability control light did not come on. I drove it around for a little then called a different KIA dealer and explained the situation so I dropped the vehicle off to the dealer on 8.24.21 in the overnight drop where it currently is where they are charging 139 dollars to diagnose the problem the car has approx 162329 miles

- Contoocook, NH, USA

problem #167

Aug 112021

Soul

  • miles
My husband was exiting the highway when the engine began to sputter and then "explode" into a cloud of smoke from the engine and tail pipe. There was a oil smell. The car was towed to the local Firestone where my husband was told the engine now has a hole in it. Just a few months ago the engine was worked on because one of the cylinders had frozen. Recalls were taken care of prior to our moving to Dallas from San Antonio. If there were more needed, we received no notification despite having service done on this vehicle several times over the past year. My husband could have been on the highway when the engine blew and ended up in a major accident. There were no warning lights to indicate the car had a problem before it blew.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #166

Jun 142021

Soul

  • miles
My car just stopped without warning.. Kia dealership states it need a catalyst converter and 02 sensor.. no engine light came on.. it just stopped.. after they put an software for 50000 incase the engine fail.. well my catalyst converter fail.. without any warning

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #165

Jul 282021

Soul

  • miles
The check engine light is indicating catalytic converter issues. I took it to the mechanic and he is describing the exact problem as found in recall 19V120000. He measured 900-degree exhaust gas temperatures on one side and 500 degrees on the other. The catalytic converter has subsequently been damaged. The Kia dealership is telling me that there is no open recall under the VIN number for my vehicle yet my vehicle is having all the problems as indicated in the aforementioned recall. I'm afraid that this car will catch on fire. What are my options if the dealership refuses to repair this problem as a recall item although my vin number is not listed?

- Hillsborough, NC, USA

problem #164

Jul 042021

Soul

  • miles
Catalytic converter failed, sending pieces into engine, causing engine to catch fire. Melted some major components while driving. Same thing as last MAJOR recall in which Kia Replaced my engine. so, this was a BRAND new 1 1/2 year old engine. This vehicle is currently at Keifer Kia in Eugene, OR awaiting Kia National to do their fire investigation.

- Winston, OR, USA

problem #163

Jan 232021

Soul

  • miles
Right around kia announced catalytic converter recall issues with 2016 kia souls my car stopped running it was brought to a kia dealership where the muffler intake manifold was replaced for $3,000 and told it wasn't the catalytic converter despite having 90% of the listed "symptoms " of the recall.. a complaint was put in to you guys. An extended warranty Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter.was put on. A year later car Stopped again where i was told catalytic converter and even with replacing so much damage had been done most likely to engine since it was burning so much oil that it was a temporary fix. Only way i could sell it was to get it fixed though so another $2800 was spent to replace it. Yet all the issues i have with car are exactly what the recalls state. I feel the first dealership knew this and didnt want to eat the cost of labor. My car was kept there for a few days for them To diagnose and fix which ive never had happen maybe needed overnight but never for days unless a car was at a body shop. I believe the car issues and costs relate to Recall no. 19V120000 Kia's number for this recall is SC176.

- Saint Charles , IL, USA

problem #162

May 262021

Soul

  • 70,055 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, there was an abnormal cracking sound detected before the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering gear and pinion plug needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was like NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V608000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but declined to offer any repair assistance. The failure mileage was 70,055.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #161

Nov 212019

Soul 4-cyl

  • miles
The engine light is starting to appear more frequently this started about two years ago and every few months would appear and the oil would be a little low and more recently after oil changes... I had brought the car in late last year to check on the recall of the engine & mentioned concern... I was told everything was fine and this problem started occurring while before I reached 100,000 miles... I've been waiting over two weeks for an appointment and have one scheduled for July 14 which I made over two weeks ago when the problem occurred once again and I had my mother in the car 90 year old... I've been told by the Kia dealership that everything was good however it appears that this is put me in a situation that could be extremely dangerous if all the oil burns off or there are other issues similar to the below...Optima Hybrid, 2012 Sportage, 2012-?"2013 Sorento, and 2012-?"2013 Forte and Forte Koup with the 2.4-liter Theta II engine; and the 2014-?"2015 Forte, Forte Koup, and Soul with the 2.0-liter Nu engine. Kia will notify owners starting on January 27, 2021. Dealers will inspect the engine compartments of affected vehicles, make repairs, and potentially replace engines. Kia also intends to carry out a software update to add a Knock Sensor Detection System as soon as possible, and the NHTSA report states that Kia will provide 15-year/150,000-mile warranty coverage for engine repairs needed "due to connecting-rod bearing damage." Kia will also reimburse owners for any repair expenses already incurred related to the problem, NHTSA's report says...Just to recap we can't get an appointment till the 14th they're trying to squeeze me in earlier I'll know next Tuesday however I have just paid off my Kia after five years and was hoping to enjoy many more years... I'm very disappointed that the safety of the car and the drivers and the owners are not of the upmost importance Something should be done immediately for their loyal customers... Call [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

- Highwood , IL, USA

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