Model year
2016 Kia Soul
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 816 complaints for the 2016 Kia Soul (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 4 recalls and 7 complaints under SOUL EV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (561), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (123), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (84). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated the SUV FWD 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 26–27 mpg combined and 105 MPGe combined and 32.0 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $700–$2,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2010 135 complaints
- 2011 194 complaints
- 2012 514 complaints
- 2013 667 complaints
- 2014 902 complaints
- 2015 902 complaints
- 2016 816 complaints
- 2017 272 complaints
- 2018 219 complaints
- 2019 137 complaints
- 2020 387 complaints
- 2021 238 complaints
- 2022 94 complaints
- 2023 54 complaints
- 2024 30 complaints
- 2025 12 complaints
Recalls
19V120000 · Feb 22, 2019
ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
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…
17V608000 · Sep 29, 2017
STEERING
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.
Complaints
816 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 28, fire flag on 35, injury field 25, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| SOUL EV | 4 | 7 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA21003 | Engine Fires · ENGINE | Dec 22, 2021 | Feb 5, 2024 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ev SUV FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| SUV FWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul ECO dynamics · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Soul · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 31 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Soul · 1.6L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Soul · 1.6L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 24 | 30 | 26 | — | — | $2,600 |
| Soul Electric · Automatic (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 120 | 92 | 105 | 32.0 | 93 | $700 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2016 Kia Soul at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.