Are there open safety recalls?
2 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2016 Kia Soul has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 802 owner complaints, and gets about 26 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2016 Kia Soul
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Small Station Wagons
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
24 injuries reported
24 of 802 reports (~3%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2016.
- 20145recalls
- 20154recalls
- 2016 · this car2recalls
- 20171recall
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 3, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2016 Kia Soul SUV FWD
Open safety recalls
2 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Engine
22/02/2019
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Steering
29/09/2017
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.
How they fix it: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 3, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2016.
- 2014894reports
- 2015900reports
- 2016 · this car802reports
- 2017270reports
802 owner reports on file
29 crash mentions 34 fire mentions 24 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 802 total reports.
- ENGINE 367 of 802
Check engine light came on and car was out of oil even though an oil change was done about a month ago. Catalytic converter was replaced once already. Per mechanic excess heat caused out to leak catalytic converter needs replacing again an
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 99 of 802
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle suddenly stalled. During the failure the odor of fuel was present. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 89 of 802
We would like to file a complaint and request a recall so that Kia Corporation is responsible to pay for a new paint job on our vehicle, 2016 Kia Soul. With Kia Corp, paint is covered under warranty for 3 years, however a customer would not
- POWER TRAIN 61 of 802
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle is a 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI with approximately 83,000 miles. The vehicle experienced engine performance issues, loss of power, a
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 50 of 802
I can not gain speed. The dealership says it’s the catalytic converter and there is an active recall for this on Kia souls. They previously did recall work to my car but now the catalytic converters not showing as a recall
- STEERING 30 of 802
When car is turning a right, the car turns off. When car is parked & stearing isnt straight car wont turn on.
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 3, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2016.
- 201426mpg
- 201526mpg
- 2016 · this car26mpg
- 201728mpg
$2,350
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 24 mpg
Highway driving 30 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 26 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $750 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 101 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 24 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 3, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Body
- Small Station Wagons
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 3, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the engine). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2016 Kia Soul listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2016 Kia Soul? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 Kia Soul, including the engine. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Soul get? +
The EPA rates the 2016 Kia Soul at 26 mpg combined (24 city / 30 highway), about $2,350 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2016 Kia Soul? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2016 Kia Soul 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2016 Kia Soul? +
Owners have filed 802 complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Kia Soul, including 29 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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