CarBrief

NHTSA has 823 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Soul, and the engine group accounts for 617 of them[1][2]. A recall for certain 1.6L engines can end in an engine replacement, so check recall work before you buy[3].

823owner complaints[1]
5recalls[4]
26–27MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Reported problems

Owners filed 823 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 29 mention a crash, 35 a fire and 25 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Fires Median miles at failure
Engine[2] 617 29 90,800
Unknown or other[7] 125 7 75,000
Fuel/propulsion system[8] 84 5 72,617
Power train[9] 65 2 66,100
Electrical system[10] 57 7 68,061
Speed control[11] 33 1 68,000
Steering[12] 30 0 53,500
Brakes[13] 21 1 41,277

The engine group is far larger than any other. We read a small sample of complaint texts in each of the top groups. These are the themes we saw.

Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where owners report trouble, not how likely a problem is.

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year[4]. Newest first.

The facts we have do not say which recalls apply to a specific car. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a Kia dealer.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and gearbox:

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6)[5] 24 / 31 / 27 $2,500
Soul ECO dynamics, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6)[18] 24 / 30 / 26 $2,600
Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6)[19] 24 / 30 / 26 $2,600
Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd[20] 24 / 30 / 26 $2,600

The electric Soul is rated 105 MPGe combined with 93 miles of range[21]. EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2016 Soul 5 stars overall, 5 stars in frontal and side tests and 4 stars for rollover[6]. The rollover risk is listed as 14.7%[6]. The Soul EV has not been rated[22].

Engine and size

EPA lists three power ratings for 2016: 130 hp for the 1.6L 4-cylinder[23], 164 hp for the 2.0L 4-cylinder[24] and 109 hp for the electric motor[25].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[26]. Length, width, height and wheelbase are the same for all variants listed.

Measure Value
Length[27] 163 in
Width[27] 71 in
Height[27] 63 in
Wheelbase[27] 101 in
Curb weight, LX[28] 2,714 lb
Curb weight, EX/SX[27] 2,837 lb
Curb weight, EV[26] 3,289 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2010: 135 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 194 complaints, 3 recalls2012: 514 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 667 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 904 complaints, 5 recalls20142015: 908 complaints, 7 recalls2016: 823 complaints, 5 recalls82320162017: 290 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 222 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 140 complaints, 3 recalls2020: 387 complaints, 1 recalls20202021: 238 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 94 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 54 complaints, 4 recalls2024: 30 complaints, 0 recalls20242025: 12 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Soul model year. The 2016 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20101353
20111943
20125143
20136673
20149045
20159087
20168235
20172903
20182223
20191403
20203871
20212382
2022941
2023544
2024300
2025120

The 2016 Soul has 823 complaints and 5 recalls[4]. Two years sit higher on complaints: 2015 with 908 and 2014 with 904[4]. That puts 2016 third. On recalls, 2015 has 7, and 2016 ties 2014 at 5[4]. Complaints drop sharply after this: 2017 has 290 complaints and 3 recalls[4]. Earlier years are lighter too, such as 667 complaints for 2013[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2016 Soul?

The crash ratings are good, with 5 stars overall[6], and the EPA ratings for gas versions sit at 26 to 27 MPG combined[18][5][19][20]. The engine group has the most complaints, 617, including 29 that mention a fire[2]. Recall 19V120 covers 1.6L engines and can lead to a free engine replacement when damage is found[3]. The steering recall also applies to this model year[17]. Before buying, confirm with a dealer that all recall work is done for that VIN, and have the engine inspected. The facts here cannot tell you whether a particular car is sound.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Soul?
The engine group has the most NHTSA complaints, 617 of 823[1][2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe knocking, stalling and oil light warnings[2].
Does the 2016 Kia Soul have recalls?
NHTSA lists five recalls for the model year, including engine recall 19V120 and steering recall 17V608[4][3][17]. Three more cover the Soul EV[14][15][16].
What is the gas mileage of a 2016 Kia Soul?
EPA rates gas versions at 26 or 27 MPG combined[18][5][19][20]. The electric version is rated 105 MPGe[21].
Is the 2016 Kia Soul safe?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[6].
Is 2016 a good year for the Kia Soul?
It has 823 complaints, third highest of the years on file, behind 2015 and 2014[4]. Later years such as 2017 have fewer, with 290[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 823 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Kia Soul (29 mention a crash, 35 a fire, 25 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 617 complaints name the engine component group (5 crashes, 29 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,800). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 19V120, filed February 22, 2019: Engine. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Soul model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 125 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 7 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 84 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,617). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 65 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 57 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 7 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,061). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 33 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 30 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 21 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,277). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 23V724, filed October 26, 2023: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl). NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 23V218, filed March 29, 2023: Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 20V389, filed July 2, 2020: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 17V608, filed September 29, 2017: Steering. NHTSA recall database
  18. EPA rating for Soul ECO dynamics, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA rating for Soul Electric, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 105 MPGe combined, 93 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Kia Soul with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 130 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Kia Soul with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 164 hp. www.epa.gov
  25. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Kia Soul with electric motor: rated 109 hp. www.epa.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SOUL EV: length 163 in, width 71 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 3,289 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SOUL EX/SX: length 163 in, width 71 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,837 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SOUL LX: length 163 in, width 71 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 101 in, curb weight 2,714 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.