The 2016 Kia Soul is associated with 809 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 2 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Engine, accounting for 339 reports (42% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning all-electric, 2l 4-cyl, and 1.6l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 26 to 27 MPG combined. All-electric variants deliver up to 105 MPGe with an estimated range of 93 miles.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 809 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 2 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Engine (339 / 42%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 29 crash / 34 fire / 17 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 26–27 MPG (5 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Soul Electric 100% Electric | Electric Motor | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (A1) | 120 MPGe | 92 MPGe | 105 MPGe | 93 mi | $700 / yr |
| Soul | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 MPG | 31 MPG | 27 MPG | — | $2,300 / yr |
| Soul ECO dynamics | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Soul | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 24 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Soul | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 24 MPG | 30 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
Electric Range & Charging: The 2016 Kia Soul provides an official EPA-rated driving range of up to 93 miles on a single battery charge.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 14.7% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Kia Soul models.
View complete 2016 Kia Soul crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Kia Soul problems & component breakdown (95 categories) →
Affected Component: ENGINE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: STEERING
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
View all 2016 Kia Soul recalls & campaign history (2 campaigns) →