Representative model. Photo: Elise240SX, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2016 Kia Soul recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2016 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 823
Latest campaign: Oct 26, 2023

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Power train	2	Oct 26, 2023	23V724000 20V389000
Electrical system	1	Mar 29, 2023	23V218000
Engine	1	Feb 22, 2019	19V120000
Steering	1	Sep 29, 2017	17V608000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Oct 26, 2023Latest campaign


Oct 26, 202323V724000	Power train: automatic transmission gear position indication (prndl) Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V724000 What's wrong Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on. Risk Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed. Filed under Soul Ev Campaign NHTSA 23V724000 · Oct 26, 2023
Mar 29, 202323V218000	Electrical system: propulsion system traction battery A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V218000 What's wrong Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving. Risk A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire. Remedy Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC267. Filed under Soul Ev Campaign NHTSA 23V218000 · Mar 29, 2023
Jul 2, 202020V389000	Power train: automatic transmission gear position indication (prndl) Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 20V389000 What's wrong Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle (EV) vehicles. The parking mechanism may become damaged if the driver moves the gear shift lever into Park 'P' before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. If the parking mechanism is damaged, unintended vehicle movement may occur when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied. Risk Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash. Remedy Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC191. Filed under Soul Ev Campaign NHTSA 20V389000 · Jul 2, 2020
Feb 22, 201919V120000	Engine Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 19V120000 What's wrong 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. Risk Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire. 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. Filed under Soul Campaign NHTSA 19V120000 · Feb 22, 2019
Sep 29, 201717V608000	Steering If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V608000 What's wrong 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. Risk If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. 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. Filed under Soul, Soul Ev Campaign NHTSA 17V608000 · Sep 29, 2017

Merged from NHTSA model names: Soul Ev, Soul. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component823

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

823Complaints filed

29Involving a crash

35Involving a fire

25Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine	561	68	4	29	2
Unknown or other	125	15	3	7	3
Engine and engine cooling	106	13	1	2	2
Fuel/propulsion system	84	10	0	5	1
Power train	65	8	1	2	0
Electrical system	57	7	1	7	5
Vehicle speed control	33	4	2	1	3
Steering	30	4	2	0	2
Service brakes	21	3	2	1	4
Structure	18	2	2	4	1
Exterior lighting	18	2	0	0	0
Air bags	17	2	13	0	10
Suspension	8	1	2	0	0
Visibility/wiper	8	1	0	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	6	1	1	0	0

9 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Soul, Soul EV.

Latest reports

Engine
“Vehicle suffered a sudden, dangerous loss of power on the highway at 70 mph, dropping immediately to 20 mph, creating a severe safety risk. The vehicle has an active P0420 code.”
Filed 10/02/2026 · ODI 11768610
Power train
“I have a 2016 kia soul that has been having drinking oil every 2-3 weeks but there isnt any oil leaking on the ground.last week I was driving home and my car woulnt go over 20mph I took it to kia and they said I need a…”
Filed 09/30/2026 · ODI 11768077
Unknown or other
“Dear Kia Customer Care, I am writing to formally express my disappointment and serious concern regarding my 2016 Kia Soul, VIN [XXX], its engine failure, the applicable engine recall/warranty coverage, and my experience…”
Filed 09/27/2026 · ODI 11767274

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2016 Kia Soul recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Soul have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Soul. The most recent, 23V724000 (reported October 26, 2023), concerns power train. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2016 Kia Soul recalls for?

The largest group is power train, with 2 campaigns. Others: electrical system (1), engine (1), steering (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Kia Soul?

Engine is the most-reported component, named in 561 complaints out of 823 filed with NHTSA (68%). Across all complaints, owners reported 29 crashs and 35 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2016 Kia Soul?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Kia recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Kia dealer.

Check a specific Kia by VIN

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