Every 2016 Kia Soul recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Power Train · NHTSA 23V724000
Oct 26, 2023Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V724000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 23V218000
Mar 29, 2023Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 23V218000 →Power Train · NHTSA 20V389000
Feb 7, 2020Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V389000 →Engine · NHTSA 19V120000
Feb 22, 2019Engine
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 19V120000 →Steering · NHTSA 17V608000
Sep 29, 2017Steering
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V608000 →
2016 Kia Soul complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 823 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul, reporting 29 crashes, 35 fires, 25 injuries. Kia has issued at least 132 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine561
- Unknown Or Other125
- Engine and Engine Cooling108
- Fuel/Propulsion System84
- Power Train65
- Electrical System58
Service bulletins by component
- Electrical System (92)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (59)
- Equipment (45)
- Steering (17)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (15)
- Power Train (13)
Read Kia Soul owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2016 Kia Soul
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Vehicle Rollaway
RQ23005Opened Sep 10, 2023Closed Jan 16, 2024
- Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
- Engine Fires
EA21003Opened Dec 22, 2021Closed Feb 5, 2024
What people reported
Owners have filed 823 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“Was driving car lost power of steering and brakes black smoke filled vehicle I jumped out of the car and it went up in flames . The vehicle behind me said the flames were coming out of my front engine”
2016 KIA SOULSep 13, 2026 · NY
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11763887
Crash
“BACKED UP DRIVEWAY TO PARK CAR IN GARAGE. PUT CAR IN "PARK". GOT OUT TO CLEAR PARKING SPACE IN GARAGE. TURNED AROUND TO SEE CAR ROLLING DOWN DRIVEWAY INTO WALL- WHILE IN "PARK".”
2016 KIA SOUL EVSep 13, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11129274
Injury reported
“The contact's grandmother owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his grandmother was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheated. No warning lights were illuminated.”
2016 KIA SOULAug 12, 2026
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11756561
“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul EV. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was on the charging port, the vehicle failed to hold the charge and only displayed an 83 percent charge.”
2016 KIA SOUL EVSep 18, 2023
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11545156
Fire
“I had the oil changed on my car at a local tire and lube shop. Two weeks later I drove to Vegas (7 hrs one way).”
2016 KIA SOULApr 18, 2026 · NV
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11732012
Check your Soul by VIN
Not every 2016 Kia Soul is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Kia dealer.
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