The Lemon Index2016 Kia Soul.
The 2016 Kia Soul is better than average by owner complaints: 118 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 81, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, and it has 2 recalls. The best Kia Soul year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 816 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Soul year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 59K to 108K miles on the car (362 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 66K–110K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 42K–85K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 48K–90K miles
Recalls 2
- engine 2019
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.
- steering 2017
The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 132 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information…
- PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION - NU/GAMMA ENGINES - This bulletin…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine fires2021–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Soul Ev SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $700–2450 a year in electricity (EPA estimate).
In owners' words
Check engine light came on. Vehicle taken into a auto shop. Told it was the catalytic converter. I saw that 2016 Kia souls were being recalled with damaged catalytic converters. Wanting to know if my vehicle qualified.
2016 Kia Soul owner · NHTSA complaint 11184373
More owner reports
I have a recall on my 2016 Kia Soul engine control unit
NHTSA complaint 11210467
Transmission started slipping while driving. Then transmission slipped while going 45 and engine red lined then died. Would not restart.
NHTSA complaint 11093561
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Kia Soul reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 81; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Soul year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2016 Kia Soul problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (52%), transmission & drivetrain (9%) and fuel or ev drive system (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Soul have?
2 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2016 Kia Soul safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Kia Soul problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 59,000 and 108,100 miles. The middle report was at 82,000 miles, from 362 complaints.
Does the 2016 Kia Soul have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Kia Soul cost in fuel a year?
About $700 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What Kia Soul year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2013 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works