2016 Kia Soul: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
812 NHTSA owner complaints · 2 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The second-generation Soul (2014–2019) carries the Gamma and Nu engines that were subject to Kia's engine-failure investigation and the 2019 recall for catalytic-converter damage leading to piston failure; the 2014–2016 years have the highest counts, with engine noise, stalling and fire cited. The 2017–2019 years are better, and the third generation from 2020 is quiet apart from a bump in 2020. Read the full note on the model page. 2016 specifically: this is one of the years the note above says to approach with care — 812 complaints on record, verdict AVOID.
Read the guide
Used Kia Sorento, Sportage and Soul: the recall years and the good years after them, including 2016 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 812 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 81.2
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
I own a 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI with approximately 108,956 miles. The vehicle is consuming approximately 1/2 quart of engine oil every 1,000 miles. There is no obvious external oil leak. I am concerned about excessive oil consumption and possible internal engine damage. The vehicle also produces a very loud exhaust-type noise from the front of the vehicle when starting, which appears to be coming from the front exha…
I have a white 2016 Kia Soul Exclaim with 55,150 miles on it. About 3 months ago the paint started bubbling around the panoramic sunroof and has peeled off showing the gray undercoating. Ive read that this is an ongoing issue. I am the original owner and would like to have this issue fixed.
My white paint is bubbling off and peeling down to the metal and it is all over and continues to do so more and more everyday. I am afraid to wash it for fear of having it all come off. It looks terrible and will really look ugly and value comes down quick enough on these cars as it is. It needs to be fixed or something. Can a lemon law be done on the manufacture or something? I still owe on this car and it will b…
Recalls: 2 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 19V120000 | Engine | 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. |
| 17V608000 | Steering | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 27 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,300
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine552 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Unknown Or Other122 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine And Engine Cooling105 complaints · typical job: Water pump, thermostat and coolant service (3.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,040
- Fuel/Propulsion System80 complaints · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,620
- Power Train64 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Electrical System57 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
Other Kia Soul years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Kia Soul?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (552 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2016 Kia Soul a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 43/100, computed from 812 NHTSA complaints and 2 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2016 Kia Soul's most common problem?
552 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2016 Kia Soul sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2016 Kia Soul cost to run per year?
About $5,912 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $29,562 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2016 Kia Soul have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for the 2016 Kia Soul, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 22/02/2019. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2016 Kia Soul really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 812 complaints, 2 recalls on record
- 812 NHTSA complaints on record (81.2/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (30.1/yr)
- 2 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems