2016 Kia Soul Ev
Common Problems
Ranked from 303 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
32 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Catalytic Converter Failure
177complaintsHigh severityEngineThe catalytic converter fails, leading to engine performance issues and potential fire risks.
$900–$2,500est. catalytic converter replacement · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 2
Excessive Oil Consumption
113complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, leading to frequent oil changes or leaks into the catalytic converter.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 3
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
22complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, especially during stop-start conditions, reducing vehicle reliability.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Engine Stalling and Loss of Power
19complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls and loses power, often accompanied by a ticking sound or a noticeable loss of acceleration.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 5
Engine Overheating and Low Oil Pressure
18complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine overheats and experiences low oil pressure, often leading to engine failure or damage.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotes - 6
Engine Knocking Noise and Internal Failure
17complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine produces a knocking noise, indicating internal failure such as piston ring damage or connecting rod bearing failure.
- 7
Check Engine Light On Due to Various Issues
15complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light frequently illuminates due to various engine issues, including oil consumption and catalytic converter failure.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 8
Engine Stalling During Driving
15complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls during driving, often due to issues with the engine control unit or fuel delivery system.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 9
Faulty Stop-Start System
15complaintsMedium severityEngineThe stop-start system malfunctions, causing the engine to stall or fail to start, leading to reduced vehicle reliability.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 10
Engine Misfire and Check Engine Light
13complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and the check engine light comes on, indicating potential issues with the ignition system or fuel delivery.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Engine oil consumption leading to engine seizure
12complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil, leading to engine seizure without warning.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Engine Stall During Acceleration
10complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls or loses acceleration during driving, especially when going uphill or accelerating.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 13
Excessive Oil Consumption and Piston Ring Failure
10complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil, leading to piston ring failure and smoke emission from the exhaust.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 14
Faulty Catalytic Converter Recall Issues
10complaintsMedium severityFuel systemIssues arise from the 2019 recall related to the catalytic converter, leading to repeated failures and recalls.
$900–$2,500est. catalytic converter replacement · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 15
Engine Acceleration Issues
7complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine fails to accelerate properly, resulting in slow response and reduced performance.
- 16
Engine knocking and LIMP mode activation
7complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine experiences knocking and activates LIMP mode, reducing performance and increasing the risk of engine damage.
- 17
Check engine light and engine performance issues
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light illuminates, indicating engine performance issues such as misfires and loss of power.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 18
Engine failure and replacement
5complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails completely, requiring immediate replacement and causing significant safety concerns.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotes - 19
Engine knock and abnormal noise
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces knocking sounds and abnormal noises during operation, indicating potential internal failures.
- 20
Engine misfire and stalling
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and stalls unexpectedly, often at high speeds or during acceleration.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 21
Engine misfire and intermittent power loss
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and experiences intermittent power loss, often requiring frequent repairs.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 22
Engine stalling and loss of power at low speeds
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls and loses power at low speeds, often requiring immediate attention to prevent accidents.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 23
Abnormal Odors from Exhaust
3complaintsMedium severityEngineAn abnormal odor emanates from the exhaust, indicating potential engine or catalytic converter issues.
- 24
Engine Misfire and Misfunction
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and malfunctions, leading to a loss of power and frequent stalling.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 25
Paint Delamination and Corrosion
3complaintsLow severityOtherThe factory paint begins to peel off and corrode, leading to aesthetic and potentially structural issues.
- 26
Brake Malfunction and Inoperability
2complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe brake system malfunctions, leading to brake failure and inoperability while driving.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 27
Catalyst converter failure leading to engine issues
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe catalyst converter fails, causing engine-related issues such as stalling and reduced performance.
- 28
Check Engine Light On Due to Engine Knocking
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light illuminates due to engine knocking, indicating a rod bearing issue.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotes - 29
Engine Knocking and Misfire
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces abnormal knocking sounds and misfires, often resulting in a loss of power and the illumination of warning lights.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotes - 30
Structural damage not properly repaired
2complaintsMedium severityOtherStructural damage to doors or body panels is not properly repaired, leading to continued issues.
- 31
Sunroof Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe sunroof malfunctions, either breaking or failing to retract properly.
- 32
Transmission Failure and Malfunction
2complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails, leading to loss of power and difficulty in shifting gears.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 20V389000, 23V724000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.