2016 Kia Soul
Common Problems
Ranked from 303 federal NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
28 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
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Catalytic Converter Failure
155complaintsSafety riskEngineThe catalytic converter fails, leading to engine stalling and requiring replacement.
$900–$2,500est. catalytic converter replacement · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 2
Excessive Oil Consumption and Burning
148complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine burns excessive oil, leading to frequent oil changes and potential engine damage.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 3
Catalytic Converter Failure
16complaintsHigh severityEngineMultiple catalytic converters have failed, often requiring multiple replacements within a short period.
$900–$2,500est. catalytic converter replacement · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 4
Engine Knocking and Loss of Power
16complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine makes a knocking sound and experiences a sudden loss of power, often leading to engine failure.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 5
Engine Failure Due to Piston Damage
10complaintsHigh severityEnginePiston damage leads to engine failure, increasing the risk of a crash due to engine stalling or loss of power.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 6
Engine Misfires and Check Engine Light
10complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and the check engine light comes on, indicating potential engine component failures.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 7
Engine oil consumption leading to engine seizure
10complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil, leading to engine seizure without warning.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 8
Faulty Catalytic Converter
10complaintsMedium severityEngineThe catalytic converter fails or becomes clogged, leading to engine performance issues and potential emissions violations.
$900–$2,500est. catalytic converter replacement · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 9
Check Engine Light On Due to Engine Issues
7complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light illuminates due to various engine-related issues such as misfires and knock sensors.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 10
Engine stalling and loss of power during acceleration
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls and loses power during acceleration, often accompanied by an abnormal knocking sound.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 11
Airbag system failure during accidents
4complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe airbags fail to deploy during accidents, increasing the risk of injury or death.
- 12
Engine knock and abnormal noise
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces knocking sounds and unusual noises during operation, indicating potential internal failures.
Related recall: 19V120000
- 13
Engine Misfire and Knocking
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and produces a knocking sound, indicating potential internal engine failure.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 14
Random Engine Misfires and Stalls
4complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and stalls randomly, often without warning lights, affecting vehicle performance and safety.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 15
Engine failure leading to vehicle losing power and stalling
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine fails, causing the vehicle to lose power and stall, often requiring towing.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 16
Engine failure leading to vehicle stalling and inability to accelerate
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails, causing the vehicle to stall and lose the ability to accelerate, posing a safety risk.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 17
Engine Knocking and Limp Mode
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine emits a knocking sound and enters limp mode, indicating potential rod bearing wear or other internal engine issues.
Related recall: 19V120000
- 18
Engine misfire and loss of power due to catalytic converter issues
3complaintsMedium severityEngineThe catalytic converter issues lead to engine misfires and a loss of power, affecting vehicle performance.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 19
Abnormal Odors from Exhaust
2complaintsLow severityEngineAn abnormal odor emanates from the exhaust, indicating potential engine or catalytic converter issues.
Related recall: 19V120000
- 20
Catalyst converter failure leading to engine issues
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe catalyst converter fails, causing engine-related issues such as stalling and loss of power.
Related recall: 19V120000
- 21
Catalytic Converter Failure Causing Smoke and Loss of Power
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe catalytic converter fails, causing smoke emission and loss of vehicle power.
$900–$2,500est. catalytic converter replacement · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 22
Engine Knocking Noise and Internal Failure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine produces a knocking noise and experiences internal failures, potentially leading to engine damage.
Related recall: 19V120000
- 23
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls at idle, especially during stop-start conditions, reducing vehicle reliability.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 24
Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Engine Damage
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive oil, leading to potential engine damage and smoke emission.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 19V120000
- 25
Paint Delamination and Corrosion
2complaintsLow severityOtherFactory paint and clear coat peel off, exposing the underlying metal and causing aesthetic issues.
- 26
Transmission Seizure and Loss of Power
2complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission seizes, causing the vehicle to lose power and become inoperable.
$200–$2,500est. drivetrain diagnosis + repair · 1–8 hrs laborGet local quotes - 27
Unexplained Smoke and Fire Risk
2complaintsSafety riskOtherUnexplained smoke from the vehicle poses a fire risk, with no clear warning signs before the incident.
- 28
Unreliable Electrical Systems
2complaintsLow severityElectricalThe electrical systems, including lighting and infotainment, are unreliable and may fail without warning.
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.