2016 Kia Soul Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 547 4 crash 28 fire 2 injury

“The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine made an abnormal sound. The contact turned off the vehicle to let it cool down. The vehicle was restarted and taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the catalytic converter and exhaust pipe had caught fire and melted. The mechanic performed an oil change and drilled a hole in the catalytic converter, and advised the contact to take t…”
NHTSA complaint #11727449, 2026 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“I purchased this 2016 Kia Soul from a dealership in April, 2024. On [XXX], I was driving on a residential street when I heard an explosion. Smoke poured from the back of the car and from under the hood. I tried to stop, but the brakes failed. I put the car in park, but it would not stop. I finally put the emergency brake on and it stopped. By this time, the car was basically a fireball. I had to get out by stepping through fire. I inhaled smoke from the burning and melting elements of the vehicle. The fire department arrived quickly, but it took 10-15 minutes to put the fire out. I have since…”
NHTSA complaint #11594984, 2024 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“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). While in Vegas I started to hear a super faint clicking noise coming from under my hood, but no lights came on inside, so I assumed maybe it was nothing serious and would have it checked when I returned home 3 days later. On the way home (2 hrs from home) the clicking got louder. I attempted to pass some cars and, as I accelerated, the clicking got much louder and then I heard a loud clank and the car shuttered. I proceeded to pull over and got out of the car and saw small flames…”
NHTSA complaint #11732012, 2026 · fire

Unknown Or Other 118 3 crash 7 fire 3 injury

“I purchased this 2016 Kia Soul from a dealership in April, 2024. On [XXX], I was driving on a residential street when I heard an explosion. Smoke poured from the back of the car and from under the hood. I tried to stop, but the brakes failed. I put the car in park, but it would not stop. I finally put the emergency brake on and it stopped. By this time, the car was basically a fireball. I had to get out by stepping through fire. I inhaled smoke from the burning and melting elements of the vehicle. The fire department arrived quickly, but it took 10-15 minutes to put the fire out. I have since…”
NHTSA complaint #11594984, 2024 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“For a week or two when I turned the heated seat on I would often feel a very intense heat from the seat back when it started up for a period of time. I had just recently had a back injury so I thought perhaps my back was being overly sensitive. Finally on the 27th just after I started driving the car in the morning I felt the burning feeling on my back again and stuck my hand behind me to feel the seat. I felt burning on my hand and pain and yanked my hand away immediately, pulled over, and looked behind me at the seat, in time to see a curl of smoke coming out of a small hole on the back of…”
NHTSA complaint #11442951, 2021 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR LAST YEAR AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. I ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A BROKEN STERNUM. MY STEERING WAS WEIRD RIGHT BEFORE I CRASHED.”
NHTSA complaint #11316104, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Engine And Engine Cooling 104 1 crash 2 fire 1 injury

“The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine made an abnormal sound. The contact turned off the vehicle to let it cool down. The vehicle was restarted and taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the catalytic converter and exhaust pipe had caught fire and melted. The mechanic performed an oil change and drilled a hole in the catalytic converter, and advised the contact to take t…”
NHTSA complaint #11727449, 2026 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle began to overheat and there was smoke coming out from underneath the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle then caught on fire. The contact stated that a significant amount of oil had leaked underneath the vehicle onto the ground. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with the assistance of the fire department. The contact was unsure whether a fire department report or police report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle…”
NHTSA complaint #11503677, 2023 · fire

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the contact slowed down then merged into another lane when the vehicle decelerated inadvertently and would not accelerate above 2 mph. Another vehicle crashed into the middle of the front and rear passenger’s side door frames of the vehicle, which caused the doors to not be able to open. No medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the catalytic converter was clogged. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to another dealer Spradle…”
NHTSA complaint #11427621, 2021 · crash

Fuel/Propulsion System 79 4 fire 1 injury

“I purchased this 2016 Kia Soul from a dealership in April, 2024. On [XXX], I was driving on a residential street when I heard an explosion. Smoke poured from the back of the car and from under the hood. I tried to stop, but the brakes failed. I put the car in park, but it would not stop. I finally put the emergency brake on and it stopped. By this time, the car was basically a fireball. I had to get out by stepping through fire. I inhaled smoke from the burning and melting elements of the vehicle. The fire department arrived quickly, but it took 10-15 minutes to put the fire out. I have since…”
NHTSA complaint #11594984, 2024 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“While driving my 2016 Kia Soul Plus on the highway, smoke began coming from the rear of the vehicle. Within seconds, flames were visible. Other drivers flagged me down, and I was able to pull over. I evacuated three dogs from the car, but the vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames and was a total loss. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. There were no warning lights or unusual performance issues immediately before the fire started. The vehicle had not been modified and was in regular use. This incident posed a severe risk to my safety, the safety of my pets, and other…”
NHTSA complaint #11682398, 2025 · fire

“INCIDENT: [XXX] Driving from [XXX] to [XXX] Notice a slight gasoline smell in the car. I figured it was traffic smog. [XXX] I noticed the inside of the car still smelled of gasoline. Looked up on Google to see if this was an underlying issue. My quick search led me to believe that it was severe. Firestone Complete Auto Care [XXX]: After a quick lookup on Google, I called my local Firestone via Bluetooth to see if they had an opening today. When I talked to a worker describing my concerns, they told me there were no openings that day and that tomorrow ([XXX]) they were available. I book…”
NHTSA complaint #11569390, 2024 · fire

Power Train 64 1 crash 2 fire

“On Monday September 6, 2021 at about 11:30 pm, I was driving home east on interstate 90, just east of Roselle rd. near Schaumburg, Illinois. When the car began to violently shake. The dash board lights began to flash and the engine just stopped. We managed to steer the car to the side of the express way, in an attempt to restart the car with no luck. A Illinois Dept. of Transportation road side assistance driver tried to start the car when the car explored into fire, the driver put the fire out and provided us with the number of a toe truck , which we had the car toed to the Schaumburg Kia D…”
NHTSA complaint #11432731, 2021 · fire

“ON SUNDAY, MAY 26TH, 2019, OUR KIA SOUL CAUGHT FIRE AS WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. MY FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR WHEN MY HUSBAND FELT THE CAR LOSE POWER. WE HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND BETWEEN US AND UNDER US, FORWARD BETWEEN OUR SEATS AND THE ENGINE. MY HUSBAND SAW SMOKE AS HE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. A FEW SECONDS AFTER WE PULLED OVER, WE SAW FLAMES ERUPT FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. WE GOT OUR THREE KIDS OUT OF THE CAR AS FAST AS WE COULD AND RAN FROM THE CAR. WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE CAME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND DIRECT TRAFFIC, AS AT LEAST ONE LANE…”
NHTSA complaint #11217487, 2019 · fire

“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".”
NHTSA complaint #11129274, 2018 · crash

Electrical System 57 1 crash 7 fire 5 injury

“WHEN I PRESS THE GAS THE VOLTAGE IS HIGH AND AMPLIFIER MY HEART FEELS AS IF ITS GOING TO BURST MY KIDS NOSE BLEED AND THEY GET SICK WHEN AIR IS ON THE SMELL IS BAD IN CRUISE CONTROL AROUND CERTAIN VEHICLES IS SPEEDS UP ON ITS ON...I'VE NOTICED ALTERED PARTS AND THE INSURANCE INFO IS ALTERED MY BOYFRIEND [XXX] BOUGHT CAR 11/2019 FROM KIA OF GREER ONLY ONE OWNER THE MILEAGE ON PAPERS IS WRONG AND SO IT IS ONLINE...I HEAR SOMEONE IN AND OUT CAR AT NIGHTS BOYFRIEND SAID LEAVE IT ALONE MISSING ID SOCIAL BIRTHCERTIFCATES OIT DASH WHEN RUNNING OUT TO SEE WHO WAS AT CAR DOOR WAS LEFT OPENED THE CENTER…”
NHTSA complaint #11210227, 2019 · 3 injury(ies)

“For a week or two when I turned the heated seat on I would often feel a very intense heat from the seat back when it started up for a period of time. I had just recently had a back injury so I thought perhaps my back was being overly sensitive. Finally on the 27th just after I started driving the car in the morning I felt the burning feeling on my back again and stuck my hand behind me to feel the seat. I felt burning on my hand and pain and yanked my hand away immediately, pulled over, and looked behind me at the seat, in time to see a curl of smoke coming out of a small hole on the back of…”
NHTSA complaint #11442951, 2021 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the battery, steering, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The steering wheel then seized. The contact stopped the vehicle in the left lane of the highway when another vehicle sideswiped the passenger side of her vehicle and fled the scene. The air bags did not deploy. The contact experienced sore body pains, but medical attention was not received. No police report was filed. The contact activated the hazard lights, and the vehicle shut off after an hour of idling. VDOT arrived on the scene an…”
NHTSA complaint #11578942, 2024 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Vehicle Speed Control 31 2 crash 1 fire 3 injury

“WHEN I PRESS THE GAS THE VOLTAGE IS HIGH AND AMPLIFIER MY HEART FEELS AS IF ITS GOING TO BURST MY KIDS NOSE BLEED AND THEY GET SICK WHEN AIR IS ON THE SMELL IS BAD IN CRUISE CONTROL AROUND CERTAIN VEHICLES IS SPEEDS UP ON ITS ON...I'VE NOTICED ALTERED PARTS AND THE INSURANCE INFO IS ALTERED MY BOYFRIEND [XXX] BOUGHT CAR 11/2019 FROM KIA OF GREER ONLY ONE OWNER THE MILEAGE ON PAPERS IS WRONG AND SO IT IS ONLINE...I HEAR SOMEONE IN AND OUT CAR AT NIGHTS BOYFRIEND SAID LEAVE IT ALONE MISSING ID SOCIAL BIRTHCERTIFCATES OIT DASH WHEN RUNNING OUT TO SEE WHO WAS AT CAR DOOR WAS LEFT OPENED THE CENTER…”
NHTSA complaint #11210227, 2019 · 3 injury(ies)

“ON SUNDAY, MAY 26TH, 2019, OUR KIA SOUL CAUGHT FIRE AS WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. MY FAMILY WAS IN THE CAR WHEN MY HUSBAND FELT THE CAR LOSE POWER. WE HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND BETWEEN US AND UNDER US, FORWARD BETWEEN OUR SEATS AND THE ENGINE. MY HUSBAND SAW SMOKE AS HE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. A FEW SECONDS AFTER WE PULLED OVER, WE SAW FLAMES ERUPT FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. WE GOT OUR THREE KIDS OUT OF THE CAR AS FAST AS WE COULD AND RAN FROM THE CAR. WE CALLED 911 AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE CAME TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND DIRECT TRAFFIC, AS AT LEAST ONE LANE…”
NHTSA complaint #11217487, 2019 · fire

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact was parking the vehicle when it inadvertently accelerated resulting in crashing into a store. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact mentioned that the brake pedal was depressed and that the accelerator pedal was not accidentally depressed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where the insurance company adjusted the vehicle's exterior damage. The vehicle was later towed to Caliber to assess internal damages. The air bags in the vehicle failed to deploy. There were no injuries and no property damage. A police report was filed. The con…”
NHTSA complaint #11573135, 2024 · crash

Steering 30 2 crash 2 injury

“ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET DOING ABOUT 15 MPH. WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEERED TO THE RIGHT HITTING A PARKED CAR AND DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY KIA SOUL AND MODERATE DAMAGE TO A FORD EXPLORER. IT WAS MID DAY AND GOOD VISIBILITY AND I WAS ALERT ON FAMILIAR TERRITORY IN MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. I AM CONCERNED THAT EVEN THOUGH KIA AND NHTSA DON'T SHOW THIS VIN # IN THE STEERING RECALL HOW CAN I AND OTHERS BE SURE IT SHOULDN'T BE? CHP DID COLLISION REPORT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V736000. PLEASE RESPOND THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS REPORT AND ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATION. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10939501, 2017 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“It suddenly didn't want to turn and made me wreck it and bent the tie rods or something”
NHTSA complaint #11422503, 2021 · crash

“When car is turning a right, the car turns off. When car is parked & stearing isnt straight car wont turn on.”
NHTSA complaint #11718798, 2026

Service Brakes 20 2 crash 4 injury

“FOUR CAR COLLISION, KIA SOUL 2016 WAS THE FIRST CAR. SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET, BREAKS DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS ON ROAD. NO ONE WAS CITED DURING THE ACCIDENT, OFFICERS ON SITE HAD BELIEF THERE WERE OTHER COMPLICATIONS RATHER THAN DRIVER NEGLIGENCE.”
NHTSA complaint #11375311, 2020 · crash · 4 injury(ies)

“WHILE DRIVING IN REGENERATIVE BRAKE MODE AND COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT, I LET THE REGENERATIVE BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR TO AROUND 10 KM/HR THEN APPLIED THE NORMAL BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE REST OF THE WAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT ENGAGE WHATSOEVER. I DID NOT FEEL ANY RESISTANCE AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND. BECAUSE I COULDN'T STOP, I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME - LOW SPEED SO LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. PEDAL WAS FLOORED AND THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION, ONLY MILD DECELERATION (I.E. STILL FROM THE…”
NHTSA complaint #10891740, 2016 · crash

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The contact’s husband, who is an independent mechanic, inspected the vehicle and became aware that the brake fluid lines were rusted and ruptured underneath the middle of the vehicle. The contact stated that brake fluid was added but the brake pedal was mushy while depressed. The brake warning light was illuminated after the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was ap…”
NHTSA complaint #11745980, 2026

Exterior Lighting 18

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, while making a right turn, the right turn signal blinked extremely fast. The contact stated that while making a left turn, the left turn signal blinked normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11717902, 2025

“I leave for work early in the morning and several times the lights would start blinking and go out. The lights would come back on after blinking again. There were no warning signs and it makes me scared to drive the car. I took the car to a mechanic who told me he checked the recall list. My state does not require an inspection and I have not talked to my insurance company cause I need to and want to hear from KIA. A coworker told me he think it could be in the turn signal. I just need KIA to check my car for a recall or maybe try to check it for a defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11642047, 2025

“For the 4th time in a year, my headlights automatically turned on while vehicle was parked. I have the headlights set to turn on/off when vehicle is started or shut off. I do not have a DLR options to set the lights to. All four times the vehicle started and I have no idea how long lights were off. Two of the 4 times, I noticed they were on in the middle of the night. The other two times, the neighbor texted me during the day, while vehicle had been parked, for hours and or a few days, and said I should check my lights and when I did, they were on. I rarely drive at night and have read some o…”
NHTSA complaint #11607666, 2024

Structure 18 2 crash 4 fire 1 injury

“ON 2/18/17 MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION IN OUR 2016 KIA SOUL. SHE STRUCK A STOPPED TOYOTA CAROLLA AT OVER 45MPH ON SOUTHBOUND I-5 IN SEATTLE WA. THIS WAS A DIRECT FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS IN THE KIA SOUL DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE METAL BUMPER BAR WAS COMPLETELY BENT IN A "V" SHAPE BACK BEYOND THE RADIATOR. KIA USA FIRST CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO UNDER RIDING. SENT THEM DAYTIME PHOTOS FROM THE NEXT DAY WHEN WE VISITED THE CAR TO REMOVE PERSONAL ITEMS AND THEY CHANGED THE STORY TO "THE AIR BAG SENSORS ARE IN THE CONNECTING PILLARS SO THIS STILL WOULD N…”
NHTSA complaint #10957400, 2017 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE WHOLE CAR IS DAMAGED. THERE IS NO FRONT THE INTERIOR IS GONE. I HAVE STARTED A CASE WITH KIA. MY VEHICLE WAS GOING UP A HILL ABOUT 30 MINKES AN HOUR WHEN IT STARTED SMOKING. IT WAS PULLED OVER AND THE HOOD WAS POPPED. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. SOON THE WHOLE FRONT AND MIDDLE OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THIS WAS AT 14000 JERICHO STREET AT THE ENTRANCE OF BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY IN BOWIE MD. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED.*DT*JB*DT*DT”
NHTSA complaint #11403965, 2021 · fire

“MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND HAD JUST PULLED ONTO THE INTERSTATE AND HE HEARD A "POP" SOUND, SO HE PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT OUT. WHEN HE GOT OUT AND OPENED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE AND ENGULFED THE WHOLE CAR. THERE WAS NO WARNING ANYTHING WAS WRONG PRIOR TO HIM HEARING THE SOUND. IT NEVER LOST POWER, NEVER HAD ANY SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, NEVER A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, OVER HEATING LIGHT, LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT, NOTHING. IT WAS RUNNING 100% FINE. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS, AND I AM JUST THANKFUL HE STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND IS SAFE AND DID NOT HAVE OUR CHILDREN IN THE CAR WITH HI…”
NHTSA complaint #11398734, 2021 · fire

Air Bags 17 13 crash 10 injury

“STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE SIDE AIBAGS DID DEPLOYED. CAR WAS GOING 55MPH AND COLIDED INTO ANOTHER CAR WITH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TOOK MAJORITY OF THE FORCE.”
NHTSA complaint #11620013, 2024 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE 91FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA.I WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC.I WAS HIT SO HARD FROM THE BACK THAT I WAS THROWN INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE CAR.MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.NOT ONE SINGLE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES.BY THAT I MEAN WERE ALIVE.”
NHTSA complaint #11344214, 2020 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“ON OCTOBER 28, 2020 I HAD A BOX TRUCK SLAM THE BRAKES IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO REAR END THEM GOING APPROXIMATELY 25/30 MPH. THE FRONT OF MY KIA WAS SMASHED INTO THE ENGINE AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE SUSTAINED MAJOR LONG TERM INJURIES DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING.”
NHTSA complaint #11376080, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Suspension 8 2 crash

“THE CRASH AT ABOUT 2:30AM EARLY TUESDAY MORNING ON NOV. 24, 2020, ON HER WAY HOME FROM HER NEARBY 2ND SHIFT JOB, MY WIFE'S 2016 KIA SOL WAS HIT HARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A CAR BEING PURSUED BY POLICE. LUCKILY, AND POSSIBLY BECAUSE MY WIFE IS SHORT AND SITS HIGH, SHE APPEARS UNINJURED ALTHOUGH VISIBLY SHAKEN AND VERY NERVOUS ABOUT NIGHT DRIVING. MY WIFE HAD PULLED HER CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE 4+ LANE ROAD WHEN SHE HEARD SIRENS. WHILE PULLED OVER WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE PERPETRATOR'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PUSHED HER CAR SEVERAL FEET…”
NHTSA complaint #11383822, 2020 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE TURNED TO THE LEFT AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE INCIDENT DAMAGED ONE OF THE TIRES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER (SUPERIOR KIA, 260 W. MITCHELL AVE, CINCINNATI, OH) AND WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11112207, 2018 · crash

“The engine makes a noise like a knock, when the car is running or the speed increases the noise becomes louder and it feels like a strong blow coming from the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11692473, 2025

Visibility/Wiper 8

“I was driving my 2016 Kia Soul down the road at about 20 mph when I heard a very loud bang that startled me. I looked behind and to the sides and nothing but when I looked up, the fixed panel in the sunroof had shattered but not yet fallen in.There are several lawsuits against Kia for the sunroofs, including through Gibbs Law Group and a case in Canada.They continue deny responsibility for all their defects despite their cars catching on fire, getting stolen, stalling out, rolling away and having exploding sunroofs. NHTSA has to do something to stop Kia and Hyundai from continuing to sell cars…”
NHTSA complaint #11593169, 2024

“The car was recalled in 4/2019 for a repair. I purchased the car 8/2020. The repair indicated catalytic converter assessment to ensure that the engine did not need to be replaced. It was not checked or verified. The recall was insufficient done and the car should had never been sold. And the recall was not completed prior. I took the vehicle in to complete a recall on a hazardous vehicle. Kia had my car for a month and half replacing the engine and within hours of picking up my car the engine light came back on. The car is still doing the exact same thing it was doing leading up to original re…”
NHTSA complaint #11523138, 2023

“CARMAX sold a recalled vehicle in 2019 in 2020. KIA has still improperly repaired the vehicle the car is still doing the exactly same thing it was doing. That lead to the repair. After picking within the hour the engine light came back on and had been on ever since. I now have electrical issues with the window since KIA Napelton of Elmhurst repaired the vandalism the wiper is malfunctioned at pick up. I want a refund the vehicle is a safety issue mechanical and for theft.”
NHTSA complaint #11523358, 2023

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 6 1 crash

“I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT INVOLVED ME LEAVING THE ROAD AND THAT I WAS COMPLETELY AIRBORNE LANDING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EMBANKMENT MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UNDER THE FORCE OF MY CAR GOING AIRBORNE AND LANDING SO HARD THAT MY UNDERSIDE OF MY CAR WAS TORN UP NEEDING ALMOST 6,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. INCLUDING BREAKING MY OIL FILTER OFF OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE COMPLETELY DEPLOYED. BUT THEY DID NOT. I REALLY AM SCARED THAT IF I WAS IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT THEY WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED TO SAVE MY OR MY FAMILIES LIFE.”
NHTSA complaint #11165917, 2018 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND THROWS P050A CODE. I TOOK INTO AUTHORIZED DEALER IN OCTOBER 2019, I WAS TOLD KIA IS AWARE OF ISSUE AND THE CODE IS INSIGNIFICANT, THEY CLEARED THE CODE. THIS CODE ERROR WAS TRIGGERED AGAIN ABOUT 4/12/2020. I HAVE CALLED KIA TO ASK FOR A RESOLUTION AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THERE IS NOT ONE, EXCEPT TO HAVE A DEALER CLEAR THE CODE. THEY HAVE NO TIME FRAME FOR A RESOLUTION. I BELIEVE THIS BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE AS WE AS DRIVERS SHOULD HAVE TRUST IN THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WARNINGS FOR ENGINE PROBLEMS, AND I AM CONCERNED FOR WHEN THERE IS AN AC…”
NHTSA complaint #11322750, 2019

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ON I-20 GOING SEE MOTHER IN LAW @ AROUND 10:30 PM AND THE CAR JUST STARTED LICKING UP SPEED ON IT OWN AND I HAD FIANCEE WITH ME . I AM DEAF SAID THERE SOMETHING WRONG I SAID WHAT THE CAR STARTED IDLING REALLY WERID . AND HE SAID PULL OFF NEXT EXIT START TRY TO STALL ON THE FREEWAY. SO PULL OVER TO EXIT AND START TO RUN NORMAL FOR FEW MINS THEN STALL AGAIN OFF AND ON. I PULL OFF HULEN ST AT TOM THUMB PARKING LOT CHECK EVERYTHING SEEM OKAY WITH MOTOR AND FIANCEE CHECK DIDNT SEE ANYTHING WRONG. I HAVE NOTICE AROUND AUGUST CAR SEEM PICK UP SPEED ON IT OWN I REA…”
NHTSA complaint #11279471, 2019

Seat Belts 4

“My friend and I picked up a kayak that I bought and we had to put it in the car. When she was in the car I had to fasten the seat belt for her. We got it home and removed it from the vehicle, I had to unfastened the seat belt. When I took her home, the seat belt would not pull out. I still cannot pull out the seat belt. I contacted the dealership and they told me that it would have to be replaced at a cost of $700, which includes the labor. They said that it wasn't under the warranty to replace it. My understanding is that you would have to replace the seatbelt if you had been in an accident,…”
NHTSA complaint #11528774, 2023

“THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT DOES NOT ENGAGE EASILY. THEY THINK THEY ARE BUCKELED UP UNTIL I POINT AT THE INDICATOR LIGHT, OR THEY BUCKLE UP AND IT JUST DOESN'T CLICK LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND THEY WILL PULL IT OUT AND TRY MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL IT ENGAGES.. THIS IS ALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY.. I JUST DON'T WANT ANY SURPRISES IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, I NEED MY PASSENGERS SECURED...”
NHTSA complaint #11145337, 2018

“THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DO RETRACT AFTER THE ARE USED. THE PULL OUT BUT THEY WILL NOT RETRACT BACK IN THE SEAT BELT AREA”
NHTSA complaint #11129926, 2018

Seats 4 1 fire 4 injury

“WHEN I PRESS THE GAS THE VOLTAGE IS HIGH AND AMPLIFIER MY HEART FEELS AS IF ITS GOING TO BURST MY KIDS NOSE BLEED AND THEY GET SICK WHEN AIR IS ON THE SMELL IS BAD IN CRUISE CONTROL AROUND CERTAIN VEHICLES IS SPEEDS UP ON ITS ON...I'VE NOTICED ALTERED PARTS AND THE INSURANCE INFO IS ALTERED MY BOYFRIEND [XXX] BOUGHT CAR 11/2019 FROM KIA OF GREER ONLY ONE OWNER THE MILEAGE ON PAPERS IS WRONG AND SO IT IS ONLINE...I HEAR SOMEONE IN AND OUT CAR AT NIGHTS BOYFRIEND SAID LEAVE IT ALONE MISSING ID SOCIAL BIRTHCERTIFCATES OIT DASH WHEN RUNNING OUT TO SEE WHO WAS AT CAR DOOR WAS LEFT OPENED THE CENTER…”
NHTSA complaint #11210227, 2019 · 3 injury(ies)

“For a week or two when I turned the heated seat on I would often feel a very intense heat from the seat back when it started up for a period of time. I had just recently had a back injury so I thought perhaps my back was being overly sensitive. Finally on the 27th just after I started driving the car in the morning I felt the burning feeling on my back again and stuck my hand behind me to feel the seat. I felt burning on my hand and pain and yanked my hand away immediately, pulled over, and looked behind me at the seat, in time to see a curl of smoke coming out of a small hole on the back of…”
NHTSA complaint #11442951, 2021 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“TAKATA RECALL THE HEADRESTS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE TILTED WAY TOO FORWARD AND INTERFERES WITH YOUR VISUAL AND DRIVING, AND CREATES UNSAFE CONDITIONS. THE ONLY THING MY HUSBAND COULD DO WAS TO TAKE THEM OFF AND PUT THEM BACKWARDS WHICH STILL MAKES IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND SOMETIMES PAINFUL TO YOUR NECK. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN SINCE BOUGHT. NO ACCIDENTS AND WHILE DRIVING.”
NHTSA complaint #11193744, 2017

Firerelated 3 3 fire 1 injury

“The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine made an abnormal sound. The contact turned off the vehicle to let it cool down. The vehicle was restarted and taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the catalytic converter and exhaust pipe had caught fire and melted. The mechanic performed an oil change and drilled a hole in the catalytic converter, and advised the contact to take t…”
NHTSA complaint #11727449, 2026 · fire · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact was an administrator of a probate trust who was filing a complaint on behalf of the deceased owner of a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while a relative of the deceased was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking. No warning lights were illuminated. The deceased relative pulled over into a parking lot and noticed there was smoke coming from the engine compartment before the vehicle caught fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. No injury was sustained. Police and fire department reports were filed. The vehicle was towed to a…”
NHTSA complaint #11516262, 2023 · fire

“The contact owned a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 25 - 30 mph, there was smoke coming from the engine. The contact's daughter pulled over and exited the vehicle. The vehicle then caught on fire. The police and fire department was called, and the fire department extinguished the fire. A fire department report was filed. No medical attention was received. No injury was sustained. The vehicle remained at the scene of the failure and was not towed. The insurance company had not deemed the vehicle totaled. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of…”
NHTSA complaint #11435607, 2021 · fire

Forward Collision Avoidance 2

“Several times in the past year the power steering has spontaneously failed requiring significant Force to stabilize the vehicle and creating an obvious Hazard while driving. The forward Collision system indicates there's a fault while this occurs. Sometimes this is cleared by cycling the power on and off. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealer who indicated they cannot locate the source of the problem. Even a casual search / look at Community Bulletinboards online indicates that this is a much larger problem that Kia refuses to address. https://www.kia-forums.com/threads/loss-of-power-st…”
NHTSA complaint #11705596, 2025

“Cruise control doesn't maintain speed, speed decreases. Car shakes under 10 mph and after 40 mph. Engine light starts blinking.”
NHTSA complaint #11642399, 2025

Interior Lighting 1

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the headlights would intermittently fail to illuminate without warning. The contact made repeated attempts to adjust her headlights to no avail. Due to the failure, the contact stated that another vehicle in the opposite lane had attempted to pass the vehicle ahead. The other driver assumed that there was no vehicle in her lane of traffic and the contact was forced off the road to avoid a head-on collision with the other vehicle. The contact did not lose control of the vehicle and was able to resume normal driving. The…”
NHTSA complaint #11431628, 2021

Tires 1

“We live in Virginia, and we were driving in Florida on 12-23-2022, when the tire size 215/55 R17 94V blew up. Car tire pressure lit up and then we heard a noise. We stopped immediately at the gorge of Highway 75 and exit number 213. My husband and I were super streesed and in panic mode as the traffic on highway 75 was super heavy. While waiting for what it seems forever for a towing truck, every time a semi drove by, the car was shaking. In addition, the only place available to change our tire was about to close. This issue has never happened before as we take care of our cars. We did not t…”
NHTSA complaint #11501862, 2022

Traction Control System 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, EVEN WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO YONKERS KIA (1850 CENTRAL PARK AVE, YONKERS, NY 10410); HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11282657, 2019

Visibility 1

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was no oil in the engine; however, the vehicle previously had an oil change. The contact added oil to the engine. The failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle made rattling sounds and emitted a burning oil odor. The brake pedal had to be firmly depressed to stop the vehicle, the windows inadvertently rolled down, and the interior lights intermittently failed due to an…”
NHTSA complaint #11738741, 2025