2016 Kia Soul Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/12/2026

545Engine complaints

68.7%Of all 793 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE545 · 68.7%

Unspecified / other116 · 14.6%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM79 · 10%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING64 · 8.1%

POWER TRAIN60 · 7.6%

Share of the 793 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2016 Kia Soul overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING…”NHTSA complaint 11296648 — filed 01/02/2020

“THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A CITY STREET. THE CAR BEGAN TO MAKE KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. AS I ACCELERATED, THE KNOCKING…”NHTSA complaint 11290673 — filed 12/22/2019

“IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR WHEN VEHICLE MADE A KIND OF CRACKLING NOISE AND FELT A SLIGHT SPUTTERING LIKE IT WAS GOING…”NHTSA complaint 11290049 — filed 12/19/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Kia Soul have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2016 Kia Soul: 545 of 793 complaints on file (68.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2016 Kia Soul have in total?

793 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 28 involved a crash, 34 involved a fire, 24 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.