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Engine coolingPart report

2016 Kia Soul Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
106about this part
Share
13%of 816 total for the year
Median mileage
101,150miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 106 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2016 Kia Soul, 13% of the 816 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,150 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My vehicle has a check engine light on. In an attempt to repair the code was identified as a catalytic converter failure. My engine is burning oil excessively now. The costs are far beyond my means to repair despite meticulous maintenance.”

NHTSA complaint #11429373, filed 2021-08

“The catalytic convertor overheated and the car stalled. The part is still on the car and is currently available for inspection. The overheating of the catalytic convertor was an extreme safety risk because the car stalled on the expressway during rush hour traffic. The posted speed limit was 55 mph. There was an extremely high potential for a crash to have happened. The check engine light came on right before the car stalled. Five minutes before it stalled, I heard a knocking noise from the engine. A similar event occurred on 1/20/2021. The car stalled as I was pulling out of my parking spot. …”

NHTSA complaint #11491850, filed 2022-11

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the road to restart the vehicle; however, the engine failed to turn over. …”

NHTSA complaint #11611214, filed 2024-08, 107,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test and the dealer stated that the catalytic convertor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 88,520.”

NHTSA complaint #11516862, filed 2023-04, 88,520 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11738741, filed 2026-05, 80,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202312%
20222021%
20214720%
2020113%
201964%
201894%
201793%
201610613%
2015586%
2014556%
2013457%
2012326%
201142%
201054%

Other parts of the 2016 Kia Soul

Engine
561 complaintsOther or unknown
127 complaintsFuel system
84 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
62 complaintsElectrical system
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSuspension
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology