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Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)Part report

2016 Kia Soul Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
1%of 817 total for the year
Median mileage
55,300miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Kia Soul, 1% of the 817 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,300 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

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

“On a trip, I was driving on a cold, rainy night and the windows began to fog up so I turned on the heat/defroster which caused all the windows to quickly and totally fog over. The right side was spitting water on to the windshield this was so bad that I had to pull over to the side of the road. It took over five minutes for the windows to clear even after I turned on the A/C and was wiping them with a towel. I did a test the next morning when it was not raining but cold and damp. I started the car and turned on the heat/defroster. All the windows and even my glasses fogged over. …”

NHTSA complaint #11161895, filed 2018-12, 55,300 miles

“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, filed 2023-05

“On a rainy night, I lost all external visibility due to excessive condensation on the front windshield and the other windows on the car seemingly made worse by utilizing the de-fogger on my car. Of the result of this, I ended up in opposing lanes of traffic and narrowly avoided head on collisions with several vehicles. I am a professional driver with thousands of hours behind the wheel and I know how to react in nearly every emergency situation due to advanced experience and quality training. …”

NHTSA complaint #11471278, filed 2022-06

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11523138, filed 2023-05

“When switching from AC to heat, moisture starts spraying from vents, rapidly dripping on floor and completely fogging up windows causing zero visibility. I was forced to pull off roadway for fear of a collision. It then takes at least ten minutes for the moisture to stop and the windows to clear. This happened a year ago at the same time when the weather is changing from warm days using the ac and then using the heat on cold mornings. The dealership charged me to replace the cabin air filter which did not fix the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11433588, filed 2021-09

Related service bulletins

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202518%
202312%
202173%
202031%
201943%
201842%
201710%
201681%
201571%
201471%
2013152%
201261%
2011179%
20101410%

Other parts of the 2016 Kia Soul

Engine
562 complaints
Other or unknown
127 complaints
Engine cooling
106 complaints
Fuel system
84 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
62 complaints
Electrical system
56 complaints
Vehicle speed control
33 complaints
Steering
30 complaints
Brakes
20 complaints
Exterior lighting
18 complaints
Body and structure
18 complaints
Air bags
17 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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