The battery on this vehicle is absolutely worthless. If tales 8 hours to charge and on a full charge it will get 37 miles. The dealership refuses to replace it and the I owe over 10k on the vehicle.
2016 Kia Soul electrical problems
severe 50 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
50
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
6fires
5injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 50 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Kia Soul has widespread and severe electrical and engine issues that can make the vehicle unsafe: check engine lights that dealers can't diagnose, uncontrollable stalling, dangerous engine fires without warning, and complete electrical shutdowns while driving. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection focused on the engine, electrical system, and instrument cluster, and verify any recall work was completed properly.
The 2016 Kia Soul electrical complaints center on engine control, power delivery, and fire risk. Owners describe repeated engine stalling at lights and highway speeds with no warning lights, followed by rough running or failure to exceed certain speeds—symptoms dealers address by replacing coils and spark plugs year after year with no fix. Multiple owners report severe oil consumption without leaks, bone-dry engines that never trigger low-oil warnings, rod knock, and catastrophic engine failure; Kia has denied warranty coverage when no check-engine light illuminated, forcing owners to accept engine replacement at their expense.
Four owners report engine fires while driving or parked—flames under the hood, smoke engulfing the cabin, total-loss declarations—with no warning lights beforehand. The manufacturer's recall (SC176) addresses catalytic converter overheating and piston damage but owners report fires occurring after recall completion or work.
Other electrical failures include complete power loss while driving (steering wheel seizes, dashboard blacks out), headlights flickering or turning off randomly with bulbs failing repeatedly, instrument clusters (speedometer, odometer, temperature gauge) stopping dead or working only intermittently, and windows or climate controls wired into each other so both fail together. HVAC switching triggers window fogging so severe owners must pull over. One heated-seat element burned an owner's hand and generated smoke.
Dealerships often cannot diagnose the problems, charge diagnostic fees for no result, or tell owners to drive until failure occurs. Kia's responses are inconsistent: some recalls exist but don't resolve the issues; warranty denials are common. Multiple owners express fear of driving these vehicles.
Same Kia Soul electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling and rough running
Engine randomly shuts off or stalls during driving or idling, often followed by rough idle and hesitation. Multiple owners report intermittent stalling at stop lights, freeway merges, and low speeds. Some vehicles restart normally; others hesitate or fail to exceed certain speeds afterward. Check engine light often comes on briefly then disappears.
When: Intermittent; some owners report annual occurrences over multiple years; stalling can happen at any speed or while parked and idling
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning at stop lights, during acceleration, or on freeway; Rough idle and hesitation after stalling episodes; RPMs stay at zero even after restart attempt; Check engine light flashes then goes off; Vehicle struggles to accelerate past certain speeds (25-60 mph reported); Engine shaking and making banging noises below vehicle; Vehicle fails to shift properly
Codes mentioned: P0420, Catalytic converter fault codes (reported without specific codes), No codes generated despite symptoms in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships replace coil packs, spark plugs, and catalytic converters repeatedly without resolving issue. Some owners report engine replacement recommended or required. One owner reports $1200 catalytic converter replacement that did not fix stalling.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign SC176 (recall for catalytic overheating protection ECU logic and catalytic converter replacement); some owners report recalls performed but problems persist. Kia warranty programs mentioned but often expired or denied.
Engine fire and overheating catalytic converter
Catalytic converter overheating leading to engine fires or near-fire conditions. Multiple reports of flames and smoke coming from under the hood or rear of vehicle while driving. Some vehicles catch fire with no warning lights. One owner reports burning sensation from heated seat. Another reports melting plastic in HVAC control box from excessive heat.
When: Occurs without warning; one reported 9 months after purchase (December 2016 purchased, September 2017 fire); another after recall completion
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke and flames coming from under hood or rear of vehicle; Burning smell in cabin; High exhaust temperatures causing catalytic converter damage; Engine combustion abnormalities; No warning lights before fire event; Heated seat generating intense heat and smoke from seat back; Melting plastic and discoloration of plugs in HVAC control box
Codes mentioned: No codes reported in most fire incidents
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles declared total loss by insurance. One owner spent $1200 on catalytic converter and oil/spark plug replacement before subsequent engine failure and fire. Fire cause often undetermined by dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall SC176 addresses catalytic converter overheating and piston damage risk; dealers to upgrade ECU logic and replace catalytic converter and engine if needed. Some owners report recall performed but fire still occurred after. No response or responsibility taken in some cases.
Oil consumption and engine damage
Severe oil consumption without visible leaks leading to engine damage, misfiring, and catastrophic failure. Owners report topping off oil frequently (within 1000 miles in some cases) without leaks. Low oil light fails to illuminate until engine is bone dry. Multiple reports of misfiring, rod knock, piston burning, and rod damage.
When: Develops gradually over months to years; acute failure when oil depletes to critical low levels. One owner reports issue over 4-year ownership; another over 1 year.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil consumption at alarming rate (below half dipstick in 1000 miles); No visible oil leaks despite consumption; Low oil warning light fails to illuminate until engine critically low; Engine misfiring and knocking; Engine check light on during misfiring episodes; Engine burns piston (#2 mentioned); Rod knock (engine knocking back and forth); Black, darkish oil appearance
Codes mentioned: No check engine light generated in some cases despite oil starvation, Catalytic converter codes reported but unrelated to oil issue
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports dealership advised driving until engine seizes for warranty claim. Another owner had engine oil consumption test done but told still in range. One owner spent $1200 on catalytic converter and spark plugs before engine failure requiring replacement. Multiple engine replacements reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia offers motor swap warranty up to 150,000 miles or 15 years in some cases. One owner's vehicle (144k miles, second owner) denied coverage because no check engine light was generated. Some dealerships unresponsive or dismissive of oil consumption concerns.
Instrument cluster and dashboard failures
Speedometer, odometer, and temperature gauge failures or intermittent operation. Speedometer stops moving or works intermittently; odometer stops registering mileage; temperature gauge takes excessive time to register (15 minutes reported). Some failures occur after dealer replacement.
When: One owner reports speedometer failing periodically over several months, worsening to complete failure. Odometer failure noted more recently. Engine temperature gauge failure reported with check engine light.
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer needle not moving or moving intermittently; Odometer not registering miles; Engine temperature gauge taking 15+ minutes to show warmup; Check engine light comes on and goes off intermittently with gauge failures
Codes mentioned: No specific codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer (PEAK KIA, Colorado) replaced entire instrument cluster in April 2021 after months of back-and-forth; problem recurred. Owner was told warranty on repair expired 12 months after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports Kia manufacturer said warranty for 2021 repair expired 12 months after service; will not cover repeat failure.
Door and HVAC control wiring failures
Doors controlling A/C operation, windows inoperative, climate control failure, and rewiring of electrical system required. In one case, doors were integrated into A/C control logic causing both to fail together. HVAC control box melting plastic and failing.
When: Recurring annually or seasonally; one case reports 4-5 months of intermittent A/C/heat failure
Symptoms owners cite: Windows stopped working (up/down); A/C and heat not functioning; Doors affecting A/C operation (doors controlling A/C); A/C heat failing randomly while parked; Lights flickering when A/C turned on
Codes mentioned: No specific codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports third-party insurance and State Farm spent total 12-14k on electrical wiring repairs. Kia of Anderson kept car 4-5 weeks, then problem recurred within 2 days. Door panel replaced on driver side. Complete rewiring of electrical system performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia dealership stated may be air resistor; unresponsive to scheduling and customer follow-up.
Headlight failures and flickering
Headlights turn off and on randomly without driver input or warning lights. Bulbs fail repeatedly. Some owners report flickering when using turn signals. Multiple dealer visits and part replacements have not resolved issue.
When: Occurs randomly during normal driving; one owner replaced bulbs 4 times in one year
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flicker or turn off randomly while driving; No warning lights on dashboard; Both headlights may go out simultaneously; Flickering especially when using turn signals; Bulbs burning out repeatedly
Codes mentioned: No codes reported
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits with continued part replacement. One dealer told owner it will be expensive to diagnose and repair due to need to remove entire steering section to access headlight control switch.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attempting repairs without success; no recall or TSB mentioned.
Battery and charging system failures (EV models)
EV models fail to hold full charge or reach full charge capacity. Vehicles charge to 80-83% maximum and then drop unexpectedly during driving. Burning odor reported during charging issues. Software updates and battery replacements have not resolved problem.
When: Reported at 33,000 miles and 129,000 miles; recurring after dealer repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not charge past 80-83 percent; Charge percentage drops unexpectedly during driving (e.g., 100% to 70% after 25 mph drive); Range display fluctuating abnormally; Burning odor in vehicle; Unknown warning light illuminated intermittently
Codes mentioned: No specific codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed charging system failure. Vehicle repaired but failure reoccurred. Multiple software updates and battery replacements by dealer without resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23V218000 (Electrical System) related; manufacturer notified but offered no assistance. One owner reports vehicle recalled in April 2019 but repair work was insufficient.
Complete electrical system shutdown while driving
Total loss of electrical power while vehicle is in motion or parked, causing dashboard to go black and engine to shut off. One incident caused vehicle to stall in left lane during freeway driving, resulting in sideswipe collision. Another incident caused all steering and braking systems to become inoperative. Steering wheel tilt adjustment can trigger shutdown.
When: One incident at 150,000 miles during highway driving; one incident during steering wheel adjustment while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of electrical power to all systems; Dashboard goes black; Engine shuts off; Steering wheel seizes; Brakes inoperative (no power steering or ABS); No warning lights before shutdown; Vehicle unable to restart after shutdown (one case required multiple jumpstart attempts)
Codes mentioned: No codes generated
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer diagnosed alternator and battery failure but vehicle not repaired. One incident required towing after vehicle unable to restart. One incident caused another vehicle to sidesweep due to loss of control.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware in one case. No response mentioned in others.
Automatic speed control and acceleration issues
Vehicle loses power during acceleration or fails to accelerate beyond certain speeds. Cruise control speeds up on its own. Some vehicles limp-mode unable to exceed 25-40 mph. Vehicle shakes and makes banging noises when attempting acceleration.
When: Develops over time; one owner reports worsening over 2-3 years; acute episodes during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate over certain speed (25-40 mph reported); Smoke from tailpipe during acceleration; Lacks power upon acceleration from stop light; Cruise control speeds up without driver input; Shaking and banging noises when accelerating; Vehicle hesitates and fails to exceed certain speeds; Gas mileage drops significantly (5-10 mpg reported)
Codes mentioned: No codes generated in multiple cases despite severe symptoms
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had spark plugs, coils, battery replaced piecemeal without resolution. Multiple shop visits yielding no diagnosis. Ken Ganley Kia (formerly Mr. Friendly Kia) would not repair, claiming unable to reproduce; charged $180 to diagnose and attempted upsells.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia dealership claimed never heard of this problem in a Kia Soul.
Check engine light issues and misfire
Check engine light comes on and off intermittently with no clear diagnosis or resolution. Dealerships unable to find fault codes or reproduce issue. Engine runs rough when light is on. One incident of cylinder misfire requiring coil replacement; problem recurred within one week.
When: Intermittent; can stay on for days then go off; one case at 59,000-60,000 miles (warranty expiration)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on and off intermittently; Engine runs rough when light is on; Traction control light also comes on with check engine light; Engine misfiring; No codes found by dealership or auto zone diagnostics; One misfire incident: cylinder misfiring, RPMs stuck below 2, shaking and terrible noise
Codes mentioned: P0420 (catalytic converter code), Catalytic converter codes (unspecified) despite converter not being faulty, P0S0A
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced misfire cylinder (coil); issue recurred within one week. Dealership then blamed oil consumption and mentioned possible engine replacement. Diagnostic cost $109.95/hour charged to owner; problem occurred right at warranty expiration (60,000 miles).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership software update attempted; did not resolve issue. No recalls or TSBs mentioned.
HVAC moisture and visibility issues
When switching from A/C to heat, moisture rapidly sprays from vents, dripping on floor and completely fogging windows, causing zero visibility and forcing owner to pull off roadway. Issue repeats annually when weather transitions from warm to cold.
When: Seasonal; when transitioning from A/C to heat use
Symptoms owners cite: Moisture sprays rapidly from vents; Floor becomes wet; Windows fog completely in seconds; Zero visibility hazard requiring pulling off road; Takes at least 10 minutes for moisture to stop and windows to clear
Codes mentioned: No codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced cabin air filter at customer's expense; did not fix problem. Owner reports seeing same complaint on multiple internet forums from other Kia Soul owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response mentioned; dealership diagnostic was incorrect.
Window and power system failures
Passenger window motor failure. Windows inoperative (up/down). Power windows stop working intermittently or permanently.
When: Varying timeline; some coinciding with electrical rewiring work
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger window motor inoperative; Windows stuck in one position; Windows stop going up or down
Codes mentioned: No codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: One case reports window malfunction at pickup after dealership vandalism repair and electrical wiring work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific response mentioned
Airbag light and airbag deployment failures
Airbag warning light illuminated. Airbags fail to deploy during collision incident.
When: Airbag light on intermittently or continuously; one collision at 40 mph with no airbag deployment
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light on; Airbags do not deploy during collision; No warning lights indicating airbag system fault
Codes mentioned: No specific codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs mentioned; owner experienced sideswipe collision with airbag failure during electrical system shutdown incident.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response mentioned
Hesitation and loss of power under load
Vehicle experiences hesitation, loss of acceleration capability, or severe power loss during normal driving, especially on hills or during highway speeds.
When: Develops over time; acute episodes during freeway driving at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Engine wants to stall during acceleration; RPMs will not increase above 2 during acceleration attempt; Vehicle loses speed quickly (75 mph to 40 mph in 2 minutes reported); All sensor lights illuminate on dashboard; Steering feels hard, no power steering; Engine shaking and terrible noise like explosion imminent
Codes mentioned: No codes generated
Repairs/costs cited: One incident required $830 AAA towing fee to San Diego. Dealership diagnosed all sensors illuminated but no codes explaining cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response mentioned; incident caused high-risk unsafe driving condition.
Wiper malfunction
Windshield wipers malfunction or stop working properly.
When: Reported as occurring at pickup after electrical repair work
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers malfunctioning
Codes mentioned: No codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: Malfunction noted at pickup from dealership after vandalism repair work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response mentioned
Brake light failures
Brake lights and brake bar lights fail or burn out.
When: One report notes brake lights went out a month prior to complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Brake lights not functioning; Brake warning bar light not functioning
Codes mentioned: No codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: One owner states never got brake bar light replaced despite attempt.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response mentioned
EVAP system leak and emissions failures
Vehicle fails emissions test due to EVAP (evaporative emissions) system code. Multiple repairs attempted without resolution. One vehicle shows code 0456 (small EVAP leak) that mechanics cannot locate or fix. Permanent code prevents emissions compliance.
When: One reported 2 days after purchase in March 2023; another at undisclosed time
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on with EVAP code; Code 0456 (small EVAP leak); Multiple repair attempts without resolution; Permanent code not clearing; Vehicle drives perfectly fine despite code
Codes mentioned: Code 0456 (EVAP leak), EVAP system codes (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner spent thousands on repairs at multiple mechanics and dealer without resolution. One vehicle described as having electrical issue from computer not sensing properly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Corporate Kia was no help per owner report. No manufacturer response mentioned in other cases.
Starter and battery-related failures
Vehicle fails to start. Starter suspected but testing shows battery and starter function normally. Intermittent starting issues.
When: One reported at 112,000 miles when vehicle parked and idling; one recent issue with infrequent driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Vehicle stalls without warning while idling; Battery and starter test good but vehicle fails to start
Codes mentioned: No codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic confirmed battery and starter function normally. No specific repair mentioned.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response mentioned
UVO system and backup camera failure
UVO infotainment system and integrated backup camera fail.
When: Reported at undisclosed time
Symptoms owners cite: UVO system failed; Backup camera not functioning
Codes mentioned: No codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: Owner notes this is a safety item and should be required to be replaced at no charge.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response mentioned; no recall for this issue noted
Inhibitor switch failure
Inhibitor switch requires replacement. This component had a recall on 2017 model year but not on 2016.
When: Reported for 2016 model; 2017 models had recall
Symptoms owners cite: Inhibitor switch malfunction (symptom not specified)
Codes mentioned: No codes mentioned
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quoted $747.00 to fix inhibitor switch on 2016 model; 2017 models covered under recall one year later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for 2016 model despite similar component failure in 2017 recall year
Synthesized from 50 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2016 Kia Soul?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2016 Kia Soul?
It's a meaningful issue. 50 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 34,000 and 106,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 106,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Kia/Soul.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.