Of the 463 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Kia Soul,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (25%)
50-75k
1 (25%)
75-100k
2 (50%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 58% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
Among the 14 model years of Kia Soul in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
What owners are reporting
11 most recent
engine
· filed 12/31/2021
Loses power and dies also uses alot of oil and a day after oil change I have to get more oil in it the first month I had the car it died the first week and lost power on the highway the said the Cadillac converter was clogged
engine
· filed 12/29/2021
2016 Kia Soul. Car was very sluggish and after taking it in the engine needed to be replaced, this was covered under warranty. I think there was a recall on the engine as well. 1 day after getting my car back from the engine being replaced the engine light came back on. The dealership said it was a bad catalytic converter and would not cover it. it was clogged and would cost me over $1700. Me…
engine
· filed 12/28/2023
Changed oxygen sensor and check engine light is still on
engine
· filed 12/27/2023
Oil consumption and engine stall. Engine light flashing. Taken to two Kia dealerships no resolution. Mechanic ran test to see engine recall issue. Still careless months later.
engine · 37,000 mi
· filed 12/27/2020
My 2016 Kia soul has check engine light malfunction. No mechanic has determined what is the cause and how to correct this matter. The car has problems with idling, and performance. The car has only 37k miles. After spending over $300, I was told sorry we have no answer. Just ignore the problem. What happens if it causes a fire or breaks down on the highway? The internet is inundated with the same…
engine
· filed 12/26/2021
On December 20. 2021. I was driving my daughter home from college in Alabama when after roughly 2-1/2 hours we reached Meridian MS. While travelling on Interstate 20, we were surprised to hear a severe knocking suddenly & the engine began to die. I would like to reiterate we were on the Interstate at posted speed of 70 mph, when I was forced to maneuver through a number of Semi-Trucks while…
engine
· filed 12/23/2025
Greetings, I have a base 2016 kia soul manual transmission that I thought was under safety recall for its engine, but when I search it says 0 unrepaired recalls, when I look this up it does claim my vehicle had this problem, but I never had a dealer fix it, I did contact the one I got it from a couple of years ago and asked if my vehicle qualified for the recall since it already has 200,000 miles…
engine
· filed 12/22/2022
Kia Soul Base 2016 owner took to repair under warranty on 12/02/22 for the second time the catalytic converter and oil change because the check engine light was on and a Kia technician update the codes. Today 12/22/22 the check engine light is on, driving in the highway it starts shaking and does not take acceleration it stalled without passing from 15mph putting my safety and the others at…
engine · 99,120 mi
· filed 12/22/2020
2016 Kia soul 2.0 engine loses power intermitting engine light intermitting oil light and possibly rods knocking the highway and turning
engine · 50,000 mi
· filed 12/22/2019
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 noise would increase. The noise would continue even if the car was doing a turn. Also being stationary, the vehicle would be with that knocking noise.
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2016 Kia Soul?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 463 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 220 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 72,631 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 93,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 72,631; a quarter make it past 115,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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.