2016 Kia Soul problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2016 Kia Soul have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Q: What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Soul get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2016 Kia Soul at about 105 MPGe combined (120 city / 92 highway).

Q: How much is a 2016 Kia Soul worth?

Comparable 2016 Kia Soul listings run roughly $8,995–$14,580, typically around $11,827 (from 83 vehicles).

2016 Kia Soul at a glance

Safety recalls2

Owner complaints794

Combined105 MPGe

Typical price$11,827

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2016 Kia Soul recalls 2

Engine NHTSA Campaign #19V120000 · 22/02/2019

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.

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 m…

Steering NHTSA Campaign #17V608000 · 29/09/2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recal…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2016 Kia Soul common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 794 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine

Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Fuel/propulsion System

Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.

Hydraulic

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Visibility

Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

2016 Kia Soul efficiency & running costs

Combined105 MPGe

City120 MPGe

Highway92 MPGe

Est. annual energy cost$700

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2016 Kia Soul worth?

Low

$8,995

Typical price

$11,827

High

$14,580

From 83 comparable 2016 Kia Soul listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 Kia Soul costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Energy (5 yrs)$3,500

Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,300

Total$6,800

Per mile$0.09

How this is estimated: energy is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($11,827) with the same model 5 model-years older ($8,538), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2016 Kia Soul trims & engines on record

Trims

Plus · Exclaim · TOP (High Grade, Pano roof) · ! · Plus (+)

Engines

1.6L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl

2016 Kia Soul vehicles on record

2016 Kia Soul TOP (High Grade, Pano roof)KNDJX3AE3G7012477

2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A29G7264255

2016 Kia Soul !KNDJX3A55G7871604

2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A23G7293752

2016 Kia Soul ExclaimKNDJP3A51G7852936 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A23G7294741 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A25G7866375

2016 Kia Soul ExclaimKNDJP3A53G7319857

2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A25G7845350 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A27G7393420

2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A28G7281029 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A20G7373851 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A25G7843033 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A24G7318402 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A27G7385995 2016 Kia Soul ExclaimKNDJP3A54G7328244 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A23G7871087

2016 Kia Soul ExclaimKNDJP3A56G7259282 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A20G7858748

2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A25G7846661

2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A25G7280694

2016 Kia Soul Plus (+)KNDJP3AE4G7005148 2016 Kia Soul PlusKNDJN2A29G7334840 2016 Kia Soul ExclaimKNDJP3A51G7269279

Other Kia Soul model years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

2016 Kia Soul — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Kia Soul have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Kia Soul?

Based on 794 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, engine and engine cooling, service brakes.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Soul get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2016 Kia Soul at about 105 MPGe combined (120 city / 92 highway).

How much is a 2016 Kia Soul worth?

Comparable 2016 Kia Soul listings run roughly $8,995–$14,580, typically around $11,827 (from 83 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.