What 802 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul EV

Catalytic converter is overheating resulting in a check engine light. The code is P0420.

NHTSA ODI 11550234

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11548263

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he became aware that the vehicle was not calculating accurate EV range and was fluctuating abnormally. After closer observation, the contact became aware that the vehicle was unable to reach a FULL charge and would only reach 80% charge. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the charging system. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V218000 (Electrical System), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 33,000.

NHTSA ODI 11546581

I have had a catalytic convert failure 3 times in 4 years. The first was repaired with the recall on may of 2019. It was replaced at a Kia dealership, with Kia parts. I had my vehicle at the dealership a month prior due to it not running correctly. The second replacement of the catalytic converter was on November of 2020. I was driving on the interstate very early in the morning when my vehicle slowed to 15 mph, no warning lights came on. I had several other vehicles come very close to hitting me. I was able to exit the interstate which took a lengthy amount of time due to my vehicle slowly losing speed. When I was able to pull over to a safe spot my vehicle quit all together. I had it towed to the same Kia dealership. They looked it over and found the converter failed again. It was replaced with Kia parts. I have taken my vehicle in once again due to it stopped running while I was at work. The same dealership has found that for the 3rd time my catalytic converter has failed. I have also replaced all spark plugs and coil packs on this vehicle twice in less than a year due to it misfiring. My engine is also somehow burning oil exponentially. This leads me to believe there is something wrong with my vehicles engine. I also believe something is wrong with Kia parts that they only last a little over a year.

NHTSA ODI 11545363

Car has less than 89,000 miles on it. Both catalytic converters went out starting on July 2023. Contacted Kia. Brought it in the the dealership I bought it from. Kia denied the claim stating it's out of warranty. I bought the car little over a year ago. Kia will only fix the car if I pay $2400.00. Contacted Kia customer support. Was still denied. Every mechanic I spoke with said the cats should not have gone out. Contacted Kia again for a reconsideration. Have not heard back.

NHTSA ODI 11545512

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul EV. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was on the charging port, the vehicle failed to hold the charge and only displayed an 83 percent charge. Additionally, the contact stated that when the vehicle was fully charged, the energy percentage display rejected and while driving after a full charge, the percentage displayed at 70 percent after driving approximately 25 MPH. An unknown warning light was intermittently illuminated. The contact then stated that while driving at undisclosed speed, there was a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The contact was concerned for his safety while operating the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the appointment was rescheduled for diagnostic test on October 18, 2023. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,000.

NHTSA ODI 11545156

The headlights will turn off and on randomly without warning. My driving panel shows no indicator or warning lights. This is an ongoing and extremely dangerous issue. I’m told it will be very expensive to diagnose and repair due to the need to remove the entire steering section to access the headlight control wand.

NHTSA ODI 11543111

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle shuddered and stalled while accelerating. The transmission also shifted hard, and the vehicle shook abnormally. The vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil. The vehicle was overheating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel filter, cooling system, and air cleaner needed to be serviced. The ECU update was completed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the vehicle was consuming an abnormal amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who removed the muffler and catalytic converter, due to engine damage. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed there was no warranty or recall coverage for the vehicle. The manufacturer referred the contact to the local dealer for a goodwill repair. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA ODI 11543143

I took my 2016 Kia Soul to Fredy Kia back in June because it had been misfiring and dying while driving. They said the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. I had taken my car in for the ECU update because of the possible rod bearing piston engine failure due to catalytic converter failure. They would not do a good faith coverage for the repair even though it was just over warranty and they have a massive settlement going for the rod bearing damage on engines and I am seeing massive talk online with other Kia Soul owners having the same issues with the catalytic converter. These cars are catching fire eventually and dying on the freeway. This is a massive safety issue and I cannot believe they aren't including the catalytic converter under it. Furthermore, the service manager at Fredy Kia liedto me and said I had to contact Kia Warranty about a good faith coverage for the repair. Today, I finally learned from Kia Warranty that it is actually the Dealers who makes that decision. I would have taken it to a different dealer with more ethics.

NHTSA ODI 11543263

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle was making a rattling noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 99,000.

NHTSA ODI 11541434

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a ratting sound coming from under the hood. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Pep Boys where it was diagnosed and determined that the catalytic converter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA ODI 11541142

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 an independent mechanic who stated that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the catalytic converter and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the remedy for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) had failed to prevent the failure. The engine was replaced but the catalytic converter was not replaced due to the vehicle being out of warranty. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was 90,800.

NHTSA ODI 11541288

My 2016 Kia Soul was part of the Kia Engine Recall. In reading about the recall it says that if the catalytic converter was also damaged as a result of the engine failure that it would also be replaced free of charge. Kia is denying my catalytic converter replacement siting it is out of warranty. But the Warranty and the Recall are two separate things. The Recall actually supersedes the warranty because it does not expire. Perhaps there needs to be a separate recall on the catalytic converter since Kia seems to want to weasel their way out of taking responsibility for their faulty engine components.

NHTSA ODI 11540861

My engine light malfunctioned, never lit up to report a clogged catalytic converter.

NHTSA ODI 11540474

NHTSA - I own a 2016 Kia Soul that has a damaged failing engine; the problem is excessive oil consumption. This defect is causing motor oil to migrate into areas of the engine that it shouldn't be, thus inevitably causing a catastrophic failure; rendering the engine inoperable and irreparable. The oil pressure warning light came on only after the damage was done. Horne Kia in Gilbert Arizona, where I purchased the vehicle, inspected it and found this to be true. However Horne Kia and Kia corporate will not repair or authorize repair, respectively. I was told to continue driving it until the engine is completely destroyed in order to have it repaired...WHAT. So I'm being told that the engine will definitely seize-up and fail leaving me stranded; this is a safety nightmare. What if I'm driving on a highway when this happens. What if the engine failure causes me to lose control of my vehicle and cause who knows what. This not only puts me at risk, it puts others driving around me at risk as well; not to mention passengers that may be in my vehicle. Now there's gasoline mixing with the oil. Beside all of the aforementioned, now there's also a risk of engine compartment fire and loss of life.

NHTSA ODI 11540521

I have a 2016 Kia Soul with 1.6L engine. I am the 2nd owner. The previous owner got the knock sensor update but the catalytic converter still failed after the update. Now I have a flashing engine light and P1326 code along with the P40 code for faulty catalytic converter. There is a recall for 2016 Kia Soul engines but when I go to the Kia site and type in my VIN there is no recall showing for my VIN even though I own a 2016 Kia Soul. I think this is wrong and should be corrected. Also Kia keeps telling me that they won't fix my catalytic converter because it falls outside the 80k mile warranty. I am at 90k miles. Yet, the knock sensor was updated and there is currently a recall. The recall should supercede the warranty in this instance. Also I took the car in to have the Kia dealer diagnose my knocking engine and 1326 code. They are saying that even though my car isn't drivable and The engine is malfunctioning, because my car didn't fail the piston ring test I don't qualify for the engine recall repair. All of this is unfair. If my car is exhibiting all the signs that the engine is about to blow why do I have to drive my car until it actually does blow before something can be done? This is unsafe not only for me but others as well. Not to it's completely unfair to me as a consumer who purchased this car in good faith. Kia needs to update ALL Vin numbers instead of consumers having to find out the hard way that there is indeed a recall on their vehicle. Dealerships should be part of the process of updating the manufacturer of new owners information so that new owners can be notified of any recalls. It makes no sense that only the first owner gets information regardless if they still own the vehicle or not. Lastly I would like to reiterate; Kia telling people they have zero recalls on cars that ARE actually part of a recall is outright lying. Kia needs to post ALL recall information to their website regardless to if you input your VIN # By not doing this they Lie

NHTSA ODI 11540235

The contact’s friend owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There was no indication of a leak or burning oil. The driver added 3 quarts of engine oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who performed a leak test. The dealer informed the contact to bring the vehicle back after driving 1,000 miles for additional testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 147,659.

NHTSA ODI 11540291

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormally loud popping or banging sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the power steering was inoperable however, the braking system was functional. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle off the roadway; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11540368

i BOUGHT A 2016 kIA sOUL WITH 52.000 MILES ON IT SOME TIMES WHEN I PUT IT IN dRIVE IT BACKS UP.

NHTSA ODI 11539837

While driving the vehicle the car shuts off

NHTSA ODI 11538960

P0420 Code. I have replaced both oxygen sensors with genuine KIA parts. I even had a tune up and replaced the engine air filter. All of the parts were replaced with KIA genuine parts. The code is still coming on. I only have 84889 miles on this car.

NHTSA ODI 11538579

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the contact had to remove his foot from the accelerator pedal for the vehicle to shift gear. The contact stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, there was a slight delay before the vehicle responded. The contact then stated that he smelled an abnormal odor from the exhaust throughout the vehicle once the RPMs were at 2,500 to 3,000 RPM. The contact stated there was blue smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. Additionally, the contact stated that every second tank of fuel, he had to add 2 quarts of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11538638

My safety and the safety of others is put at risk when someone is attempting to steal my vehicle. I am not eligible for the antitheft software upgrade since I don't have a factory installed alarm system.

NHTSA ODI 11538053

Check Engine Light won't turn off - I have had the catalitic converter replaced and the engine light has not turned off.

NHTSA ODI 11537301

There is an active recall on 2016 Kia Catalytic Converters. I was told my VIN is not included, even though I have this make and model. The car consistently struggled at 60 MPH, and was driving rough at lower speeds, but randomly. I had to travel no more than 45-50 MPH. This was dangerous since i was on the Highway when the car started to struggle at 60 MPH. Kia said my Catalytic Converter is clogged and not fixable, I needed a new one. The car only has 80K miles, I bought it Certified from Kia.

NHTSA ODI 11536768