Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2016 Kia Soul
The 2016 Kia Soul has significant owner complaints, mainly related to engine and steering issues. Notably, there are two recalls addressing engine and steering defects. While the engine's complaints and recall highlight potential serious issues, the steering recall is also concerning. Ensure thorough inspection of these areas before purchasing, considering the potential severity of the problems reported.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Kia Soul has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 819 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V120000 Overheated Catalytic Converter May Damage Engine NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V608000 Steering Gear May Separate NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 563 complaints
- Unknown or Other 124 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 106 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 84 complaints
- Power Train 62 complaints
- Electrical System 56 complaints
Of the 819 complaints on file, 28 report a crash and 35 a fire; across all 819 complaints, owners report 25 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
High exhaust gas temperatures
How to check: Inspect engine for signs of abnormal combustion or damage.
Pinion gear separation risk
How to check: Test steering responsiveness and listen for unusual noises.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Listen for knocking or strange noises from the engine.
Red flag: Persistent strange noise
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Check for engine vibrations or warning lights.
Red flag: Engine warning light on
- 03
Low-speed turns
What to check: Feel for steering resistance or popping noises.
Red flag: Resistance or noise in steering
- 04
City driving
What to check: Monitor for smooth engine performance without surging.
Red flag: Engine surges or hesitates
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Assess power delivery, listen for engine noise.
Red flag: Lack of power or strange engine noise
- 06
Braking
What to check: Check for smooth braking with no vibrations.
Red flag: Vibrations or unusual brake noise
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the engine recall been addressed?
- Any steering issues or repairs performed?
- Have there been any engine overheating incidents?
- Are service records available for review?
- Has the vehicle been in any accidents?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair documentation
- Detailed service records
- Accident history report
- Title and registration
- Vehicle inspection report
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Kia Soul at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
Looking at a specific 2016 Kia Soul? Check the actual car
This checklist covers the model. From your free try.vin dashboard you can go further — paste the seller's listing for a deal score, or drop their photos for an AI condition report.