Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Kia Soul EV
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Kia Soul EV has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #23V724000 Unintended Movement Due to Damaged Park Mechanism NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V218000 High-Voltage Battery Pack May Short-Circuit NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V389000 Unintended Movement Due to Damaged Park Mechanism NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V608000 Steering Gear May Separate NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 3 complaints
- Unknown or Other 2 complaints
- Electrical System 1 complaint
- Service Brakes 1 complaint
- Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint
Of the 7 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Kia Soul EV faces potential issues with its power train and battery system. Recalls for transmission and steering, combined with multiple consumer complaints related to the power train, highlight concerns over reliability. These factors contribute to a below-average rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 50,000–70,000 miles | $800–$1,800 | common |
| traction battery | 60,000–90,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | occasional |
| steering assembly | 70,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | occasional |
| gear position indication | 50,000–80,000 miles | $300–$750 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Replace cabin air filter
- Rotate tires every 7,500 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Battery inspection annually
- Coolant system check annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Difficulty shifting gears
- Battery charge doesn't last
- Steering feels loose
- Unintended vehicle movement
- Noise from steering gear
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Kia Soul EV at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.