Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Kia Soul
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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,500–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Kia Soul has significant engine concerns, with multiple recalls related to engine and steering issues. The high number of complaints about engine and cooling underscores potential reliability problems over time.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 40,000–80,000 miles | $1,500–$5,500 | very common |
| catalytic converter | 50,000–90,000 miles | $500–$1,800 | common |
| steering gear assembly | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
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.
- oil and filter changes
- tire rotations and balancing
- brake inspection and service
- engine air filter replacement
- spark plug replacement
- transmission fluid check
- coolant level inspection
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- engine knocking sounds
- decreased fuel efficiency
- steering wheel play
- check engine light
- unusual exhaust smoke
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Kia Soul at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.