2016 Kia Soul fuel/propulsion system problems
83 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the fuel/propulsion system on the 2016 Kia Soul — 10% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Component or system: Catalytic converter (exhaust emissions system). The converter is physically restricted due to substrate damage consistent with the defect identified in NHTSA Campaign 19V120 / Kia Recall SC176. The restriction limits engine RPM to approximately 3,000 under all conditions. The…”
filed Sep 16, 2026
“Was driving car lost power of steering and brakes black smoke filled vehicle I jumped out of the car and it went up in flames . The vehicle behind me said the flames were coming out of my front engine”
filed Sep 13, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Fuel/propulsion System problems in other Soul years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Soul | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 Soul | 7 | 8% |
| 2021 Soul | 10 | 4% |
| 2020 Soul | 15 | 4% |
| 2019 Soul | 12 | 9% |
| 2018 Soul | 11 | 5% |
| 2017 Soul | 18 | 7% |
| 2015 Soul | 76 | 8% |
| 2014 Soul | 53 | 6% |
| 2013 Soul | 27 | 4% |
| 2012 Soul | 21 | 4% |
| 2011 Soul | 8 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2016 Kia Soul
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.