2016 Kia Soul electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 9, 2026TXElectrical SystemOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I can not gain speed. The dealership says it’s the catalytic converter and there is an active recall for this on Kia souls. They previously did recall work to my car but now the catalytic converters not showing as a recall

   NHTSA complaint #11723044 · source
2. Filed Jan 9, 2026COElectrical SystemOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The Instrument Cluster, the Speedometer and "NOW" the Odometer are not working--absolutely dead. "NOW" is in caps because to my surprise I noticed just recently that the Odometer is not working. In April 2021, after several weeks of waiting for the repairs to be finished, a Kia dealer, PEAK KIA in Colorado replaced the Instrument Cluster because of the faulty Speedometer. (This repair was done after several months of back and forth to more than one Kia Dealer about this…

   NHTSA complaint #11709908 · source
3. Filed Dec 13, 2025COElectrical System

   When the steering wheel tilt is adjusted while driving, the vehicle experiences a complete electrical shutdown — dashboard goes black and the engine may shut off. Electrical power may return when the steering wheel position is changed again. Because this involves a total loss of power while the vehicle is in motion, I am concerned about driver safety and would like this addressed as soon as possible.

   NHTSA complaint #11704899 · source
4. Filed Nov 3, 2025CABrakesElectrical SystemEngine

   I was driving in the carpool line to Anaheim with my daughter, the car starts pulling and make a noise in the front part and start loosing speed, from 75 miles per hour to 40 miles per hours in 2 minutes. I drove to the safety zone but in high risk to a crash. All the sensor lights on in the front part. And the steering feels hard, no movement. We feel so stressed and unsafe. The police officer help us and The 511 towing help this was on October 16th. We pay $830 dlls to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11697108 · source
5. Filed Sep 23, 2025NYElectrical System

   Inhibitor Switch has to be replaced. 2017 vehicles had a recall, dealership wants 747.00 to fix same when a recall for same a year later?

   NHTSA complaint #11689136 · source
6. Filed Aug 22, 2025TXFireElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   While driving my 2016 Kia Soul Plus on the highway, smoke began coming from the rear of the vehicle. Within seconds, flames were visible. Other drivers flagged me down, and I was able to pull over. I evacuated three dogs from the car, but the vehicle quickly became engulfed in flames and was a total loss. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. There were no warning lights or unusual performance issues immediately before the fire started. The vehicle had not…

   NHTSA complaint #11682398 · source
7. Filed Aug 5, 2025GAElectrical SystemEngine

   The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while the vehicle was accelerating, an abnormal sound could be heard coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed,…

   NHTSA complaint #11678480 · source
8. Filed Dec 22, 2024WAElectrical System

   The battery on this vehicle is absolutely worthless. If tales 8 hours to charge and on a full charge it will get 37 miles. The dealership refuses to replace it and the I owe over 10k on the vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint #11632017 · source
9. Filed Aug 16, 2024IAElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I have a 2016 Kia soul. Second owner. 144,000+ miles. For nearly a year my car has been consuming oil at an alarming rate. But I have no oil leaks anywhere. My dealership did an oil consumption test about 5-6 months ago and within 1000 miles, I was already below the half way line on my dipstick but the dealership told me I was still in range and sent me on my way. Fast forward a few months and I brought up my concerns again with my dealership and the oil consumption. I was…

   NHTSA complaint #11608995 · source
10. Filed May 11, 2024WAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

    i have a 2016 Kia Soul EV+. The Hghi Voltage Battery Pack Assembly is malfunctioning and it only charges to 30 percent or a 30-mile range. It should charge to a 90-mile range. While driving, it suddenly drops from a 25-mile range to an 18- mile range, I sometimes smell an electrical burning smell. When the battery gets down to an 18-mile range. it suddenly starts to drop dramatically. The car goes into a turtle mode and cannot even reach 20 miles per hour. KIA has issued an…

    NHTSA complaint #11588274 · source
11. Filed Apr 8, 2024GAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown

    Bought car in March 2023, two days after purchasing the light came on with code 0456. Which is a small evap leak. Got multiple fixes with various mechanics including dealer. And no one can figure out what is wrong with it. It shows as a permanent code not allowing for emissions. Spent thousands and called corporate Kia and they were no help. So car had a permanent code which seems to be an electrical issue from computer not sensing the right thing as the car drives perfectly…

    NHTSA complaint #11581646 · source
12. Filed Mar 22, 2024150,000 miVACrash1 injuredTowedElectrical System

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the battery, steering, and ABS warning lights were illuminated. The steering wheel then seized. The contact stopped the vehicle in the left lane of the highway when another vehicle sideswiped the passenger side of her vehicle and fled the scene. The air bags did not deploy. The contact experienced sore body pains, but medical attention was not received. No police report was…

    NHTSA complaint #11578942 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology