2016 Kia Soul transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 30, 2026AREngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   I have a 2016 kia soul that has been having drinking oil every 2-3 weeks but there isnt any oil leaking on the ground.last week i was driving home and my car woulnt go over 20mph i took it to kia and they said i need a catalytic converter the oil is still escaping somewhere and when i looked at the recalls my vin didnt show i had any but my car is somehow having the same issues and i have 108,000 miles

   NHTSA complaint #11768077 · source
2. Filed Jun 23, 2026FLEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle is a 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI with approximately 83,000 miles. The vehicle experienced engine performance issues, loss of power, and stalling. A Kia dealership diagnosed a failed/melted catalytic converter and reported metal shavings in the engine oil. The vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of…

   NHTSA complaint #11745932 · source
3. Filed Mar 17, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Safety defect P1326 code is a known indicator of rod bearing wear. When it triggered, the vehicle immediately went into Limp Mode, creating a significant safety hazard. The behavior aligns with the documented defect affecting NU GDI Engines and is not consistent with normal Engine wear. I have confirmed the KSDS software update was performed. I have taken the vehicle to Clay Cooley Kia of Plano and my service advisor has confirmed that the engine is defected per the NU GDI…

   NHTSA complaint #11724827 · source
4. Filed Feb 17, 2026FLEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   SUBJECT: Engine → Stall → Loss of power while driving: While driving normally, the vehicle began losing power and could not accelerate properly. The engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle repeatedly entered a reduced-power condition where it could barely maintain speed. The vehicle would stall while driving and then restart after sitting. This occurred multiple times over a period of time and progressively worsened. The engine also began consuming large amounts of…

   NHTSA complaint #11718401 · source
5. Filed Feb 7, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   I paid almost 3,500 dollars and Kia kept my car two months and I’m still having transmission issues and now they are asking for service receipts. After I picked up my vehicle from the original transmission repair I was back in less than 7 days because transmission was roughly jumping in gear and shifting horribly with burning smell. The technician noticed the problem and immediately took my car to the back but they kept my car another 30 days saying that they did an update…

   NHTSA complaint #11716370 · source
6. Filed Nov 21, 2025CAOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Transmission failed when mileage was at 88,000 miles and is not opererational to drive. After taking car to a pirate auto shop the mechanic informed me it showed codes P0753 and P073, and informed me the transmission fluid had metal debris inside it. This is a known defect from this specific Kia model. Then took it to the Kia Dealership in Chula Vist, for diagnostic, they informed me P073 code shown up and recommended to replace the transmission. This is known defect that is…

   NHTSA complaint #11700841 · source
7. Filed Oct 10, 2025WAEngineSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain

   The engine makes a noise like a knock, when the car is running or the speed increases the noise becomes louder and it feels like a strong blow coming from the engine.

   NHTSA complaint #11692473 · source
8. Filed Aug 19, 2025TXEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Kia 2016 died in mid traffic, would not switch out of 1st gear as an automatic, on a major road in Texas, no warning lights etc. Could be Transmission or Catalytic convertor.

   NHTSA complaint #11681539 · source
9. Filed Jul 30, 2025TXEngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

   Component/system failed: Engine and Power Train. Available for inspection: Yes, the vehicle is currently at the dealership. After a loud ticking/knocking noise from the engine began, the car lost power while driving. It matches symptoms associated with Kia’s known connecting rod bearing failure issue (covered under Recall SC176 and Campaign PI2002A). There were no warning lamps at first, but later the oil pressure warning light began to flash intermittently. A Kia dealership…

   NHTSA complaint #11677178 · source
10. Filed Jun 26, 2025PAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain

    We purchased a 2016 Kia Soul with the GDI engine in October 2024 from Jim Shorkey Kia in Uniontown with 60K miles on it. We just had to have a whole new Catalytic Converter installed that cost us $1500 because the one on this car was completely messed up. It caused the car to stall, have no power and when my daughter was pulling into her parking space, this caused the brakes to stop working because the car was getting NO power. The converter was completely clogged and the…

    NHTSA complaint #11669435 · source
11. 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
12. Filed May 8, 202466,100 miCASteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the battery had been replaced under recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V218000 (Electrical System) and the vehicle started experiencing steering failure after the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH, especially over uneven road surfaces, there was an abnormal sound like metal banging together coming from all four wheels. The contact stated that the sound was more pronounced near the front wheels.…

    NHTSA complaint #11587622 · 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