*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Engine
The vehicle won't go faster than 60mph. It will go in limp mode. Vehicle should be part of the engine replace campaign, but it is not showing up on the NHTSA website.
Oct 26, 2026Engine
Vehicle suffered a sudden, dangerous loss of power on the highway at 70 mph, dropping immediately to 20 mph, creating a severe safety risk. The vehicle has an active P0420 code. The official NHTSA database confirms that Safety Recall SC176 (Campaign 19V120) is INCOMPLETE for this vehicle. However, the KIA dealership and KIA corporate are actively refusing to honor the federal recall, falsely claiming the vehicle is past an 8-year/80,000-mile emissions warranty limitation. They are also forcing a $249 diagnostic fee to investigate an open, incomplete safety campaign.
Sep 29, 2026Engine
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
Sep 30, 2026Engine
Dear Kia Customer Care, I am writing to formally express my disappointment and serious concern regarding my 2016 Kia Soul, VIN [XXX], its engine failure, the applicable engine recall/warranty coverage, and my experience obtaining assistance and repairs through Kia. Most importantly, this situation involved more than an inconvenience or ordinary mechanical problem. My son's safety was placed at serious risk when my Kia abruptly lost power and became disabled in high-speed freeway traffic. XXX â Dangerous Freeway Breakdown On Saturday, XXXX, at approximately 9:30 p.m., my son, [XXX], was driving my Kia Soul on the [XXX] from [XXX] toward [XXX], for his 11:00 p.m. work shift. According to…
Sep 5, 2026Engine
My 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI has an unresolved engine-related safety and recall concern. The vehicle is associated with safety recall SC176 / NHTSA 19V120, which remains identified as incomplete in the vehicleâs recall records. Kia also sent a recall renotification stating that the recall had not been completed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership after experiencing engine knocking, difficulty accelerating, and a no-start condition. Repair Order #544458 documents the reported engine knocking, trouble accelerating, and inability to start. The repair order also states that the vehicle was towed out because Kia Techline declined the engine request due to related recall work…
Aug 10, 2026Engine
The engine long-block assembly suffered a catastrophic, terminal internal collapse and sudden stall due to abrasive substrate particle ingestion from a previously failed, melted manifold catalytic converter under Safety Recall SC176 (NHTSA Campaign 19V120000). The vehicle has been extracted to preserve evidence and is available for immediate physical inspection. The vehicle suffered a complete, sudden loss of motive power and stalled while traveling at high speeds on a busy public highway. It went into an un-accelerated limp mode, creating an immediate hazard of a high-speed rear-end collision on the highway shoulder. Authorized franchise facility Garden Grove Kia officially confirmed the…
Jul 7, 2026Fuel/propulsion system
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 vehicle is available for inspection at any authorized Kia dealership. No DTC is stored because the restriction has not yet degraded catalytic efficiency below the ECU's threshold â the catalyst is still chemically functional but physically blocked. Safety risk: The RPM limitation prevents the vehicle from accelerating past ~3,000 RPM, creating a significant hazard when merging onto highways,…
Sep 10, 2026Engine and engine cooling
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately and lost motive power while driving. The contact was able to continue driving at reduced power. Additionally, there were abnormal sounds coming from under the hood, excessive engine oil consumption, and a plastic burning odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where the crankshaft position sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, Kia Store Clarksville (826 E Lewis and Clark Pkwy, Clarksville, IN 47129), where Voluntary Service Campaign: SC334 (Service Brakes), Technical Service Bulletin: SA485 (ECM Logic…
Aug 2, 2026 · 139,500 miles
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
