2016 Kia Soul Service and Repair Manual
The 2016 Kia Soul was sold in six trim levels, built around two naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines — a 1.6L and a 2.0L. Which of the two is under the hood changes the specifications and the service procedures a repair depends on, so it is worth confirming the engine and trim below before starting work.
Engines covered
- 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door hatchback
Trims covered
- Base
- EX
- Exclaim
- LX
- Plus
- SX
Known issues on the 2016 Soul. Two recalls are on federal record for this model year. NHTSA campaign 17V608000 covers the steering: the pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly, and if the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. Campaign 19V120000 covers cars equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines, where high exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter; piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Owners have filed 1,125 complaints for the year, and Kia has issued 114 technical service bulletins.
From a steering-gear inspection to chasing a stall on the 1.6L GDI engine or a routine service interval, it puts Kia's own procedure and the correct specification behind the job on your 2016 Soul.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Soul and Soul EV vehicles. The pinion plug may allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering gear assembly.
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the pinion plug or replace the steering gear assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 16, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indi
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AND ENGINE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (SC176Y) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are i
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2002B FL701) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to perform a software update on 2014-2016 MY Soul vehicles equippe
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. Kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder pro
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicate
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - This bulletin provides information to apply additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components, including inspection/replacement of the
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC334) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC334.
Showing the 8 most recent of 131 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
FOUR CAR COLLISION, KIA SOUL 2016 WAS THE FIRST CAR. SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT ON A CITY STREET, BREAKS DID NOT WORK. THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS ON ROAD. NO ONE WAS CITED DURING THE ACCIDENT, OFFICERS ON SITE HAD BELIEF THERE WERE OTHER COMPLICATIONS RATHER THAN DRIVER NEGLIGENCE.
STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE SIDE AIBAGS DID DEPLOYED. CAR WAS GOING 55MPH AND COLIDED INTO ANOTHER CAR WITH FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TOOK MAJORITY OF THE FORCE.
I WAS REAR ENDED ON THE 91FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA.I WAS ALMOST AT A COMPLETE STOP DUE TO TRAFFIC.I WAS HIT SO HARD FROM THE BACK THAT I WAS THROWN INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE IN THE CAR.MY CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS.NOT ONE SINGLE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.BUT BY THE GRACE OF GOD WE ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES.BY THAT I MEAN WERE ALIVE.
ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET DOING ABOUT 15 MPH. WITHOUT ANY WARNING VEERED TO THE RIGHT HITTING A PARKED CAR AND DOING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY KIA SOUL AND MODERATE DAMAGE TO A FORD EXPLORER. IT WAS MID DAY AND GOOD VISIBILITY AND I WAS ALERT ON FAMILIAR TERRITORY IN MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD. I AM CONCERNED THAT EVEN THOUGH KIA AND NHTSA DON'T SHOW THIS VIN # IN THE STEERING RECALL HOW CAN I AND OTHERS BE SURE IT SHOULDN'T BE? CHP DID COLLISION REPORT. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V736000. PLEASE RESPOND
DRIVING TO WORK ON FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 15-20MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS BLIND-SIDED BY A CHEVY SILVERADO TRUCK GOING 50-60MPH. THE INITIAL IMPACT WAS MY REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. ABSOLUTELY NO AIRBAG WENT OFF ON THAT SIDE. THE IMPACT KNOCKED ME ACROSS TWO LANES OF THE FREEWAYS ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHERE I WAS HIT AGAIN ON DRIVER'S SIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL BAG WENT OFF AFTER THE 2ND IMPACT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. IS THIS THE CAR YOU HAVE A 5-STAR CRASH RATINGS? MY CAR WA
ON OCTOBER 28, 2020 I HAD A BOX TRUCK SLAM THE BRAKES IN FRONT OF ME CAUSING ME TO REAR END THEM GOING APPROXIMATELY 25/30 MPH. THE FRONT OF MY KIA WAS SMASHED INTO THE ENGINE AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I HAVE SUSTAINED MAJOR LONG TERM INJURIES DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING.
AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SKID AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
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 filed. The contact activat
MY WIFE HIT A CAR (T BONED) THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DIPLOID. SHE WENT IN THE HOSPITAL. THE S BELT WENT IN HER CHEST AND SHE HAS NECK AND BACK PAIN. I REPORTED IT TO THE KIA DEALER AND NEVER GOT AN ANSWER.
I LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR LAST YEAR AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. I ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A BROKEN STERNUM. MY STEERING WAS WEIRD RIGHT BEFORE I CRASHED.
ON 2/18/17 MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION IN OUR 2016 KIA SOUL. SHE STRUCK A STOPPED TOYOTA CAROLLA AT OVER 45MPH ON SOUTHBOUND I-5 IN SEATTLE WA. THIS WAS A DIRECT FRONT END COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS IN THE KIA SOUL DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE METAL BUMPER BAR WAS COMPLETELY BENT IN A "V" SHAPE BACK BEYOND THE RADIATOR. KIA USA FIRST CLAIMED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO UNDER RIDING. SENT THEM DAYTIME PHOTOS FROM THE NEXT DAY WHEN WE VISITED THE CAR TO REMOVE PERSONAL ITEMS AN
THE CRASH AT ABOUT 2:30AM EARLY TUESDAY MORNING ON NOV. 24, 2020, ON HER WAY HOME FROM HER NEARBY 2ND SHIFT JOB, MY WIFE'S 2016 KIA SOL WAS HIT HARD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY A CAR BEING PURSUED BY POLICE. LUCKILY, AND POSSIBLY BECAUSE MY WIFE IS SHORT AND SITS HIGH, SHE APPEARS UNINJURED ALTHOUGH VISIBLY SHAKEN AND VERY NERVOUS ABOUT NIGHT DRIVING. MY WIFE HAD PULLED HER CAR OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE 4+ LANE ROAD WHEN SHE HEARD SIRENS. WHILE PULLED OVER WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND HER FOOT ON
ON HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS HYDROPLANED IN TO CONCRETE BARRIER WALL AT ABOUT 70 MPH FIRST IMPACT ON DRIVERS FRONT CORNER NEAR HEADLIGHT. AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED.
Motor stalled while I was driving, steering wheel locked taking me to a ditch. No warning on the dashboard, no lights on. It only has 100k on it. My only car to get me where I need to be and I still owe money on it. I called Kia, they said they can’t do anything unless I take it there and paid their fees. That would mean pay a second toe truck, plus their diagnosis and then labor. The guy I talked to said I’m looking on about 12k to fix my car! I’m a single mom. It’s hard as it is now I have no
Showing the 15 most serious of 809 complaints filed with NHTSA.
