2016 Kia Soul: won't start

Filed Sep 27, 2026 · Engine · CA

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 – 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 [XXX], the vehicle abruptly began losing speed and eventually came to a complete stop near the freeway median. The vehicle was left in an extremely dangerous position with high-speed traffic approaching nearby. [XXX] noticed that the check-engine light had illuminated. He repeatedly attempted to restart the vehicle, but it would not start. When [XXX] called me for assistance, I panicked because of the dangerous circumstances. My immediate concern was that my son or another motorist could be seriously injured. I contacted AAA for emergency roadside assistance. Because of the hazardous location, AAA contacted the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to assist until the tow truck arrived. [XXX] was instructed not to leave the vehicle because of the high-speed traffic surrounding him. AAA ultimately towed my Kia Soul to Kia Cerritos because it was the closest Kia dealership I could locate that offered an overnight vehicle drop-off. XXXX – Vehicle Received by Kia Cerritos On Sunday, XXX, a service representative contacted me to confirm that Kia Cerritos had received my vehicle. I was asked what had occurred the previous evening, and I explained the incident in detail. XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 25, 2026 · Engine · WA

My 2016 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI has an unresolved engine-related safety and recall concern. The vehicle is associated with safety recall SC176 / the federal safety agency 19V120, which remains identified as incomplete in the vehicle’s 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 not having been performed. The vehicle was released without the requested engine replacement or a completed resolution. The concern is that the vehicle experienced serious engine-related symptoms while an applicable safety recall was listed as incomplete, and the manufacturer’s authorization process did not result in a completed recall-related remedy. The vehicle was subsequently removed from the dealership. I request that the federal safety agency document and review this complaint, including whether the recall remedy and engine-related concerns are being appropriately addressed. The vehicle and supporting records may be available for inspection upon request. Supporting documentation includes the Kia recall letter, recall verification, dealership repair order, and communications concerning the manufacturer’s review.

Filed Dec 2, 2024 · Engine · NV

Was driving my 2016 Kia Sol on [XXX] just past Nevada. Was accelerating to go around another vehicle and suddenly lost power, engine light came on and the car was making a loud rattling noise. Pulled off to the side of the highway. Turned the car off and checked engine oil and there was none registered. Car would not start at first. Had to tow the vehicle from Mesquite to Pahrump(149 miles home), which cost me $1500.00 . No warning lights ever came on. I had our mechanic inspected my vehicle and he said the engine is blown. I never got any recall notices but noticed there has been a recall on the engine. The Kia Sol is now sitting in my garage. I am going to contact my insurance company. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 1, 2024 · Engine · WI

I've never had an issue with my car since I got it about 5 years ago. Then all of a sudden on Sunday the engine just went out and I lost power . Now it won't start unless it's charged and my mechanic says I need a whole new engine.

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Engine · UT

While driving vehicle suddenly lost power and the battery light, engine light and oil light turned on. My car did not start after. Upon inspection my mechanic added oil to the car to see if that will work and it didn’t. Granted I had an oil change one month ago and still had a bit of miles to go before my next one. The oil light never turned on before this so I thought it was odd that it was low in oil. Secondly we charged the battery and tried to jump start it. That was futile. When he inspected it more he said it was the engine that became detective. I’m glad this happened on a safe road rather than the freeway! There was zero indication prior , that my car was going to stop . I know there’s active recalls for this same issue …

Filed Nov 2, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Catalytic Converter kept getting hot, was at dealership for a recall on engine in May 2022, light kept coming on and off. October 3, 2022 broke down on freeway for the Catalytic took to mechanic spent $1200 for repair on Catalytic converter, oil and spark plugs, within a day kept burning oil, by Sunday, October 23, 2022 broke down on freeway again and engine fried and burned piston #2 - I have many receipts for oil changes every 3k miles, always keep car maintained and have a notebook for everything I have repaired. The headlights and brake lights went out a month ago and never did get the brake bar light replaced. The passenger window motor is shot and the airbag light is on. Currently, it's at the dealership parked and I am waiting for Corporate to give a go ahead to say it's a go to fix it, and I'm missing work and will loose my job without having a car. So I am asking why is my car not on the recall list if I am having the same issues as the recalled 2016 Kia Souls are having. I haven't had the car very long and I had a 2009 Kia Sportage LX that is still going over 330k miles it's way better than these Souls. They all need to be sent back to the dealership and destroyed. Shame on Kia Corporation for allowing these 2016 cars on the market and shame on the Dealership to sell me this car back in August 2019. People are out here struggling and only shows the Corporations stay strong and the little guys loose. What kind of crap is that? Why isn't my car on the VIN RECALL LIST? PLEASE TELL ME? I'M JUST LUCKY THE CAR DIDN'T START FIRE, BECAUSE IT BURNED PISTON #2

Filed Aug 7, 2022 · Engine · FL

While driving to work vehicle oil light started flashing and vehicle started making metal on metal noises and vehicle would not accelerate. I pulled over, turned off the engine. The vehicle would not start again. Took vehicle to a mechanic and he told me that I needed a new engine. I went to the dealer when I found out about the recall. I was told they couldn't do anything for me because I never had the car serviced there.

Filed Aug 25, 2021 · Engine · NH

On/around August 13, 2021 I went to get an oil change and Safety recall performed for the 1.6L engines to protect it from excessive connecting rod bearing damage at a Kia Dealer. It was performed in the AM drove it pretty much all day. the next morning 8.14.21 in the AM drove it for roughly 1hr parked then decided to move the car out of the sun the car would not start. I could put it in the ACC and ON positions to work the radio and windows etc. but it would not start. I was there for 1.5 hrs. then I tried the car again and it started as if nothing was wrong. I drove it for 1 week no issues, then on 08.21.21 I was waiting at a red light when the light turned green I could not move as the car shut down with no warning or warning lights. I put the car in park and then tried turning on the vehicle again it started no issues, I was nervous and scared because we, my daughter and I, were at a very busy intersection not knowing if the car was going to start again. On 08.22.21 I tried starting the car and it took a while for it start as well but started. On 08.23.21 I called the KIA dealer and let them know what happened and took it to them on 8.24.21 in the AM. They were not able to replicate the problem but adjusted the values and said that there were no shut off codes indicated and that was a good sign. I was able to drive it all morning then at 3:15pm it would not start then at around 4:45pm I tried it again and the car started. When it started the stability control light was on and pressing the button to turn it off would not turn it off. I drove it about 5 minutes parked it turned the car off, when I started the car again the stability control light did not come on. I drove it around for a little then called a different KIA dealer and explained the situation so I dropped the vehicle off to the dealer on 8.24.21 in the overnight drop where it currently is where they are charging 139 dollars to diagnose the problem the car has approx 162329 miles

Filed Feb 3, 2021 · Engine · 105,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 kia soul. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer steve landers kia (201 colonel glenn plaza loop, little rock, ar 72210, (501) 404-4268) where it was diagnosed with needing the engine to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that they would get in contact with the dealer, which was still pending. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Sep 8, 2020 · Engine · 124,000 miles · NY

While driving my kia soul on a city road I pulled over to let a car pass. I was still in gear and once the car passed I went to pull back on to the road and the car would not move. I then noticed that it had stalled. We tried to start it again but it would not turn over. No leaking oil and the oil was full. I do a full synthetic oil change every 3-4000 miles. We then towed it to our kia dealer. They said that the engine seized. After some research I found out about the recall for the engines and the problems. After 2 months they just informed me that it doesn't fit the recall. Even though the engine clearly falls within the parameters of the chronic problems.

Filed May 16, 2019 · Engine · 74,500 miles · TN

I was driving home from work and my car started making a clicking sound. A couple minutes later it slowed down until it completely stopped. I'm thankful I was pulling up in front of my house before the car completely died. I replaced the battery but it still won't crank. The lights, radio, and air conditioning works. I was told it may be the alternator.