2016 Kia SOUL: complaints, problems and recalls

THE PANIC BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB IS NOT RECESSED SO IT ACTIVATES WHEN YOU DON'T WANT IT TO. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE KIA DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND ALSO KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND BOTH COULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. ANYTIME I HAVE THE KEY FOB IN MY POCKET IT IS LIKELY TO ENGAGE THE PANIC BUTTON. IT HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES. PEOPLE THINK THERE IS AN EMERGENCY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT NHTSA CAN DO TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. (I PREVIOUSLY HAD A 2013 KIA SOUL AND THE DESIGN OF THE KEY FOB WAS DIFFERENT SO I NEVER HAD THE PANIC BUTTON …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10823220 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVING THIS CAR HIGH SPEEDS (FREEWAY) FOR LONGER PERIODS OF TIME (30 MINUTES OR MORE PER DAY) FOR MORE THAN 3 CONSECUTIVE DAYS AFFECTS MY OVERALL HEALTH AND ABILITY TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT GET CHRONIC HEADACHES, TROUBLE CONCENTRATING, SLEEPING PROBLEMS, DIZZINESS, FORGETFULNESS, EXHAUSTION, AND ANXIETY WHICH AFFECT MY REACTION TIME AND ALERTNESS WHILE DRIVING, AND ABILITY TO MAKE PROPER DECISIONS IN TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, SINCE I DISCONTINUED DRIVING THE CAR AS SOON AS I BECAME AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. I ALSO WENT TO A DOCTOR WHO CONFIRMED …

Owner-reported narrative. 1,350 miles reported. Look up ODI 10885663 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING IN REGENERATIVE BRAKE MODE AND COMING UP TO A STOP LIGHT, I LET THE REGENERATIVE BRAKE TO SLOW THE CAR TO AROUND 10 KM/HR THEN APPLIED THE NORMAL BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE REST OF THE WAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT ENGAGE WHATSOEVER. I DID NOT FEEL ANY RESISTANCE AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE GROUND. BECAUSE I COULDN'T STOP, I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME - LOW SPEED SO LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ABOUT BRAKE FAILURE EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. PEDAL WAS FLOORED AND THERE WAS NO ACCELER…

Owner-reported narrative. 110 miles reported. Look up ODI 10891740 at NHTSA ↗

SINCE DAY ONE, MY KIA LOOSE COMMUNICATION WITH GAS PEDAL TO TRANSMISSION OR COMPUTER.FROM STOP I ACCELERATE, AND IF FOR ANY REASON I OUGHT TO RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL, THE TRANSMISSION ACT LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL GEAR,AFTER ACCELERATE TWO OR THREE TIMES IT ACCELERATE ABRUPTLY.IT ACT EXACTLY LIKE HIUNDAI RECALL NO.16V6280.I TAKE THE VEH. TO THE DEALER, I REPORT THE PROBLEM BUT THEY TELL ME THAT THEY DOES NOT FIND NOTHIN WRONG, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.MY VEH. TRANSMISSION IS A 5 SPEED ECO SHIFT DUAL CLUTCH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10937496 at NHTSA ↗

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 THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS REPORT AND ANY FURTHE…

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10939501 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING TURNING LEFT CLICKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THEY WHEEL WOULDN'T TURN I HAD TO SNATCH THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. I'VE HEARD LIGHT CLICKING BEFORE ON AND OFF, BUT TODAY WAS AT IT WORST. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10945883 at NHTSA ↗

THE 2016 KIA SOUL OWNERS MANUAL HAS FALSE, MISLEADING AND INCORRECT INFORMATION. BEFORE PURCHASING THIS NEW KIA SOUL IN 12/16 I LOOKED THROUGH THE CARS OWNERS MANUAL. SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE AND HELPED SWAY ME TO PURCHASE THIS CAR WAS THE INFORMATION IN SECTION 8 PAGE 15 UNDER ONLINE FACTORY AUTHORIZED MANUALS (U.S. ONLY) IT STATES THAT THE FOLLOWING PUBLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON WWW.KIATECHINFO.CON AT NO CHARGE. SERVICE MANUAL, ELECTRICAL TROUBLESHOOTING MANUAL, OWNERS MANUAL. IF YOU VISIT THAT SITE WWW.KIATEAHINFO.COM THE FIRST SCREEN T…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10953779 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE I HAVE HAD THE SEAT BELT FASTEN LIGHT COME ON WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD. INITIALLY I TRIED PARKING THE CAR, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION FOR 30-60 SECONDS, TURNING THE CAR BACK ON, AND ONCE I START MOVING AGAIN THE INDICATOR WOULD COME BACK ON. WHAT I FINALLY REALIZED, AFTER DOING SOME TESTING, IS THAT IF I PLACE MY CELL PHONE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TOWARDS THE CENTER OF THE CAR (PLACING IT ABOUT 1/2 WAY FROM THE FROM THE FRONT TO THE BACK OF THE SEAT), IT WILL TRIP THE SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE SEAT BELT WA…

Owner-reported narrative. 16,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10956880 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2017-09-29 (September 29, 2017)

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.

Consequence: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Reported: 2019-02-22 (February 22, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.