Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul EV, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train3
- Unknown or other2
- Visibility/wiper1
- Electrical system1
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2016
440 new Kia Soul EV cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2016; the largest markets were Austria (251), the United Kingdom (157), Belgium (29).
- Average mass
- 1,533 kg
- Average power
- 44 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Electric 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Kia Soul Ev SUV FWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2016 Kia Soul EV.
| 2024345 14 Jun 2024 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the wiring for the heated seat could disconnect and cause the seat heaters to overheat. Safety Risk: A seat heater that overh… |
| 2024155 7 Mar 2024 | High Voltage Issue: On certain electric vehicles, there could be a problem inside the high-voltage battery. As a result, the high-voltage battery could short circuit while… |
| 2023582 27 Oct 2023 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission could be damaged if the driver shifts to the "P" (Park) position before the vehicle has stopped moving. As a resu… |
| 2023181 29 Mar 2023 | High Voltage The recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2024-155 Issue: On certain electric vehicles, there could be a problem inside the high-voltage batte… |
| 2020310 7 Jul 2020 | Powertrain Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission could be damaged if the driver shifts to the "P" (Park) position before the vehicle has stopped moving. As a resu… |
| 2017514 23 Oct 2017 | Steering On certain vehicles previously repaired under recalls 2014-237 or 2015-535, the pinion plug may not have been secured properly. As a result, the pinion gear may… |
| 2015535 12 Nov 2015 | Steering On certain vehicles, insufficient adhesive may have been applied to the steering gear pinion plug at time of assembly. This could allow the plug to loosen and p… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
23V724000 · Electrical system26 Oct 2023 · 6,262 vehicles
Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on.
23V218000 · Electrical system29 Mar 2023 · 2,689 vehicles
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving.
20V389000 · Electrical system2 Jul 2020 · 3,714 vehicles
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle (EV) vehicles. The parking mechanism may become damaged if the driver moves the gear shift lever into Park 'P' before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. If the parking mechanism is damaged, unintended vehicle movement may occur when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied.
17V608000 · Steering29 Sept 2017 · 342,381 vehicles
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2016 Kia Soul EV: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11001086 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC310A) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to update the vehicle's battery management system (BMS) software to the latest version in certain 2015-2017 MY Soul EV vehicles. Our records indicate that you own or lease one of the potentially affected vehicles. |
| 11001076 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC310A) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to update the battery management system (BMS) software on certain 2015-2017 MY Soul EV vehicles manufactured from July 15, 2014 through July 4, 2017 that had their BMS previously replaced and updated under warranty. |
| 11001072 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC310A) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC310A. |
| 11001054 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC267A) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to update the vehicle's battery management system (BMS) software to the latest version in certain 2015-2017 MY Soul EV vehicles. |
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 11000588 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC267A. |
| 11000587 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC267A) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to update the battery management system (BMS) software to the latest version on certain 2015-2017 MY Soul EV vehicles manufactured from July 15, 2014 through June 30, 2017 that had their BMS previously replaced and updated (under SC267) and certain 2018-2019 MY Soul EV vehicles manufactured from July 3, 2017 through September 28, 2018 that only had their BMS software previously updated (under |
| 11000586 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC267A) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to update the battery management system (BMS) software to the latest version on certain 2015-2017 MY Soul EV vehicles manufactured from July 15, 2014 through June 30, 2017 that had their BMS previously replaced and updated (under SC267) and certain 2018-2019 MY Soul EV vehicles manufactured from July 3, 2017 through September 28, 2018 that only had their BMS software previously updated (under SC267). |
| 10254416 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (SC267Z) - This bulletin provides information to replace the high-voltage battery pack assembly (HV BPA) on certain 2015-2019MY Soul EV (PS EV) vehicles produced from July 15, 2014 through September 28, 2018. After completing SC267 with the latest battery management system (BMS) software upgrade, the subject vehicles may subsequently require the replacement of the HV BPA due to MIL ON with a BPA related DTC(s). |
| 10254411 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: BMS SOFTWARE UPGRADE (SC267A) - This bulletin provides information to update the BMS with new software on certain 2015-2019MY Soul EV (PS (EV) vehicles manufactured in the dates listed below, which have an older software ROM ID version installed completed under SC267. |
| 10254410 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: BMS SOFTWARE UPGRADE (SC310A) - This bulletin provides information to update the BMS with new software on certain 2015-2017MY Soul EV (PS (EV) vehicles manufactured in the dates listed below, which have an older software ROM ID version installed completed under TSB ELE310. |
| 10254409 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: HIGH-VOLTAGE BPA REPLACEMENT (SC310A) - This bulletin provides information regarding the replacement of the High-Voltage Battery Pack Assembly (HV BPA) on certain 2015-2017MY SOUL EV (PS EV) produced from July 15, 2014 through June 30, 2017 which were not included in SC267 Safety Recall Campaign and have completed TSB ELE310 and/or SC310A. The affected vehicles require replacement of the HV BPA due to the MIL 'ON' with related DTC(s) described on page 2. |
| 10254408 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK AND BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the replacement of the High-Voltage Battery Pack Assembly (HV BPA) on some 2015-2017MY SOUL EV (PS EV) produced from July 15, 2014 through June 30, 2017 which were not included in SC267 Safety Recall Campaign. The Battery Management System (BMS) will need to be replaced along with the 'new' HV BPA, when replacing a |
| 10252300 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: OBC UPDATE, INSPECTION AND/OR REPLACEMENT (SA306) CLOSED - This bulletin is now closed. This bulletin provided the procedure to update, inspect, and if necessary, replace the On-Board Charger (OBC) on some 2015-17MY Soul EV (PS EV) vehicles, produced from July 15, 2014 through January 15, 2017, which may exhibit a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) ON with DTCs P1CF1 through P1CF6. |
| 10252298 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: OBC REPLACEMENT (SA307): CLOSED - This bulletin is now closed. This bulletin provided the procedure to replace the On-Board Charger (OBC) on some 2016MY Soul EV (PS EV) vehicles, produced from January 16, 2015 through December 21, 2015, which may have exhibited a malfunction indicator light (MIL) ON with DTCs P1CF5 and P1CF6 due to a battery charge delay with the OBC. |
| 10244285 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK AND BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - This bulletin provides information regarding the replacement of the High-Voltage Battery Pack Assembly (HV BPA) on some 2015-2017MY SOUL EV (PS EV) produced from July 15, 2014 through June 30, 2017 which were not included in SC267 Safety Recall Campaign. The Battery Management System (BMS) and Voltage & Temperature Sensor Wiring Harness (VTSWH) will need to be replaced along with the 'new' HV BPA, when replacing an 'originally' equipped HV BPA on the applicable vehicles. In addition, the BMS Software will als |
| 10242914 | SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (SC267Z) - This bulletin provides information to replace the high-voltage battery pack assembly (HV BPA) on certain 2015-2019MY Soul EV (PS EV) vehicles produced from July 15, 2014 through September 28, 2018. After completing SC267 with the battery management system (BMS) software upgrade, the subject vehicles may subsequently require the replacement of the HV BPA due to MIL ON with a BPA related DTC(s). |
| 10238225 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR - ELECTRICAL A/C COMPRESSOR - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding partial repair of the Air Conditioning (A/C) compressor assembly on some 2011MY~ Optima Hybrid (TF HEV, JF HEV/PHEV), 2015MY~ Soul EV (PS EV), 2017MY~ Niro (DE HEV/PHEV/EV), 2022MY~ EV6 (CV), 2021MY~ Sorento (MQ4 HEV/PHEV), 2023MY~ Sportage (NQ5 HEV/PHEV), and 2023MY~ Niro (SG2 EV/HEV/PHEV) vehicles. |
| 10237607 | PITSTOP: SHARING KIA CONNECT CREDENTIALS WITH THIRD-PARTY APPS AND POTENTIAL IMPACT TO 12V BATTERY IN EVS - Kia is aware of reports of unexpected drainage of the 12-volt battery in some Kia electric vehicles (EVs). While Kias investigation is ongoing, a possible cause of the issue may be third-party applications used by the customer that are causing excessive Kia Connect connections to the customers EV. |
| 10226555 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2. |
| 10210264 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY ORDERING AND RETURN PROCEDURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin outlines the ordering and return procedure for high-voltage Lithium-ion batteries equipped on EV/hybrid vehicles (hereafter referred to as "high-voltage batteries" or HVBs). |
| 10202226 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia m |
| 10201529 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL |
| 10201528 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: 1.6L GDI WITH MIL ON DTC P050A ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA485) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) system on some 2014-2016MY Soul (PS) vehicles with Gamma 1.6L GDI engines, produced from August 29, 2013 through July 26, 2016, which may exhibit an MIL ON with DTC P050A (Cold Start Idle Air Control System Performance). |
| 10201431 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the renotification to the 2014-2016 MY Soul vehicle owners advising them to have the Product Improvement Campaign (PI2002B) performed. Upon completion, Kia will warrant any engine long block assembly repair needed due to connecting rod bearing damage for 15 years/150,000 miles starting from the date of the first service, whichever occurs first, for both new and used vehicle owners. Kia will also mail a $60 unrestricted Visa prepaid debit card upon receipt of notification of completion of the software update if it is completed |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
RQ23005 · Power train:automatic transmission:internal:park pawlopened 10 Sept 2023 · closed 16 Jan 2024
Vehicle Rollaway
DP22005 · Electrical system:propulsion systemopened 27 Jan 2023 · closed 7 Aug 2023
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation