2016 Kia Soul Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The contact’s husband, who is an independent mechanic, inspected the vehicle and became aware that the brake fluid lines were rusted and ruptured underneath the middle of the vehicle. The contact stated that brake fluid was added but the brake pedal was mushy while depressed. The brake warning light was illuminated after the failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

NHTSA ID

11745980

Incident

Jun 23, 2026

Mileage

40,000 mi

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was no oil in the engine; however, the vehicle previously had an oil change. The contact added oil to the engine. The failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle made rattling sounds and emitted a burning oil odor. The brake pedal had to be firmly depressed to stop the vehicle, the windows inadvertently rolled down, and the interior lights intermittently failed due to an electrical system failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the timing cover needed to be resealed and the brake master cylinder, oil pan gasket, brake fluid, spark plugs, ABS, and window master switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine And Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11738741

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

Mileage

80,000 mi

I reported to Kia regarding 2016 KIA Soul EV electronic gear shift and power system as follows. "I am writing to formally report a serious safety concern regarding the electronic gear shift and power system on my Kia Soul EV. I have experienced several dangerous incidents involving the vehicle's behavior when parking on an incline. Specifically, if the vehicle is parked on a slope and the power switch is turned off while the gear selector is still in 'Drive' (D), the control power shuts down immediately, and the vehicle begins to roll down the hill because it does not automatically engage 'Park' (P) or the electronic parking brake. While I understand the importance of manually selecting 'Park,' it is common for electronic shifters in modern EVs to automatically shift to 'Park' or engage a safety brake when the power is turned off to prevent such hazardous rolling. The current logic poses a significant safety risk to the driver, passengers, and bystanders. I would like to know if there is a software update available to address this logic or if Kia has a recommended safety protocol to mitigate this risk. I look forward to your prompt response regarding this matter." and received email from KIA "After reviewing your concern, we can confirm that at this time there are no updates, recalls, or service campaigns related to the parking logic or automatic engagement of Park or the parking brake for the condition you described. We recommend reviewing the Parking Brake section of your Owner’s Manual (Section 5, Page 25), which outlines the designed operation and proper procedures when parking the vehicle, particularly on an incline." Please review this case and find resolutions for this safety issues. Thank you

NHTSA ID

11737174

Incident

May 11, 2026

sudden reduced acceleration / limp mode while driving P1326 knock code potential engine failure / loss of power

NHTSA ID

11736722

Incident

Apr 30, 2026

I was driving in the carpool line to Anaheim with my daughter, the car starts pulling and make a noise in the front part and start loosing speed, from 75 miles per hour to 40 miles per hours in 2 minutes. I drove to the safety zone but in high risk to a crash. All the sensor lights on in the front part. And the steering feels hard, no movement. We feel so stressed and unsafe. The police officer help us and The 511 towing help this was on October 16th. We pay $830 dlls to the AAA to bring the car to San Diego.

NHTSA ID

11697108

Incident

Oct 16, 2025

4 29 23 at 101091 miles the catalytic converter was replaced. The car sucks up oil before even the 3000 .mark..kia performed. Then on7/8/25 wg baker replaced catalytic converter again. Also coding of abs brakes now and why would catalytic converter need replacing? Because car is eating off oil. Yes my car stopped on the interstate and I had to pull over. I've already done two tune ups.

NHTSA ID

11680993

Incident

Jul 8, 2025

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to work as needed. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to safely pull the vehicle over. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11590001

Incident

May 19, 2024

Mileage

85,000 mi

I put the car in park, and exited the car to do something, and it started to move forward on its own. I jumped back in the car and stepped on brakes, and shut the engine off. I was to the side of the car, so did not get injured. On a different occasion I was parking the car in the carport, and put the car into park. When I released the foot brake, the car started moving forward on its own again. I put on the brake, put the car into reverse to reverse to the parking spot, put the car into park and put the parking brake on. Others were around the car, but not directly in front of the car so no one was injured. The car has not been taken to the dealer yet for this issue, not has anyone inspected it for this problem. I have an appointment soon for an inspection by the dealer. These incidents happened without warning.

NHTSA ID

11551907

Incident

Oct 23, 2023

i BOUGHT A 2016 kIA sOUL WITH 52.000 MILES ON IT SOME TIMES WHEN I PUT IT IN dRIVE IT BACKS UP.

NHTSA ID

11539837

Incident

Aug 19, 2023

Engine and brake lights have come on. Engine knocks bad. Vehicles stall when pressing gas. Dangerous driving soecialy going through stop sign. Low power while pressing gas.

NHTSA ID

11520743

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

Our car was sold to us not knowing about a recall. It was taken to a local Kia. The car dealership says they didn’t know. It’s already had a replaced catalytic converter and didn’t fix the problem. Our engine light, ABS light and a skidding light come on and off. No one will listen to us. We don’t know what to do next.

NHTSA ID

11496510

Incident

Dec 5, 2022

Mileage

123,639 mi

I STARTED COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER THAT THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE WHEEL DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT IT SEEMS TO BE SPINNING AT A DIFFERENT SPEED AS THE OTHER TIRES WHICH WORE THE TIRES DOWN AND THE THE BRAKES TO WEAR. THE FRONT END SHAKES BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING. THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLTS THAT SECURE THE BODY TO THE FRAME. BUT IT ONLY FEELS SOMEWHAT FINE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I TOOK IT TO 3DIFFERENT KIA DEALERS AND ALL HAVE SAID THERE'S NOTHING WRONG AND THERE IS NO SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT SURE DOESN'T FEEL IT. IT SEEMS LIKE THEY JUST WANT TO GET IT PAST THE WARRANTY. THEY INSTALLED NEW SOFTWARE FOR THE ENGINE KNOCK TO MONITOR IT BUT IT SEEMS WORSE SINCE THEY INSTALLED IT. MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S FALLING APART. I EVEN CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS AND THEY SAID THEY GO BY WHAT THE TECHNICIANS SAY, IF THEY SAY THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WRONG THEN THERE MUST NOT BE. I HAVE ALL MY RECORDS.

NHTSA ID

11389136

Incident

Dec 12, 2020

Mileage

50,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11375311

Incident

Jan 8, 2020

Mileage

60,000 mi

IT'S RUNNING DIFFERENT MAKES STRANGE NOISE AND HAS ENGINE LIGHT ON.

NHTSA ID

11342762

Incident

Jul 31, 2020

Mileage

70,357 mi

THIS IS AN ELECTRIC KIA SOUL. I DROVE THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE. PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I NORMALLY PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I OPENED THE CHARGING DOOR BUT DID NOT PLUG IT IN IMMEDIATELY. I TOOK GROCERIES INTO THE HOUSE AND RETURNED FOR MORE. AS I WALKED BACK INTO THE GARAGE IT LOOKED LIKE THE CAR LURCHED BACKWARD. IT MOVED 2 FEET BACK AND WOULD HAVE HIT THE GARAGE DOOR IF IT WAS CLOSED. MAYBE IT ROLLED AND THEN CAUGHT ITSELF AND LOOKED LIKE IT LURCHED BACKWARD. THE GARAGE IS A NEARLY LEVEL CONCRETE SURFACE. I GOT BACK IN THE CAR. IT WAS IN PARK. I TURNED ON THE CAR TO MOVE IT FORWARD BUT BEFORE I DID, I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ON. IT WAS NOT. I MAY HAVE FORGOTTEN TO PLACE IT ON WHEN I PULLED INTO THE GARAGE. I COULD NOT RECALL EXACTLY BUT I ALWAYS PUT THE PARKING BRAKE ON EVERY TIME I PARK THE CAR. THIS WAS SCARY BECAUSE IT ROLLED/LURCHED AT LEAST 2 FEET BACKWARD. I DID NOT SEE ANY ERROR/ALERT LIGHTS THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR ALMOST 2 YEARS AND PURCHASED A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED KIA DEALER WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID

11321315

Incident

Apr 15, 2020

Mileage

41,277 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, EVEN WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO YONKERS KIA (1850 CENTRAL PARK AVE, YONKERS, NY 10410); HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11282657

Incident

Nov 7, 2019

Mileage

25,000 mi

I HAVE A 2016 KIA SOUL, FULLY LOADED MODEL. SIX MONTHS AFTER BUYING THE CAR FROM THE DEALER (BOUGHT NEW WITH 8 MILES), I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION, FROM A STOP OR SLOW. THE CAR WOULD HESITATE/LAG/ALMOST STALL FOR 2-5 SECONDS, BEFORE CATCHING AND STARTING TO SPEED UP. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I STILL HAVE THE CAR AND I CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. I TAKE THE CAR IN FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND EVERY TIME, HAVE MENTIONED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEM AND EACH TIME THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT IN, ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO, THEY SAID TO PUT GAS TREATMENT IN THE TANK AND IF I THE PROBLEM PERSISTS, THEN BRING IT IN TO HAVE THE CRANKCASE FILTER CHANGED (THIS IS THE UPSELL THEY'VE BEEN PUSHING ON ME FOR A YEAR NOW. I HAVE UNDER 30,000 MILES, MOST OF WHICH ARE CROSS-COUNTRY MILES. TODAY, I HAVE THE SAME ACCELERATION PROBLEM BUT THIS TIME AROUND, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY SPONGY AND DIFFICULT TO SLOW, WHEN BREAKING TO PULL OVER. I PULLED OVER AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND LET IT IDLE TO LISTEN FOR ANY ODD OR UNFAMILIAR NOISES. THE CAR SOUNDED NORMAL. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THIS ACCELERATION ISSUE HAPPENS ON THE CITY STREETS, AS WELL AS THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID

11118177

Incident

Aug 6, 2018

Mileage

29,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAVENAUGH KIA (LOCATED AT 3315 STADIUM BLVD, JONESBORO, AR 72404, (870) 802-4451) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA ID

11019289

Incident

Mar 7, 2017

Mileage

500 mi

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 ACCELERATION, ONLY MILD DECELERATION (I.E. STILL FROM THE REGENERATIVE BRAKES PRESUMABLY) THUS I AM QUITE CONFIDENT THIS WAS NOT A CASE OF PEDAL MISAPPLICATION.

NHTSA ID

10891740

Incident

Jul 29, 2016

Mileage

110 mi