Owing in part to their relatively simple design and an emphasis on safety features, vehicles made by Kia tend to see relatively few recalls. But they do see them.
No matter how excellent the product, when it comes to cars, there will always be something that isn’t caught in the factory, and when that happens, the issue needs to get taken care of right away.
The 2016 Kia Soul has seen three recalls in total. So, what are they?
We’ll go a little more in-depth below, but if you just want a quick list:
- Steering gear liable to separate
- Catalytic converters may overheat and damage the engine
- Park mechanisms may be damaged
Now, here’s what to look out for, and what to do if your Kia Soul is affected:
Steering Gear Liable to Separate
NHTSA Recall ID: 17V608000
This recall affected a potential 342,381 units in the 2014 to 2016 Souls and Soul EVs. The problem concerned the pinion plug, which had a tendency to slip, allowing the pinion gear to detach completely from the steering gear assembly.
It’s easy to imagine the worst-case scenario with this defect. If you’re going 60 mph on the highway and your steering suddenly gives out, there’s a very high likelihood of an accident.
Kia issued notifications and began conducting repairs on November 16, 2017, under the recall number SC155. The repairs involved inspecting vehicles and, when necessary, securing the pinion plug or replacing the steering gear assembly entirely.
Catalytic Converter May Overheat and Damage Engine
NHTSA Recall ID: 19V120000
This recall potentially affects 378,867 Kia Souls with 1.6L gasoline direct injection in model years 2012 to 2016. The recall had to do with exhaust gas temperatures damaging the catalytic converter.
Engine damage can have a ripple effect with all sorts of additional damages adding up. In this case, the big concern was potential piston connecting rod failure owing to abnormal engine combustion.
Kia issued notifications to owners on April 17, 2019, under the recall number SC176 and began conducting repairs, upgrading the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic, and repairing or replacing damaged catalytic converters.
Damaged Park Mechanism
NHTSA Recall ID: 20V389000
Potentially affecting 3,714 Soul EVs from 2015 and 2016, this recall had to do with the parking mechanism being prone to damage if the driver moved the car into Park before coming to a complete stop.
If the parking mechanism is damaged, you could wind up with your car rolling down a hill the minute you step out onto the sidewalk.
Kia notified owners on August 7, 2020, with the recall number SC191 and began updating the electronic control unit software, as well as replacing any damaged components owing to the defect.
How Can You Check a 2016 Kia Soul for Recalls?
You’ve probably got two questions right now: How do you know if your car is subject to these recalls, and how do you get them taken care of?
Both of those questions have an easy answer.
- Check your vehicle identification number (VIN). It’s probably stamped on the dashboard, and if it’s not, your owner’s manual will tell you where to find it. Take that number and type it into the VIN lookup at NHTSA.
- If you have any pending recalls, call Kia at 1-800-333-4542. They’ll let you know how to get that taken care of.
Recall repairs are free, and they’re valid for the lifetime of the car, whether you’re the original owner or you bought it off someone who bought it off the lot.
