KiaSoul2016Overview/kia/soul/2016/base/

2016 Kia Soul

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Soul.

Body SUV

The 2016 Kia Soul, built on Kia’s compact SUV platform, continues the model’s distinctive boxy silhouette while being powered by the same powertrain family that has historically drawn the most owner attention to the engine area. With 800 owner complaints recorded for this year and five manufacturer recalls, the 2016 iteration sits just below the 2015 peak of 898 complaints within the model’s 2010‑2025 span, yet remains well above the low of 11 complaints seen in 2025. This positioning indicates that the 2016 Soul occupies a middle ground in the model’s reliability trajectory—more problematic than the later, markedly improved years but not at the extreme end of the early‑generation issues. Researchers should therefore treat the 2016 Soul as a representative year of moderate reliability, reflective of the broader trend toward gradual improvement across the generation.

Model year202520232022202120202019201820172016

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI With ISG: 48, Without ISG: 121R · 550 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI With ISG: 48, Without ISG: 121R · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205/60R16, 215/55R17, P235/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5, 6.5, 7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length163 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height63 in
Wheelbase101.2 in
Curb weight3289 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 62.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Soul of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.70 sec — 2016 EV+
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016EV+ Elec 27-kWh9.70 sec17.40 sec109 hpFWD
2015! 2.0L I-48.30 sec16.40 sec164 hpFWD
2015+ 2.0L I-48.50 sec16.70 sec164 hpFWD
2015Eco Electric + Elec 27-kWh9.20 sec17.00 sec109 hpFWD
2015Eco Electric + Elec 27-kWh9.30 sec17.10 sec109 hpFWD
2017! 1.6L Turbo I-46.30 sec15.00 sec201 hpFWD
2017! 1.6L Turbo I-46.50 sec15.10 sec201 hpFWD
2014! 2.0L I-48.10 sec16.40 sec164 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to Aluminum: 33.0, Steel: 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine CoolantEthylene-Glycol
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity5.3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts94-101 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugAluminum: 33.0, Steel: 30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts17.4-24.6 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)530-730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-800 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap.035-.039 in
Spark Plug Torque11-18 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.15-1.30 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.35-4.05 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberWith ISG: 48, Without ISG: 121R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)70-75 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)72-73 psi
Engine Compression156-178 psi / max variation 14 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 178-199 / max variation 15 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0090 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0126-0.0150 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23 / 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-; Front: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque7 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .827; Rear: .331
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep M6 bolts: Step 1: 52 inch lbs.

2104-112 inch lbs.; M8 bolts: Step 1: 7 ft. lbs.104–112 in
214-17
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113-16 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
113-16 ft. lbs.13–16 ft. lbs
290

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 37,500 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 90,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Kia Soul sits near the apex of a clear problem arc that intensified through the early second-generation years. Complaints surged from 134 in 2010 to a peak of 898 in 2015, with 2016 recording 800 complaints—still extremely high—while recalls hit 5 and investigations 3, all elevated compared to the single recall and zero investigations seen in later model years like 2017 and 2018. Engine-related issues dominate the 2016 complaint record, with 333 complaints in the "Engine" category alone, and the year also logged 34 fire complaints, signaling a concentration of serious powertrain concerns. The trend shows a sharp decline after 2016, with complaints dropping to 269 in 2017 and further thereafter, indicating that the 2016 model year falls at the tail end of the generation's most problematic period. Given this pattern, a 2016 Kia Soul represents a higher-risk purchase; opting for a 2017 or newer model would likely avoid the peak of reported issues.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
177
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
800
Owner complaints
29 involved a crash · 34 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 800 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine333
Engine & Engine Cooling51
Unknown Or Other47
Engine & Engine Cooling,Engine45
Unknown Or Other,Engine30
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System27
Power Train,Engine18
Steering14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V120000EngineReported 22/02/2019

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… 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…

17V608000SteeringReported 29/09/2017

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 177 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
CS2311_TSB_R42026-06-08StructureTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER…
SC176Y_TSB_R12026-03-24EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AND…
SC310Z_TSB_R12026-03-04Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: HIGH-VOLTAGE BPA REPLACEMENT…
SC267Z_TSB_R22026-03-04Electrical SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK ASSEMBLY…
PI2002B_OWNR_7012026-02-24Electrical SystemPRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (PI2002B FL701) - This document is the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Soul. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Soul have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.