Is the 2016 Kia SOUL EV reliable?

The 2016 Kia SOUL EV has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Kia SOUL EV?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (3 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (2 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Kia SOUL EV?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL), STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL). Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Kia SOUL EV?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Kia SOUL EV is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Kia SOUL EV

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Kia SOUL EV has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 8. The most common issue is transmission problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: after putting the car in park and turning it off, the car started rolling. i stopped the car, turn it on, put it in drive, then turned it back off. it rolled again (in a relatively flat parking structure.) i normally set the parking break so i'm not sure when this may have started.. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 5)

TRANSMISSION

3 complaints

38%

• AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNING IT OFF, THE CAR STARTED ROLLING. I STOPPED THE CAR, TURN IT ON, PUT IT IN DRIVE, THEN TURNED IT BACK OFF. IT ROLLED AGAIN (IN A RELATIVELY FLAT PARKING STRUCTURE.) I NORMALLY SET THE PARKING BREAK SO I'M NOT SURE WHEN THIS MAY HAVE STARTED.
• BACKED UP DRIVEWAY TO PARK CAR IN GARAGE. PUT CAR IN "PARK". GOT OUT TO CLEAR PARKING SPACE IN GARAGE. TURNED AROUND TO SEE CAR ROLLING DOWN DRIVEWAY INTO WALL- WHILE IN "PARK".
• AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED INTO PARK AFTER DRIVING. THE CAR INDICATED IT WAS IN PARK, HOWEVER THE CAR ROLLED - IT WAS NOT IN PARK. APPLYING THE FOOT BRAKE WORKED. APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE WORKED, HOWEVER THE GEARSHIFT DID NOT ENGAGE PARK PROPERLY.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNING IT OFF, THE CAR STARTED ROLLING. I STOPPED THE CAR, TURN IT ON, PUT IT IN DRIVE, THEN TURNED IT BACK OFF. IT ROLLED AGAIN (IN A RELATIVELY FLAT PARKING STRUCTURE.) I NORMALLY SET THE PARKING BREAK SO I'M NOT SURE WHEN THIS MAY HAVE STARTED.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (4)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)02/07/2020

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.

Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. The recall began August 7, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC191.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Kia SOUL EV

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SOUL EV Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2016 SOUL EV, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: AFTER PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNING IT OFF, THE CAR STARTED ROLLING. I STOPPED THE CAR, TURN IT ON, PUT IT IN DRIVE, THEN TURNED IT BACK OFF. IT ROLLED AGAIN (IN A RELATIVELY FLAT PARKING STRUCTURE.) I NORMALLY SET THE PARKING BREAK SO I'M NOT SURE WHEN THIS MAY HAVE STARTED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: CHARGING PORT CAN AUTOMATICALLY LOCK THE CHARGING CONNECTOR, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE WITHOUT DAMAGE OCCURRING, IF NOT DONE CORRECTLY. OF COURSE, THIS ONLY OCCURS WITH THE VEHICLE STATIONARY AT A CHARGING STATION. (I UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT UNUSUAL ON ELECTRIC CARS BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSED TO KE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: SUNROOF COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE OF TEMPERATURE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED INTO PARK AFTER DRIVING. THE CAR INDICATED IT WAS IN PARK, HOWEVER THE CAR ROLLED - IT WAS NOT IN PARK. APPLYING THE FOOT BRAKE WORKED. APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE WORKED, HOWEVER THE GEARSHIFT DID NOT ENGAGE PARK PROPERLY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)