2016 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine knocking or ticking
- 111owner reports
- 85,000median miles
- $5,000median quote
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
111 of the 227 reports of engine failure on the 2016 Soul describe engine knock.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (227 reports) · also: rod bearing failure, engine seized
Tick what matches of 111 reports
Engine knock on other Soul years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2019, 2020, 2021.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the knock sensor (34 reports), the rod bearing (11 reports) and the engine (9 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
All 2 recalls on the 2016 Kia Soul, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Soul
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
What owners paid
18 of the 111 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $6,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 66,186 and 107,000 miles, from the 66 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 7 service bulletins or notices for the 2016 Kia Soul that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2002A, PI2002B and SC200**1) titled “Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement”.
ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (PI2002A, PI2002B and SC200**1) titled "Knock Sensor Detection System - ECU Logic Improvement".
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN 1.6L GDI KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (PI2002A) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine ...
PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN NU 2.0L GDI - KNOCK SENSOR DETECTION SYSTEM (KSDS) ECU UPGRADE (PI2002B) - This bulletin provides information related to a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU) to install the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) in order to protect the engine from ...
3 more on the 2016 Kia Soul page.
What owners wrote
“sudden reduced acceleration / limp mode while driving P1326 knock code potential engine failure / loss of power”
Filed May 9, 2026
“Engine stalled on me while going 60mph on the freeway to almost 20 mph. Check Engine light flashed twice. Engine is now knocking.”
Filed Aug 1, 2023
“Catalytic converter recall not being honored by warranty or original dealership where vehicle was purchased. Car engine making knocking sound and burning oil”
Filed Jun 6, 2023
“Car would not accelerate over 35 mph and started knocking had to pull over to let other vehicles pass. Turned around went back home a 1/2 mile checked alternator current, added 1/2 quart of oil. Started engine knocking continued oil was low again after running engine a few minutes. No smoking from exhaust, no oil in radiator, no dripping or leaking oil.”
Filed Jan 24, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 111 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 215 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 207 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 95 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 41 reports
- Engine leaks oil 39 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 38 reports
- Vehicle fire 35 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 31 reports