2016 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine seized
- 25owner reports
- 102,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Jun 4, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
25 of the 227 reports of engine failure on the 2016 Soul describe engine seized.
Part of Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (227 reports) · also: engine knock, rod bearing failure
Tick what matches of 25 reports
Engine seized 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: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the rod bearing (4 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.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 79,000 and 144,000 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Engine seized up but everything is correct in the engine all the fluids and everything so it just seized up for no reason”
Filed Jan 30, 2025
“Engine issues, black oil, loud knocking noise. Engine locked up in 2023 130000 covered and replaced with a replacement engine 135000. Not quite over a year engine is doing same thing dealer told me itâs not covered by my warranty. Kia soul has a history of engine problems I donât know what to do”
Filed Jan 21, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 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