2016 Kia Soul fuel system problems
83 of the 822 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Kia Soul name the fuel system (NHTSA’s “Fuel/Propulsion System” heading — fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors). Filed under the same heading: 11 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 83 reports a crash · 5 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 9 · 2021: 10 · 2022: 10 · 2023: 14 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 7
Half of the 24 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the fuel system problem between 45,000 and 85,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
822 complaints in all about the 2016 Kia Soul, 7 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Fuel/Propulsion System” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Kia Soul fuel system problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the fuel system. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Unknown have a strong gas smell from under hood passenger side and fuel leak was detected by mechanic during oil change service
I have a 2016. Kia. Soul with constant problems I now have a catalog converter problems and want to know if its on recall because. I have had this vehicle less than 3 years and constant service checks. My service engine light is on and when. I took it to service they ran a check and.
Recently, I have been experiencing problems with my pumping gas into my car. Every time I attempt to put gas in, it overflows as if it is full, but it's not. The gas cap no longer clicks when attempting to close. I can only put in no more than $5 into my tank
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle for over two months. Also, while fueling the vehicle, fuel spilled onto the ground. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
Gas mileage stated is nowhere even close to what's stated on either city or highway. I would guess 10-15% off
What is on file about the fuel system
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications11 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2016 Kia Soul names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2016 Kia Soul
Source: the same files- engine problems 668 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 65 complaints
- electrical problems 58 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre fuel system problems common on the 2016 Kia Soul?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 83 owner complaints naming the fuel system on this model year (10% of everything owners filed about it), and 11 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the fuel system on the 2016 Kia Soul?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 5 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do fuel system problems show up on the 2016 Kia Soul?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 75,000 miles; half of them between 45,000 and 85,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Fuel/Propulsion System" heading cover?
Fuel tanks, lines, pumps and injection — and on an EV, the propulsion battery and motors. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.