Model year 2016 · Kia

2016 Kia Soul recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Soul. The most recent was reported on October 26, 2023. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: SOUL, SOUL EV.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Soul, newest first
NHTSA number	Reported	Component
23V724000	October 26, 2023	Electrical System › Software
23V218000	March 29, 2023	Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery
20V389000	July 2, 2020	Electrical System › Software
19V120000	February 22, 2019	Engine
17V608000	September 29, 2017	Steering

Systems involved: Electrical System (3) · Power Train (2) · Engine (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1) · Steering (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 23V724000Manufacturer no. SC287

Electrical System › Software

Report received by NHTSA: October 26, 2023
Owner notification: December 21, 2023
Recall initiated by: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected: 6,262 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: SOUL EV

Components: Electrical System › Software; Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Defect summary

Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on.

Safety risk

Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 23V724000, filed by Kia America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 23V218000Manufacturer no. SC267

Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery

Report received by NHTSA: March 29, 2023
Owner notification: August 18, 2023
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 2,689 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: SOUL EV

Defect summary

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving.

Safety risk

A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC267.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 23V218000, filed by Kia America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 20V389000Manufacturer no. SC191

Electrical System › Software

Report received by NHTSA: July 2, 2020
Owner notification: August 7, 2020
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 3,714 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: SOUL EV

Components: Electrical System › Software; Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 20V389000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 19V120000Manufacturer no. SC176

Engine

Report received by NHTSA: February 22, 2019
Owner notification: April 17, 2019
Recall initiated by: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected: 378,967 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Kia Soul: July 8, 2011 – August 11, 2016
Model names in the NHTSA record: SOUL

Components: Engine; Engine And Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor

Defect summary

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 in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.

Safety risk

Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.

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 catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 19V120000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 17V608000Manufacturer no. SC155

Steering

Report received by NHTSA: September 29, 2017
Owner notification: November 16, 2017
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 342,381 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2016 Kia Soul: July 21, 2013 – September 30, 2015
Model names in the NHTSA record: SOUL, SOUL EV

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

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, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC155. Note: This recall supersedes campaigns 14V-332 and 15V-736. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.

Notes in the NHTSA record

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Source: NHTSA recall 17V608000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: October 27, 2023.