Active Safety RecallKia SC176Kia SC200Kia SC209Kia SC336NHTSA 19V-120NHTSA 20V-750NHTSA 21V-259NHTSA 25V-099
Kia Soul Engine Recall Engine Recalls · 2012–2023
Kia has issued 4 engine safety recalls covering certain 2012–2023 Soul vehicles. 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. The fix is free. Here’s exactly who’s affected and what to do.
NHTSA 19V-120Soul · 2012–2016
NHTSA 20V-750Forte, Sorento, Soul, Sportage · 2012–2015
NHTSA 21V-259Seltos, Soul · 2020–2021
NHTSA 25V-099Seltos, Soul · 2021–2023
$0 · Free RepairParts and labor, any Kia dealer
Am I Affected?
Three quick checks — any one of them is reason to run your VIN above.
Check 1 · Model Year
You drive a 2012–2023 Soul
Model years 2012–2023 are covered by these campaigns. Other Soul model years are not part of this recall — see the Soul recall hub.
Check 2 · Campaign Count
4 open NHTSA campaigns
This page covers NHTSA 19V-120, 20V-750, 21V-259, 25V-099 — every campaign Kia and NHTSA have filed for this engine issue on Soul. Run the VIN checker above to see exactly which apply to your vehicle.
Check 3 · Advisory
Safe to drive
No Park Outside or Do Not Drive advisory is attached to these specific campaigns. Run your VIN above to confirm your vehicle’s exact status and schedule the free repair.
What Happened — and How It’s Fixed
NHTSA 19V-120 (Kia SC176)22/02/2019
Engine
What happened: 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.
The 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.
The free fix: 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.
NHTSA 20V-750 (Kia SC200)02/12/2020
Engine
What happened: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
The risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The free fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
NHTSA 21V-259 (Kia SC209)13/04/2021
Engine
What happened: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
The risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
The free fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
NHTSA 25V-099 (Kia SC336)17/02/2025
Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Hard Parts Internal/mechanical
What happened: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
The risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The free fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
What To Do — Four Simple Steps
Run your VIN
Use the checker above (or nhtsa.gov/recalls) to confirm which of NHTSA 19V-120, 20V-750, 21V-259, 25V-099 apply to your exact vehicle.
Schedule the free repair
Book online or call . Mention SC176, SC200, SC209, SC336 — we’ll confirm parts before your visit.
One-visit fix
Recall repairs are typically completed same-day once parts are confirmed. Pair it with maintenance if you like — recall labor is free either way.
Keep the paperwork
We provide written proof of completion — useful at resale, since buyers check NHTSA for open recalls.
Engine Recall FAQs
Is it safe to drive my Soul before the engine recall repair?⌄
These campaigns (19V-120, 20V-750, 21V-259, 25V-099) carry no Do Not Drive or Park Outside advisory. Still, schedule the free repair promptly — run your VIN above to confirm your vehicle’s exact status.
Which vehicles are affected?⌄
Certain 2012–2023 Kia Soul vehicles, depending on the specific campaign (NHTSA 19V-120, 20V-750, 21V-259, 25V-099). Run your VIN above to confirm your exact vehicle.
What does the repair cost?⌄
Nothing. By federal law, safety recall repairs are free — parts and labor — at any authorized Kia dealer, for the life of the vehicle, regardless of where it was purchased or how many owners it’s had.
I’m buying a used Soul. Should I worry about these recalls?⌄
No — just verify. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: if NHTSA 19V-120, 20V-750, 21V-259, 25V-099 is open, any Kia dealer (including us) closes it free before or after your purchase. A completed recall has no effect on the vehicle’s safety or value.
Verified as of 2026-07-15 against NHTSA. Source: NHTSA 19V-120 · NHTSA 20V-750 · NHTSA 21V-259 · NHTSA 25V-099.