NHTSA Safety Database · Dean McCrary Kia · Mobile, AL
Kia Soul Recalls
Every open NHTSA safety recall for the Soul, model years 2020–2025, pulled live from the federal database below — matched to your exact VIN, with plain-English guidance on what to do next. Every recall repair is free.
Check Your Soul
Enter your 17-character VIN to see every open recall that applies to your exact Soul — campaigns can vary by build date and equipment. We query the NHTSA database in real time, so the result is always current.
Prefer to talk? Call with your VIN and we’ll verify every open campaign for you.
How Soul Recalls Work
A safety recall means Kia or NHTSA identified a defect or noncompliance that could affect your vehicle’s safety. Not every Soul is affected by every recall — it depends on your exact build date, trim, and equipment. Your VIN (checker above) is the definitive, per-vehicle answer; the live federal list below is the complete, always-current record.
What It Means
Recall Severity Labels, Explained
Kia flags its most urgent recalls with plain-language guidance. Park Outside means keep the vehicle parked away from structures and other vehicles until it’s repaired — typically a fire-risk concern. Do Not Drive is more severe still: don’t operate the vehicle at all until the repair is complete. If either label appears when you check your VIN or in the live list below, call us right away and we’ll prioritize your repair.
What To Do
Every Repair Is Free — Act Promptly
Federal law requires that safety recall repairs be performed free of charge — parts and labor — regardless of your Soul’s age, mileage, or where you bought it. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN periodically and schedule your free repair as soon as one appears. We’ll confirm parts availability and get you in quickly.
Every Soul Recall, Explained
Every NHTSA safety campaign Kia has filed for the Soul to date — newest first, verified as of 2026-07-15 against NHTSA. The live federal list below updates automatically if a new campaign opens after this date.
Engine2021–2023
Engine AND Engine Cooling · Engine · HARD PARTS Internal/mechanical
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.
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
NHTSA 25V-099 · Kia SC336 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Air Bags2023–2024
AIR BAGS
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Free Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge.
NHTSA 23V-830 · Kia SC289 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Brakes2011–2017Park Outside
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited SLIP · Control Unit/module
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Free Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023.
NHTSA 23V-652 · Kia SC284 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Drivetrain2023–2024Park Outside
POWER TRAIN · Automatic Transmission · Fluid/lubricant · PUMP
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Free Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge.
NHTSA 23V-531 · Kia SC275 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Instrument Cluster2023
Electrical System · Instrument Cluster/panel
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-in Hybrid, Niro Hybrid, Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Soul, and Telluride vehicles equipped with a digital instrument cluster containing a 4.2" LCD screen. The instrument cluster may fail to display any information when the vehicle is started.
Risk: A blank instrument cluster display will not show critical information, such as tire pressure, warning messages, and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix: Dealers will update the instrument cluster software, free of charge.
NHTSA 23V-298 · Kia SC270 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Air Bags2014
AIR BAGS · Frontal
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.
Risk: Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Free Fix: Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge.
NHTSA 22V-096 · Kia SC229 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Air Bags2017–2019
AIR BAGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Free Fix: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
NHTSA 22V-031 · Kia SC226 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Engine2020–2021
Engine
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA 21V-259 · Kia SC209 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Engine2012–2015
Engine
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
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.
NHTSA 20V-750 · Kia SC200 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Engine2012–2016
Engine
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA 19V-120 · Kia SC176 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Steering2014–2016
Steering
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.
Risk: If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix: 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. Vehicles previously remedied under those numbers are being recalled again under this campaign.
NHTSA 17V-608 · Kia SC155 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Power Loss2014–2015
Vehicle SPEED Control · Accelerator PEDAL
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
Risk: If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015.
NHTSA 15V-123 · Kia SC116 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Air Bags2011–2013
Structure · BODY · ROOF AND Pillars
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
Risk: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Free Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015.
NHTSA 14V-822 · Kia SC112 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Brakes2011
Exterior Lighting · BRAKE Lights · Switch
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles.
Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
NHTSA 13V-114 · Kia SC098 · See Full Details & Schedule Repair →
Every Open Soul Recall, Live from NHTSA
The list below is generated at request time directly from the NHTSA federal recall database for Soul model years 2020–2025 — nothing on this page is pre-written or curated. Use the filters to narrow by model year or system, then run your VIN above for the definitive answer on your exact vehicle.
Model Year
System
Filters narrow this page’s content — your VIN (checker above) is always the definitive answer for your exact vehicle.
This page doesn’t pre-write recall summaries — every campaign shown here comes straight from the live NHTSA feed below, current as of the moment you load this page. Run your VIN above for the definitive, per-vehicle check.
Soul Recalls by System
A dedicated page for each Soul recall campaign — hardcoded facts verified against NHTSA, plus the live VIN checker.
Explore Other Kia Models
Recall history is specific to each model — check the live list for any Kia you’re driving, buying, or servicing.
Soul Recall FAQs
How do I know if my Soul has an open recall?⌄
Enter your 17-character VIN in the checker above — it queries the live NHTSA database and returns every open recall for your exact vehicle. The live list further down this page shows the complete federal record for Soul model years 2020–2025, but your VIN is the definitive answer for your specific vehicle.
What does “Park Outside” or “Do Not Drive” mean on a recall?⌄
Park Outside means keep the vehicle parked away from structures and other vehicles until it’s repaired, usually because of a fire risk. Do Not Drive is more urgent — don’t operate the vehicle at all until the free repair is complete. Either label will appear on your VIN check or in the live list if it applies to your Soul. Call us right away if you see one and we’ll prioritize your repair.
How many recalls does the Kia Soul have?⌄
It depends on your exact model year, build date, and equipment — the count changes over time as NHTSA and Kia issue new campaigns. The live list on this page always reflects the current federal total for Soul model years 2020–2025; your VIN is the only reliable answer for your individual vehicle.
How often should I check for new Soul recalls?⌄
Recalls can be issued at any time, so it’s worth checking your VIN periodically — especially before a long trip or if you notice any unusual symptoms. We’re also happy to check for you whenever you’re in for service.
I’m buying a used Soul. How do I make sure the recalls are done?⌄
Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or in the checker above before you buy — open campaigns show immediately. Dean McCrary Kia closes any open recalls free of charge regardless of where you bought the vehicle, and every used Soul we retail has its open recalls completed first.
Do I pay anything for Soul recall repairs?⌄
No. Safety recall repairs are free by federal law — parts and labor — for the life of the vehicle, at any authorized Kia dealer, no matter where you bought it. Pair a recall with regular maintenance and we’ll handle both in one visit.