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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2014–2019

Kia Soul EV recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 39 owner complaints for the Kia Soul EV, covering model years 2014 to 2019. The 2017 model year drew the most complaints (18), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Kia Soul EV VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 39 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 6 model years with data (2014–2019)
  • most complaints: 2017 (18 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (17 complaints)
  • latest recall 23V724000 (reported Oct 26, 2023)
  • 7 complaints reporting a crash (17.9%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a fire (2.6%)
  • 3 complaints reporting an injury (7.7%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Kia Soul EV complaints by model year

6 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2017 model year has the most complaints: 18 of 39, or 46.2%. Next come 2016 (7) and 2015 (6). The fewest are for 2014, with 2 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Kia Soul EV owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2014–2019Column chart of 39 complaints across 6 model years. The highest is 2017 with 18. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2014: 2 complaints220142015: 6 complaints620152016: 7 complaints720162017: 18 complaints1820172018: 3 complaints320182019: 3 complaints32019
Kia Soul EV complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Kia Soul EV complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
201421010
201562000
201671000
2017180100
201831000
201932020
All model years397130

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Kia Soul EV components

top 12 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 17 complaints (43.6% of all 39), followed by Power Train (10) and Service Brakes (6).

Components named most often in Kia Soul EV complaints (top 12)
Components named most often in Kia Soul EV complaints (top 12)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System1743.6%
Power Train1025.6%
Service Brakes615.4%
Unknown or Other615.4%
Engine512.8%
Visibility/Wiper25.1%
Air Bags12.6%
Fuel/Propulsion System12.6%
Parking Brake12.6%
Seats12.6%
Structure12.6%
Vehicle Speed Control12.6%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Kia Soul EV recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Soul EV, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2014 to 2019. The 2015 and 2016 model years appear in the most campaigns (4 each).

  • 5 recall campaigns
Kia Soul EV recall campaigns covering each model year
2014: 1 campaign2015: 4 campaigns2016: 4 campaigns2017: 3 campaigns2018: 3 campaigns2019: 3 campaigns
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 23V724000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (PRNDL); Electrical System › Software

    Model years 2015–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 23V218000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery

    Model years 2015–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 22V031000

    Reported

    Air Bags

    Model years 2017–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 20V389000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Software; Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (PRNDL)

    Model years 2015–2016

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 17V608000

    Reported

    Steering

    Model years 2014–2016

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Kia Soul EV questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Kia Soul EV have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Kia Soul EV, covering model years 2014 to 2019. The most recent, 23V724000, was reported on October 26, 2023 and is filed under “Power train”. The 2015 and 2016 model years are covered by the most campaigns (4 each).

Which Kia Soul EV model year has the most complaints?

The 2017 model year, with 18 of the 39 complaints in NHTSA’s file (46.2%). The next are 2016 (7) and 2015 (6). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Kia Soul EV complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 17 complaints, or 43.6% of all 39. Power Train (10) and Service Brakes (6) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Kia Soul EV?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Kia dealer.

How many Kia Soul EV complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 39 complaints, 7 report a crash, 1 a fire, 3 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Kia models

8 models · most complaints first

The Kia models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Kia VIN decoder with every Kia model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Kia Sorento 2003–2026 · 40 recalls · 10,159 complaints
  • Kia Optima 2001–2020 · 22 recalls · 7,499 complaints
  • Kia Soul 2010–2025 · 15 recalls · 5,532 complaints
  • Kia Sportage 1995–2026 · 36 recalls · 4,687 complaints
  • Kia Forte 2009–2024 · 18 recalls · 2,539 complaints
  • Kia Sedona 2002–2021 · 23 recalls · 2,406 complaints
  • Kia Telluride 2020–2027 · 19 recalls · 2,009 complaints
  • Kia Sephia 1995–2003 · 7 recalls · 1,687 complaints

All Kia models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.