Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2016 Kia Soul EV recalls
Power train: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl) · Electrical system: software
NHTSA campaign 23V724000 · reported October 26, 2023 · Kia America, Inc. · 6,262 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Electrical system: propulsion system, traction battery
NHTSA campaign 23V218000 · reported March 29, 2023 · Kia America, Inc. · 2,689 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Electrical system: software · Power train: automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl)
NHTSA campaign 20V389000 · reported July 2, 2020 · Kia Motors America · 3,714 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Steering
NHTSA campaign 17V608000 · reported September 29, 2017 · Kia Motors America · 342,381 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The 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. 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.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Sep 18, 2023 · Electrical system · 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul EV. The contact stated that on several occasions while the vehicle was on the charging port, the vehicle failed to hold the charge and only displayed an 83 percent charge. Additionally, the contact stated that when the vehicle was fully charged, the energy percentage display rejected…
Jun 30, 2019 · Service brakes · 25,532 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS PLACED INTO PARK AFTER DRIVING. THE CAR INDICATED IT WAS IN PARK, HOWEVER THE CAR ROLLED - IT WAS NOT IN PARK. APPLYING THE FOOT BRAKE WORKED. APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE WORKED, HOWEVER THE GEARSHIFT DID NOT ENGAGE PARK PROPERLY.
Nov 10, 2018 · Unknown or other · 15,181 miles
THE HORN AND ALARM DONT WORK EVEN WHEN I SET THE ALARM THERES NO BEEP JUST FLASHES AND IVE PRESS THE HORN MULTIPLE TIMES AND IT DOESN'T MAKE A SOUND THIS OCCUR DURING DRIVING AND AFTER WHILE I WAS STATIONARY JUST TO CHECK
Sep 13, 2018 · Power train · 20,781 miles · crash reported
BACKED UP DRIVEWAY TO PARK CAR IN GARAGE. PUT CAR IN "PARK". GOT OUT TO CLEAR PARKING SPACE IN GARAGE. TURNED AROUND TO SEE CAR ROLLING DOWN DRIVEWAY INTO WALL- WHILE IN "PARK".
Oct 12, 2017 · Visibility/wiper · 8,731 miles
SUNROOF COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGE OF TEMPERATURE.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 18, 2023.