Kia Soul Recalls

The Kia Soul has 35 recalls spanning 2010 through 2023, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2023 models where side curtain airbags can deploy without warning, raising the risk of injury or loss of control.

The 2023 model year carries several additional concerns. An electric oil pump controller in the transmission can develop a short circuit and overheat, creating a fire risk. Separately, the digital instrument cluster can go completely blank at startup on 2023 vehicles equipped with a 4.2-inch LCD screen, hiding tire pressure warnings and other critical alerts.

The 2021-2023 model years share an engine issue where piston oil rings were manufactured incorrectly, allowing cylinder wall damage that can progress to engine stall or fire. The 2020-2021 models with the 2.0L MPI engine have a related piston ring defect that causes oil consumption, abnormal engine noise, and eventual engine failure with fire risk. The 2015-2019 Soul EV has two distinct concerns: the high-voltage battery pack can develop an internal short circuit that raises fire risk, and a damaged parking mechanism can allow the vehicle to roll when the shifter is in Park with the parking brake off.

The 2017-2019 model years have an airbag control unit where an internal cover can contact a circuit board chip and disable the airbags entirely, preventing deployment in a crash. The 2017 model year alone has a related issue where a fault in the airbag control unit can illuminate the warning light and leave the airbag system non-functional. Engine control module software updates were issued for 2017 models with the 2.0L GDI engine to detect early signs of engine failure before a stall or fire occurs.

The 2014-2016 model years have a steering gear pinion plug that can loosen and allow the pinion gear to separate from the steering assembly, causing complete loss of steering. Prior repair attempts under earlier campaigns did not fully resolve this issue on some 2014 vehicles, and the defect was addressed through multiple rounds of remedies. The 2014 model year also has corroding brake lines that can leak fluid and extend stopping distances, a front airbag system that can lose communication with impact sensors and fail to deploy in a crash, an accelerator pedal that can fracture under force, and heated seat wiring that can disconnect and overheat the seat surface. Engine compartment fire risk affects 2014-2015 models, and engine control module updates for early failure detection were issued for 2014 models with the 2.0L GDI engine and 2012 models with the 1.6L GDI engine.

The 2012-2016 models with the 1.6L GDI engine have a catalytic converter that can overheat and damage pistons or connecting rods, potentially puncturing the engine block and allowing oil to escape onto hot surfaces. The 2011-2013 model years are subject to an anti-lock brake module fire risk that can occur while parked or driving. On 2010-2013 sunroof-equipped vehicles, a headliner plate can break free during curtain airbag deployment and strike occupants. The 2010 model year has door trim speaker wiring that was improperly soldered and can short circuit under certain lighting conditions, creating a fire risk, as well as heated seat wiring that can damage the seat material and injure the occupant over time.