Car · Kia recalls

2016 Kia Soul recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Soul, filed between September 29, 2017 and February 22, 2019. Each one is below with what is wrong and the free fix.

Check my VIN for open recalls

Campaign	Filed	Part
19V120000	February 22, 2019	Engine
17V608000	September 29, 2017	Steering

Engine (19V120000)

Filed February 22, 2019

What is wrong. 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.

What could happen. 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 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.

Steering (17V608000)

Filed September 29, 2017

What is wrong. 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.

What could happen. 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.

Check that your car is on the list

Most campaigns cover only cars built in a certain date range or at a certain plant, so a 2016 Kia Soul may or may not be included. The VIN is the only sure test. It is 17 characters, on the dashboard by the windshield and on the driver door jamb sticker. Look up your VIN.

How to confirm the repair is free

Call any authorized Kia dealer service desk and give them the VIN and the campaign number from the list above.
Ask them to confirm the campaign is open for your car. If it is, the parts and labor are covered.
If the dealer says the part is not in stock, ask for a written note with the date, and ask about a loaner if the notice says not to drive the car.
Keep the repair order. It shows the campaign number and proves the work was done.

If you already paid for a repair that a recall later covered, Kia may owe you a refund. Ask the dealer or Kia customer service about reimbursement, and keep your receipts.

Other model years of the Soul

More: all Kia recalls, check-engine codes, car repair costs.

2016 Kia Soul recall questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Kia Soul have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2016 Kia Soul. A campaign can cover only some cars of that model year, so check your VIN to see whether yours is included.

Is a recall repair on a 2016 Kia Soul free?

Yes. A safety recall repair is free at an authorized Kia dealer, whatever the age or mileage of the car and no matter who owns it now.

How do I know if my 2016 Kia Soul was already fixed?

Enter the VIN on our recall page. If a campaign is still open, it shows as open. You can also ask a dealer to run the VIN, or look at the service history paperwork for the campaign number.

Source: NHTSA recalls API, checked 2026-10-28. Text is NHTSA's wording of each campaign. New campaigns are added over time. Not a repair shop, estimates only.