RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2016 KIA Soul recalls
14 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2016 KIA Soul with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 12
- U.S. recalls
- 02
- Total campaigns
- 14
Transport Canada recalls
12- Brakes#2024760
59,360 units affected
Issue: Over time, the brake lines under the vehicle could corrode. If this happens, a brake line could fail and leak. A brake fluid leak can result in reduced braking. Safety Risk: Reduced braking can cause extended stopping distances and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the brake lines. The dealer will apply an anti-corrosion treatment and replace the brake lines, if required.
- Label#2024549
647,384 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" appear in English only, when they should be listed as "Tires/Pneus", "Rims/Jantes", "Front/Avant" and "Rear/Arriere". Canadian regulations require this information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: These small errors do not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. Kia has corrected the compliance label for all new vehicles.
- Electrical#2024345
38,309 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the wiring for the heated seat could disconnect and cause the seat heaters to overheat. Safety Risk: A seat heater that overheats could create the risk of a burn injury. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the seat heater electronic control unit. The dealer will also replace the seat heater pad(s), as necessary.
- High Voltage#2024155
2,310 units affected
Issue: On certain electric vehicles, there could be a problem inside the high-voltage battery. As a result, the high-voltage battery could short circuit while driving. Note: This recall replaces recall RC180 (Transport Canada Recall No. 2023-181). Vehicles that received a software update under that recall don't require this repair. Safety Risk: A short circuit in the battery could cause a fire. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to update the battery management system software and, if necessary, replace the high-voltage battery.
- Powertrain#2023582
3,256 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission could be damaged if the driver shifts to the "P" (Park) position before the vehicle has stopped moving. As a result, the vehicle could move when the shift lever is in the Park position and the parking brake isn't used. Note: This recall replaces recall RC132 (Transport Canada Recall No. 2020-310). Vehicles that received a software update under that recall also require this repair. Safety Risk: A parked vehicle that moves suddenly could create the risk of an injury or a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the electronic control unit software.
- High Voltage#2023181
2,176 units affected
The recall was replaced by Transport Canada Recall No. 2024-155 Issue: On certain electric vehicles, there could be a problem inside the high-voltage battery. As a result, the high-voltage battery could short circuit while driving. Safety Risk: A short circuit in the battery could cause a fire. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your vehicle to a dealership to update the battery management system software.
- Engine#2021204
8,908 units affected
Issue: Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure could cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This campaign only affects vehicles equipped with a 1.6 L GDI engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. An engine failure could also create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module. Note: Kia recommends that you should always follow the correct vehicle maintenance schedule, which is printed in the Owner's Manual. If you experience unusual engine noise, reduced power, or a check engine/oil warning light, Kia advises you to immediately visit a Kia dealership to have your vehicle diagnosed.
- Engine#2020535
27,879 units affected
Issue: Kia Canada is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign that provides an update to the engine control module to detect potential problems before an engine fails. An engine failure may cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Note: This campaign affects vehicles with a 2.0 L GDI engine. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the engine control module.
- Powertrain#2020310
1,179 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the transmission could be damaged if the driver shifts to the "P" (Park) position before the vehicle has stopped moving. As a result, the vehicle could move when the shift lever is in the Park position and the parking brake is not used. Safety Risk: Sudden and unexpected vehicle movement could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to update the software for the Electronic Parking Brake. After the update, the parking brake will activate when the POWER button is turned OFF and the gear shift lever is in the Park position.
- Engine#2019101
8,908 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the catalytic converter may be damaged by overheating. This could also cause engine damage or an engine failure. An engine failure would cause a sudden loss of power with an inability to restart. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. An engine failure may also result in a fire. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have the engine software updated. This update will prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. Vehicles will also be inspected for other damage. Depending on the results of the inspection, the catalytic converter and/or the engine may be replaced. Note: A driver may notice any of the following symptoms of this problem: a knocking sound from the engine, reduced power or hesitation, and/or the illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or check engine light.
- Steering#2017514
25,956 units affected
On certain vehicles previously repaired under recalls 2014-237 or 2015-535, the pinion plug may not have been secured properly. As a result, the pinion gear may separate from the steering gear assembly causing a loss of steering which could result in a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect the pinion plug to ensure that the recall repair, if previously conducted, was properly done. Based on the inspection results, the recall repairs will either be redone with an improved method or, if necessary, the steering assembly will be replaced. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 2014-237 and 2015-535. Vehicles repaired under the previous recall(s) will require re-inspection and possible repair.
- Steering#2015535
24,281 units affected
On certain vehicles, insufficient adhesive may have been applied to the steering gear pinion plug at time of assembly. This could allow the plug to loosen and potentially separate from the steering gear assembly, causing a loss of steering which could result in a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install a new pinion plug with properly applied adhesive. Note: This recall is superseded by recall 2017514. Please see recall 2017514 for more information. <a href="http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/detail.aspx?lang=eng&&rn=2017514">Click here for more information</a>.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
02- ENGINE#19V120000
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
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.
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2016 KIA Soul VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.