Air bags: air bag/restraint control module: software
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
128,280
Reported to NHTSA
2022-02-18
Owners notified
2022-04-04
Defect description
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2014 Soul vehicles. The front air bags may not deploy during a crash if the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) loses communication with the front impact sensors.
Safety risk
Front air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will update the ACU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC229.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Safety risk
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine compartment for fuel and/or engine oil leaks, perform an engine test and make any repairs, including engine replacement, as necessary, free of charge. In addition, Kia dealers will update the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) software, free of charge. The recall began January 27, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC200.
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
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.
Safety risk
If the pinion gear separates, steering will be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Soul and Soul electric vehicles manufactured July 21, 2013, to January 8, 2015. A section of the accelerator pedal may bend and fracture.
Safety risk
If the vehicle has a bent or broken accelerator pedal, the driver may have difficulty accelerating the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will add a supporting rubber underneath the pedal stopper, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC116.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Engine
594
103,100 mi
Exterior lighting
126
67,005 mi
Electrical system
97
69,000 mi
Unknown or other
90
80,000 mi
Power train
62
74,800 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
60
83,400 mi
Steering
57
36,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
52
120,000 mi
Service brakes
37
15,737 mi
Vehicle speed control
34
76,000 mi
Air bags
30
67,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
Engine and engine cooling: engine: crank/camshaft position sensor
1
127,000 mi
Equipment
1
23,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: bulbs
1
40,000 mi
Firerelated
1
118,006 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
1
132,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
1
18 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate
1
—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut
1
46,900 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: u-bolt, leaf spring to axle
1
23,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
1
95,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
1
116,119 mi
The 2013 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2015 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.