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
688
93,269 mi
Unknown or other
119
72,110 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
82
65,000 mi
Electrical system
80
63,000 mi
Power train
68
90,000 mi
Steering
48
34,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
44
112,878 mi
Exterior lighting
37
80,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
32
72,323 mi
Service brakes
30
14,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
24
104,000 mi
Air bags
21
4,796 mi
Structure: body
19
36,000 mi
Seat belts
10
77,655 mi
Wheels
6
11,110 mi
Visibility/wiper
5
530 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings
1
88,890 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication: filter/screen
1
—
Exterior lighting: headlights: bulbs
1
59,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: bulbs
1
59,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control
1
116,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings
1
116,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor
1
160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid
1
—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
1
—
Tires
1
22,337 mi
The 2014 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2016 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.