2019 Kia Soul EV recalls and problems

The 2019 Kia Soul EV has 3 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
3
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2019 Kia Soul EV vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2019 Kia Soul EV recalls

Recall 23V-724: Power Train, Electrical System

Reported Oct 26, 2023 · 6,262 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: Kia America, Inc. (KIA) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles. The parking mechanism may be damaged, which can result in unintended vehicle movement when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied while the vehicle is powered on.

Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed.

Recall 23V-218: Electrical System

Reported Mar 29, 2023 · 2,689 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack may experience an electrical short-circuit while driving.

Risk: A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC267.

Recall 22V-031: Air Bags

Reported Jan 25, 2022 · 410,619 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.

Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.

2019 Kia Soul EV problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train2
Service Brakes1
Unknown or Other1
Parking Brake1
Electrical System1

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Gear Position Indication (Prndl) — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 73,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2019 Kia Soul EV complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · at 73,000 miles · reported Jan 9, 2024
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Soul EV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The contact drove the vehicle out of the street and into a parking space. Additionally, the contact stated that on two occasions the cellphone charger cord melted in the charger port while the cellphone was charging. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the transmission failed, and the transmission needed to be replaced; however, a diagnostic test had not been completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made…
Unknown or Other · reported Jan 8, 2024
Please note this was in our driveway and we have a video of the incident. Driver parked the car on slight hill and engaged the parking break and exited the vehicle. The car was still "On". Driver opened the door and reached in and pushed the ON button to shut down power. The brake disengaged by itself, car rolled, knocked down and almost rolled over driver. Rolled into street in oncoming traffic. Damage to door, slight injury to driver who was nearly run over.
Service Brakes · at 450 miles · reported Jun 24, 2019
Brake failure causing wreck, coming on to a red light, hit brakes and car did not slow down. I swerved to miss hitting the cars in front of me, thinking hitting someone from behind would cause a number of injuries. I missed both of these cars, but had to ru n a red light. There was one car in left hand turn lane on the right. I thought if I could get through the intersection I might could let the car slow down on its own in a field across the street. The car in the turn lane blocked my view on oncoming trafic. A truck going 45 or 50 miles per hour hit me in right front totaling my car and…

Other Kia Soul EV years

Compare all Kia Soul EV years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2019 Kia Soul EV have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Kia Soul EV: 23V-724 (power train, electrical system), 23V-218 (electrical system), 22V-031 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2019 Kia Soul EV?

Owners report power train problems most often (2 reports), followed by service brakes (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 73,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.