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Kia Soul EV battery may short circuit and burn

NHTSA campaign 23V218000 · Reported 2023-03-29 · Kia America, Inc.

critical How serious is it? About this label

This is the most serious kind of defect because it can lead to a fire; Kia has not issued a park-outside or stop-driving order, but get the software done quickly and take the car in immediately if the EV warning light comes on.

What's wrong, in plain English

The big battery that powers these electric Souls can short-circuit while you are driving, and a short inside a battery pack can start a fire. Kia is updating the battery's control software so the car watches for unusual voltage. If it finds a problem, the EV warning light comes on, charging is limited, and power is reduced — and Kia will then replace the battery for free. Only cars with the E400 battery are affected.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your 2015-2019 Soul EV is included in recall 23V218000 (Kia code SC267).
2. Contact your Kia dealer, or Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542, to schedule the battery management system update — letters were mailed August 18, 2023.
3. Have the dealer install the update and, if abnormal voltage is later detected, return for a free battery replacement.

Affected vehicles (2)

2018 Kia Soul EV
2019 Kia Soul EV

Who to contact

Kia — official Kia recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-333-4542

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Kia electrical recalls: fire, lost power and dead lights explained · all 19 Kia recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Summary: 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.
Safety risk: A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.