The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Kia Soul | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | ENGINE
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Soul | 2012 | 514 | 3 |
| Kia Soul | 2013 | 667 | 3 |
| Kia Soul | 2014 | 902 | 5 |
| Kia Soul | 2015 | 902 | 4 |
| Kia Soul | 2016 | 816 | 2 |
Other engine recalls in 2019
21 of the 880 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2019 concerned the engine; Kia Motors America filed 82 campaigns in all.
| 19V841000 21 Nov 2019 | Navistar, Inc. |
| 19V732000 15 Oct 2019 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 19V697000 2 Oct 2019 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 19V675000 20 Sept 2019 | Ducati North America |
| 19V642000 6 Sept 2019 | General Motors LLC |
| 19V613000 21 Aug 2019 | McLaren Automotive Incorporated |
| 19V597000 14 Aug 2019 | Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc. |
| 19V565000 31 Jul 2019 | Prevost Cars, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2019