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.
Kia America – Overheated Catalytic Converter May Damage Engine
Affected models: Kia Soul
| Report Received Date | 20190222 |
| NHTSA ID | 19V120000 |
| Consequence Summary | 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. |
| Corrective Action | 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. |
| Recall Code | SC176 |
| Potentially Affected | 378967 |
| Fire Risk When Parked | No |
| Do Not Drive | No |
| Recall Link | Go to Recall (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=19V120000) |
What the owner should do?
You can check if your specific car is affected by a recall by entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA website. The VIN is a unique code that identifies your vehicle and can be found on your car's registration, insurance documents, or near the base of the windshield on the driver's side.
If the recall involves your car, you should make immediate contact with a dealer or workshop that’s been officially authorised to perform repairs on behalf of the manufacturer and ask for the details.
This notification is purely informative for the vehicle type you have selected. As these deficiencies often relate to specific components (engine type, bodywork, equipment), the recall may not apply to all vehicles of this type. For more detailed information on possible recalls for your vehicle, please contact an authorised workshop.
More Kia America Recalls
Recalls in Europe: Car-Recalls.eu