Large Recall NHTSA · 19V120000 Reported February 22, 2019

Overheated catalytic converter may damage engine

Kia America, Inc. · N/A · 378,967 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
19V120000
Manufacturer Campaign
SC176
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Component
N/A
Vehicles Affected
378,967
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
February 22, 2019
Completion Rate
63.28

Defect Summary

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 Consequence

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.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Kia America, Inc. dealer and reference recall ID 19V120000 or campaign SC176.
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
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FAQ: Recall 19V120000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 19V120000?

NHTSA recall 19V120000 was issued by Kia America, Inc. on February 22, 2019. It addresses: Overheated catalytic converter may damage engine. The recall affects approximately 378,967 vehicles, with the defect involving the N/A component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Kia America, Inc. dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 19V120000 or the manufacturer campaign number SC176. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.