Recall 20V389 affects 3,714 2015-2016 Kia Soul EV vehicles for parking mechanism damage and rollaway risk. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 3,714 2015-2016 Soul EV vehicles under recall 20V389 because shifting into Park before the vehicle fully stops can damage the parking mechanism. If that mechanism is damaged, the vehicle can move while in Park when the parking brake is not applied; Kia dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The parking mechanism in a 2015-2016 Kia Soul EV is the part that holds the vehicle in place when the gear shift lever is moved into Park. After the vehicle comes to a complete stop, Park is supposed to lock the driveline so the Soul EV stays still without rolling.
On affected Soul EV vehicles, that mechanism can be damaged when the driver shifts into Park before the vehicle has fully stopped. The moving driveline puts force into a part that is meant to engage only after the vehicle is stopped. Once damaged, the lever can still be in Park, but the vehicle is not held securely. If the parking brake is not applied, unintended movement can occur.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner-visible clue comes only after damage has occurred: the Soul EV can move while the lever is in Park and the parking brake is off.
Who's affected?
This recall uses two component labels for the same Soul EV model line: electrical system software and automatic transmission gear-position indication.
| 2015 Kia Soul EV | electrical system software |
|---|---|
| 2015 Kia Soul EV | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Kia Soul EV | electrical system software |
| 2016 Kia Soul EV | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 3,714 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash. Until the software update is complete, confirm the Soul EV is parked securely before exiting and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Kia Soul EV is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free electronic-control-unit software update that addresses parking mechanism damage and unintended movement in Park.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V389 when you call.
- Stop the vehicle fully before shifting into Park, and apply the parking brake every time you park until the software update is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician updates the electronic control unit software that controls the parking mechanism behavior. The software update and labor are free under recall 20V389. If you've already paid for a related repair, Kia's General Reimbursement Plan filed May 11, 2020 covers eligible documented repair expenses. Ask Kia customer service or the service desk how to submit prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 2, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 30, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| July 30, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 7, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 7, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V389?
Recall 20V389 covers 3,714 2015-2016 Kia Soul EV vehicles with a parking-mechanism defect. If the driver shifts into Park before the vehicle fully stops, the mechanism can be damaged, and the vehicle can move while in Park if the parking brake is not applied.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Kia Soul EV is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Soul EV is included in recall 20V389. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer and ask for the electronic control unit software update. Reference recall 20V389 or Kia recall number SC191 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kia says dealers will update the electronic control unit software free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Kia dealer.
Is it safe to drive my Kia Soul EV before the repair?
Kia did not issue a do-not-drive instruction for recall 20V389. Until the software update is complete, bring the vehicle to a full stop before shifting into Park and apply the parking brake every time you park.
What if I bought my Kia Soul EV used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Soul EV is included, then contact a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall 20V389 or Kia recall number SC191.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V389000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V389 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V389000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →