Kia is recalling 410,619 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, Forte, and Forte Koup vehicles for air-bag control-unit damage. Free repair at Kia dealers.
Kia is recalling 410,619 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, Forte, and Forte Koup vehicles because the Air Bag Control Unit cover can damage a memory chip on the circuit board. That damage can deactivate the air bags, and air bags that do not deploy as intended increase injury risk in a crash; Kia dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The air bag control unit in affected Kia Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, Forte, and Forte Koup vehicles is the module that decides when the airbags deploy. It reads crash information from the vehicle and sends the deployment command when a crash meets the system's threshold. That module depends on an intact printed circuit board inside its housing.
On these 2017-2019 Kia vehicles, the cover of the air bag control unit can contact an EEPROM memory chip on that circuit board. The contact can damage the chip's solder joints and break the electrical circuit. When that circuit is damaged, the airbags can be deactivated and fail to deploy in a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. Kia did not identify a symptom an owner would notice before the air bag control unit is damaged, so the vehicle's VIN and dealer inspection decide whether this recall repair applies.
Who's affected?
Covers five Kia nameplates across the 2017, 2018, and 2019 model years, all tied to the air bag system.
| 2017 Kia Forte Koup | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Kia Soul EV | air bag system |
| 2018 Kia Soul EV | air bag system |
| 2019 Kia Sedona | air bag system |
| 2019 Kia Soul | air bag system |
| 2018 Kia Sedona | air bag system |
| 2018 Kia Soul | air bag system |
| 2018 Kia Forte | air bag system |
| 2017 Kia Soul EV | air bag system |
| 2017 Kia Sedona | air bag system |
| 2017 Kia Soul | air bag system |
| 2017 Kia Forte | air bag system |
| Units affected | 410,619 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Air bags that fail to deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash. There is no warning sign before this problem, so confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the dealer inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Kia Forte Koup, Soul EV, Sedona, Soul, or Forte is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free ACU inspection, software update, or unit replacement that fixes air bag control unit circuit damage.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 22V031 and Kia recall SC226 when you call.
- Ask the dealer to confirm which ACU repair your vehicle needs before the appointment.
- Wear seat belts on every trip and complete the repair before carrying passengers when possible.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects the Air Bag Control Unit. If the unit passes inspection, the technician updates the software. If the inspection shows the unit needs replacement, the technician replaces it. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Kia's General Reimbursement Plan covers repair expenses owners already paid before the recall remedy. Bring repair invoices, receipts, and related documentation to the service desk or contact Kia customer service to start the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 25, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 17, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| March 17, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 21, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 21, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V031?
Recall 22V031 covers 410,619 2017-2019 Kia Forte Koup, Soul EV, Sedona, Soul, and Forte vehicles with an air bag control unit defect. The ACU cover can contact a memory chip and damage the circuit, which can stop air bags from deploying in a crash.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Kia Forte Koup, Soul EV, Sedona, Soul, or Forte is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 22V031. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the ACU inspection. The dealer will update the software or replace the unit as needed. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Kia says dealers will inspect the ACU, update the software, or replace the unit free of charge. Reference recall 22V031 or Kia recall number SC226 when you call.
What is the safety risk in recall 22V031?
The safety risk is that the air bags can fail to deploy as intended in a crash. Kia reported that circuit damage in the air bag control unit can deactivate the air bags, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
What if I bought my Kia used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the original owner. If you never received Kia's March 21, 2022 owner letter, check your VIN and call a franchised Kia dealer with recall 22V031 or SC226.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V031000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V031 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V031000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →