Recall 23V218 affects 2,689 2015-2019 Kia Soul EV vehicles for a high-voltage battery short circuit. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 2,689 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles equipped with E400 batteries because the high-voltage battery pack can short circuit while driving. A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire, and Kia dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The E400 high-voltage battery pack in a 2015-2019 Kia Soul EV is the large battery assembly that stores the energy used to drive the electric motor. Its battery management system watches cell voltage and charging behavior so the pack can deliver power in a controlled way.
On affected Soul EV vehicles, the battery cells are at risk of an electrical short circuit during driving. Kia has not confirmed the exact cause, but the filing says the condition is believed to involve abnormally excessive precipitate inside the battery cells. In plain terms, material buildup inside a cell can create an unintended electrical path, which can disturb the pack instead of letting power flow only through the designed circuits.
Owners can notice incomplete high-voltage battery charging, a loss or fluctuation in driving range, or an illuminated EV warning light. Those signs mean the battery system is detecting abnormal behavior that needs dealer attention.
Who's affected?
Spans five Soul EV model years, all tied to the same high-voltage traction battery.
| 2019 Kia Soul EV | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Soul EV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2017 Kia Soul EV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2016 Kia Soul EV | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2015 Kia Soul EV | high-voltage traction battery |
| Units affected | 2,689 |
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?
A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire. Watch for incomplete high-voltage battery charging, lost or fluctuating range, or an illuminated EV warning light. Treat any of those signs as a reason to call a Kia dealer before the next trip, and schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2019 Kia Soul EV is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free battery-management-system software update or replacement that detects abnormal voltage in the high-voltage battery.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V218 when you call.
- Drive and charge cautiously until the repair, and stop driving if you smell smoke or see signs of battery trouble.
- Contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 if the EV warning light comes on, charging is limited, or vehicle power is reduced after the update.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician updates or replaces the battery management system and related software, free of charge. The new software turns on the EV warning light, limits charging capacity, and reduces vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If that warning sequence happens, Kia replaces the battery at no cost under the recall. If you already paid for this repair before the recall notice, Kia's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible repair expenses. Contact Kia customer service or bring repair documentation to the service desk so the claim can be reviewed.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 29, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 22, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| May 22, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 26, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 18, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V218?
Recall 23V218 covers 2,689 2015-2019 Kia Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The high-voltage battery pack can short-circuit while driving, increasing fire risk. Kia dealers will update or replace the battery management system and software for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2019 Kia Soul EV is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Soul EV is included in recall 23V218. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the battery management system and software repair. Reference Kia recall number SC267 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Kia to repair this defect at no cost to owners. Kia dealers will update or replace the battery management system and software for free, and Kia will replace the battery for free if abnormal voltage is detected.
What is the safety risk?
A battery electrical short-circuit increases fire risk. This recall involves the high-voltage battery pack in certain Soul EV vehicles equipped with an E400 battery. The dealer repair adds updated software that illuminates the EV warning light, limits charging capacity, and reduces vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected.
What if I bought my Kia Soul EV used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Soul EV is included, then call a franchised Kia dealer and reference recall 23V218 or Kia recall number SC267.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V218000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V218 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V218000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 →