Recall 23V724 covers 6,262 2015-2019 Kia Soul EV vehicles for unintended movement in Park. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 6,262 2015-2019 Soul EV vehicles because damage to the parking mechanism can let the vehicle move unintentionally when the shifter is in Park, the parking brake is not applied, and the vehicle is powered on. Unintended movement increases crash risk, and Kia dealers will update the electronic control unit software free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The gear drive unit assembly in a 2015-2019 Kia Soul EV connects the electric drive system to the wheels and includes the parking mechanism. When the driver shifts into Park, a parking pawl is supposed to lock into a parking gear. That lock helps hold the vehicle in place, especially when the parking brake is not applied.
In NHTSA campaign 23V724, the problem is an intermittent failure of that parking pawl to engage the parking gear. The shifter can be in the Park "P" position, but the parking mechanism is not fully holding the vehicle. If the Soul EV is powered on and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle can move unintentionally.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner should not count on a noise, message, or change in shifter feel to show that the parking pawl failed to engage.
Who's affected?
Covers Soul EV model years 2015-2019 with the same Gear Drive Unit assembly tied to both automatic transmission indication and electrical system software.
| 2015 Kia Soul EV | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2015 Kia Soul EV | electrical system software |
| 2016 Kia Soul EV | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Kia Soul EV | electrical system software |
| 2017 Kia Soul EV | automatic transmission |
| 2017 Kia Soul EV | electrical system software |
| 2018 Kia Soul EV | automatic transmission |
| 2018 Kia Soul EV | electrical system software |
| 2019 Kia Soul EV | automatic transmission |
| 2019 Kia Soul EV | electrical system software |
| Units affected | 6,262 |
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?
Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before the vehicle moves unintentionally, so park carefully and schedule the software update 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 electronic control unit software update that addresses unintended movement while the vehicle is in Park.
- Reference recall number 23V724 and Kia recall SC287 when you call, and bring the recall notice if you have it.
- Set the parking brake every time the vehicle is in Park and powered on until the software update is complete.
- Schedule the new remedy even if the vehicle was repaired under recall 20V-389.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician updates the electronic control unit software that controls the parking mechanism. The software update is free under recall 23V724. Vehicles repaired under 20V-389 still need this newer remedy completed, so do not assume the earlier recall work closes this campaign. Kia's General Reimbursement Plan filed May 10, 2022 covers repair expenses owners paid before the recall work. Bring receipts or repair documentation to the Kia service desk and ask how to submit the claim under that plan.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 26, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| December 19, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 21, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 22, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V724?
Recall 23V724 covers 6,262 2015-2019 Kia Soul EV vehicles with a parking mechanism defect. When the vehicle is powered on, the vehicle can move unintentionally while the shifter is in Park and the parking brake is not applied. Kia dealers will update the electronic control unit 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 23V724. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the electronic control unit software update. Reference Kia recall number SC287 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Kia will update the electronic control unit software free of charge at any franchised Kia dealer. Kia mailed owner notification letters on December 21, 2023.
Is it safe to park my Kia Soul EV before the repair?
Use extra care when parking until recall 23V724 is repaired. The defect can let the vehicle move unintentionally while powered on if the shifter is in Park and the parking brake is not applied. Apply the parking brake every time you park and schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Kia Soul EV used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If Kia never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2015-2019 Soul EV is included, then contact a franchised Kia dealer for the free software update.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V724000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V724 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V724000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (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 →