campaign

NHTSA Recall 19V120000 — Kia Motors America

Official NHTSA recall 19V120000 covers 5 vehicle applications. Review the reported defect, safety consequence, remedy, and VIN-check next step.

Official identifiers and sources shown at claim level Data refreshed 8/28/2026

answer

What this official recall record says

NHTSA campaign 19V120000 was received on 2019-02-22 and is associated with 10 source rows covering 5 listed vehicle applications. The manufacturer shown in the record is Kia Motors America.

applications
5
campaign number
19V120000
potential units
378,967
manufacturer campaign number
SC176

SOURCES

safety

What the owner should do next

Check the VIN in the official recall lookup. If the campaign applies, contact an authorized dealer about the remedy; recall remedies are normally handled through the manufacturer program. If warning signs or unsafe operation are present, stop driving and arrange safe transport.

do not drive
No
park outside
No
vin check required
Yes
recommended channel
dealer

SOURCES

causes

Defect described in the recall record

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.

campaign number
19V120000
official record
NHTSA recall

safety

Safety consequence in the official record

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.

do not drive
No
park outside
No

repair options

Official remedy

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.

vin applicability required
Yes
dealer confirmation required
Yes

applicability

Vehicle applications listed for this campaign

The normalized NHTSA rows contain 5 applications across 1 makes and 1 model labels. This list describes campaign records, not confirmation that an individual VIN is open or unrepaired.

listed application count
5

components

  • ENGINE
  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

applications

  • KIA
  • KIA
  • KIA
  • KIA
  • KIA

SOURCES

methodology

Limits of this database record

Campaign applicability and remedy completion are VIN-specific and can change. This page summarizes the official campaign record; it does not inspect the vehicle, determine whether a symptom is caused by the recalled defect, or replace current instructions from NHTSA or the manufacturer.

source rows
10
vin check required
Yes
individual vehicle verified
No