NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2019 Kia Soul EV Safety Record
The 2019 Kia Soul EV has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 3 recalls and 132 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2019 Kia Soul EV has not been subjected to NHTSA's crash-test regimen, meaning it carries no federal star ratings and thus no computed Safety Index from our publication. This absence of data prevents a definitive assessment of its crashworthiness. However, the vehicle's recall and complaint record present a moderate burden. Three distinct recall campaigns have been issued, addressing the parking mechanism, the high-voltage traction battery, and the air bag control unit. Furthermore, owners have submitted 132 complaints, some alleging crashes, fires, and injuries. This record warrants close scrutiny from prospective buyers.
The 2019 Kia Soul EV was not crash-tested by NHTSA and carries three recall campaigns along with a Moderate recall and complaint burden band, according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Moderate |
| Recalls on file | 3 |
| Owner complaints | 132 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 Kia Soul EV?
A "Moderate burden" designation for the 2019 Kia Soul EV is shaped by its three recalls and 132 owner complaints. The recall record is notably varied, covering a mechanical parking system risk, a high-voltage battery concern specific to the E400 pack, and an air bag electronics issue. This three-system spread across powertrain, electrical propulsion, and passive safety defines the model year's recall profile. Owner complaints include 83 reports under the engine category, a striking number for an electric vehicle; this may reflect how owners categorized propulsion-related issues rather than a conventional internal-combustion engine problem. The complaint pool also contains 13 alleged crashes and 8 alleged fires, which lend weight to the battery and electrical entries. The recall campaigns were issued between 2022 and 2023, indicating that some seven-year-old units in circulation may still require remedy work.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 Kia Soul EV have any recalls?
The three recalls for this model year address distinct safety areas. One campaign targets the parking mechanism in the powertrain, where damage could allow unintended vehicle movement. A second covers the high-voltage E400 traction battery pack, which may pose an expansion risk. The third is an air bag recall shared with several other Kia models from the same era. Shoppers should verify via the NHTSA VIN lookup whether any of these campaigns remain open on a specific vehicle.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)23V724000
Risk: Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the electronic control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC287. This recall expands and replaces recall number 20V-389. Vehicles previously repaired under 20V-389 will need to have the new remedy completed.
Reported 2023-10-26
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY23V218000
Risk: A battery electrical short-circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update and/or replace the battery management system and software, as necessary, free of charge. The new software will illuminate the EV warning light, limit charging capacity, and reduce vehicle power if abnormal voltage is detected. If this occurs, the battery will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer ser
Reported 2023-03-29
AIR BAGS22V031000
Risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ACU, and either update the software or replace the unit, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC226.
Reported 2022-01-25
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 Kia Soul EV?
The 132 owner complaints on file with NHTSA are unverified allegations. The top reported component by a wide margin is the engine category, which drew 83 reports, followed by unknown or other issues at 19, air bags at 14, the electrical system at 13, the fuel and propulsion system at 12, and service brakes at 9. These figures reflect what owners alleged to NHTSA, not confirmed defects.
132 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 Kia Soul EV?
Three significant recalls mark the 2019 Soul EV's safety profile, addressing critical components: the parking mechanism, the high-voltage battery pack, and the airbags. Owners or prospective buyers of this model year should consult nhtsa.gov with the specific VIN to verify completion of these no-cost manufacturer repairs.
- The 2019 Soul EV was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so no federal star ratings or Safety Index score exists for this model year.
- Three recall campaigns were issued for this model year, covering the parking mechanism, the E400 high-voltage traction battery pack, and the air bag control system, all announced between 2022 and 2023.
- Owner complaints filed with NHTSA include 13 alleged crashes and 8 alleged fires among 132 total unverified reports, with 83 reports categorized under the engine or propulsion component.
- Because recall remedy work may still be incomplete on individual used examples, verifying the specific VIN at nhtsa.gov before purchase is the most direct safety step available to a shopper.
FAQ2019 Kia Soul EV safety questions
Was the 2019 Kia Soul EV crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 3 recalls and 132 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2019 Kia Soul EV have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 Kia Soul EV. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 Kia Soul EV?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 132 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 Kia Soul EV. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Kia Soul EV 2019.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.