Kona Electric battery recall (2018–2020)
at any mileage · High risk
model years 2018–2020 only
Signs: Fire risk with some LG cells — battery replacement campaign
Fix: Check recall status with the VIN (free)
free / recall
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Kia Soul III (e-Soul)
2019–now · Kia Soul 3 (e-Soul)
1
engines covered
3
known faults
2,411
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
4
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Kia Soul III (e-Soul) has been built since 2019.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 3 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is ICCU / 12V charging unit (E-GMP): it usually appears at 20,000–160,000 km and costs €0–2,000 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 0–50 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (4.8 %), lights, wipers and visibility (3.4 %), brakes (0.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering. It fails less often than average on: brakes, lights, wipers and visibility.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (Hyundai / Kia) | Electric | None (EV) | — |
Faults by engine
Electric (Hyundai / Kia)
ICCU / 12V charging unit (E-GMP)
usually 20,000–160,000 km · High risk
model years 2021–2023 only
Signs: 'Check EV system', loss of power, 12V battery flat (Ioniq 5 / EV6 2021–2023)
Fix: Recall / software update; replace ICCU
€0–2,000
Reduction gear / motor noise
usually 60,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Whine or clunk
Fix: Inspect; oil change / repair
€100–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the Electric (Hyundai / Kia) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre rotationWheels | every 10,000 km | €20–45 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Drive unit oil checkTransmission | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Brake pads (regen-assisted)Brakes | usually at 80,000–160,000 km | €60–150 |
| Tyres (set of 4, EV-rated)Wheels | usually at 30,000–50,000 km | €450–900 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 2,411 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.6 % | 1.9 % |
| Suspension | 0.1 % | 0.3 % |
| Steering | 0.6 % | 0.7 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.8 % | 7.9 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 3.4 % | 5.9 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.1 % | 0.1 % |
Roadworthiness tests in the Netherlands by age
Share of this model's Dutch fleet that had a defect in each system at a roadworthiness test (APK) in 2025. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and fuel. Sample: 1,298 cars.
| age (years) | 3–5 |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.2 % |
| Suspension | 0.3 % |
| Steering | 0.4 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 7.1 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 5.2 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.0 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.0 % |
Most common engine versions in the EU
New cars of this generation registered in the EU, Iceland and Norway 2010–2025: 19,542, of which 0 in Croatia. The share shows how common each version is.
| Version | Share | Years | CO₂ | Fuel use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (Hyundai / Kia)150 kW (204 hp) · Electric | 67.3 % | 2020–2025 | — | — |
| Electric (Hyundai / Kia)29 kW (39 hp) · Electric | 13.3 % | 2020–2021 | — | — |
| Electric (Hyundai / Kia)Electric | 12.7 % | 2020–2025 | — | — |
| Electric (Hyundai / Kia)100 kW (136 hp) · Electric | 6.5 % | 2020–2025 | — | — |
Source: European Environment Agency (EEA), monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars, CC BY 4.0. CO₂ and fuel use are official type-approval values (WLTP from 2021), not real-world consumption.
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 336 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (4). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Kia Soul SK3 Curtain Airbag Recall31/05/2024 · R/2024/218
- Engine / loss of power A potential coolant leak in the Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) could cause a loss of power whilst driving.05/05/2023 · R/2023/121
- Airbag Damage can occur in the air bag control unit11/04/2022 · R/2022/082
- Brakes / ABS / ESP The vehicle's integrated electronic brake motor control software logic can automatically disable motor operation upon detection of an abnormal sensor signal11/01/2021 · R/2020/374
Common questions
What are the known problems with the Kia Soul III (e-Soul)?
The faults with the highest risk: ICCU / 12V charging unit (E-GMP) (20,000–160,000 km, €0–2,000). The full list by engine is on this page.
What does the Kia Soul III (e-Soul) most often fail its roadworthiness test on?
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 0–50 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (4.8 %), lights, wipers and visibility (3.4 %), brakes (0.6 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: steering. It fails less often than average on: brakes, lights, wipers and visibility.
What should you check when buying a used Kia Soul III (e-Soul)?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (4 have been published for this model). On the test drive, watch for these signs: 'Check EV system', loss of power, 12V battery flat (Ioniq 5 / EV6 2021–2023). The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Other generations
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Kia Niro 2016–Hyundai Ioniq 2016–2022Hyundai Kona I 2017–2023Hyundai Ioniq 5 2021–Kia EV6 2021–Kia EV3 2024–Hyundai Kona II 2023–Kia EV9 2023–
Other Kia models
Kia XCeed 2019–Kia Ceed III 2018–Kia ProCeed 2018–Kia Sorento IV 2020–Kia Picanto III 2017–Kia Rio IV 2017–2023Kia Sportage (NQ5) 2021–Kia Stonic 2017–Kia Optima (JF) 2015–2020Kia Sportage (QL) 2015–2021
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026