Investigations
Vehicle Rollaway
NHTSA Recall Query RQ23005 — closed, opened 2023-09-10 and involving the KIA SOUL EV.
NHTSA investigation RQ23005 is a Recall Query opened on 2023-09-10 and currently closed. The subject of record is KIA SOUL EV, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for KIA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2024-01-16 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Recall Query like RQ23005 evaluates whether a previously issued recall is actually fixing the problem. NHTSA opens an RQ when owners continue to report the original defect after the recall remedy is installed, or when completion rates fall short of the agency's expectations for that risk tier.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "On July 2, 2020, Kia America Inc. (Kia) filed safety recall 20V-389 for model year (MY) 2015-2016 Kia Soul EV vehicles. This recall was in response to allegations of unintended vehicle movement while in Park and provided..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related KIA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
On July 2, 2020, Kia America Inc. (Kia) filed safety recall 20V-389 for model year (MY) 2015-2016 Kia Soul EV vehicles. This recall was in response to allegations of unintended vehicle movement while in Park and provided updated electronic control unit software for the electronic parking brake logic as the remedy. The updated logic, which was included during production for MY 2017-2019 Kia Soul EV vehicles, automatically activates the electronic parking brake when the vehicle is powered off while the gear shift lever is in the Park position. On September 10, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ23-005) to investigate allegations of unintended vehicle movement while in Park in MY 2015-2019 Kia Soul EV vehicles. At the time that the investigation was opened, ODI had received 3 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and additional Early Warning Reporting data involving reports of unintended vehicle movement in MY 2017-2018 Kia Soul EV vehicles. One of the VOQs submitted to ODI reported a rollaway collision with a fire hydrant, which occurred after the operator had parked and exited the vehicle. Following the opening of this Recall Query, ODI and Kia participated in a joint inspection the vehicle which had been involved in a rollaway collision. During the inspection, the subject vehicle exhibited the alleged defect, rolling both forwards and backwards while shifted into Park with the electronic parking brake not engaged. The subject vehicle's electronic parking brake logic performed as designed during the inspection and the vehicle experienced no unintended movement while the electronic parking brake was engaged. In its November 21, 2023 response to ODI's information request, Kia provided customer complaint and warranty claim data for 19 unique VINs which relate to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Kia separately made ODI aware of one additional allegation of vehicle rollaway that resulted in a collision with another vehicle. T
About This Investigation Type
A Recall Query (RQ) evaluates the effectiveness of a previously issued recall. NHTSA opens an RQ when consumer complaints suggest that a recall remedy may not be adequately addressing the safety issue, or when the recall completion rate appears insufficient.
Other KIA Investigations
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3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
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Loss of Motive Power
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.