Kia Soul Recall R/2022/082: Damage Can Occur In The Air Bag Control Unit, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 11 Apr 2022
- Launched
- 3,803
- vehicles in the UK
- 221004
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Kia recalled Soul vehicles built between 16 May 2016 and 18 December 2020. Damage can occur within the vehicles Air Bag Control unit causing the warning light to be displayed and the Air Bag system deactivated. The dealer will inspect the vehicles if the Air Bag warning light is already illuminated replace the control unit. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Damage can occur within the vehicles Air Bag Control unit causing the warning light to be displayed and the Air Bag system deactivated.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: DAMAGE CAN OCCUR IN THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT Defect: Damage can occur within the vehicles Air Bag Control unit causing the warning light to be displayed and the Air Bag system deactivated. Remedy: Inspect the vehicles if the Air Bag warning light is already illuminated replace the control unit. If it is not update the software in the unit.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could cause the warning light to be displayed and the Air Bag system deactivated.
The Fix
The dealer will inspect the vehicles if the Air Bag warning light is already illuminated replace the control unit. The fix is a software update, which usually takes under an hour at the dealer.
Are You Affected?
Soul built between 16 May 2016 and 18 December 2020 may be included. Kia estimates 3,803 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Kia, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Kia.
- Book with any franchised Kia dealer, quoting the campaign code 221004 or the DVSA reference R/2022/082. See how to get a Kia recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| SoulIn the event of a frontal collision the front impact sensors could become disconnected and the air bags may not activate as expected | Urgent | R/2022/083 | |
| SoulLoss of directional control | Urgent | R/2016/100 | |
| SoulSteering rack may fail | Urgent | R/2014/093 | |
| Soul, SportageDrivers seat belt may not operate correctly following a collision | Urgent | R/2014/036 | |
| Carens, Megentis, Optima, Sedona and 3 moreBrake lights may malfunction | Book soon | R/2013/055 |
This is one of 87 Kia recalls in DVSA’s data. The Kia recall launched before it was R/2021/122 on 25 May 2021, for the electrical circuit within the hecu may experience a short circuit condition. The one launched after it was R/2022/083 on 11 Apr 2022, for in the event of a frontal collision the front impact sensors could become disconnected and…. You can also see every Kia recall, all recalls launched in 2022 and airbag recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2022/082, launched 11 April 2022. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.