2020 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 381 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 9 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 6 people were injured and 8 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EngineApr 13, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
Campaign 21V259000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 13, 2020
BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2019 IN MARCH 2020 CAR TURNED OFF AS I WAS DRIVING I PUT IT IN PARK TURNED BACK ON WITH A LOUD NOISE CALLED THE SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS LOW ON OIL BUT THEY JUST CHANGED THE OIL 3 WEEKS PRIOR SO THEY ADDED MORE OIL TOLD ME TO COME BACK IN 30 DAYS AND A MONTH LATER IT SHUT OFF ON ME AGAIN SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE SO THEY ORDERED A NEW ENGINE AND SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE NEW ENGINE SO THEY HAD TO ORDER ANOTHER ENGINE I FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS MAYBE MORE I GOT MY CAR BACK ON JUNE 4TH I PICKED UP MY CAR AND ON MONDAY JUNE 8TH I TURNED ON MY CAR AND A MESSAGE ABOUT THE TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CHECKED AND THE AUTO SHUT OFF LIGHT WAS BLINKING THE ABS LIGHT THE EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHT ENGINE LIGHT AND OTHERS WERE FLASHING AND THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS READING 0 WHILE I WAS DRIVING I LEFT IT RUNNING AND AFTER A WHILE THEY ALL SHUT OFF AND SPEEDOMETER WORKED AND STEERING WHEEL FELT FINE WELL YESTERDAY IN FRIDAY JUNE 12TH I TURNED THE CAR ON AT 8AM AND ALL THE LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AGAIN INCLUDING THE AUTO OF LIGHT THE SPEEDOMETER READ 0 WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE AGAIN AND THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT AND SYSTEM MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN I TOOK A VIDEO THIS TIME BROUGHT IT BACK TO BEV SMITH KIA AND HAD NO CAR ALL DAY UNTIL I FINALLY ASKED ABOUT A LOANER AT 4:30PM WAS TOLD TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A LOANER WAITED THERE FOR AN HOUR FOR THE LOANER BUT AT THIS POINT I DON'T EVEN WANT THE SOUL BACK. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Apr 5, 2020
MY AUTO START IS DEFECTIVE. IT COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO AND IT TURNS OFF WHEN IT WANTS TO. THE MANUAL CLEARLY STATES THIS IS DEFECTIVE BUT KIA SENT ME HOME SAYING THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH WHEN I LEFT THEIR SERVICE AREA, WITHIN 1 MILE IT WAS DOING IT AGAIN. THIS ALSO CAUSES A DELAY ON THE RESTART. THE ENGINE IS HESITANT TO START WHEN IT DOES WORK. THIS ALL STARTED OCCURRING AT 21,632 MILES AFTER MY TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE BREAKS ALSO NOW GRIND OR SOMETHING GRINDS NEAR THE WHEELS WHICH KIA WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE EITHER. IT IS GOING BACK IN THIS WEEK AT 25,502 MILES.
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2019
MY CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT WITH 28 MILES ON IT. I NOW HAVE APPROXIMATELY 15614 MILES ON MY 2020 KIA SOUL. I JUST WANTED TO REPORT THAT THE HORN, A MAJOR SAFETY FEATURE, INTERMITTENTLY STOPS WORKING. WHEN THE HORN STOPS WORKING IT INCLUDES THE STEERING WHEEL DEPRESS AND THE KEY FOB 'LOCKED' SIGNAL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AS A HORN CAN BE THE LAST RESORT NOTIFICATION SOMEONE NEEDS BETWEEN LIFE OR DEATH.