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: engine
245 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine, Jun 28, 2023
While driving down the street the car turned completely off. Had aaa Try to jump it…aaa guy said it looks like there might be a problem with the engine…it has been sitting at the car dealership for the last 3 weeks.
Power train, Engine, Jun 23, 2023
The car stalled when coming to a stop and would not start for over 5 mins while on a major road. When the car finally started engine light started to flash and at a fast speed. Got the car home and noticed the oil leaking heavily. I have only had the car for 2 weeks so I took the car into the AutoCare shop for diagnoses and the code came back as code p1327. I was told the car must go to the Kia dealership immediately and be towed.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jun 22, 2023
I recently purchased this 2020 Kia Soul at the end of April 2023. About 2 weeks ago while I was stopped for a red light in a busy intersection and the "restart" feature was engaged as I had the brake pedal pressed but then as the light turns green and I move my foot from brake to gas (that step is supposed to restart the engine) it did not start immediatley as it should have, Which left me in the lane of traffic vulnerable to possible accidents until it restarted. It finally started after what seemed to be forever and embarassment caused by the restart failure. This event could have had a different outcome if the car wouldn't have restarted. I am taking the car to the dealer tomorrow to have it inspected. I wasn't that there was even a problem until this happened there were no warning lights. I also recieved a "voucher" in the mail to take with me to the dealer stating that my car is a high risk potential pre existing conditions with mechanical or electrical issues. I have only had this car less than 2 months and am already having issues with it. I think I'm regretting this purchase. There is also a sluggish gear shift in the transmission it does'nt seem to be working properly also an engine knock that wasn't there previously. It's not even due for the first oil change since purchase. Kia shoulkd get it together and stop duping unsuspecting naive first time car buyers like myself.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 16, 2023
ON 8/18/22 I HAD 5 RECALLS DONE ONE BEING SC209 THE PISTIONOIL RING, THAT WAS CAUSING IT TO STALL OUT/DIE IN TRAFFIC AFTER THE RECALL IT WORKED FINE FOR A FEW DAYS THEN IT PROGRESSIVE GOTTEN WORSE AND STARTED USING OIL, AND THE OIL LIGHT NO LONGER WORKED . ALSO AFTER A OIL CHANGE THE "ALERT FOR DUE OIL CHANGE " DID NOT RESET I TOOK IT BACK TO KIA OF CHATTANOOGA,(2/22/23) AND THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME EVERY OTHER THING THAT WAS WRONG AND DID NOT ADDRESS THE OIL LEAK OR THE STALLING OUT. THEY WERE DISMISSIVE OF MY CONCERNS AND TOLD ME THE ENGINE WAS FULL OF GUNK AND IT WAS FROM IMPROPER UPKEEP WHICH IS UNTRUE I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THE OIL CHANGE I HAD DONE WASNT REGISTERING, BUT I WAS IGNORED AND SO I TOOK MY KIA TO GOODYEAR(2/24/23) AND HAD THE $800+ IN REPAIRS DONE. WHICH STILL DID NOT REPAIR THE STALLING OUT. I TOOK IT BACK TO KIA ON 6/1/23 AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO IT SAYING MY WARRANTY WAS VOID SO I TOOK IT BACK TO GOODYEAR ON 6/2/23 HAD $250+ OF MORE WORK DONE AND IT STILL DID NOT FIX MY CAR . IT IS NOW SITTING IN MY PARKING LOT UNDRIVABLE BECCAUSE IT WILL NOT STAY CRANKED AND THE ENGINE NO LONGER SHIFTS GEARS ON ITS ON . THIS IS A ENGINE ISSUES AND THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS IT BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ANY RECALLS .
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jun 11, 2023
I have two complaints. One just occurred while driving down the highway. My hood popped open. I do not go under the hood. I have my car serviced. The last time it was serviced was over a month ago. The hood popped open immediately the alarm began to ring and I pulled over. I got out on the side of the highway to close it. I immediately called the dealer and they say they have to keep my car to address this and another issue I previously reported. The other issue is my car revs and sounds like a race car. When I told them this they asked how many miles I have. I did pay for an extended warranty. The last time I serviced the car with them in November they said it was taken care of but it is not. I told them don't wait until the mileage reads high and the warranty has expired. I need my only vehicle to run appropriately. I looked today and it seems that the 2020 kia soul has engine issues which might account for the rev and poor running. I was told they should make the corrections free of charge. I am a woman dealing with this so it has been my experience that the treatment and service provided for a man and a woman is not always equitable. Please help.
Other or unspecified, Engine, May 30, 2023
On 5/27/23 I was stopped at a light in the middle of active traffic. When traffic started moving again, I put my foot on the accelerator. Nothing happened: the "check engine" light appeared on the dashboard as well as the "Auto Stop" light, which showed up yellow. The engine was dead. Cars in back started honking. I put on my hazard lights, turned the ignition off, waited a few seconds, then on impulse turned the key on again. Car started without a problem, and the indicator lights disappeared. I called the dealership but could not get a service appointment until Thursday. I am afraid my own car will kill me if this happens again in active traffic.
Engine, May 25, 2023
massive oil consumption engine knocking and needs to be replaced 3 weeks and kia can't tell me why this an issue hasn't fixed engine issue
Engine, Apr 7, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at slow speeds or while idling, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle off the road and restart the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer test drove the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that upon research, the vehicle previously included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,400.
Engine, Apr 4, 2023
While at a red light the vehicle stalled out and would not restart. The vehicle was pushed into a parking lot and the battery life and oil were assessed. It was then determined that there was no oil in the engine by checking the dip stick. Oil was then added and spilled out simultaneously because the oil plug was missing from the vehicle. It was determined that it fell out while driving. The vehicle has 114k miles and had received an oil change 15 days prior.
Engine, Mar 27, 2023
Compete engine failure at just over 100,000 miles. Driving down a busy road and vehicle suddenly lost engine power. Had to unsafely travel at well below speed limit to local Kia dealership. Dealership evaluated engine and stated it would need replaced entirely. There was no reason or explanation given.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 27, 2023
While driving on the highway at 60 mph, the vehicle Started To feel like it was trying to go forward (thrusting) on its own. It then accelerated on its own to over 80 mph. I slammed on the brakes and pulled over and put it in park.the engine was revving in park. After Kia roads on assistance couldn't send a tow truck,I thought I would be okay driving on the emergency lane The 2 miles home from the highway. As I put the car in drive, the engine was revving at 6 On the gauge but the vehicle Wouldn't go over 20 miles an hour. It is at the dealership today. There were no warnings or lights or sounds.It all started with the slight thrusting of the entire car. I could have easily slammed into the back of another vehicle if it had been in front of me.
Engine, Mar 24, 2023
there were a series of recalls on my 2020 kia soul , one of the recall notices stated that they installed non heat treated piston rings in the engine that went into my. the recall was singed off at a dealership in north carolina without making any repairs or recomendations. the engine has not yet failed but is consuming oil with no leaks. kia service states that 1 quart of oil usage every thousand miles is okay. they did not send any notices or make any verbal statements that owners must check and add oil between the recommended oil change intervals. the safety complaint here is that owners of these vehicles could have their engines seize up while on the highway at speed due to lack of lubrication. i have lost confidence in the safety of my 2020 kia soul.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 22, 2023
I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the engine started to sputter and shake violently. I couldn't get it to accelerate. I pulled the vehicle to safety and shut it off. I looked under the hood and saw or smelled nothing unusual. I restarted the vehicle and it ran okay. I went immediately to a Kia dealership. I was told that if it was running okay to make an appointment for the next day. I did. The battery was changed out and I was told it was fine. It is not. The same thing happened again, several times. I am being told that if they can't duplicate the problem, they can't fix it. This problem is very unsafe given the entire vehicle slows to an almost stop, even on the highway, at times. I have researched this and it is a common problem with this engine. Many have caught on fire. Kia sent out to the dealerships a Technical Service Bulletin, Number 203, on March, 2019, for Model 2020My Soul(SK3) 1.5T, addressing this problem, yet the local Kia dealer does nothing about it. I was told the recall on this vehicle for the Improperly heat-treated piston oil rings was taken care of but I have to wonder.
Service brakes, Engine, Mar 12, 2023
My car will not turn on
Engine, Feb 24, 2023
Hello, I purchased a 2020 Kia Soul S in Oct. of 2019. Soon after I received a letter noting an engine recall in relation to the oil pistons. This manufacturer defect causes the engine to stall, and if left long enough, can cause oil to leak onto the engine and potentially catch fire (https://www.cars.com/research/kia-soul/recalls/). I have needed three engine replacements since purchasing the car. The first replacement was in January of 2022 with less than 20,000 miles, the second was in October of 2022 at around 33,000 miles, and my vehicle is currently awaiting another engine replacement at about 35,000. To my knowledge, the issue has been the same oil piston engine associated with the initial engine recall. I'm concerned because it seems like Kia is replacing defective engines with more defective engines with the same issue. Sometimes a check engine pops up intermittently, but in all three cases, the tell was the car stalling. Thankfully I've learned to take it to the repair shop quickly when this happens to avoid worse side effects.
Engine, Feb 12, 2023
Vehicle shut down while driving
Engine, Jan 20, 2023
Car stalled while driving,
Engine, Jan 4, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle started overheating. Additionally, the piston rod had gone through the engine block. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 26, 2022
While driving along the interstate, going 70 MPH, I noticed the RPM gauge started to fluctuate. Shortly after, I started having issues maintaining the speed. I pressed the gas pedal, but the vehicle wouldn’t speed up - instead started loosing speed. I started to hear grinding noises as I pressed the gas pedal. Eventually, I kept loosing speed and there was nothing I could do to make the vehicle move. I had to pull off and coast into a parking lot to be towed.
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 17, 2022
The vehicle stalls and turns off while stopped. The vehicle turns off quickly with all dash light sensors turned on with a front collision warning. The vehicle can only be restarted when is boosted. The battery was checked and is in good working condition.
Engine, Dec 14, 2022
The dealership installed the knock sensor in my car in November 2022 due to recall. Yesterday 12/12/22 when I left work, my car knocked so loudly the whole car was shaking. The car slowed and the check engine light came on. The car slowed while I was in process of accelerating to get up to speed on a busy urban street. There were several cars and I was afraid I was going to get hit due to the sudden deceleration. My car was towed to a Kia dealership. I was told it would be one to two week before they could even do a diagnostic on it and they could not give me a rental. I’m paying a car payment for a car that has broken down multiple times. The dealership said they were having a lot of cars being brought in because kids were stealing them after watching a tik tok where they’re shown how easy it is to steal a Kia and taking the cars for joy rides and wrecking them. When I took the car to the dealership in November, they didn’t fix anything, only put the knock sensor on. Now, just a few weeks later, its knocking and and the sensor is going off. I told them it sounded odd, knocking sort of when I found out about the recall. I bought this car because I needed a more dependable car. My other car was getting older and I am getting older and have health issues. I do not feel safe in this car with all the problems I’ve had.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 28, 2022
For many months car has been randomly stalling. It has never been able to be duplicated at dealership, therefore it hasn't been addressed. In recent weeks the stalling is more often and is now accompanied by a check engine light.
Steering, Engine, Nov 2, 2022
At around 91, 697 miles, our 2020 Kia Soul EX began to have issues with the engine stalling out while downshifting in lower speeds, We took our Kia into the local (still an hour away from our home) dealership, for the recall "fix" which involved uploading a firmware update to the ECM for the knock sensor. We also had the dealership look into the issue of stalling out, but they could not replicate the issue and therefore sent us on our way. About two weeks later, the vehicle started making an extreme knocking sound (I am a mechanic and knew what the issue was immediately), and it brought up a check engine light, however there was no oil light or warning of any kind that came on. Upon further inspection, it was discovered that there was no oil in the vehicle. Upon filling the vehicle back up with oil, everything seemed normal, until the weekend of 11 October, when the motor again had an extreme amount of oil consumption, to the point of the same symptoms, along with a loud rattling sound, as if something had broken due to lack of lubrication, despite having an oil change completed less than a month prior, with approximately 1200 miles due to the next oil change. This almost left us stranded approximately 1.5 hours away from home. Again, we filled the engine with oil, and drove with extreme caution as the check engine light never shut off. Again, no oil light or indication the vehicle was experiencing a no-oil condition was present. After getting an appointment and taking the vehicle into the dealership on 20 October 2022, the technician stated that there were multiple CEL codes, including P0017 Crankshaft Position, multiple cylinder misfire codes, and low compression on cylinders 2,3, and 4, with cylinder 2 being the lowest. It was deemed that the top end of the motor looked good, with no obvious signs of neglect in maintenance, or issues that may cause false codes. The vehicle continues to exhibit stalling, and low acceleration, posing a severe safety issue.
Power train, Engine, Oct 25, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that twelve hours after the vehicle was purchased while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The traction control warning light and the check engine warning light are illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed and lubricant was placed on the wiring however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was offered an appointment scheduled for a diagnostic test and offered a trade for the vehicle, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 21,700.
Engine, Oct 17, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the vehicle started jerking. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop at the traffic light, the vehicle shut off. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the vehicle experienced internal engine failure. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be dis-assembled to provide a final diagnostic result. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) which she associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.