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: power train
89 reports, newest first. Show all
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.
Power train, Jun 2, 2022
Transmission going into neutral while driving.no help at this time from the dealership
Power train, May 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration and would not exceed 40 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they would escalate it for review. The failure mileage was approximately 21,500.
Power train, Mar 20, 2022
Driving car on I-10 west. Near Pensacola, FL tachometer started fluctuating wildly. Car seemed to be losing power regardless of whether using accelerator or cruise control. Passed exit with a Kia dealer too late to exit, so drove to next exit 4 miles down. Light at end of exit was on hill. Stopped, but when light turned green, car would not move. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AT ANY TIME. Took Kia Roadside Assistance about 2.5 hrs for tow. Towed to Team Gunther, Daphne, AL Kia dealer. Service rep thought was transmission prob as another customer had reported similar situation. Had to wait til Monday, 2/28/22 to get official word that transmission needed to be replaced. Covered by warranty but since wld take about 2 wks to get part and do work, had to find way to get back home to Jacksonville, FL. Kia Travel Interruption assistance covers max of 3 days and $100 a day, so have been reimbursed for some, but not all expenses since total expense over $300. Car ready for pick up on 3/12/22 and picked up 3/15 after getting back to the area from Jax FL. Could have been major safety probs if I had been unable to exit I-10 or if car had lost power on road with no shoulder....
Power train, Oct 29, 2021
I was driving down the interstate at 70 mph. Noticed the car felt like it was accelerating and then decelerating like I was fighting against a strong wind. Looked at the tachometer and saw it fluctuating between 2000rpm and 3000 rpm. Suddenly it redlined to 7000 rpm and I had very little power to the wheels. It would drop back to 3000 but if I tried to accelerate it would redline. I was in heavy interstate traffic. I barely made it to an exit and into a parking lot. By the time I got off the highway it would go no faster than 5mph. I tried restarting the car to find I couldn't go forward or in reverse and the engine would go to 7000rpm. I have about 24k miles on the odometer. Bought brand new from the dealership. Easily could've been rear-ended or crashed in the heavy traffic with no power to the wheels.
Power train, Jul 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the transmission failed causing the vehicle to stall. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the transmission needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,175.
Power train, Jun 1, 2021
I was driving on I-75 in heavy holiday traffic, suddenly no acceleration and car started slowing. Transmission just quit working. My car only has 20,000 miles on it. I was able to get to the side of the road without getting hit. Online there are many reports of this issue with the 2020 Kia Soul, with it occurring in vehicles with as little as 5000 miles. It has been noted by Consumer Reports. There were no warnings and no indications other than the sudden loss of power with 7000+ rpm showing on the tachometer.
Power train, Engine, May 28, 2021
ENGINE BURNT OIL AT 10,000 MILES - DEALERSHIP REPLACED MOTOR, HOWEVER NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION
Power train, May 17, 2021
Purchased car on 7/16/19 with 13 miles. On 1/26/20 the car had 6,764 miles when the car started to appear as though it was in neutral while driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour. Even when giving it gas the RPM would increase and engine sounded revved up but transmission was not working. Then it would sporadically kick in enough that I put my 4 ways on, got off the interstate (81) and limped that car home because the car would not go more that 20 MPH once it came to a full stop, it couldn't even make it up the very small grade to get onto my driveway. Called KIA roadside and it was towed to the dealer, Fred Beans Mechanicsburg PA. Told it needed a new transmission, got car back a month later 2/25/20. On 4/19/21, car has 14,953 miles and the same exact thing happens, I'm on Interstate 83 and the car starts lunging, going in and out of neutral. Once at a full stop car would limp along till reaching a total MPH of 20. Car was towed to Fred Beans KIA, Mechanicsburg PA and yes the transmission again. Dealer said transmission was replaced , this time it took 2 weeks, got the car back on 5/1/21. I asked why does this keep happening and the dealership refused to provide any information, shrugged their shoulders. The attendant at the service counter just kept saying I just work here and don't know anything about the cars! Very scary situation, I or anyone driving with this problem could cause a terrible accident and even a fatal accident. The first time this happened could have been manufacture defect but the second time creates a question as to the potential harm this vehicle can cause to all drivers. No explanation and no trust in this car's dependability. I am not able to financially unload this car at this time. Worst car I have ever purchased and I have purchased many brand new cars but first and last time for KIA.
Power train, Forward collision avoidance, May 3, 2021
WE PURCHASED A 2020 KIA SOUL IN JANUARY 2020, WITH 11 MILES ON IT. EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS, UNTIL ONE DAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND SHE ALMOST WRECKED, THANKFULLY SHE JERKED THE WHEEL HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK IT LOOSE, BUT IN DOING SO THE SPEEDO CLUSTER GLAD SHATTERED. IT WAS FIXED BUT THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO BLAME US SAYING SOMEONE HAD TO OF PUNCHED IT. BUT WHEN LOOKING AT THE GLASS CLUSTER IT'S OBVIOUS THAT NOT EVEN A BABY'S HAND COULD FIT DOWN INTO THE CLUSTER TO HIT THE GLASS. THEN AT 20K MILES ALMOST EXACTLY, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF IT, TOOK ABOUT 2 WEEKS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT STARTED REVVING UP AND WOULD JERK LIKE IT WAS BEING DOWN SHIFTED WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. SINCE THEN WE'VE PUT ABOUT 9K MILES ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION AND IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS 2 RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, ONE WAS FOR AN ELECTRONIC UPDATE, THE OTHER WAS FOR THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY RECALLS POSTED, THIS IS THE WORST NEW CAR I'VE EVER OWNED
Power train, Apr 23, 2021
ON MARCH 2ND. WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2020 KIA SOUL S. WE WERE DRIVING ON I95NORTH. THE RPM'S KEPT PULSING, WE TOOK THE CAR OFF OF CRUISE AND IT SEEMED BETTER FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER THE FEW MINUTES THE PULSING RETURNED, GIVING IT THE GAS THE RPM'S WENT UP BUT OUR SPEED WAS SLOWING. WE GOT IN THE INSIDE LANE PLANNING ON GETTING OFF THE NEXT EXIT. THE ENGINE STARTED RACING WITH NO CHANGE IN OUR SPEED. WE GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT STATE ROAD 527 IN SOUTH CAROLINA. WE HAD TO PRACTICALLY FLOOR IT TO GET OFF THE ROAD. WE PULL TO THE SIDE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CAR AT THIS POINT HAD 8006 MILES ON IT. WE COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR AT ALL AT THIS POINT. IT TOOK A FEW HOURS, BUT THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSET DEALER, IN FLORENCE SC. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM, THE DEALER CALLED TO LET US KNOW THAT KIA HAD APPROVED SUBSTITUTE TRANSPORTATION. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE DEALER PICKED US UP AND DROVE US TO GET A VEHICLE. WE UNLOADED MOST OF OUR BELONGINGS FROM OUR CAR TO THE RENTAL AND CONTINUED OUR DELAYED JOURNEY TO MASSACHUSETTS. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TWICE, AND LEFT MESSAGES. AFTER THE SECOND CALL, I DID GET A CALL BACK. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WAS ON BACKORDER AND SHOULD BE DELIVERED MAY 11TH. AFTER READING MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THIS SITE, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE AND IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM NOW SEEING THAT THE 2020 SOUL HAS AN ENGINE RECALL. OBVIOUSLY THESE VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS.
Power train, Apr 14, 2021
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW THEY HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN THEY ARE SAYING . THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE RPMS WENT THROUGH THE ROOF AND THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED TO DIE .
Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2021
WHEN THE AUTOMATIC START STOP START IS ON WHEN I STOP AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS IT SHOULD, WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE IT MAKES A WHINING NOISE FOR A FEW SECONDS. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN GOING UP MY DRIVEWAY. HAVE READ THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN A LOT OF PEOPLE'S 2020 KIA SOUL'S AND NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW OR HAVE A FIX.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 6, 2021
BOUGHT BRAND NEW. AT 32K MILES (4MONTHS AFTER 30KTUNE UP) ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO EARNHARDT KIA IN PHX. WHO INITIALLY STATED THERE WAS 'SOMETHING BROKEN IN THE TRANSMISSION' AFTER A FEW HOURS THEY THEN STATED THE CAR HAD 'INTERNALLY OVERHEATED AND THERE WAS COMBUSTIBLE GASES IN THE RADIATOR. THE THERMOSTAT NEVER INDICATED OVERHEATING. COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS BONE DRY (AFTER FILLING IT THE DAY BEFORE). AFTER 31 DAYS AT KIA A NEW HEAD GASKET WAS PUT ON.. THOUGH I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS GETTING A NEW ENGINE. I ASKED THE DEALER ON EACH CALL... WHAT ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION WHEREAS I WAS TOLD KOA WOULD MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WOULD BE FIXED BEFORE RETURNED. CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON 2/21. ON 4/1 AFTER DRIVING 380(+/-) MILES FROM PHX TO SAN DIEGO TO SEE MY MARINE DEPLOY, THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE, RPMS SKYROCKETED AND CAR BARELY MADE IT UP HILL. SURGING CONTINUED, UNTIL IT BEGAN TO SLIP AND I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. CAR TOWED TO ESCONDIDO KIA WHO KINDLY GAVE ME A LOANER. NOW BACK IN AZ, I AM TOLD THAT WHEN IT'S FIXED, TRANSPORT TO ME IS UNLIKELY AND IF APPROVED KIA DOES NOT GUARANTEE AGAINST ANY DAMAGE DURING TRANSPORT. ITS A NEW CAR! DUE TO MEDICAL NEEDS HERE, DRIVING 6.5 HOURS THERE AND THEN BACK JUST ISN'T FEASIBLE. KIA DOESNT CARE. I WILL BE OUT OF THIS CAR ASAP AND YOU CAN BET MY NEXT WILL NOT BE A KILLER KIA!
Power train, Mar 31, 2021
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO 'SURGE,' THE RPM VARYING ERRATICALLY BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM. WE GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT'WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED BUT THE CAR REMAINED STATIONARY. FINALLY, WITH THE RPM AT ABOUT 4000, WE WERE ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE INTO A PARKING LOT. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE GOT A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPT ANALYZED THE PROBLEM, AND SAID WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE NEW 'SOFT' DATE TO RECEIVE THE TRANSMISSION IS 13 APR, ALMOST SIX WEEKS AFTER THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2 MAR. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON IT.
Power train, Mar 29, 2021
I OWN A 2020 KIA SOUL, IT HAS ~2300 MILES AND I HAD IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, I HAD IT FLOORED AND GOT UP TO MAYBE 50 MPH, LUCKILY IT WAS RUSH HOUR AND TRAFFIC WAS CRAWLING OTHERWISE I WOULD'VE BEEN RUN OVER. L WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I RAN ERROR CODES AND THERE WERE TWO RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. KIA'S HAD THE CAR SINCE MARCH 3RD, THEY PROVIDED A RENTAL WHICH IS NICE. I'M TOLD THERE ARE 4 - 5 OTHER KIA'S THERE THAT NEED NEW TRANSMISSIONS. I WISH I COULD JUST GET OUT OF THE CAR NOW.
Power train, Mar 10, 2021
PURCHASED A 2020 KIA SOUL JAN 2020. 2/15/21 I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT HIT THE GAS AND REALIZE THERE'S NO POWER. HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. GO TO DEALERSHIP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON THE WHOLE TIME. THEY TELL ME THE WHOLE OF KIA'S COMPUTER SYSTEMS ARE DOWN AND DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY CAN LOOK AT MY CAR. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LOANER AND I HAD TO RENT A CAR. TWO DAYS LATER THEY TELL ME THE MECHANIC SCANNED THE CAR AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NO LONGER ON. I'M OUT $125 FOR THE RENTAL CAR. I PICK UP THE CAR. 3/3/21 I'M ABOUT TO DRIVE ONTO THE FREEWAY. I COME TO A STOP BEFORE ENTERING THE SLIP ROAD AND THE ENGINE TURNS OFF. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE AND AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE GUY TELLS ME HE CAN'T LOOK AT IT TILL TOMORROW. I SAID I'M NOT GETTING ANOTHER RENTAL AND THEN HAVE YOU TELL ME THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH IT TOMORROW, SO HE TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO HOOKED IT UP.TO A DEVICE. HE CAME BACK AND SAID IT HAD SHOWN THAT IT NEEDS A NEW PCM. I ASKED WHAT THAT WAS AND HE SAID IT'S BASICALLY THE BRAIN OF THE COMPUTER. (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) THE CAR'S BEEN IN THE SHOP SIX DAYS NOW, THE DEALERSHIP IS PAYING FOR THE RENTAL. THE ODOMETER READS 8900 MILES.
Power train, Mar 9, 2021
WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE RPMS ON THE VEHICLE STARTED RANDOMLY FLUCTUATING. THE ISSUE GOT WORSE AND THEY BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE BETWEEN 7 AND 8 ALONG WITH ENGINE REVVING. THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED OFF OF AN EXIT AND WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY COME TO A STOP TO CALL A DEALERSHIP TO ASK IF IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT AS LONG AS THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT WASN'T FLASHING, I COULD CONTINUE DRIVING. I GOT BACK ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE ISSUE WAS EVEN WORSE, ENGINE REVVING, RPMS FLUCTUATING CHAOTICALLY. I THEN COULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. I PUT THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND WAS THANKFULLY ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE BEFORE STOPPING. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO WHERE I LIVE, 95 MILES AWAY. IT HAS BEEN AT THE GOSSETT KIA DEALERSHIP IN MEMPHIS, TN SINCE SATURDAY AND STILL HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. I AM AFRAID IT WILL BE COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT A MAJOR TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL. VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 5,000 MILES.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2021
2 TRANSMISSION FAILS IN LESS THAN 12 MONTHS. WHEN RUNNING, IT EFFECTS THE ABILITY TO MANEUVER IN DAILY DRIVING ROUTINE.
Power train, Mar 1, 2021
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CREATING A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE ENGINE REVVING UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS THE TIRES WERE SPINNING ON BLACK ICE OR A FROZEN FROST ON THE PAVEMENT. NOPE, IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN ON VERY DRY SECTIONS OF THE HIGHWAY. MAYBE IT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SURGE. NOPE, IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN AFTER TURNING IT OFF. THE CAR BEGAN SLOWING ON A LONG UPHILL GRADE EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING "A PROBLEM HAS BEEN DETECTED WITH THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT" WAS DISPLAYED. I PULLED INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR - REVERSE, DRIVE, OR MANUAL SHIFT MODE GEARS 1, 2, 3, AND 4 - NOTHING. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. SAME RESULTS. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF DOING THIS, THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED INTO AN UNDER-POWERED GEAR AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE IN THE EMERGENCY LANE A MILE TO THE NEXT EXIT. IT HAD A LIGHTED INTERSECTION AT THE END OF IT AND I HAD TO COME TO A STOP. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE AGAIN. I ENDED UP BLOCKING THE RAMP AS I SAT THERE FOR AN HOUR TRYING TO GET THE CAR MOBILE AGAIN. I WAS AFRAID THAT I WAS GOING TO GET REAR-ENDED. EVENTUALLY IT RE-ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A SAFE PARKING AREA OUT OF TRAFFIC AND WAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. KIA IS GOING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BUT I WILL NOT TRUST THE RELIABILITY OF IT ONCE I HAVE THE VEHICLE BACK. I'M VERY WORRIED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOW VERY UNSAFE. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT FAILED AGAIN LATE AT NIGHT IN AN UNPOPULATED AREA WITH NO CELL SERVICE DURING A BLIZZARD AND MY WIFE WAS DRIVING? THIS IS CREATING A POTENTIALLY EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND A RECALL SHOULD BE MANDATED.
Power train, Feb 25, 2021
AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR 9 MONTHS AND PUTTING 17,000 MILES ON IT MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL. I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 70MPH AND THE CAR BEGAN JERKING LIKE IT COULDN'T SWITCH GEARS. IT THEN BEGAN TO REV HIGH BUT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. IT EVENTUALLY GOT SO SLOW I HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND SIT ON THE SHOULDER FOR A FEW MINUTES WITH THE CAR OFF AND THEN TRIED TO RECRANK MY CAR IN WHICH IT STARTED BUT CONTINUED TO JERK/ROCK WHEN DRIVING. I GOT CLOSER TO HOME AND WHEN I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THE CAR WAS STILL ON BUT WHEN I PRESSED ON THE GAS IT REFUSED TO GO MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. I TURNED IT OFF THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT DROVE. THE NEXT MORNING I TRIED TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK AND THE CAR THEN BEGAN TO JERK AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY THE HIGHEST SPEED IT WOULD GO TO WAS 50 IT CONTINUED TO DECLINE IN SPEED UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY JUST STALLED AND WOULDN'T MOVE. I TRIED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ON MY WAY THERE IT BROKE DOWN I THEN HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE AND TOW IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THAT I HAD IN FACT RECEIVED A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THIS OCCURRED ON JANUARY 15TH, 2021 IT IS NOW FEBRUARY 25, 2021 AND I DON'T HAVE MY CAR AND THEY HAVE NO ETA AS TO WHEN MY TRANSMISSION WILL BE HERE AND I CAN HAVE MY CAR BACK. I ASKED IF THE NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD WORK PROPERLY AND WAS TOLD "EVEN SOME OF THE NEW TRANSMISSIONS WILL BE DEFECTIVE SO WE REALLY DON'T KNOW". I JUST WANT MY CAR I BOUGHT A CAR BRAND NEW BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS RELIABLE IT WAS NOT AND THERE'S NO RECALL NOTICE AND A TRANSMISSION STALLING ON THE INTERSTATE IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Power train, Feb 16, 2021
THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE IN THIS 2020 KIA SOUL, ONCE AT 4K MILES AND AGAIN WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 12K MILES. TWICE WITHIN 18 MONTHS. EACH TIME DRIVING ON I-10 EXPRESSWAY NEAR PENSACOLA, FLORIDA WHEN ENGINE STARTS DECELERATING AND CAN NOT ACCELERATE UNTIL THE POINT WHERE THE ENGINE STARTS WHINING AND THE CAR IS BASICALLY COASTING AT 10-15 MPH.
Power train, Feb 5, 2021
JUST PRIOR TO CHRISTMAS OF 2020 WAS THE FIRST TIME MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN A YEAR OUT FROM PURCHASE AND HAD LESS THAN 15,000 MILES ON IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT 'THERE'S A BAD ONE NOW AND THEN'. THEY SAID THEY HAD FIXED IT. TODAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RPM STARTED FLUCTUATING AND SURGING EVEN WHEN I WASN'T PUSHING ON THE GAS. THE CAR THEN WOULD NOT SPEED UP WHEN I GAVE IT GAS TO KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC FLOW. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND CONTINUED TO SLOW. IT SLOWED SO MUCH THAT I WAS BARELY MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I COULD NOT CHANGE LANES BECAUSE I WAS IN THE FAR LANE AND IF I ATTEMPTED TO GET OVER I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE CARS PASSING. THIS WAS DURING RUSH HOUR I'M A MAJOR CITY. LUCKILY THERE WAS AN EXIT TO THE LEFT I WAS ABLE TO STEER OFF TO GET OFF HIGHWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED ON THE EXIT RAMP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I WAS STUCK AND COULDN'T MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. I HAD TO CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO CLOSED THE RAMP LANE UNTIL I COULD BE TOWED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT IN MY 'NEW' CAR THAT I BOUGHT IN ORDER TO HAVE A MORE RELIABLE VEHICLE. I'M SERIOUSLY REGRETTING RID OF MY OLD VEHICLE. I SHOULD HAVE JUST FIXED IT. THIS HAS BEEN THE WORST PURCHASE OF MY LIFE. I HAVE BEEN SO AFRAID BOTH TIMES THIS CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN, BOTH TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD GET SOMEONE KILLED.
Power train, Engine, Jan 26, 2021
LIFTER TAPPING AND BURNING OIL. TOOK IT TO KIA OF SAVANNAH AROUND 2000 MILES AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT, EVEN OIL WAS FULL WHICH I KNOW IS INCORRECT HAD CAR CHECKED OUT BY MECHANIC BEFORE I TOOK IT THERE.
Power train, Jan 25, 2021
MY 2020 SOUL WAS NOT EVEN 1 YEAR OLD WITH APPROX. 12,000 MILES WHEN I WAS TAKING A TRIP FROM STL MY HOME TO COLORADO. 5 HOURS OUT IN LAWRENCE KANSAS AT 12:15 AM MY SOUL BEGAN SHAKING, WITH RPM'S ACTING WEIRD WHEN I WOULD PRESS GAS PEDDLES RPM'S WOULD REV UP TO THE VERY TOP AND CAR WOULD NOT GO. I WAS APPROACHING A TOLL BOOTH AND WHEN I GOT MY TICKET AND TRIED TO MOVE THE CAR WAS OBVIOUSLY HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I PULLED ONTO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAS ON HOLD FOR ABOUT 1 HOURS WHEN I NOTICED VIA THE KIA APP THAT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE COULD BE REACHED BY THE NAVIGATION UNIT. I HIT ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND A WOMEN ANSWERED WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. SHE SEEMED EXTREMELY CONFUSED HOW TO DO HER JOB. SHE ASKED ME LOCATION, MY NAME, AND OTHER INFO SEVERAL TIMES. THE CALL WAS ABOUT 30 MINUTES WHEN SHE FINALLY SAID ASSISTANCE WOULD BE ON THE WAY. I RECEIVED 3 TEXT MESSAGES OVER THE NEXT 1 STATING SORRY FOR INCONVENIENCE WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO GET A SERVICE PROVIDER. WHILE WAITING I OBVIOUSLY GOOGLED AND SAW MAY STORIES ABOUT 2020 KIA SOUL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT WAS NOW ABOUT 6:00AM AND A STATE TROOPER CAME AND SAID I DON'T THINK ANYONE IS COMING AND I WAS EXHAUSTED, STARVING, AND NEEDED TO DESPERATELY USE THE RESTROOM. HE CALLED AND GOT ME A TOW TRUCK. I PAID $179.00 AND TOWED MY CAR TO DEALERSHIP IN LAWRENCE KANSAS. I THEN CHECKED INTO HOTEL WHICH WAS $125.00 AND RESTED WHILE I WAITED FOR THEM TO CALL. THAT AFTERNOON AROUND NOON THEY CALLED AND SAID MY BASICALLY NEW CAR NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION.