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: other or unspecified
52 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Dec 12, 2019
VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTO STOP/START. WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT THE AUTO STOP/START ENGAGED, AND BEFORE THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED THE AUTO STOP/START DISPLAYED AN ERROR IN THE DISPLAY INDICATING THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO BE SHIFTED TO P OR N AND RESTARTED AS THE STOP/START FUNCTION ENDED AND ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM SEEMED TO FIX THIS. NOW THE SAME VEHICLE DISPLAYS THE SAME ERROR (ENGINE STOP/START IS OFF) AS THE VEHICLE IS BEING PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE AND BEFORE THE ENGINE IS PHYSICALLY TURNED OFF (THE BRAKE IS BEING ENGAGED, AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO PARK AT THE SAME TIME. THIS HAPPENED IN BOTH MY VEHICLE AN EX MODEL, AND A 2020 S MODEL (RENTAL CAR). MY VEHICLE HAS PUSH BUTTON START/STOP, AND THE S MODEL IS A KEY START MODEL. THIS BEGAN ON 082919 WITH THE EX, AND LASTLY ON 120619 WITH THE S MODEL.
Other or unspecified, Jun 20, 2019
I LEARNED THE CAR HORN ON MY 2020 KIA SOUL DID NOT WORK WHILE ON A HIGHWAY AND CLOSE TO BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. I TRIED TO USE HORN TO ALERT THE OTHER DRIVER AND IT FAILED. I CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE DEPT FOR ASSISTANCE AND HAD TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND THEY ADVISED ME THE HORN SYSTEM FAILED AND SENT ME HOME WITH MY CAR AND NO HORN. I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MGR AND THEY GAVE A LOANER AND TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THEIR SERVICE AREA UNTIL THE PARTS COME IN. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE PART WILL TAKE 4 WEEKS TO COME IN, THEY CAN'T TAKE THE PART FROM THE OTHER 2020 SOUL ON THE LOT AS THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME FAILED HORN SYSTEM.