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2020 Kia Soul

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Soul do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 225.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

160 reports with mileage · 218 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports6 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

378 reports
23,020 miles · Dec 24, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

TODAY WHILE DRIVING HOME. MY 2020 KIA SOUL HIT 23000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER AS I WAS ON HIGHWAY ON WAY HOME STILL. MY VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING LIKE BAD GAS. THEN STARTED JERKING AND RPMS KEPT REVVING UP EVEN THOU I WASNT PUSHING ON GAS ANY HARDER.ABOUT 27MILES FROM HOME RPMS SHOT UP AND CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN. QUICKLY PULLED O…

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TODAY WHILE DRIVING HOME. MY 2020 KIA SOUL HIT 23000 MILES. SHORTLY AFTER AS I WAS ON HIGHWAY ON WAY HOME STILL. MY VEHICLE STARTED SPUTTERING LIKE BAD GAS. THEN STARTED JERKING AND RPMS KEPT REVVING UP EVEN THOU I WASNT PUSHING ON GAS ANY HARDER.ABOUT 27MILES FROM HOME RPMS SHOT UP AND CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN. QUICKLY PULLED OVER. SO I PUT IN PARK THE SHIFTED TO DRIVE AGAIN TRIED TO GIVE LIL GAS BUT CAR DIDNT MOVE HAD TO GET TOWED HOME.

NHTSA ODI #11384890

9,000 miles · Dec 18, 2020
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other

I STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AND MADE A DING SOUND BUT RADIO NEVER DISCONNECTED. NOT THE USUAL SHUT OFF THIS WAS DIFFERENT. THEN IT STARTED BUT IT MADE AN UNUSUAL DING SOUND. PLUS, SOUNDS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DRAGGING IT WAS A RECALL AND I TOOK THE CAR BACK FOR MAINTENANCE AND NOW IT'S DOING SAME THING AGAIN P…

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I STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AND MADE A DING SOUND BUT RADIO NEVER DISCONNECTED. NOT THE USUAL SHUT OFF THIS WAS DIFFERENT. THEN IT STARTED BUT IT MADE AN UNUSUAL DING SOUND. PLUS, SOUNDS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DRAGGING IT WAS A RECALL AND I TOOK THE CAR BACK FOR MAINTENANCE AND NOW IT'S DOING SAME THING AGAIN PLUS THIS TIME IT WAS WHINING FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11384024

3,100 miles · Dec 10, 2020
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

OUR KIA SOUL 2020 HAS SOME FAILURE RELATED TO THE AUTO STOP FEATURE (ISG). STARTING AT ABOUT 3000 MILES, THE CAR GROANS AS IT COMES OUT OF AUTO STOP, WITH THE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT. KIA CORPORATE DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A REPEATED ISSUE, THOUGH THERE ARE MANY FORUMS ONLINE RECORDING THIS EXACT PROBLEM AROUND TH…

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OUR KIA SOUL 2020 HAS SOME FAILURE RELATED TO THE AUTO STOP FEATURE (ISG). STARTING AT ABOUT 3000 MILES, THE CAR GROANS AS IT COMES OUT OF AUTO STOP, WITH THE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT. KIA CORPORATE DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A REPEATED ISSUE, THOUGH THERE ARE MANY FORUMS ONLINE RECORDING THIS EXACT PROBLEM AROUND THIS MILEAGE. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CONSENSUS ON THE REPAIR, AND NO CONSENSUS ON WHETHER IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. IF THE AUTO STOP (ISG) FEATURE IS DISABLED, THE NOISE DOES NOT HAPPEN. MORE ACCOUNTS CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTPS://WWW.KIASOULFORUMS.COM/THREADS/ENGINE-GRINDS-WHEN-COMING-OUT-OF-THE-AUTO-START-STOP.116042/ A VIDEO WITH THE SAME NOISE CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/1TA6BH6ZPU8 THIS UNNERVING NOISE OCCURS AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING (NO NOISE PRIOR TO THAT).

NHTSA ODI #11382945

6,800 miles · Dec 6, 2020
Engine

BOUGHT NEW IN FEBRUARY 2020, AS I WAS COMING HOME DOWN CITY STREETS, FROM WORK IN OCTOBER 2020, I NOTICE A KNOCKING PINGING RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.. WHEN I GOT HOME THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND I IMMEDIATELY CALLED KIA OF PALM SPRINGS CA TO TAKE IT IN. THEY TOLD ME AN APPOINTMENT WOULD TAKE WEEKS …

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BOUGHT NEW IN FEBRUARY 2020, AS I WAS COMING HOME DOWN CITY STREETS, FROM WORK IN OCTOBER 2020, I NOTICE A KNOCKING PINGING RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.. WHEN I GOT HOME THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND I IMMEDIATELY CALLED KIA OF PALM SPRINGS CA TO TAKE IT IN. THEY TOLD ME AN APPOINTMENT WOULD TAKE WEEKS TO TAKE IN OR DROP OFF AND WOULD TAKE ABOUT 4 DAYS TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I DECIDED TO DROP IT OFF AS THE CAR WAS STILL MOVABLE, DROPPED IT OF WITH NO APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER CALLED ME ABOUT A WEEK LATER AND COULD NOT FIND A REASON FOR THE NOISE AND WOULD KEEP CHECKING. ABOUT ANOTHER WEEK INTO THE ISSUE WE WERE TOLD THE ENGINE FAILED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. TO DATE, AND WOULD TAKE 3 TO 4 WEEKS TO RECEIVE A NEW ENGINE AND ANOTHER 2 WEEKS FOR INSTALLATION. WE ARE NOW IN DECEMBER AND HAVE NO CAR AND HAVE HAD TO MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS ON OUR CAR LOAN. I HAVE COMPLAINED DIRECTLY TO KIA MOTORS AND EVERY TIME I HAVE CALLED THEY SEEM TO NOT BE ABLE TO SATISFY OUR COMPLAINT AND THEY KEEP PASSING THE BUCK TELLING ME THAT MY CASE WILL HAVE TO BE ESCALATED TO A HIGHER AND DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT BECAUSE NO ONE HAS AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISION UNLESS WE GO THRU THEIR PROCESS OF ESCALATION AND EACH TIME SAY THEY WILL CALL ME AND I HAVE TO CALL THEM. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS SITUATION AND REGRET HAVING BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11378095

4,446 miles · Nov 19, 2020
Power Train

WHILE EXITING FREEWAY, TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF 5TH GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). AFTER STOPPING AT LIGHT, CAR FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF 5TH GEAR. PULLED OFF ROAD STARTED AND STOPPED CAR (HOPING TO RESET TRANSMISSION) TRIED TO ENGAGE SPORT MODE TO MANUALLY SHIFT AND TRANSMISSION INDICATED 5TH GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. T…

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WHILE EXITING FREEWAY, TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF 5TH GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). AFTER STOPPING AT LIGHT, CAR FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF 5TH GEAR. PULLED OFF ROAD STARTED AND STOPPED CAR (HOPING TO RESET TRANSMISSION) TRIED TO ENGAGE SPORT MODE TO MANUALLY SHIFT AND TRANSMISSION INDICATED 5TH GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN, SHIFTED OUT OF SPORT MODE. TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO ENGAGE INTO LOWER GEAR, BUT SHIFTED BACK INTO 5TH GEAR WHILE CLIMBING HILL. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN, PUSHED ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, TRANSMISSION REVVED AND MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF HILL. WENT THROUGH 2 STOP LIGHTS AND 1 STOP SIGN (WHILE WATCHING FOR CROSS TRAFFIC). THIS WAS AT 11:00PM WITH NO TRAFFIC PRESENT. PULLED CAR INTO CARPORT PARKING SPACE. AGAIN TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AND WAS ABLE TO PUT INTO REVERSE AND THEN DRIVE WITH TRANSMISSION ENGAGING CORRECTLY. VERY FRIGHTENING! ROUTE FROM FREEWAY TO HOME IS NOT A VERY SAFE AREA AT NIGHT TO JUST STOP AND WAIT FOR ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA ODI #11375386

3,000 miles · Nov 4, 2020
Power TrainCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING, THE VEHICLE SHIFTER WAS SWITCHED FROM REVERSE TO THE PARK POSITION. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS EXITING, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY DROVE FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE CARPORT POLL. DURING THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT WAS INJURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REENTER THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STOPPING, THE VEHICLE SHIFTER WAS SWITCHED FROM REVERSE TO THE PARK POSITION. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS EXITING, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY DROVE FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO THE CARPORT POLL. DURING THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT WAS INJURED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REENTER THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED BRUISING TO THE BODY AND A RIGHT ARM INJURY WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE WAS REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE LOCAL DEALER KIA OF SANDUSKY LOCATION 7515 MILAN RD, SANDUSKY, OH 44870 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #11373020

1,900 miles · Oct 26, 2020
Power Train

WHEN I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD IN DOSWELL, VA, AFTER MAKING A TURN, THE RPM METER SHOT UP TO 4,000 BUT I WAS ONLY GOING 15 MPH. AS I TRIED ACCELERATING THE RPM METER KEPT SHOOTING UP EVEN HIGHER THAN NECESSARY AND THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE LIKE I WAS DRIVING 85 MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND TAKEN…

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WHEN I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD IN DOSWELL, VA, AFTER MAKING A TURN, THE RPM METER SHOT UP TO 4,000 BUT I WAS ONLY GOING 15 MPH. AS I TRIED ACCELERATING THE RPM METER KEPT SHOOTING UP EVEN HIGHER THAN NECESSARY AND THE ENGINE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE LIKE I WAS DRIVING 85 MPH. I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND TAKEN TO KIA WHERE THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THIS CAR TWO MONTHS AGO AND IT ONLY HAS 1,900 MILES. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A WEEK NOW AND KIA HAS BEEN VERY UNHELPFUL IN THIS PROCESS AND HAVE BEEN VERY POOR WITH COMMUNICATION ABOUT MY VEHICLE. WHEN I CALLED THIS MORNING, THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE CURRENTLY HAS 20 MORE KIA SOULS IN THE SHOP THAT NEED NEW TRANSMISSIONS AND HE DOESN'T KNOW WHEN I'LL HAVE MY CAR BACK. I DON'T PLAN ON BUYING FROM KIA IN THE FUTURE.

NHTSA ODI #11366375

13,222 miles · Oct 23, 2020
EnginePower Train

2020 KIA SOUL PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2020. VEHICLE STARTED TO DEVELOP A MILD "TICKING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE AND WORSE AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2020. ON 10/11/2020, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CONSIDERABLE GRINDING/CLICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BUT WAS STILL DRIVABLE. WE WERE STO…

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2020 KIA SOUL PURCHASED IN MARCH OF 2020. VEHICLE STARTED TO DEVELOP A MILD "TICKING" NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE AND WORSE AT THE END OF OCTOBER 2020. ON 10/11/2020, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A CONSIDERABLE GRINDING/CLICKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BUT WAS STILL DRIVABLE. WE WERE STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT THAT AFTERNOON WHEN THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO LURCH FORWARD, BUT WAS STOPPED BY THE BRAKES BEING APPLIED. THE VEHICLE MADE A SCREECHING NOISE VERY BRIEFLY, AND DIED. VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, AND HAD TO BE PUSHED TO A PARKING LOT. ON ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE TURNED OVER, MADE SOME VERY CONSIDERABLE GRINDING NOISES AND SHUT OFF AGAIN. ALL DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. KIA ROADSIDE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM THEM AT ALL. I HAVE CALLED 2-3 TIMES, AND WAS ONLY TOLD TODAY BY A SECRETARY THAT IT APPEARED THE VEHICLE NEEDS A WHOLE NEW MOTOR. I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN DIRECTLY COMMUNICATED WITH BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS, THE END RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT.

NHTSA ODI #11365951

1,400 miles · Oct 20, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THIS 2020 KIA SOUL HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION. IT HAS NOW FAILED TWICE WITH ONLY 1400 OR SO MILES ON THE CAR. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES FROM OUR HOME. THE SECOND OCCURRED ON STREETS BY MY HOUSE, DIRECTLY BY A SCHOOL IN A SCHOOL ZONE. THE CAR FAILED TO DRIVE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THE TRANSMI…

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THIS 2020 KIA SOUL HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION. IT HAS NOW FAILED TWICE WITH ONLY 1400 OR SO MILES ON THE CAR. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES FROM OUR HOME. THE SECOND OCCURRED ON STREETS BY MY HOUSE, DIRECTLY BY A SCHOOL IN A SCHOOL ZONE. THE CAR FAILED TO DRIVE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND KIA WILL NOT EVEN SPEAK WITH ME. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ASSIST EITHER. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 14 DAYS, WITH ONLY A LOANER FOR 7, AND NOW IT IS DEAD A SHORT TIME LATER. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW.

NHTSA ODI #11365437

6,000 miles · Oct 7, 2020
Unknown Or Other

WHEN THE ISG (AUTOMATIC STOP/START) COMES OUT (LIFT FOOT OFF OF BREAK PEDAL), THE CAR MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN COMING OUT OF ISG. OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS HAVE FOUND SAME THING. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN COMING OUT OF A FULL STOP, AFTER THE ISG ENGAGES, THEN DISENGAGES (THIS IS WHERE SOUND OCCURS). CONTINUES TO…

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WHEN THE ISG (AUTOMATIC STOP/START) COMES OUT (LIFT FOOT OFF OF BREAK PEDAL), THE CAR MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN COMING OUT OF ISG. OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS HAVE FOUND SAME THING. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN COMING OUT OF A FULL STOP, AFTER THE ISG ENGAGES, THEN DISENGAGES (THIS IS WHERE SOUND OCCURS). CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AFTER EVERY ISG STOP.

NHTSA ODI #11363250

Official recalls

1

21V259000 · Engine

Apr 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing.  There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.