What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2020 KIA Soul

Typical pattern

17.3% of complaints about the 2020 KIA Soul came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2020 vehicle — around the middle of the 178 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.6 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (231 complaints), typically at 4.5 yr or about 26,000 miles.

Complaints
497
Median age at failure
3.6 yr
Median mileage
13,706 n=208
Crash / fire / tow
10.3% of reports
Safety recalls
1

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
231 reports · 26,000 mi
4.5 yr
12.6%
Power train
88 reports · 9,000 mi
1.4 yr
5.7%
Other
51 reports · 6,000 mi
3.3 yr
2%
Electrical system
30 reports · 21,632 mi
3.8 yr
10%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

21V259000 2021-04-13
Engine

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.

In owners’ own words

Power train 19,000 mi 2 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING MY 2020 KIA SOUL GT, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET IT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I WAS ON A COUNTRY ROAD AND NOT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHERE IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER.
Power train mileage not reported 4 mo in service
CAR HAD ISSUES ACCELERATING AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING ON THE AUTO ENGINE SHUTOFF . 24 NO LIGHTS CAME ON. 12 HOURS LATER DRIVING ON INTERSTATE RPMS REDLINED WHILE GOING ABOUT 60-65 . I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE . AT THE STOP LIGHT DIRECTLY OFF THE INTERSTATE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, SMELT HEAVILY OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. ROADSIDE PICKED ME UP. DEALERSHIP SET ME UP IN A RENTAL AND TOLD ME SEVERAL HAD THIS ISSUE AND A MISSIONS ARE ON BACK ORDER.
Power train 2,230 mi 0 mo in service
I PURCHASED A NEW 2020 KIA SOUL LX WITH 16 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. 2 MONTHS LATER, MY CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER SUDDENLY. THE ENGINE INCREASED RPM AS I'VE LOST POWER. THE CAR WOULD ONLY ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 25 MPH. I DROVE IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY CAR STAYED IN THE DEALERSHIP SHOP FOR TWO MONTHS AWAITING A TRANSMISSION THAT WAS ON BACK ORDER.
Electrical system 14,900 mi 2 mo in service
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.

Other Soul model years

2022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010

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