KnownCarProblems2020 Kia Soul Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 386 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Kia Soul, most often about the engine (65% of complaints, typically around 26,000 miles). It is 6th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2020 Kia Soul problems
Engine
250 complaints · 65%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the…
Stopped at stop light, light turned green. Pressed gas and dashboard symbols came on and car died. Tried starting again and it was dead. Pushed it to parking lot and tried to jump it. Didnt jump.. Pushed to auto zone. Tested battery it was at 10%. They didn't have a battery. Used a jump box and car started. Was able…
Transmission
91 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
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…
On 12 feb 2020, I was driving on hwy 75s in ga and lost all acceleration to the vehicle while surrounded by traffic. I was able to push the accelerator to the floorboard and had 0 rpms. Pulled over and restarted the car it ran fine until I got off at my exit and started at a red light again no acceleration 0 rpms held…
Other or unspecified
52 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 5,500 miles.
1-13-2020 driving when a little rock made a chip in my windshield and within seconds a crack about 8 inches long appeared and now the crack is a foot long. When we bought the vehicle we were told our warranty would cover everything, but when we took it in they informed US we only got bumper to bumper mechanical. The…
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).…
Electrical
28 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: adas, ignition.
My auto start is defective. It comes on when it wants to and it turns off when it wants to. The manual clearly states this is defective but Kia sent me home saying they could not replicate the problem. Although when I left their service area, within 1 mile it was doing it again. This also causes a delay on the…
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking, vibrating and a loss of motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced but the failure persisted. The…
Steering
16 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles.
Started car "push button" one evening and found the steering was inoperative. Shut down and restarted and all was fine. It only did this one time.
When parked (but with the power set to "run" or the engine fully on), if you turn the steering wheel in either direction, typically to its fullest extent, there is a loud "clunk" or "clank" noise coming from the base of the steering column. After taking the car to the dealership, they only told me the steering was…
Fuel system
16 complaints · 4%I bought the car in may 2020. I first reported the problem in july. It has something to do with the idle stop and go feature, as it only happens when this it is being used. When I come to stops at red lights and stop signs. Everything shuts down. When I release my feet off the breaks the car makes a dull quake like…
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…
Speed control
14 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: throttle.
At 10k miles the vehicle shut off multiple times with no warning or dummy lights right after I slowed and made a turn. Oil change was scheduled for the following week. Took vehicle in and was almost out of oil. At 13,400 miles vehicle started making loud ticking noise and was not properly accelerating. Each time I had…
While pulling into driveway and coming to a stop and the engine turned off . I let my foot off the brake and the car took off like a rocket and hit a parked car in our driveway . It pushed the parked vehicle forward about 2 feet until the car stopped . This is a dirt driveway. I guess what happened is this cars start…
Brakes
11 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 12,000 miles.
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…
My auto start is defective. It comes on when it wants to and it turns off when it wants to. The manual clearly states this is defective but Kia sent me home saying they could not replicate the problem. Although when I left their service area, within 1 mile it was doing it again. This also causes a delay on the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Kia Soul recalls
Engine
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Loss of motive power
Summary
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
Questions about the 2020 Kia Soul
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Soul?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (250 complaints, typically around 26,000 miles); transmission (91 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles); other or unspecified (52 complaints, typically around 5,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Soul have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 13, 2021 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Kia Soul?
- It is 6th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints, with 386 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.