2020 Kia Soul
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 380
- Recalls
- 1
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Engine
Campaigns on file for 2020
Opened by NHTSA
62% of complaints
Complaints per year
2020: 380 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 135 |
| 2011 | 193 |
| 2012 | 514 |
| 2013 | 663 |
| 2014 | 900 |
| 2015 | 898 |
| 2016 | 815 |
| 2017 | 272 |
| 2018 | 218 |
| 2019 | 136 |
| 2020 | 380 |
| 2021 | 235 |
| 2022 | 90 |
| 2023 | 53 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 12 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine
62% · 237 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Unresolved Recall. The vehicle was under recall in 2019 and should not have been sold by JTs Kia in Columbia, SC. The piston oil rings were affected in the 2019 recall and also caused an issue for the 2020 Kia Souls. The car was sold under recall.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-16
My husband was driving down the street in our 2020 Kia soul when under the hood of the car started to smoke profusely and a fire broke out under the hood of the car the engine was affected the car no longer turns on or turns over there was a recall...
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-22
On August 15, 2023 my 2020 Kia Soul's engine over heated causing a fire under the hood. There after the car smoked and would not turn back on or turn over.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-13
Power train
24% · 91 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning while releasing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle restarted after each failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-21
Also filed under Engine and engine cooling
Electrical system
8% · 30 reportsMost commonly citing key/sender and sensors.
Steering
4% · 16 reportsFuel/propulsion system
4% · 15 reportsSafety timeline
1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2020Complaint volume 380 complaints filed for this model year.
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2021-06-11Engine21V259000 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.
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.
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2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power
Buy-smart checklist
2020 Kia Soul — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine: 237 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 91 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 30 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 21V259000 · Engine
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2020 Kia Soul reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2020 Kia Soul is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Soul?
- The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Soul have?
- 1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.