2020 Kia Soul problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (175) · Power Train (77) · Steering (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Soul model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
162 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine 2021-04-13 · campaign 21V259000 · 147,249 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (139)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-08-05 · TSB_ENG263 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: misfire concern due to overrunning alternator decoupler - this bulletin provides information to address unresolved misfire events on some 2020–2024my forte (bdm) produced from january 1, 2019 through september 30, 2024, and 2020–2022my soul (sk3) vehicles produced from no
Structure:body 2026-06-09 · CS2311_TSB_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition: cylinder protector & decal installation (cs2311) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provi
Structure:body 2026-06-08 · CS2312_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Structure:body 2026-06-04 · TSB_BOD336 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: key and cylinder set replacement - this bulletin provides information to replace the driver’s door lock and trunk lid key cylinders on some 2019-2024my kia vehicles listed below. on affected vehicles, the stored key code may not correspond to the mechanical key profile, w
Power Train 2026-02-19 · SC199_OWNR_SK3_3 · Emissions
voluntary emissions service campaign: owner renotification (sc199 fl301) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia is conducting voluntary service campaign to update the software programming on the transmission control module (tcm) and, if necessary, replace the intelligent vari
Structure:body 2026-02-19 · TSB_CS2312_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector and decal installation (cs2312) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin prov
Showing the 6 most recent of 139 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Engine“reason for dispute & desired resolution: i am filing an executive escalation regarding a catastrophic engine failure on my 2020 kia soul, which is actively included in the piston oil ring safety recall (campaign sc209). the engine suffered a total structural failure where a rod broke and punctured a hole directly through the engine oil pan. the veh…”
2026-10-19 · Engine“the car stalled at red light. after a few minutes cranked back up.…”
2026-10-15 · Engine“on [xxx], my 2020 kia soul (2.0l nu mpi, vin [xxx], approximately 102,420 miles) suffered total engine failure: complete loss of motive power, stalled and would not restart. this is the exact defect covered by federal recall 21v259000 / kia sc209 (piston oil rings causing engine damage and stalling). the sc209 recall remedy had already been perform…”
2026-10-14 · Engine“on xxx my 2020 kia soul while on the freeway, would not accelerate and silently stalled. the check engine, oil, and battery light all came on. putting it into park and then drive again, the vehicle began shifting backwards. the vehicle could not be safely driven and was towed to kearny mesa kia in [xxx]. the dealer diagnosed code p0017 (crankshaft…”
2026-10-08 · Engine“2nd failed motor due to code p1327, was replaced last year for same issue, less than a year later and same issue again.…”
2026-10-04 · Power Train“the vehicle experienced complete and sudden engine failure while actively driving on a roadway. the engine began making loud, violent knocking noises, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle completely stopped and lost all motive power mid-drive. i believe this is directly caused by the defective piston oil rings covered under nhtsa saf…”
2026-10-03 · Power Train“vehicle details: 2020 kia soul, 2.0l nu mpi engine complaint description: my vehicle is experiencing severe, excessive engine oil consumption at 99,000 miles, which has directly resulted in a p0420 diagnostic trouble code (catalyst system efficiency below threshold) due to motor oil poisoning the catalytic converter. this vehicle exhibits the exact…”
2026-09-22 · Engine“my 2020 kia soul 2.0l has developed serious engine problems. the vehicle initially had diagnostic trouble code p0014 and later p000b. the vehicle has also experienced significant oil consumption. a mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that the engine has sustained damage related to oil consumption and that the engine requires complete rep…”
2026-09-18 · Engine · 154,937 mi“the contact owned a 2020 kia soul. the contact stated that while attempting to operate the vehicle, the engine seized and the vehicle failed to start. when attempting to start the vehicle, a knock turnover was present, and the check engine warning light illuminated. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 21v259000 (engine); as the cause of t…”
2026-09-17 · Engine · 182,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 kia soul. while driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost motive power, and the check engine warning light illuminated. the contact pulled over to the side of the road and added oil to the engine before continuing to drive. the vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis, and the contact was informed that the engine and catalytic con…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.