2020 KIA SOUL

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    engine stall or no start

    10 stranded, 59 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    72
    incidents
    Typical range: 8,500–77,000 mi

    Median 23,000 mi, based on 70 reports (52% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FI…"~600 mi, complaint #1577303
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER (HENDRICK KIA OF CONCORD LOCATED AT 7550 HEN…"~7,900 mi, complaint #1640316
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DANBURY KIA (100A FEDERAL RD, DANBURY, CT 06…"~13,706 mi, complaint #1742883
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. There was an abnormal ticking sound detected. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1752181
    • "Appropriately April 2024, The engine service light came on at about 115,000 miles, followed by the 2020 Kia Soul X-line engine stopped running. I tried turning off the key and attempting to restart the car however it would start but for only a few seconds. A…"~117,517 mi, complaint #1991906
  2. #2

    engine internal

    7 stranded, 53 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    62
    incidents
    Typical range: 9,000–111,000 mi

    Median 26,000 mi, based on 33 reports (65% had no usable mileage)

    • "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, THOU…"~3,100 mi, complaint #1712561
    • "BOUGHT CAR NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2019 IN MARCH 2020 CAR TURNED OFF AS I WAS DRIVING I PUT IT IN PARK TURNED BACK ON WITH A LOUD NOISE CALLED THE SHOP THEY SAID IT WAS LOW ON OIL BUT THEY JUST CHANGED THE OIL 3 WEEKS PRIOR SO THEY ADDED MORE OIL TOLD ME TO COME BAC…"~9,200 mi, complaint #1668935
    • "ENGINE EXPERIENCED TOTAL FAILURE AT 14,510 MILES. KIA KEPT VEHICLE OVER 60 DAYS AND RETURNED VEHICLE TO ME WITH FURTHER DAMAGE TO BODY"~14,510 mi, complaint #1742893
    • "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 determi…"~26,000 mi, complaint #1835052
    • "I was driving to work. 12 miles my oil leaked. A state trooper turned around when seeing flames and called the fire department and tow truck. I lost control of the car, nothing was working. I was only ever given one recall notice which I fixed 2 months after b…"~114,502 mi, complaint #2013566
  3. #3

    transmission automatic

    17 stranded, 37 unsafe, 1 broken

    55
    incidents
    Typical range: 4,000–20,000 mi

    Median 9,000 mi, based on 59 reports (24% had no usable mileage)

    • "WITH JUST UNDER 1800 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY SHIFTED INTO 5TH GEAR AND THE RPMS JUMPED UP. AS WE SLOWED AND PULLED OVER THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT DOWN SHIFT AND REMAINED IN 5TH GEAR AS WE CAME TO…"~1,800 mi, complaint #1626830
    • "RPMS KEPT INCREASING TO THE RED LINE FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK AND NOT HAVE ACCELERATION AT HIGHER SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPE…"~3,800 mi, complaint #1651524
    • "VEHICLE RPM BEGAN FLUCTUATING WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL IN RAINY WEATHER. SWITCHED TO MANUAL (SPORT MODE) CONTROL AND THE PROBLEM LESSENED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND WAS SHIFTING RANDOMLY BETWEEN GEARS AUTOMATICALLY, EVENTUALLY REDLINING WHILE MAINTAINING…"~7,800 mi, complaint #1640301
    • "I WAS ON A TWO-HOUR DRIVE WHEN THE CAR STARTED MAKING ODD NOISES AND THE AUTOMATIC GEARS DID NOT SEEM TO BE SYNCING/SHIFTING CORRECTLY WITH MY ACCELERATION. I HAD TO PULL OVER OFF THE HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES. THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THAT'S WHEN IT S…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1722008
    • "TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CREATING A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED THE ENGINE REVVING UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT PERHAPS THE TIRES WERE SPINNING ON BLACK ICE OR A F…"~34,760 mi, complaint #1730203
  4. #4

    engine oil consumption

    2 stranded, 34 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    38
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "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 TICKI…"~13,400 mi, complaint #1719949
    • "2020 KIA SOUL CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL RELATED TO ENGINE OIL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CONSUMED OIL TOO QUICKLY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT, THE FAILURE PERSISTED."~34,000 mi, complaint #1760535
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle indicated that the oil level was low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the dipstick was dry. The contact was concerned because oil had been added…"~135,637 mi, complaint #2164659
  5. #5

    other

    6 unsafe, 4 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT LATCHES ARE INACCESSIBLE AS THEY ARE BURIED IN TIGHT UPHOLSTERY. I CAN'T ALWAYS SUCCESSFULLY LATCH THE CAR SEATS INTO THE CAR AND WHEN I SUCCEED IT IS ONLY WITH THE HELP OF SOMEONE VERY EXPERIENCED AND TAKES UPWARDS OF HALF AN HOUR. I…"~11,500 mi, complaint #1630011
  6. #6

    paint and clearcoat

    4 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    10
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "My 2020 Kia Soul S is not even five years old yet and far under 100k miles and I noticed that the paint in several places has started to lift and this should not happen. I have heard that other Kia models with the same paint, Snow White Pearl, have had the sam…"complaint #2021755
    • "I am filing a complaint about my paint. It is fading and on the roof and hood. "complaint #2032448
    • "ON NOVEMBER 29,2024 i FOUND A PAINT BUBBLE under the door handle of the rear passenger side of my Snow Pearl white Kia Soul. The primer is visible underneath and intact but the area is cracking and peeling thereby enlarging quickly. I have read online that ot…"complaint #2046299
    • "The pearl white paint is pealing. And chipping"complaint #2097535
    • "Paint bubbling on both side of the car. Kia claims there is no defect in their paint however it seems to be a known problem with the white Kia soul. "complaint #2115075
  7. #7

    lighting exterior

    4 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "MY 2020 KIA SOUL, I ONLY HAVE IT FOR 2 WEEKS AND THE FOG LIGHTS GOT WET AND FOGGY, I TOOK THE CAR THE DEALER AND SPOKE TO SERVICE, AND ORDER NEW PARTS, TO INSTALL IN THE CAR, IT REALLY CONCERNS ME THAT A BRAND NEW CAR GET THESE FOG LIGHTS WET, WHICH CAN CAUSE…"~702 mi, complaint #1619899
    • "MY ISSUE IS REGARDING THE INADEQUATE LIGHTING SUPPLIED BY THE HALOGEN LIGHTING IN MY 2020 KIA SOUL S. THE VEHICLE DOESN'T LIGHT THE ROAD FAR ENOUGH AHEAD TO GIVE THE DRIVER TIME TO REACT IF NEED BE. I FIND MYSELF DRIVING WITH MY BRIGHTS ON IN ORDER TO SEE WHIL…"~3,400 mi, complaint #1679389
    • "BRAND NEW CAR WITH 6K MILES AND WHEN IT RAINS THE HEADLIGHTS FILL UP WITH SO MUCH MOISTURE IT'S BLOCKING OUTPUT FROM THE LIGHT AND CAUSING FLICKERING WITH THE BULB INTERMINABLY. THIS IS CAUSING ME TO PULL OF THE ROAD DURING RAINFALL AND AT NIGHT AND I WAS INFO…"~6,200 mi, complaint #1687722
    • "HEADLAMP SHUTTERS STOPPED WORKING, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF HIGH BEAMS, AND REDUCED LOW BEAM VISIBILITY. FIRST NOTICED WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK STREET, AND WHEN HIGH BEAMS WERE TURNED ON, NOTHING HAPPENED. *TR"~32,500 mi, complaint #1662475
  8. #8

    engine cooling

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "4/3/20 AT 6,959 MILEAGE, TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP 'CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THEIR COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC CODE FOR COOLANT COLD S5ART ERROR, KIA HAS NO REPAIR AT THIS TIME. HAVE PERIODICALLY CHECKED WITH DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, STILL NO REPAIR,…"~6,959 mi, complaint #1662396
    • "TEST DROVE THIS WITH 8K MILES, AND FOUND COOLANT IN THE ENGINE OIL, AND A EMPTY COOLANT RESERVOIR WITH 2.0 NON TURBO. PURCHASED A DIFFERENT 2020, WITH NO VISIBLE COOLANT IN OIL(NEW OIL) BUT VERY LOW COOLANT IN THE RESERVOIR WITH ONLY 5K MILES. ALSO A 2020 2.0…"~8,000 mi, complaint #1718717
    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH on the driveway, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with thermostat failure. The contact had the thermostat replaced a…"~9,408 mi, complaint #2079593
  9. #9

    steering electric assist

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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 C…"~2,300 mi, complaint #1693878
    • "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."~4,000 mi, complaint #1620019
  10. #10

    airbag system

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I WAS IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I IMPACTED THE SECOND VEHICLE IN THEIR SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AT ABOUT 45-50 MPH. THIS HAPPENED ON US HWY 27 N IN CLERMONT, FLORIDA. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND MYSELF WERE TRANSPORTED TO…"~26,000 mi, complaint #1724652
  11. #11

    catalytic converter

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "6/4/2021 Returning from picking up my children in Maryland, my vehicle stalls out at MD 137 in Hereford. The idle stop and go system repeatedly engages and disengages, the engine continued to sputter and rev. I took the vehicle to the nearest service station,…"complaint #1750659
    • "2/7/25 went to Dublin CA KIA dealership requested engine diagnostic for engine light and burning oil @76,621 mileage they found code for catalyst efficiency PO42000, upper O2 sensor has failed, verified Cat Comb had no damage and wasn't clogged. inspected cyli…"complaint #2079160
    • "The problems with the KIa Sol began with the "check engine" light continuously coming on in January of 2025. Took it to the dealership twice and numerous repairs were made and the vehicle continues to malfunction. It sputters and has created a dangerous condit…"complaint #2160952
  12. #12

    control module

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTO STOP/START. WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT THE AUTO STOP/START ENGAGED, AND BEFORE THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED THE AUTO STOP/START DISPLAYED AN ERROR IN THE DISPLAY INDICATING THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO BE SHIFTED TO P OR N AND RESTARTED AS THE STOP…"~2,298 mi, complaint #1628322
    • "PURCHASED A 2020 KIA SOUL JAN 2020. 2/15/21 I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT HIT THE GAS AND REALIZE THERE'S NO POWER. HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. GO TO DEALERSHIP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON THE WHOLE TIME. THEY TELL ME…"~8,700 mi, complaint #1732748
  13. #13

    steering rack mechanical

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AT 8960 MILES STEERING INDICATOR DASH LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS A BAD STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY. DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS PART TOOK 2 1/2 WEEKS TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP."~8,960 mi, complaint #1729513
  14. #14

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHILE DRIVING ON A SOUTHEAST TEXAS [REDACTED ADDRESS] WITH A POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 70MPH, I WAS FOLLOWING A TRUCK GOING LESS THAN 50MPH. WHEN VISIBILITY WAS CLEAR, I PULLED OUT TO PASS THE TRUCK. AT ABOUT 3/4 THROTTLE, THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO PROVIDE…"~3,500 mi, complaint #1634315
    • "OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK, I NOTICED THE RPM FLUTTERING ON MY DASHBOARD. AT FIRST I THOUGHT NOTHING OF THIS BECAUSE IT DID NOT OCCUR ALL OF THE TIME. HOWEVER, IT BECAME INCREASINGLY MORE PERSISTENT. SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO SEE WHAT THE…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1651548
  15. #15

    brake hydraulics

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH and going up a slight hill, the vehicle stalled. The contact's son said multiple unknown warnings illuminated. The son depressed the brake pedal and fel…"~12,000 mi, complaint #2126641
  16. #16

    fuel injector

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the fuel injectors were replaced; however, the failure later reoccurred while refueling the vehi…"complaint #1842910
    • "My car has been acting up almost every winter. Bought brand new and within two years would not start. Triple A had to get it started. Next winter it shook and the check engine light came on. There was a misfire. I called Kia of Queensbury and they just told me…"complaint #2160419
  17. #17

    horn

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I LEARNED THE CAR HORN ON MY 2020 KIA SOUL DID NOT WORK WHILE ON A HIGHWAY AND CLOSE TO BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. I TRIED TO USE HORN TO ALERT THE OTHER DRIVER AND IT FAILED. I CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE DEPT FOR ASSISTANCE AND HAD TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT…"~500 mi, complaint #1576757
    • "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 S…"~14,900 mi, complaint #1621992
  18. #18

    key fob and immobilizer

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Car subject to theft SEE NHSTA press release Feb. 14, 2003 The press release announced a fix had already been achieved (EMPHASIS ADDED): Hyundai and Kia HAVE developed theft deterrent software for millions of their vehicles that lack an immobilizer and will p…"complaint #1888917
    • "Unknown. Im honestly not sure if this complaint would fit in this category. I have contacted Kia multiple times and have gotten no response. I had my Kia updated with the anti theft system and i have gotten denied insurance more than once due to the fact that…"complaint #1962077
  19. #19

    software or update

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The car has rebooted (like a computer) three times in the last month as I am driving the car. Not in Park, not just starting the car. I am in drive and the car just reboots. Today, I received a warning about my forward collision system and all the lights on th…"complaint #1872569
    • "Mapping system will not update. Vehicle is dangerous."complaint #2168221
  20. #20

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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…"~10,000 mi, complaint #1693242
    • "GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK WE RAN THROUGH THE END OF THE HOUSE. THIS HAPPEN WHILE TURNING IN OUR DRIVEWAY"~12,000 mi, complaint #1642953
  21. #21

    timing belt or chain

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Error codes possibly 3 times diagnose. P0017. Crankshaft - camshaft 1 correlation bank b .Could be timing chain being stretched vigorously. Still have excessive oil consumption after getting piston rings replaced."complaint #2073825
    • "On August 3, 2025, I was in Erie PA - Presque Isle Park when the check engine light came on. It was a Sunday, so dealership was closed. I was over 3 1/2 hrs from home. Had no choice but to drive home and pray that I made it. On Monday, dealer said OK to drive…"complaint #2163555
  22. #22

    transmission cvt

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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…"~1,400 mi, complaint #1701039
    • "BOUGHT THE CAR 2-11 WITH 1200 MILES ON IT DROVE IT FOR 8 DAYS THEN ON 2-19 IT STARTED JUMPING AND JERKING AND MAKING SOME REALLY BAD SOUNDS. ON 2-21 IT WAS SO BAD THAT I HAD IT TOWED TO BATTLEGROUND KIA BECAUSE I WAS SCARED TO DRIVE IT, THEY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS…"~1,666 mi, complaint #1649862
  23. #23

    unintended acceleration

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at a very low speed, the vehicle's speed increased independently. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred while the vehicle was being parked. The c…"~32,500 mi, complaint #2136770
  24. #24

    wiring harness

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "MY KIA SOUL 2020, THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME UP, THE PARKING LIGHTS, THE RIGHT HEADLIGHTS, THE REAR BACK RIGHT SIGNAL LIGHTS, THE FUEL SYSTEM AND THE BREAKS SYSTEM ALL OF THEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE DEALER CHARGED FOR THE REPAIRS."complaint #1737090
    • "Our vehicle experienced every dash light on the board coming on intermittently. At time, we could not use the remote control and had to open the door and crank the car manually. Windshield Wipers and headlamps did not work, nor did any of the safety features…"complaint #2043559
  25. #25

    abs module

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side tire was making a metal scraping sound. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal chemical odor entering into the cabin of the vehicl…"~33,000 mi, complaint #2098829
  26. #26

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "A service campaign/safety recall was issued, necessitating an engine replacement. Bramlett Kia in [XXX], performed this service in late May/early June of 2025. It took them an entire six weeks to do the work. Upon completion of the job, my husband attempted to…"complaint #2222007
  27. #27

    adas lane keeping

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VEHICLE PULLS SHARPLY AND ABRUPTLY TO THE RIGHT AT SPEEDS ABOVE 45-50. WHEN I TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, I MENTIONED TO THE SALESMAN THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT, OF COURSE HE DIDN'T FEEL IT, BUT WOULD HAVE IT CHECKED. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE…"complaint #1618925
  28. #28

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "PULLS TO THE RIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED - APPROX 45MPH. SEVERE ALIGNMENT PROBLEM. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY DID HAVE A NEW-ENOUGH MACHINE TO ALIGN THE CAR. HOW CAN KIA OF IRVINE, NOT HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT TO FIX THE CARS THEY SELL? INSIDE REAR COWLING THAT…"complaint #1582495
  29. #29

    backup camera

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "At 63387 miles my backup camera on my 2020 KIA Soul EX stopped working without warning. It will blink on and off occasionally but is generally just a black screen when placed in reverse. All of the other screens work fine. This is concerning to me as it is an…"complaint #2227926
  30. #30

    battery and charging

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1744863
  31. #31

    engine head gasket

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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…"~34,000 mi, complaint #1739212
  32. #32

    evap system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The entire car is infested with Mold due to a prior evaporator leak that was improperly installed prior to my purchase of the vehicle. The dealership Lighthouse Point Kia in Pompano, Florida, refusing to fix the car issues."complaint #2025003
  33. #33

    glass and windshield

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 THE…"~4,500 mi, complaint #1640004
  34. #34

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "1-ON THREE DIFFERENT TIMES I PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY TO GO AND MY CAR GOES INTO LIMP MODE NO POWER HOW MUCH YOU PUSH THE GAS PETAL THEM EVENTUALLY IT TAKES OFF AND GOES. CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR AND THEY TOLD ME TO JUST DRIVE MY CAR IN SP…"~16,000 mi, complaint #1721225
  35. #35

    power steering hydraulic

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Motor driven power steering failed, dealer (Hyman Bros Kia Midlothian VA) replaced the flexible coupling in the power steering assembly."complaint #1875200
  36. #36

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "Faulty design of rear right hand passenger seatbelt buckle prevents use while the left side of the split seat is folded down for cargo."complaint #1906878
  37. #37

    starter

    1 stranded

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding the handling of my vehicle recall and repair process at Kia Killian Road in Columbia, South Carolina. Vehicle Information: - Year/Make/Model: 2020 Kia Soul - VIN: [XXX] - Registered…"complaint #2132215
  38. #38

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while starting the vehicle in a parking lot, the steering wheel locked, and the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and turned off and restarted the ve…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1858145
  39. #39

    sunroof

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT THE ROOF OF MY CAR. I OPENED THE SUNROOF COVER AND DISCOVERED MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED BUT STILL INTACT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THERE WAS NO SIGN OF DEBRIS HITTING THE SUNROOF OR ANY PART OF…"complaint #1638741

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for KIA SOUL directly.