Page 6 of 8 · complaints 251–300 of 388

2020 Kia Soul complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2020 record →

Engine
Filed Jan 10, 202230,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2020 Kia SOUL. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Engine
Filed Dec 21, 2021SC

RECALL NOT BEING FIXED

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 18, 2021TN

My issue is constant engine stalling. It is a very scary experience.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Nov 17, 2021WA

Car hit guardrail at highway speed. There is significant damage to the front end. The drivers and passengers airbags failed to deploy. The driver side air bag did deploy.

Engine
Filed Nov 5, 2021KY

Engine still uses oil and the issues is getting worse. Now there is a knocking sound coming from the engine and KIA refuses to acknowledge it. Mechanic told me that there was not a noise that was not unusual for a KIA Soul. The engine stalls and looses power occasionally. KIA mechanic states they did not see any issue.

Power Train
Filed Oct 29, 2021WI

I was driving down the interstate at 70 mph. Noticed the car felt like it was accelerating and then decelerating like I was fighting against a strong wind. Looked at the tachometer and saw it fluctuating between 2000rpm and 3000 rpm. Suddenly it redlined to 7000 rpm and I had very little power to the wheels. It would drop back to 3000 but if I tried to accelerate it would redline. I was in heavy interstate traffic. I barely made it to an exit and into a parking lot. By the time I got off the highway it would go no faster than 5mph. I tried restarting the car to find I couldn't go forward or in reverse and the engine would go to 7000rpm. I have about 24k miles on the odometer. Bought brand new from the dealership. Easily could've been rear-ended or crashed in the heavy traffic with no power to the wheels.

Engine
Filed Oct 21, 2021NY

The car has the auto stop engine feature. Randomly, when ever I stop the car the engine will turn off because of the auto stop feature. But when I shift the car into park, the car won’t turn back on. Instead the green auto stop light will stay lit in the dashboard and when I take off my seatbelt I will get an error that states: “Auto Stop is Off. Shift to P or N to start engine” and I will hear a high pitch noise. If I shift the car to Neutral, Drive, Reverse or back to park nothing will happen. The engine won’t turn back on and if I’m on a incline or decline the car will start rolling. The only way to get the engine to turn back on is to turn off the car and turn it back on via turning the key. I have also had the car fail to turn back on at stop lights when the auto stop feature is activated. I would be at the stop light. The engine would turn off and when I take my foot off of the break the engine won’t turn back on. I won’t get the error that I stated earlier. I just see the green auto stop light turn off and then the check engine light, the battery light, and the oil light turns on. There was another time I was with my sister and we were getting food. We were at a stoplight and the engine turned off. When the light turned green and I went to take my foot of the break, the whole car died. Everything turned off. The radio and the dashboard all went black and lost power. The car also wouldn’t let me turn the key to try and restart it. When I got the car restarted, I was at

Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2021IL

There was recall before I purchased this at certified Kia dealer but they didn’t mention anything I found out about it on your website. I took this to Kia they said it’s not part of recall it’s not effected vehicle according to Kia.

Engine
Filed Sep 28, 202111,000 milesAL

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vibration was felt throughout the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer performed a vibration test. The vehicle failed the vibration test and the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed a new engine, which could take 2 - 6 months to repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2021PR

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The contact stated that the manufacturer declined the recall repairs because the vehicle was in Puerto Rico, and was not a state, but a U.S. territory. The dealer and another dealer, Caribbean Auto Distributors (Avenida 65 De Infantería, Km 10.2 Esquina Muñoz Rivera, Carolina, 00987, Puerto Rico) were made aware of the recall on separate occasions. However, both dealers informed the contact that they needed approval from the manufacturer before the recall could be performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer declined the recall repair and informed the contact that Puerto Rico was not a state, but a USA territory. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine
Filed Aug 12, 2021GA

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) however, the dealer advised the contact to call back in two months to set up a recall repair appointment since the dealer was already booked for repair dates. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and a case was opened. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine
Filed Aug 12, 202113,500 milesFL

The contact owned a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while she was at the stop light, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle and drove to her destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated shortly after receiving notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer who informed the contact that they could not complete the recall repair because no issues were found when the vehicle was test driven. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. A case was opened. The vehicle was not repaired and was traded in for another vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 13,500.

Engine
Filed Aug 11, 202110,000 milesGA

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while she was at the stop light, the light turned green, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The vehicle failed to exceed 2 mph while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she depressed the accelerator pedal with force and the vehicle accelerated, and she was able to drive to her destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) however, the dealer informed the contact that they would be able to inspect the vehicle in approximately two months. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 7, 2021PA

The car started knocking at 65 mph while excelling to 70 the engine then had a loud bang and the engine block broke apart and spilled oil on to manifold almost starting a fire I have been informed that the engine is recalled for piston rings. This is an extremely dangerous situation. LUCKILY I managed to exit highway and not engulfed in flames. So far Kia has been unwilling to assist me and I also purchased an extended warranty with Automotive Protective Corporation in Atlanta Ga. and no body is helping me.

Engine
Filed Jul 30, 202134,000 milesVA

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.

Engine
Filed Jul 26, 202115,500 milesGA

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and lost power while she was stopped at a traffic light. The oil pressure warning light and two other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was not repaired, and the failure had been recurring while driving. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer several times and the crankshaft sensor was replaced however, the failure persisted. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) however, the dealer informed the contact that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The contact was still waiting on a call back. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 15,500. Parts distribution disconnect.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 16, 20214,175 milesVA

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the transmission failed causing the vehicle to stall. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the transmission needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,175.

Engine
Filed Jul 14, 202121,000 milesMA

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, a fluttering sound was present coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle would drive very poorly and occasionally stalled. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact was later informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number 21V259000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the part for the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Parts distribution disconnect. The failure mileage was 21,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 14, 2021TN

Cause Unknown . I was driving my Kia Soul at 35-38 mph on a busy city street. The engine suddenly and completely shut off. I had it towed out to the Kia place ( 2 pm.) , checked it in and left. That was about the a couple of days before I received my recall notice letter. I have not been able to find out anything about my car in about 3 or so weeks. All I am told is that it is being diagnosed. ( I did have a service guy snap at me that " when they finished , they would call and ask me what I wanted to do about the car".)

Engine
Filed Jul 9, 202114,750 milesTN

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer several times and the battery, spark plugs, and ignition coils were replaced however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the Vin was included in the NHTSA campaign number: 21V259000 (Engine). The failure mileage was 14,750.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 8, 202150,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving the vehicle was slow to move and stalled. The oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the oil was dirty, the oil level was low, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The Vin was included in NHTSA Campaign number: 21V259000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, declined to offer any assistance for the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 6, 2021TX

My car has been at Classic Kia in Beaumont TX with the exception of 2 days since May 5. It stalled and died repeatedly. They said they fixed it and I picked it up may 19th. It died 20 miles down the road and warning light came back on...service engine soon. I returned it to them May 21 and they still have it. They say metal shavings are in the oil. I am hamstrung without a car. I don't think they have mechanics that know how to fix it. I called Kia Corp. June 7. They said they'd call Classic Kia and call me back. They have still not called me back. Please help me. Nobody should take two months to repair factory recalls!

Engine
Filed Jun 24, 2021FL

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:21V259000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine
Filed Jun 21, 2021KY

Took the vehicle in for oil consumption issues earlier this year. Kia cooperate stated the consumption was abnormal, but within parameters and would not fix the problem. The recall came out for the oil piston issue and i took the vehicle on for repair. Kia still refuses to fix the oil piston ring issue and oil consumption issue under the recall order. States the issue with the vehicle is abnormal, but passed inspection. The engine does not run correctly, while driving on the road, the engine looses power and has knocking sound. The vehicle still uses oil and Kia refuses to fix under warranty or the recall. .

Engine
Filed Jun 14, 202122,000 milesGA

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 was informed that there was sludge buildup in the engine from poor maintenance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure mentioned in NHTSA campaign number: 21V259000 (Engine). The failure mileage was 22,000. Consumer stated vehicle is not drivable will only drive about a block before it shuts off. Recall repairs for earliest date is August 6, 2021. Mechanic could not perform due to pre-existing damage caused by lack of maintenance and manufacturer would not honor repairs in the recall.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 12, 2021FL

When pulling out into traffic the car started to go, RPMs spiked all the way and the car just died… I shut it off, and all was fine…. Then I stopped to get gas, and when the auto stop/start kicked in, the car didn’t restart… the oil pressure light turned on, battery light, and check engine light all at the same time. Would not let me shift into park. I had to push the shift release to let me put it into park. I was then able to shut off the car properly and start it just fine, and no lights active. This all happened around 19,000 miles. The last 2 times I’ve been in for an oil change, there has been 2 recalls completed , and now this new recall related to the oil piston.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 4, 2021VA

Recently I noticed when I stop and the stop-start system feature and the Blind-spot sensors are turned on the car will either shut completely off or stall once I step on the gas.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jun 4, 2021DE

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, as all the Kia service techs no longer were working past 4 PM. I was able to have a Jiffy Lube service tech read the code P0420 (which has been a previous issue with catalytic converters wearing out at 80,000 miles for previous Souls) as well as several codes for the Camshaft sensor and Crankshaft.

Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2021GA

Engine shuddering violently, losing power and shutting off around 6500 miles causing loss of power and near accidents. The check engine light came on and remained solid during the duration of the incident. Oil level was found to be around 2.5 quarts low after being observed resting at a healthy level just 1000 miles prior during fluid checks by owner. Vehicle had recently been taken to dealership for first oil, lube and filter visit and inspection around 3500 miles. Following the discovery of oil loss vehicle was promptly taken to dealership where no external leaks were detected and an oil consumption test was started. The consumer stated the Kia oil consumption test disallows for the consumer to check the oil. The consumer would have to drive the vehicle 1,000 miles or until the car shuts off while testing the vehicle.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 1, 2021MI

I was driving on I-75 in heavy holiday traffic, suddenly no acceleration and car started slowing. Transmission just quit working. My car only has 20,000 miles on it. I was able to get to the side of the road without getting hit. Online there are many reports of this issue with the 2020 Kia Soul, with it occurring in vehicles with as little as 5000 miles. It has been noted by Consumer Reports. There were no warnings and no indications other than the sudden loss of power with 7000+ rpm showing on the tachometer.

Engine
Filed Jun 1, 2021GA

My car is experiencing all issues related to recall SC209 yet it has not been recalled. I am now being told by Kia that a 2020 vehicle with 22k miles has a dead engine from missing 2 oil changes. Please advise.

Engine
Filed May 28, 2021FL

ENGINE BURNT OIL AT 10,000 MILES - DEALERSHIP REPLACED MOTOR, HOWEVER NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION

Power Train
Filed May 17, 2021PA

Purchased car on 7/16/19 with 13 miles. On 1/26/20 the car had 6,764 miles when the car started to appear as though it was in neutral while driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour. Even when giving it gas the RPM would increase and engine sounded revved up but transmission was not working. Then it would sporadically kick in enough that I put my 4 ways on, got off the interstate (81) and limped that car home because the car would not go more that 20 MPH once it came to a full stop, it couldn't even make it up the very small grade to get onto my driveway. Called KIA roadside and it was towed to the dealer, Fred Beans Mechanicsburg PA. Told it needed a new transmission, got car back a month later 2/25/20. On 4/19/21, car has 14,953 miles and the same exact thing happens, I'm on Interstate 83 and the car starts lunging, going in and out of neutral. Once at a full stop car would limp along till reaching a total MPH of 20. Car was towed to Fred Beans KIA, Mechanicsburg PA and yes the transmission again. Dealer said transmission was replaced , this time it took 2 weeks, got the car back on 5/1/21. I asked why does this keep happening and the dealership refused to provide any information, shrugged their shoulders. The attendant at the service counter just kept saying I just work here and don't know anything about the cars! Very scary situation, I or anyone driving with this problem could cause a terrible accident and even a fatal accident. The first time this happened could hav

Steering
Filed May 10, 2021NY

THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE ENGINE KEY AROUND. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS JAMMED. IT TOOK ME OVER 1 HRS TO FINALLY UNNAMED THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE.

Power Train
Filed May 3, 202120,000 milesMO

WE PURCHASED A 2020 KIA SOUL IN JANUARY 2020, WITH 11 MILES ON IT. EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS, UNTIL ONE DAY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND WAS SLOWING DOWN TO TAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND SHE ALMOST WRECKED, THANKFULLY SHE JERKED THE WHEEL HARD ENOUGH TO BREAK IT LOOSE, BUT IN DOING SO THE SPEEDO CLUSTER GLAD SHATTERED. IT WAS FIXED BUT THE DEALERSHIP TRIED TO BLAME US SAYING SOMEONE HAD TO OF PUNCHED IT. BUT WHEN LOOKING AT THE GLASS CLUSTER IT'S OBVIOUS THAT NOT EVEN A BABY'S HAND COULD FIT DOWN INTO THE CLUSTER TO HIT THE GLASS. THEN AT 20K MILES ALMOST EXACTLY, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF IT, TOOK ABOUT 2 WEEKS FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT STARTED REVVING UP AND WOULD JERK LIKE IT WAS BEING DOWN SHIFTED WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. SINCE THEN WE'VE PUT ABOUT 9K MILES ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION AND IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS 2 RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR THE TRANSMISSION WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED, ONE WAS FOR AN ELECTRONIC UPDATE, THE OTHER WAS FOR THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY RECALLS POSTED, THIS IS THE WORST NEW CAR I'VE EVER OWNED

Engine
Filed May 2, 202128,000 milesTX

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 TO DRIVE IT HOME.

Engine
Filed Apr 28, 2021400 milesMD

IN MAY 2020, FOUR MONTHS AFTER LEASING NEW CAR, CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING IT (WHEEL LOCKED AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN). LUCKILY ONLY ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND NOT HIGHWAY. CAR MADE SLIGHT ENGINE SOUNDS, BUT NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS INDICATORS AT ALL AT ANY POINT.. MANAGED TO DRIVE CAR 10 MINUTES HOME (IT STALLED AGAIN). TOWED CAR TO DEALERSHIP. ENGINE (ONE CYLINDER) HAD TO BE REPLACED WAS TOLD PUT TOGETHER INCORRECTLY AT FACTORY, AND THAT OIL WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY USED UP, ENGINE COULD HAVE EXPLODED. CONFIRMED COULD HAVE STALLED ON HIGHWAY. REPLACED AT NO CHARGE. ASSURED TRANSMISSION FINE AND SAFE TO DRIVE. REPORTED TO KIA CORPORATE RIGHT AWAY AND ASKED THAT CONVERSATION BE RECORDED.. IN APRIL 2021 LEARN OF RECALL FOR SOUL THAT SEEMS TO DESCRIBE THE SAME ISSUE. WENT IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTANENCE, TOLD THAT IT WAS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM AND A DIFFERENT MODEL.

Engine
Filed Apr 24, 20216,595 milesCA

THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC WHILE I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, AND THE ENGINE RE-STARTED. THE CAR HAD 6,595 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, AND THE FIRST SERVICE WAS DUE AT 7,500 MILES. AFTER THIS STALLING INCIDENT, IN ORDER TO PREVENT THIS HAPPENING AGAIN, EVERY TIME I HAD TO STOP AFTER THAT, AT A LIGHT OR INTERSECTION, I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THE NEXT DAY, DRIVING AT 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET, LOUD RATTLING AND METALLIC SOUNDS CAME FROM THE ENGINE. I CHECKED THE OIL. THERE WAS NO TRACE OF OIL ON THE DIPSTICK. I PUT IN 2 QUARTS OF OIL, AND THE DIPSTICK SHOWED THE SUMP WAS NOW FULL. I CHECKED THE TAILPIPE AND FOUND A CARBON DEPOSIT ON THE INSIDE, INDICATING THE BURNING OF OIL. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT - KIRBY KIA IN VENTURA CA - AND THEY DIAGNOSED A SEVERE ENGINE MALFUNCTION WITH EVIDENCE OF METAL SHAVINGS AFTER REMOVING THE VALVE COVER, AND IN THE OIL FILTER. THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THEY PROVIDED ME WITH A COMPLIMENTARY RENTAL CAR FOR 10 DAYS, THEN A LOANER, AND RETURNED MY VEHICLE TO ME AFTER 21 DAYS. IN THE PAPERWORK THEY GAVE ME ON RETURNING MY VEHICLE IT STATES THEY INSTALLED A REMANUFACTURED LONG BLOCK ENGINE AND INTAKE MANIFOLD. AT NO POINT IN THIS WHOLE PROCEDURE WAS I ASKED TO CONSENT TO THE ENGINE BEING REPLACED, AND I SIGNED NO DOCUMENT AUTHORIZING THIS TO BE DONE. AT THE END, I WROTE THAT MY SIGNATURE ONLY INDICATED MY CAR HAD BEEN RETURNED TO ME. NO APOLOGY WAS EXPRESSED TO ME BY KIA FOR THE MAJOR INCONVENIENCE T

Power Train
Filed Apr 23, 20218,006 milesFL

ON MARCH 2ND. WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2020 KIA SOUL S. WE WERE DRIVING ON I95NORTH. THE RPM'S KEPT PULSING, WE TOOK THE CAR OFF OF CRUISE AND IT SEEMED BETTER FOR A FEW MINUTES. AFTER THE FEW MINUTES THE PULSING RETURNED, GIVING IT THE GAS THE RPM'S WENT UP BUT OUR SPEED WAS SLOWING. WE GOT IN THE INSIDE LANE PLANNING ON GETTING OFF THE NEXT EXIT. THE ENGINE STARTED RACING WITH NO CHANGE IN OUR SPEED. WE GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT STATE ROAD 527 IN SOUTH CAROLINA. WE HAD TO PRACTICALLY FLOOR IT TO GET OFF THE ROAD. WE PULL TO THE SIDE AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE CAR AT THIS POINT HAD 8006 MILES ON IT. WE COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR AT ALL AT THIS POINT. IT TOOK A FEW HOURS, BUT THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSET DEALER, IN FLORENCE SC. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER CHECKED THE CAR AND SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30 PM, THE DEALER CALLED TO LET US KNOW THAT KIA HAD APPROVED SUBSTITUTE TRANSPORTATION. THE FOLLOWING MORNING THE DEALER PICKED US UP AND DROVE US TO GET A VEHICLE. WE UNLOADED MOST OF OUR BELONGINGS FROM OUR CAR TO THE RENTAL AND CONTINUED OUR DELAYED JOURNEY TO MASSACHUSETTS. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER TWICE, AND LEFT MESSAGES. AFTER THE SECOND CALL, I DID GET A CALL BACK. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION WAS ON BACKORDER AND SHOULD BE DELIVERED MAY 11TH. AFTER READING MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON THIS SITE, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE AND IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM NOW SEEING THAT THE 2020 SOUL HAS AN ENGINE RECALL. OBVIOUSLY THESE VEHICLES

Engine
Filed Apr 22, 202113,706 milesNY

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 06810, (203) 730-5737) AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,706.

Engine
Filed Apr 22, 202114,510 milesIL

ENGINE EXPERIENCED TOTAL FAILURE AT 14,510 MILES. KIA KEPT VEHICLE OVER 60 DAYS AND RETURNED VEHICLE TO ME WITH FURTHER DAMAGE TO BODY

Power Train
Filed Apr 14, 202111,500 milesOH

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND NOW THEY HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN THEY ARE SAYING . THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE RPMS WENT THROUGH THE ROOF AND THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED TO DIE .

Power Train
Filed Apr 13, 202126,500 milesTX

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC START STOP START IS ON WHEN I STOP AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS IT SHOULD, WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE IT MAKES A WHINING NOISE FOR A FEW SECONDS. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN GOING UP MY DRIVEWAY. HAVE READ THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN A LOT OF PEOPLE'S 2020 KIA SOUL'S AND NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW OR HAVE A FIX.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 6, 202134,000 milesAZ

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 INDICATED OVERHEATING. COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS BONE DRY (AFTER FILLING IT THE DAY BEFORE). AFTER 31 DAYS AT KIA A NEW HEAD GASKET WAS PUT ON.. THOUGH I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS GETTING A NEW ENGINE. I ASKED THE DEALER ON EACH CALL... WHAT ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION WHEREAS I WAS TOLD KOA WOULD MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WOULD BE FIXED BEFORE RETURNED. CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME ON 2/21. ON 4/1 AFTER DRIVING 380(+/-) MILES FROM PHX TO SAN DIEGO TO SEE MY MARINE DEPLOY, THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE, RPMS SKYROCKETED AND CAR BARELY MADE IT UP HILL. SURGING CONTINUED, UNTIL IT BEGAN TO SLIP AND I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A SHOPPING CENTER. CAR TOWED TO ESCONDIDO KIA WHO KINDLY GAVE ME A LOANER. NOW BACK IN AZ, I AM TOLD THAT WHEN IT'S FIXED, TRANSPORT TO ME IS UNLIKELY AND IF APPROVED KIA DOES NOT GUARANTEE AGAINST ANY DAMAGE DURING TRANSPORT. ITS A NEW CAR! DUE TO MEDICAL NEEDS HERE, DRIVING 6.5 HOURS THERE AND THEN BACK JUST ISN'T FEASIBLE. KIA DOESNT CARE. I WILL BE OUT OF THIS CAR ASAP AND YOU CAN BET MY NEXT WILL NOT BE A KILLER KIA!

Power Train
Filed Mar 31, 20212,700 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO 'SURGE,' THE RPM VARYING ERRATICALLY BETWEEN 2000-3000 RPM. WE GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT'WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE ACCELERATED BUT THE CAR REMAINED STATIONARY. FINALLY, WITH THE RPM AT ABOUT 4000, WE WERE ABLE TO SLOWLY DRIVE INTO A PARKING LOT. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE GOT A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPT ANALYZED THE PROBLEM, AND SAID WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE NEW 'SOFT' DATE TO RECEIVE THE TRANSMISSION IS 13 APR, ALMOST SIX WEEKS AFTER THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2 MAR. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON IT.

Steering
Filed Mar 31, 2021NY

THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY KIA SOUL 2020 HAMMER. I WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR AS THE STEERING WHEN BECAME STUCK..JAMMED. CALLED A TOWN TRUCK TO TOWED INTO THE KIA DEALER FOR REPAIRS.

Engine
Filed Mar 31, 202120,000 milesOK

BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST OF 2019 WHEN THE 2020 MODEL WAS FIRST RELEASED. AROUND 20,000 MILES STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A HEAVY STUTTER IN THE ENGINE AT LOW RPMS. EVENTUALLY IT PROGRESSED OVER ABOUT A WEEK, AND THE CAR WOULD DIE AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN. WHEN PARKED IT DIES AT RANDOM, YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL THE ENGINE STRUGGLE. IF YOU WATCH THE RPMS YOU CAN SEE IT VISIBLY FLUCTUATING, BETWEEN ABOUT 500 AND 800 RPM'S THEN AT RANDOM IT WILL BOG HARD AND DIE. IF YOU KICK ON THE A/C WHILE STOPPED, YOU CAN WATCH IT BOG, WHICH ABOUT 100-200 RPMS IS NORMAL THEN IT SHOULD IDLE UP AGAIN. HOWEVER IT BOGS ABOUT 500 RPMS AND WILL SOMETIMES DIE. I WANTED THE ALTERNATOR, AND COMPRESSOR CHECKED. TOOK IT TO KALIDY KIA IN EDMOND OKLAHOMA AND THEY TOLD ME MULTIPLE TIMES THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT OR THAT THE INTAKE VALVE WAS DIRTY, WHICH AT 20,000 MILES IS RIDICULOUS. TOLD ME I WAS USING BAD GAS, AND STILL TO THIS DAY WON'T LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM EVEN UNDER WARRANTY. NO TELLING WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 29, 2021NY

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.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 29, 2021NY

MY KIA 2020 SOUL, THE PARKING LIGHTS, THE HEADLIGHTS AND THE REAR LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. LIGHTS BULB WERE OUT.

Engine
Filed Mar 29, 2021NY

THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME UP AND THE 2020 KIA SOUL LOST POWER. CAR TOP SPEED WAS 8 MPH. DEALER CHARGED ME $137 FOR REPAIRS.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2020 Kia Soul → · Every Soul year → · How the figures are calculated →