2020 Kia Soul problems
NHTSA has received 522 complaints about the 2020 Kia Soul, and 49% of them involve engine. After that come drivetrain & axles (17%) and electrical system (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 522 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 49% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 12 and 9
- Injuries and deaths
- 7 and 16
- Typical mileage
- 13,000 miles 223 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 134 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 36 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 7 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 11 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 10 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 223 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 13,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 29,000 miles (96 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 12 complaints mention a crash; 9 complaints mention a fire; 7 injuries reported; 16 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2020 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 15 model years of the Kia Soul with enough data (454 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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 provide it FREE of charge to vehicle owners Unless your PIO totally muffed, this has been an EXTREMELY SLOW ROLLOUT. Two local dealers deny having any information about by vehicle from Kia. The Kia consumer line is jammed and I have not received any callbacks.
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.
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 a safety issue, since the light will not work properly with this lights foggy, dealer said it was due to humidity.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to coast the vehicle back to the residence. The contact called several dealers and independent mechanics who were unable to service the vehicle or provided a high estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance.