Owners have reported 9 crashes, 6 fires, 6 injuries and 8 deaths to NHTSA for the 2020 KIA Soul. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints144
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with the 2020 KIA Soul's engine, predominantly involving piston oil ring failures that lead to excessive oil consumption, engine stalling, and, in some cases, complete engine failure. Symptoms often include loud knocking noises, loss of power, and illuminated check engine lights, with some complaints noting metal shavings in the oil. These issues are commonly reported at mileages ranging from 52,800 to over 135,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of the engine stalling unexpectedly while driving and instances of fires, crashes, and injuries. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially concerning the engine's reliability and the associated risks.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 4 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints85
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 KIA Soul frequently report issues related to the power train, with several complaints highlighting transmission failures and engine stalling. Symptoms often include the vehicle stalling unexpectedly, inability to accelerate, and the engine seizing or shutting off while driving, sometimes accompanied by high RPMs and a lack of propulsion. These issues typically arise around mileage ranges from 30,000 to 90,000 miles. Safety concerns are evident, as there are reports of the vehicle stalling in traffic, a fire incident, and a crash, with at least two injuries noted. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring problems and the potential for significant repair costs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints37
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2020 Kia Soul, with engine-related problems being the most common. Complaints frequently mention engine stalling, oil consumption, and propulsion loss, often accompanied by a lack of warning lights. Some owners describe these issues occurring around 50,000 miles, with the potential for engine failure or fire. Additionally, paint bubbling and peeling is noted by multiple owners, particularly with the white color. A few reports also highlight security vulnerabilities leading to vehicle theft. These patterns suggest potential safety concerns, including the risk of crashes due to loss of control.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the electrical system of the 2020 Kia Soul, including problems with the ignition and dashboard lights. Complaints often describe symptoms such as the vehicle stalling, all dashboard lights illuminating unexpectedly, and the car failing to start or restarting while driving. These issues are noted across various mileage ranges, with some occurring as early as 15,614 miles. Safety implications include one reported crash related to theft vulnerability, and multiple reports of the vehicle stalling in traffic, posing potential risks. Buyers should be aware of these electrical issues and their potential impact on vehicle reliability and safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints16
STEERING
Owners of the 2020 Kia Soul frequently report steering issues, primarily involving the steering wheel failing to return to the center position and locking up unexpectedly. Common symptoms include the steering wheel remaining turned after a turn and complete loss of power steering, often accompanied by warning lights such as a steering wheel symbol with a line through it. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 2,300 miles and others at over 230,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, as several owners describe scenarios where steering lockup could lead to loss of vehicle control. Additionally, some owners mention persistent pulling to the right at higher speeds, which may be attributed to alignment issues. This information is pertinent for potential buyers considering a used 2020 Kia Soul.
Owner complaints6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2020 Kia Soul report several issues related to the engine and engine cooling systems. A common pattern involves excessive oil consumption, with some vehicles consuming a quart of oil every 1,000 miles, leading to low oil levels and potential engine damage. Multiple complaints describe the vehicle stalling, loss of motive power, and abnormal noises such as rattling or clunking sounds, often accompanied by warning lights like the check engine or low oil light. Engine failures, including rod failures and complete engine replacements, are reported at varying mileages, notably around 69,000 to 135,000 miles. Safety implications include instances of vehicles stalling in traffic, though no crashes or fires are directly reported. These issues may be of concern to used car buyers considering the 2020 Kia Soul, especially those looking at higher-mileage vehicles.
Owner complaints6
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report several issues with the vehicle speed control of the 2020 KIA Soul, including stalling and unintended acceleration. Common symptoms include the vehicle stalling unexpectedly, often accompanied by warning lights, and in some cases, the vehicle accelerating on its own, reaching speeds over 80 mph. These issues have been noted at mileages around 30,000 and involve significant safety implications, with one report mentioning a crash caused by the car unexpectedly accelerating when the driver released the brake. Another report describes a fire incident while driving, linked to an oil leak. Prospective buyers should be aware of these potential issues, particularly as they relate to vehicle control and safety.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Kia Soul report issues primarily related to brake function, with multiple complaints describing brake pedal stiffness and failure to stop the vehicle. One report includes a crash, where the driver experienced a hard-to-depress brake pedal and had to use the emergency brake to stop, with warning lights illuminating. Another owner reports a stuck valve in the ABS module, leading to a brake fluid leak and brake caliper malfunction, requiring replacement of several brake components. These issues are reported at around 12,000 to 33,000 miles. Safety implications include potential loss of braking ability, as evidenced by the crash incident, which could be a concern for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 KIA Soul report issues with the airbag system, particularly related to non-deployment during crashes and persistent warning light activations. Complaints frequently mention airbags failing to deploy in frontal collisions, including one incident at highway speeds resulting in two injuries. Another owner indicates that the passenger airbag warning light illuminates shortly after purchase, with a repair delayed due to parts unavailability for over five months. These issues are noted soon after purchase or during the early ownership period, highlighting potential safety implications for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints2
SEAT BELTS
Owners report two distinct issues with the seat belts in the 2020 KIA Soul. One issue involves the unavailability of seat belt extenders at dealerships, which may affect drivers or passengers who require additional length for comfort or safety. Another complaint describes a design flaw in the rear right passenger seatbelt buckle, which becomes unusable when the left side of the split rear seat is folded down for cargo. These issues do not specify mileage ranges or timelines, and there are no reports of crashes or injuries related to these seat belt concerns. These details may be relevant for potential buyers who frequently use the rear seats for cargo or require seat belt extenders.
