Kia Soul Complaints (2020)

388 consumer complaints on file.

#11772958October 22, 2026
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 vehicle is completely undrivable and presents an environmental hazard due to active fluid leakage. Standard Kia Customer Care and Roadside Support lines have officially denied emergency towing assistance and rental car coverage, stating they cannot help. The closest authorized dealership, Kia of Columbia, has an appointment backlog delaying an official inspection until October 29th. I cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for an hour-long flatbed tow from my home or weeks of upfront rental car fees. As a consumer, I am being penalized and left stranded by a severe manufacturing defect that Kia has legally acknowledged. I demand that Kia’s Executive Resolution Team immediately issue a direct digital dispatch code to authorize a free flatbed tow to the dealership, and establish a direct-billed loaner or rental vehicle (via Enterprise) so that my livelihood is not disrupted while waiting for the scheduled recall repair and engine replacement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772298October 19, 2026
ENGINE
The car stalled at red light. After a few minutes cranked back up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771433October 15, 2026
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 performed on this vehicle at Kia of Daphne (Daphne, AL) in June 2026. The recall did not prevent the failure. Symptom history matches the defect: the vehicle has burned oil excessively its entire life (oil changed every 3,000 miles; oil like sludge by approximately 2,000 miles) - the textbook piston-ring symptom. Sputtering began June 2026; a spark-plug replacement bought two to three months before total failure. Diagnostic codes at failure: P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire), P219F (cylinder imbalance), P0014 and P0017 (camshaft/crankshaft timing correlation), P1327 (knock sensor) - internal engine and timing damage consistent with the recalled defect. On [XXX], Kia of Daphne inspected the vehicle ([XXX]). The technician found low compression and wrote the failure 'does not have to do with recall campaign sc209A' and is 'not covered under Kia warranty or recall,' quoting $5,855.28 for an engine long block. I dispute this: low compression plus lifelong excessive oil consumption is the classic signature of worn piston oil rings - the exact SC209 defect. The one-sentence dismissal does not address the documented symptom history. Kia corporate cases [XXX] (opened 09/30/2026) and [XXX]; rebuttal submitted 10/07/2026 requesting field-engineer review; no response as of 10/15/2026, cases now closed. Safety: total loss of motive power AFTER the remedy was performed. This post-remedy SC209 failure belongs in NHTSA's investigation of Kia recall remedy effectiveness. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771070October 14, 2026
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 position and camshaft position correlation). The technician found the exhaust camshaft out of sync because the pin on the CVVD gear had broken, which allowed the gear to spin on the camshaft. The recommended repair is replacement of the exhaust camshaft, CVVD gear and bolt, timing chain tensioner, and valve cover gasket, quoted at $3,285.34. A borescope inspection found no valve damage. The service advisor told me this is a common problem on these vehicles. An internal engine part failing like this at about 99,000 miles is a premature failure, not normal wear. A sudden loss of camshaft timing can cause stalling or a loss of power while driving, which is a safety risk. I am the third owner and bought the car used through Carvana at about 55,000 miles, so the powertrain warranty does not cover this repair. Kia America denied my request for goodwill assistance. I ask NHTSA to look into CVVD gear and camshaft timing failures on the 2020 Kia Soul 2.0L engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769782October 8, 2026
ENGINE
2nd failed motor due to code P1327, was replaced last year for same issue, less than a year later and same issue again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768835October 4, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
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 Safety Recall Campaign 21V-259 (Kia Campaign SC209). The vehicle had only just begun exhibiting these severe symptoms on the exact day it stopped working. The loud engine knocking, immediate check engine light, and rapid internal oil loss all occurred rapidly within hours of each other on the same day, leading directly to the total mechanical failure and seizure. The engine component is currently intact and remains completely available for physical inspection upon request. The engine in my Kia Soul is the 2.0L Nu MPI. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership service center. The dealership confirmed that the engine has completely failed and had loud knocking sounds, but they are attributing the issue to an external leak in an attempt to deny coverage under Safety Recall SC209. The manufacturer (via the dealership, Techline, and Kia Corporate) has inspected the vehicle, but they have refused to perform the required internal engine teardown to inspect the piston rings or to honor the federally mandated recall remedy and fix my engine for free despite the recall. I have been fighting this for over two weeks now. I also provided my regular oil change documentation to show there was zero owner neglect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768690October 3, 2026
ENGINE, 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 failure mechanism, symptoms, and manufacturing defects detailed in Kia Safety Recalls SC209 and SC336 (improperly heat-treated or defective piston oil rings). However, when checking my 17-digit VIN on the Kia portal, I am informed that my vehicle is excluded from these recall campaigns. The heavy oil consumption creates a severe safety hazard. The engine rapidly drops below safe oil operating levels between scheduled maintenance intervals without illuminating an oil level warning light, putting the vehicle at high risk for sudden engine stall, total engine seizure, or an engine compartment fire while traveling at highway speeds. Because this is a known, documented manufacturing defect for this specific model year and engine type, Kia should expand Safety Recall SC209 to include my VIN and prevent a catastrophic highway failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11766145September 22, 2026
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 replacement. I was previously advised that the issue could involve the camshaft timing/variable valve timing system or cam phaser, but the engine itself needs to be replaced. The vehicle has approximately 113751 miles. I have maintained the vehicle and have documentation showing that I performed regular oil changes in accordance to the user manual. I am concerned about the premature engine failure and the potential safety consequences if the engine loses power or fails while the vehicle is being driven. My VIN currently does not show an applicable recall. I am reporting this problem because I believe the engine failure and oil-consumption issue should be documented and reviewed for a potential safety-related defect or pattern involving this vehicle/engine.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765243September 18, 2026
ENGINE
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 the failure. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, and the dealer confirmed the total engine failure was directly associated with the recall. However, the dealer refused to perform the repair, claiming that the vehicle had exceeded the extended warranty, despite a federal safety recall not being bound by warranty expiration rules. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,937.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764952September 17, 2026
ENGINE
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 converter needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 182,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764790September 16, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
I’m having trouble with my pearl white paint peeling off my car. I am available for an inspection. The car has not inspected by anyone at this time. Waiting on instructions. This started last year July and just keeps getting worse every day.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763532September 11, 2026
ENGINE
I own a 2020 Kia Soul with approximately 39,000 miles. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer in connection with an engine safety recall (sc209). During the recall process, the engine failed Kia’s required testing, and I was advised that engine replacement was being submitted for approval. Kia subsequently requested my historical oil-change records and advised the dealer that the PWA case would be closed and denied if additional maintenance records were not provided within five business days. I no longer have complete receipts for oil changes that were performed over the approximately six years I have owned the vehicle. My concern is that the vehicle failed testing performed as part of an acknowledged safety recall, yet the recall remedy may be denied solely because I cannot produce a complete historical set of oil-change receipts. The vehicle has fewer than 40,000 miles. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether conditioning the recall-related engine replacement on complete maintenance documentation is consistent with the required remedy for this safety recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763658September 11, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This car was purchased in December of 2025 with 26K miles on it. There are stall issues when using the auto start stop feature. I had to power down the car and restart it up to get the car to move. It also will throw the check engine light code and then after you drive it, it goes away which makes it difficult to take to a service shop for diagnosis. Recently the car is now at 28K (9 mo later) and it has an intermittent stutter when driving; I can only describe it as a push/pull motion and its random, during this time the check engine light came on again. On my way to take it to a service station for diagnosis, it went away. Not sure if this has been reported by other 2020 Kia Soul owners.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762844September 8, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Last year the left rear driver side door the paint started to peel off. It is now 12 inch area. I brought this up to Bulldawg, Athens, Ga. KIA where the care was purchased and got a so sorry, nothing we can do. No accident, no harsh weather.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762208September 4, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The vehicle has experienced intermittent stalling and near-stalling while driving. The problem began after a prior Kia engine replacement related to DTC P1327/P132700. After the engine replacement, the vehicle developed additional drivability and warning-light concerns, including P0420 and communication/CAN faults. An authorized Kia dealer later documented that the vehicle had stalled a few times, identified P0420, reported a clogged catalytic converter, and found 11 additional lost-communication/CAN-related codes. The dealer stated that approximately eight additional diagnostic labor hours would be required to investigate the remaining faults. The vehicle was returned with the intermittent stalling condition unresolved. The stalling presents a safety risk because the vehicle can lose motive power unexpectedly while being driven. The vehicle remains available for inspection. The dealer confirmed the stalling complaint and performed diagnostic testing, but the complete cause has not been determined. Kia previously performed an engine replacement related to the earlier P1327 condition, and the current stalling occurred afterward.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761988September 3, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the taillights were inoperative, there was oil leaking from the bottom of the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle returned to normal operation. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed and the dealer stated that there was an oil consumption issue with the vehicle; however, cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759676August 26, 2026
ENGINE
Back in 2021 there was a safety recall for the engine burning oil and having a high risk of catching fire. I leased this car from the Kia dealership in Asheville, NC and was guaranteed that the issue was not with this car. Here I am a year later and I have to basically put oil into the car at least every two weeks because the engine is burning the oil so fast and the car is basically running terribly. I have made multiple complaints to a bunch of mechanics including the dealership where they are trying to over charge me for a full engine replace because my vin doesn’t follow with the recall notice.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758500August 21, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious paint defect on my Kia in which the exterior paint is peeling off in large sheets. I purchased the vehicle used from Dean McCurry Kia, and the dealership was aware of the paint issue before selling the vehicle to me but failed to properly repair or disclose the condition before the sale. The paint has continued to deteriorate and is now peeling extensively, leaving exposed areas of the vehicle. I have contacted both Dean McCurry Kia and Kia regarding the problem, but both have refused to take responsibility or provide a reasonable solution. I believe this is a pre-existing manufacturing or paint defect that was known to the dealership before the vehicle was resold to me, and I am concerned that Kia and the dealership are refusing to address a potentially widespread safety and quality issue. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this complaint and determine whether this paint defect affects other Kia vehicles and warrants further action.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757351August 17, 2026
ENGINE
Making a left turn car stalled in middle of turn lane.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11756769August 13, 2026
ENGINE
Engine piston recall defect. Car has been at the dealership 12 days today and has been diagnosed and has been submitted to a Kia corporate case for repair free of charge. Car had no warning lights on and basically blew up on me driving home from my overnight work shift Thursday into Friday, July 31 morning. Every day they tell me they will give me a loaner and every day they lie. I have called until I’m blue in the face and no action has happened. I’m making a report because I’m about to lose my home and the car in the shop being repaired both because I’m stranded at my house as a single woman with a child with no alternate transportation. It is at the Kia dealership in Southhaven Mississippi 745 East Goodman Rd. I maintained this vehicle and paid every single note on time and did nothing wrong. I’m gonna lose everything because of this recall repair needed that I never knew anything about. It wasn’t on my auto report in 2024 when I bought the car somehow or I probably wouldn’t have bought it with any engine issues but I was unaware. The car literally never had any lights on or issues until the morning when it blew up. During this time I thought I was supposed to get alternate transportation and that hasn’t happened. Because I invested in Kia I’m the only one suffering right now about to lose my home and job because they have my car and won’t give me alternate transportation. A free repair is no good if you’re going to lose everything you work hard to maintain while it’s being repaired. I will never buy Kia again and I will never tell anyone else to buy. Absolute horrible experience so far. I’ve already paid out-of-pocket for a tow which can’t be reimbursed until 6 to 8 weeks after the repair is complete from what I read. If I end up homeless over this 6 year old car I thought would last me, I’m not gonna want the car anymore.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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