Two problems related to engine noise have been reported for the 2020 Kia Motor Soul. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2020 Kia Motor Soul based on all problems reported for the 2020 Soul.
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.
When using the auto start and stop feature when releasing the brake and the engine cranks back I hear a strange noise that sounds like a cat squalling when the engine starts. This doesn't happen when your not using auto start. Plus when you shift into park while stoped it doesn't make this noise. My wife also has the same issue with her car same year modle and make. No clue I fear this maybe related to the transmission. As when placing in park it doesn't make the noise when you release the brakes. My wife's car has less than 12000 miles and mine has 6000 miles and it's starting to make the noise. Seems to happen more when hard braking occurs . Sound is comming from the drivers side of the car.