general problems of the 2020 Kia Motor Soul - part 1

Owner of 2020 kia Soul experiencing engine failure symptoms including stalling and oil consumption vehicl is associated with engine fire risk safety recall vehicle is currently disabled at mechanic and unsafe to drive I requested kia arrange a tow to authorized dealership for recall diagnosis but kia customer service refused to cover tow bc this involves potential engine fire hazard I believe manufacturers should arrange safe transport for inspection under the recall.

This issue is a significant safety concern. The vehicle intermittently loses propulsion, causing a sudden forward lurch, and then abruptly regains power, pushing me back into the seat. This unexpected deceleration and surge can create a dangerous situation in traffic and may lead to an accident if it occurs while merging, crossing intersections, or driving at highway speeds. In addition, I am experiencing significant engine oil loss between regular oil changes. This week, just before my scheduled service, I found the engine to be approximately two quarts low. There were no warning lights indicating low oil or pressure. I only became aware of the issue after hearing noticeable engine ticking, at which point I immediately parked the vehicle and have not driven it since. I added two quarts of oil due to concern over potential engine damage caused by operating at a low oil level. I have contacted my dealership to report the oil loss and the engine noise, and I am currently waiting for a return call as I had to leave a message. This level of oil consumption is abnormal and concerning, especially combined with the lack of warning indicators. I believe this condition may pose a safety risk and could potentially lead to engine failure while driving. I have recorded video showing the amount of oil needed, the dipstick readings before and after adding oil, and the process of topping up the engine. I also have receipts for the oil I purchased. I can provide all documentation upon request. Based on my research, this appears to be a documented issue reported by multiple vehicle owners, and it is known to require corrective repair. I checked my VIN on the manufacturer’s recall website and confirmed that there are currently no open recalls associated with my vehicle. However, despite the absence of an official recall, the issues I am experiencing are safety?related and require investigation and correction.

Mapping system will not update. Vehicle is dangerous.

My 2020 kia Soul is suffering catastrophic engine failure from a known safety recall defect involving the piston oil rings. I received a safety recall notice from kia on July 5, 2021 warning that defective piston oil rings could cause engine damage and engine fires. I brought the vehicle to a kia dealer for recall service on July 5, 2021 and again on February 1, 2022 for the same safety recall. Kia did not replace the engine and did not explain what repairs were performed. Now, despite having complied with both recall repairs, my engine is knocking, burning oil, losing power, and the check engine light is blinking. The vehicle has stalled in traffic, creating a serious safety risk. I am afraid to drive it due to the risk of engine failure and fire. The kia dealer is now telling me the engine needs to be replaced at a cost of $5,000 or more, or I must replace the vehicle. They claim the recall was already performed and the vehicle is no longer under warranty, even though the same recalled defect has now caused engine failure. This appears to be a defective and ineffective recall remedy that did not correct the safety defect and has resulted in dangerous engine failure.

Kia initially refused to honor engine-related safety recalls on my vehicle (including recall no. 21v259). Only after I filed a complaint with higher authorities did kia agree to replace my engine. After completing this recall repair, kia suddenly claimed my vehicle’s ignition “needs replacement” and is attempting to charge me $1,200. This is deeply concerning because: •kia ran multiple diagnostic tests before the recall repair and never reported any ignition issues. •there was no ignition damage when kia received my vehicle. •I believe this claim is either false or the result of tampering, and may be retaliation for my prior complaint. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate kia’s handling of this matter and ensure consumers are protected from false charges and retaliation when exercising their right to safe recall repairs. Thank you for your attention. Please let me know if you need additional documentation.

Paint bubbling on both side of the car. Kia claims there is no defect in their paint however it seems to be a known problem with the white kia Soul.

Complaint regarding mechanical failure and $315 service charge on recent vehicle purchase I’m writing to formally express my concern and disappointment regarding the recent service experience involving my vehicle purchased on April 12, 2025. A few weeks after purchase, I returned to the dealership with concerns over a check engine light. I was reassured by your service department that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. However, the car recently died while I was driving on the highway, putting me in an unsafe situation and requiring a tow. Now I am being told that spark plugs need to be replaced before further diagnosis can occur, and that I am responsible for a $315 charge. The technician noted that cylinder 2’s spark plug was loose and melted—an issue that clearly could have caused the breakdown. This is not typical wear and tear. It’s something that either pre-existed at the time of purchase or should have been caught during the initial inspection when I brought the car in with concerns. I haven’t even made my second car payment, and I’m already dealing with a major mechanical failure. I feel I was sold a vehicle that was not properly inspected and that now I’m being asked to cover the cost of repairs that should fall under the responsibility as the seller. I respectfully request that the $315 service fee be waived and that the vehicle be fully inspected and repaired at no cost to me. I purchased this vehicle in good faith, and I expect the dealership to stand by its product.

Someone broke my window, and entered my car. Then proceeded to tear apart the entire area of the car that it below the steering wheel including the ignition. The car was not able to be turned off. This left the car unable to be used and unfortunately needed to be towed away. This is the second time this has happened and it is causing a serious safety hazard to my family, my home and my neighborhood. I unfortunately cannot get rid of the car because I am not the title owner and cannot afford to trade it in. I am looking for some assistance and to learn what other options I may have.

On November 29,2024 I found a paint bubble under the door handle of the rear passenger side of my snow pearl white kia Soul. The primer is visible underneath and intact but the area is cracking and peeling thereby enlarging quickly. I have read online that others have had this problem. I called the dealer and waiting for a call back from the manager. Thank you.

I am filing a complaint about my paint. It is fading and on the roof and hood.

I'd been having issues where the entirety of my oil reservoir would burn off before I was due for an oil change, which would result in my car having issues starting and running while driving on the road. I've had two separate mechanics not associated with kia that have told me to take it to kia and have told me about recalls on my vehicle for the same issues I'm having. I took it to kia multiple times about the issue, and was given a 1000 mile oil consumption test which passed and then was told that there's nothing they could do for me as I passed the consumption test so in their eye's there isn't a problem.

The oil plug.

My vehicle was stolen this morning from my home. I was not notified of a defect causing it to be stolen easily. Glass left in parking spot where car had been parked.

My vehicle was stolen. . They broke out window. The problem of kia’s being stolen has increased to the point local officials have filed a lawsuit against kia. The problem of these cars being easily stolen has been all over the news recently. People are getting killed because of reckless driving by the persons stealing the vehicles. I had no idea my car was vulnerable to this and was told when my engine was replaced, all updates had been made. I am not rich, I have no car and even though I have insurance doesn't mean they will pay off my vehicle. Stolen vehicle report has been made to the police. I have tried to file a clain on the kia claims website but it says theres no recall for my vehicle. It is a 2020 kia Soul and has been a nightmare since I bought it.

Unknown. Im honestly not sure if this complaint would fit in this category. I have contacted kia multiple times and have gotten no response. I had my kia updated with the anti theft system and I have gotten denied insurance more than once due to the fact that the update does not include a passive engine immobilizer. Im honestly at a loss as to what to do since insurance companies have been a struggle to talk to due to the fact that my car is a kia Soul and doesn’t have the right equipment. I really need this fix as I feel unsafe driving without insurance and it is not my fault or even under my control.

I have two complaints. One just occurred while driving down the highway. My hood popped open. I do not go under the hood. I have my car serviced. The last time it was serviced was over a month ago. The hood popped open immediately the alarm began to ring and I pulled over. I got out on the side of the highway to close it. I immediately called the dealer and they say they have to keep my car to address this and another issue I previously reported. The other issue is my car revs and sounds like a race car. When I told them this they asked how many miles I have. I did pay for an extended warranty. The last time I serviced the car with them in November they said it was taken care of but it is not. I told them don't wait until the mileage reads high and the warranty has expired. I need my only vehicle to run appropriately. I looked today and it seems that the 2020 kia Soul has engine issues which might account for the rev and poor running. I was told they should make the corrections free of charge. I am a woman dealing with this so it has been my experience that the treatment and service provided for a man and a woman is not always equitable. Please help.

The auto start-stop function sometimes will not restart. This time it happened in the middle of traffic at an intersection, and I had to put the car in park and restart it before I could move. This could cause a collision in busy traffic times or if people are not paying attention. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer at this time. During the time it shut off, the battery light and oil light came on, but I just had the car serviced three weeks ago and was told it passed their inspection (I only go to my manufacturer's dealership for service). The oil light and battery light shut off and did not reappear again after restarting the car. The vehicle can be available for inspection depending on time and date. This happened once before about a year ago, but the dealership said nothing was wrong with the vehicle.

On 5/27/23 I was stopped at a light in the middle of active traffic. When traffic started moving again, I put my foot on the accelerator. Nothing happened: the "check engine" light appeared on the dashboard as well as the "auto stop" light, which showed up yellow. The engine was dead. Cars in back started honking. I put on my hazard lights, turned the ignition off, waited a few seconds, then on impulse turned the key on again. Car started without a problem, and the indicator lights disappeared. I called the dealership but could not get a service appointment until Thursday. I am afraid my own car will kill me if this happens again in active traffic.

The car has rebooted (like a computer) three times in the last month as I am driving the car. Not in park, not just starting the car. I am in drive and the car just reboots. Today, I received a warning about my forward collision system and all the lights on the dashboard lit up.

While driving along the interstate, going 70 mph, I noticed the rpm gauge started to fluctuate. Shortly after, I started having issues maintaining the speed. I pressed the gas pedal, but the vehicle wouldn’t speed up - instead started loosing speed. I started to hear grinding noises as I pressed the gas pedal. Eventually, I kept loosing speed and there was nothing I could do to make the vehicle move. I had to pull off and coast into a parking lot to be towed.

Paint is bubbling and peeling off in large sections down to the primer coat. The paint is shedding. Paint does not appear to have adhered to the e-coat.

My car was stolen using a usb cord. The manufacturer needs to correct this error in design. There are internet videos detailing how to steal these cars. The consumer is left to foot the expense of this design error.

Unknown.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I was driving the vehicle with less than 3,000 miles on it. I was on a city street about to go on highway ramp. I stopped at a red light and as usual isg (idle stop and go) feature shut down the engine, but when the light turned green and I moved my foot off the break, the car did not start again, instead there was an engine light and battery and oil lights that went on. There were cars behind me. Thankfully, since I was on a hill I was able to steer the car towards the curb allowing the cars behind me to pass. After that I used my car key to completely turn off and then turn on the car, at which point the engine started again. In the past I haven't had problems with this isg (idle stop and go) feature, but now I'm worried that this can happen on a highway or if I cannot start the car with my key.

I was in a front end collision with another vehicle and the airbags did not deploy. I impacted the second vehicle in their side passenger door at about 45-50 mph. This happened on us hwy 27 n in clermont, florida. Both my husband and myself were transported to the er. I was driving a 2020 kia Soul.

Our kia Soul 2020 has some failure related to the auto stop feature (isg). Starting at about 3000 miles, the car groans as it comes out of auto stop, with the noise coming from the front left. Kia corporate does not acknowledge this as a repeated issue, though there are many forums online recording this exact problem around this mileage. There seems to be no consensus on the repair, and no consensus on whether it is safe to drive. If the auto stop (isg) feature is disabled, the noise does not happen. . Read more...

This 2020 kia Soul has a cvt transmission. It has now failed twice with only 1400 or so miles on the car. The first failure occurred on the highway, approximately 100 miles from our home. The second occurred on streets by my house, directly by a school in a school zone. The car failed to drive multiple times, and the transmission failed. This is an unsafe vehicle and kia will not even speak with me. The dealership will not assist either. The car was in the shop for 14 days, with only a loaner for 7, and now it is dead a short time later. This vehicle is unsafe to be driven. It was purchased new.

When the isg (automatic stop/start) comes out (lift foot off of break pedal), the car makes a very loud noise. It only happens when coming out of isg. Other kia Soul owners have found same thing. This happens only when coming out of a full stop, after the isg engages, then disengages (this is where sound occurs). Continues to happen after every isg stop.

In the mornings vehicle is not starting. Takes 20 tries. . . Has occured last 5 days.

I bought my car brand new off the lot 0 miles on it. Recieved a letter in mail Dec. 7th 2021 bout the pistons not being treated properly. And the software being available. I've been putting anywhere from 1 quart to 1. 5 quart of oil in weekly. There's no leaks no smoke not sure where oil is going. It stalls when stopped or idling. When in park will stall. After I get gas it won't start I have to put gas pedal all the way to floor and hope it's turns over and when it finally does I have to keep it idle over 2rpms or it sputters til it stalls. I feel these are continued safety issues. Besides my oil issue gas mileage is awful.