2020 Kia Soul Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 7%of 388 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,632miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2020 Kia Soul, 7% of the 388 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,632 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I stopped at stop sign and the car shut off and made a ding sound but radio never disconnected. Not the usual shut off this was different. Then it started but it made an unusual ding sound. Plus, sounds like the transmission is dragging it was a recall and I took the car back for maintenance and now it's doing same thing again plus this time it was whining for about 10 seconds while I was driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11384024, filed 2020-12, 9,000 miles“My car was purchased brand new off the lot with 28 miles on it. I now have approximately 15614 miles on my 2020 Kia SOUL. I just wanted to report that the horn, a major safety feature, intermittently stops working. When the horn stops working it includes the steering wheel depress and the key fob 'locked' signal. Please investigate this as a horn can be the last resort notification someone needs between life or death.”
NHTSA complaint #11280977, filed 2019-11, 14,900 miles“Appropriately April 2024, The engine service light came on at about 115,000 miles, followed by the 2020 Kia Soul X-line engine stopped running. I tried turning off the key and attempting to restart the car however it would start but for only a few seconds. After 5 or 6 tries to restart the car, I finally turned off the car, waited about 3 minutes and then restarted the car in as it continued to run. The check engine light remained on but I noticed that there was a drop in power when I tried to accelerate. Since then I have notice the engine check light go on and off several times. …”
NHTSA complaint #11589014, filed 2024-05, 117,517 miles“Bought car new in october of 2019 in march 2020 car turned off as I was driving I put it in park turned back on with a loud noise called the shop they said it was low on oil but they just changed the oil 3 weeks prior so they added more oil told me to come back in 30 days and a month later it shut off on me again so I brought it back to the dealership and they determined I needed a new engine so they ordered a new engine and something was wrong with the new engine so they had to order another engine I finally after about 2 months maybe more I got my car back on june 4th I picked up my car…”
NHTSA complaint #11328644, filed 2020-06, 9,200 miles“My Car would shut off in the middle of the road after I stopped to make a turn or even stop at a stop light. Also the engine is burning oil. Mechanic says the the engine needs to be replace. Something with the oil piston and the exhaust is burning oil. I am not sure”
NHTSA complaint #11731747, filed 2026-04Related service bulletins
- 11036452Aug 5, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MISFIRE CONCERN DUE TO OVERRUNNING ALTERNATOR DECOUPLER - This bulletin provides information to address unresolved misfire events on some 2020–2024MY…
- 11029039Feb 19, 2026VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC199 FL301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to…
- 11023109Sep 11, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY041) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 11022844Sep 4, 2025This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic System (KDS) tablet on certain Kia engine/model vehicles. The piston oil…
- 11017169Apr 4, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PISTON NOISE SENSING SYSTEM (PNSS) INSPECTION - This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic…
- 11015973Mar 20, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles…
- 11016481Mar 13, 2025WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY041) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to…
- 11015458Mar 13, 2025WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY041) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form…
- 11015812Mar 12, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY041) - This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty…
- 11015456Mar 11, 2025WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY041) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 29% |
| 2023 | 14 | 26% |
| 2022 | 10 | 11% |
| 2021 | 15 | 6% |
| 2020 | 28 | 7% |
| 2019 | 14 | 10% |
| 2018 | 20 | 9% |
| 2017 | 19 | 7% |
| 2016 | 56 | 7% |
| 2015 | 75 | 8% |
| 2014 | 98 | 11% |
| 2013 | 71 | 11% |
| 2012 | 38 | 7% |
| 2011 | 30 | 15% |
| 2010 | 24 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2020 Kia Soul
245 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
91 complaintsOther or unknown
54 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 Kia Soul
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology