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Engine coolingPart report

2020 Kia Soul Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
3%of 388 total for the year
Median mileage
94,154miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2020 Kia Soul, 3% of the 388 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,154 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was driving to work this morning and my check engine light started flashing.I took it to O'reilly's and plugged it in and it said something wrong with my engine.I just had it serviced and everything was fine and tell all of the sudden.This happened?Time this happened.I had to have 4 new engines put in my Kia.This has to be a recall”

NHTSA complaint #11612272, filed 2024-09

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH on the driveway, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with thermostat failure. The contact had the thermostat replaced and a coolant repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 9,408.”

NHTSA complaint #11652297, filed 2025-04, 9,408 miles

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle indicated that the oil level was low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that the dipstick was dry. The contact was concerned because oil had been added to the vehicle four months earlier, in October 2025. The dealer was not able to determine the cause of the failure. The oil level was topped off. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,637.”

NHTSA complaint #11709854, filed 2026-01, 135,637 miles

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was erratically shaking, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with piston rings failure. The contact was informed that there was a hole in the catalytic converter. The contact was informed that the engine, catalytic converter, the two Oxygen sensors, radiator hoses, heater coil hoses, motor mounts, and the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #11755047, filed 2026-08, 165,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. The contact stated that there were no visible leaks. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 2,500 RPM. There was smoke coming from the vehicle. There was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). …”

NHTSA complaint #11655066, filed 2025-04, 69,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202312%
20222021%
20214720%
2020113%
201964%
201894%
201793%
201610613%
2015586%
2014556%
2013457%
2012326%
201142%
201054%

Other parts of the 2020 Kia Soul

Engine
245 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
91 complaintsOther or unknown
54 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBrakes
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 27, 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