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EnginePart report

2020 Kia Soul Engine Problems

Complaints
245about this part
Share
63%of 388 total for the year
Median mileage
24,036miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 245 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Kia Soul, 63% of the 388 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,036 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“1-on three different times I pulled out onto the highway to go and my car goes into limp mode no power how much you push the gas petal them eventually it takes off and goes. Called the dealer where I purchased my car and they told me to just drive my car in sport mode. I don't like having to drive my car in sport mode the RPM's run high and it uses more gas. …”

NHTSA complaint #11389135, filed 2021-01, 16,000 miles

“I purchased a new 2020 Kia SOUL lx with 16 miles on the odometer. 2 months later, my car began to lose power suddenly. The engine increased RPM as I've lost power. The car would only accelerate to about 25 MPH. I drove it immediately to the dealership who told me I needed a new transmission. My car stayed in the dealership shop for two months awaiting a transmission that was on back order.”

NHTSA complaint #11301363, filed 2020-01, 2,230 miles

“Today while driving home. My 2020 Kia SOUL hit 23000 miles. Shortly after as I was on highway on way home still. My vehicle started sputtering like bad gas. Then started jerking and rpms kept revving up even thou I wasnt pushing on gas any harder.about 27miles from home rpms shot up and car started slowing down. Quickly pulled over. So I put in park the shifted to drive again tried to give lil gas but car didnt move had to get towed home.”

NHTSA complaint #11384890, filed 2020-12, 23,020 miles

“Lifter tapping and burning oil. Took it to Kia of savannah around 2000 miles and they said nothing was wrong with it, even oil was full which I know is incorrect had car checked out by mechanic before I took it there.”

NHTSA complaint #11390082, filed 2021-01, 150 miles

“The idle stop - start system seems to be broken. Whenever I pull up to a light and stop the engine shuts off. Then, when I try to accelerate the engine starts but the calibers lock up on the disc creating a loud groaning sound. It causes the car to shutter and barely go forward. Additionally, the car consistently pulls to the right. It causes the vehicle to begin to veer off the road. On two occasions the dealer, Kia of irvine, told me they did not have the equipment fo fix this problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11268199, filed 2019-10, 15 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202518%
2024516%
20231426%
20225457%
202113958%
202024563%
20198964%
201814265%
201719170%
201656269%
201563170%
201455461%
201328643%
201221041%
20112412%
201097%

Other parts of the 2020 Kia Soul

Transmission and drivetrain
91 complaintsOther or unknown
54 complaintsElectrical system
28 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