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Exterior lightingPart report

2020 Kia Soul Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
2%of 388 total for the year
Median mileage
4,800miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2020 Kia Soul, 2% of the 388 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,800 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.

“My issue is regarding the inadequate lighting supplied by the halogen lighting in my 2020 Kia SOUL s. The vehicle doesn't light the road far enough ahead to give the driver time to react if need be. I find myself driving with my brights on in order to see while driving at night. I contacted the Kia dealer who told me that they have had the same complaint from numerous owners but there is no fix at this time. He believes Kia is working on a remedy though. …”

NHTSA complaint #11341207, filed 2020-07, 3,400 miles

“Brand new car with 6k miles and when it rains the headlights fill up with so much moisture it's blocking output from the light and causing flickering with the bulb interminably. This is causing me to pull of the road during rainfall and at night and I was informed this is normal for Kia from the general manager at wesley chapel Kia in wesley chapel fl. Kia refused to replace the headlights under platinum warranty on a new car when they have a TSB out about the same issue”

NHTSA complaint #11351547, filed 2020-08, 6,200 miles

“Headlamp shutters stopped working, resulting in failure of high beams, and reduced low beam visibility. First noticed while driving on a dark street, and when high beams were turned on, nothing happened.”

NHTSA complaint #11324075, filed 2020-05, 32,500 miles

“I purchased a 2020 Kia SOUL barely 3 weeks ago. First issue is the front lights. They are constantly foggy and with humidity. Took car to the dealer and was initially told that it would clear up once high beams are turned on for 30 minutes which is unrealistic as you can't have your high beams on when there are cars in front of you. Was then told they submitted a ticket to Kia as this is the second unit they had with same issue. Second issue is the front seat headrests. They push the head to far forward and causes constant headache and neckache. This can't be adjusted.”

NHTSA complaint #11297198, filed 2020-01, 20 miles

“My Kia SOUL 2020, the engine lights came up, the parking lights, the right headlights, the rear back right signal lights, the fuel system and the breaks system all of them malfunctioned. The dealer charged for the repairs.”

NHTSA complaint #11405292, filed 2021-03

Related service bulletins

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025433%
202426%
202347%
202163%
202062%
201954%
201842%
201710%
2016182%
2015364%
201413014%
2013102%
2012102%
2011137%
201032%

Other parts of the 2020 Kia Soul

Engine
245 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
91 complaints
Other or unknown
54 complaints
Electrical system
28 complaints
Fuel system
16 complaints
Steering
16 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Engine cooling
11 complaints
Body and structure
10 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
5 complaints
Air 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 31, 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