2020 Kia Soul problems and complaints
Owners have filed 380 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Kia Soul. The most-reported areas: Engine (237), Power Train (89), Unknown Or Other (52).
Key takeaways
- 380 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 9 involve a crash, 6 a fire, 6 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 237 | 62% |
| Power Train | 89 | 23% |
| Unknown Or Other | 52 | 14% |
| Electrical System | 28 | 7% |
| Steering | 16 | 4% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 15 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 4% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 11 | 3% |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 3% |
| Structure | 10 | 3% |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 2% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 5 | 1% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Kia Soul SUV FWD | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Engine - filed 2026-09-18
The contact owned a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while attempting to operate the vehicle, the engine seized and the vehicle failed to start. When attempting to start the vehicle, a knock turnover was present, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V2590...
Engine - filed 2026-09-17
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and added oil to the engine before continuing to drive. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis, and the contact was informed tha...
Structure - filed 2026-09-16
I’m having trouble with my pearl white paint peeling off my car. I am available for an inspection. The car has not inspected by anyone at this time. Waiting on instructions. This started last year July and just keeps getting worse every day.
Diagnose it yourself
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
More for the 2020 Kia Soul
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.