Kia · Soul · 2020
2020 Kia Soul
1
Recall
342
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2020 Kia Soul has 1 recall and 342 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (140 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2020 Kia Soul page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is engine with 140 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2020 Kia Soul reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2020 Kia Soul currently shows 1 NHTSA recall listed on this page and 342 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (140), power train (48), unknown or other (27).
- Vehicle
- 2020 Kia Soul
- Recalls
- 1
- Complaints
- 342
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
14.7% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 21V259000April 13, 2021
ENGINE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
Remedy Status
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
Owner Complaints
342 totalPOWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Apr 14, 2026
Engine shut off while making a turn. Took car to mechanic and he stated that the car did not display any error messages. The car also over heated while driving in freeway.
ENGINE
Apr 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the engine started knocking on the passenger side of the vehicle underneath the hood. The contact accelerated to 45 MPH and continued driving. After refueling, while continuing to drive ...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Mar 30, 2026
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
ENGINE
Mar 16, 2026
The engine seems to be stalling, more than likely being caused by the piston rings being defective. With the piston rings being defective, this can cause oil to be lost, and then in turn causing damage to the vehicle. This can put others at risk as this will stall the vehicle, a...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Mar 13, 2026
Owner of 2020 Kia soul experiencing engine failure symptoms including stalling and oil consumption vehicl is associated with engine fire risk safety recall vehicle is currently disabled at mechanic and unsafe to drive I requested kia arrange a tow to authorized dealership for rec...
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POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 28, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The automatic start warning light illuminated, and the engine seized. Additionally, the error message indicated that the automatic start feature was disabled; how...
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ENGINE
Feb 28, 2026
The engine burnt through all the oil in it, many miles before an oil change was needed for it.I have taken it to the dealership and the dealership submitted an extended warranty claim for it and despite the fact that the issue is mechanical and covered by the extented owarranty, ...
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ENGINE,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Feb 25, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at undisclosed speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. There was an abnormal, fluttery sound detected before the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an inde...
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ENGINE
Feb 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. Additionally, the engine was leaking oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was previousl...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 19, 2026
This issue is a significant safety concern. The vehicle intermittently loses propulsion, causing a sudden forward lurch, and then abruptly regains power, pushing me back into the seat. This unexpected deceleration and surge can create a dangerous situation in traffic and may lead...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 342 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2020 Kia models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Soul have?
The 2020 Kia Soul has 1 recall recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2020 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has received 342 owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Kia Soul.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2020 Kia Soul?
The 2020 Kia Soul received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Soul?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2020 Kia Soul are engine (140 reports), power train (48 reports), unknown or other (27 reports).
Does the 2020 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 1 recall on record for the 2020 Kia Soul. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.