2020 KIA SOUL Unknown Or Other Problems

I'd been having issues where the entirety of my oil reservoir would burn off before I was due for an oil change, which would result in my car having issues starting and running while driving on the road. I've had two separate mechanics not associated with Kia that have told me to take it to Kia and have told me about recalls on my vehicle for the same issues I'm having. I took it to Kia multiple times about the issue, and was given a 1000 mile oil consumption test which passed and then was told that there's nothing they could do for me as I passed the consumption test so in their eye's there isn't a problem.

Paint is bubbling and peeling off in large sections down to the primer coat. The paint is shedding. Paint does not appear to have adhered to the E-coat.

Kia initially refused to honor engine-related safety recalls on my vehicle (including Recall No. 21V259). Only after I filed a complaint with higher authorities did Kia agree to replace my engine. After completing this recall repair, Kia suddenly claimed my vehicle’s ignition “needs replacement” and is attempting to charge me $1,200. This is deeply concerning because: •Kia ran multiple diagnostic tests before the recall repair and never reported any ignition issues. •There was no ignition damage when Kia received my vehicle. •I believe this claim is either false or the result of tampering, and may be retaliation for my prior complaint. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate Kia’s handling of this matter and ensure consumers are protected from false charges and retaliation when exercising their right to safe recall repairs. Thank you for your attention. Please let me know if you need additional documentation.

Paint bubbling on both side of the car. Kia claims there is no defect in their paint however it seems to be a known problem with the white Kia soul.

Complaint Regarding Mechanical Failure and $315 Service Charge on Recent Vehicle Purchase I’m writing to formally express my concern and disappointment regarding the recent service experience involving my vehicle purchased on April 12, 2025. A few weeks after purchase, I returned to the dealership with concerns over a check engine light. I was reassured by your service department that nothing was wrong with the vehicle. However, the car recently died while I was driving on the highway, putting me in an unsafe situation and requiring a tow. Now I am being told that spark plugs need to be replaced before further diagnosis can occur, and that I am responsible for a $315 charge. The technician noted that cylinder 2’s spark plug was loose and melted—an issue that clearly could have caused the breakdown. This is not typical wear and tear. It’s something that either pre-existed at the time of purchase or should have been caught during the initial inspection when I brought the car in with concerns. I haven’t even made my second car payment, and I’m already dealing with a major mechanical failure. I feel I was sold a vehicle that was not properly inspected and that now I’m being asked to cover the cost of repairs that should fall under the responsibility as the seller. I respectfully request that the $315 service fee be waived and that the vehicle be fully inspected and repaired at no cost to me. I purchased this vehicle in good faith, and I expect the dealership to stand by its product.

Someone broke my window, and entered my car. Then proceeded to tear apart the entire area of the car that it below the steering wheel including the ignition. The car was not able to be turned off. This left the car unable to be used and unfortunately needed to be towed away. This is the second time this has happened and it is causing a serious safety hazard to my family, my home and my neighborhood. I unfortunately cannot get rid of the car because I am not the title owner and cannot afford to trade it in. I am looking for some assistance and to learn what other options I may have

ON NOVEMBER 29,2024 i FOUND A PAINT BUBBLE under the door handle of the rear passenger side of my Snow Pearl white Kia Soul. The primer is visible underneath and intact but the area is cracking and peeling thereby enlarging quickly. I have read online that others have had this problem. I called the dealer and waiting for a call back from the manager. Thank you

I am filing a complaint about my paint. It is fading and on the roof and hood.

The oil plug

Unknown. Im honestly not sure if this complaint would fit in this category. I have contacted Kia multiple times and have gotten no response. I had my Kia updated with the anti theft system and i have gotten denied insurance more than once due to the fact that the update does not include a passive engine immobilizer. Im honestly at a loss as to what to do since insurance companies have been a struggle to talk to due to the fact that my car is a kia soul and doesn’t have the right equipment. I really need this fix as i feel unsafe driving without insurance and it is not my fault or even under my control.

I bought my car brand new off the lot 0 miles on it. Recieved a letter in mail Dec. 7th 2021 bout the pistons not being treated properly. And the software being available. I've been putting anywhere from 1 quart to 1.5 quart of oil in weekly. There's no leaks no smoke not sure where oil is going. It stalls when stopped or idling. When in park will stall. After I get gas it won't start I have to put gas pedal all the way to floor and hope it's turns over and when it finally does I have to keep it idle over 2rpms or it sputters til it stalls. I feel these are continued safety issues. Besides my oil issue gas mileage is awful.

My vehicle was stolen. . They broke out window. The problem of kia’s being stolen has increased to the point local officials have filed a lawsuit against kia. The problem of these cars being easily stolen has been all over the news recently. People are getting killed because of reckless driving by the persons stealing the vehicles. I had no idea my car was vulnerable to this and was told when my engine was replaced, all updates had been made. I am not rich, i have no car and even though i have insurance doesn't mean they will pay off my vehicle. Stolen vehicle report has been made to the police. I have tried to file a clain on the kia claims website but it says theres no recall for my vehicle. It is a 2020 kia soul and has been a nightmare since i bought it.

My vehicle was stolen this morning from my home. I was not notified of a defect causing it to be stolen easily. Glass left in parking spot where car had been parked.

I have two complaints. One just occurred while driving down the highway. My hood popped open. I do not go under the hood. I have my car serviced. The last time it was serviced was over a month ago. The hood popped open immediately the alarm began to ring and I pulled over. I got out on the side of the highway to close it. I immediately called the dealer and they say they have to keep my car to address this and another issue I previously reported. The other issue is my car revs and sounds like a race car. When I told them this they asked how many miles I have. I did pay for an extended warranty. The last time I serviced the car with them in November they said it was taken care of but it is not. I told them don't wait until the mileage reads high and the warranty has expired. I need my only vehicle to run appropriately. I looked today and it seems that the 2020 kia soul has engine issues which might account for the rev and poor running. I was told they should make the corrections free of charge. I am a woman dealing with this so it has been my experience that the treatment and service provided for a man and a woman is not always equitable. Please help.

The auto start-stop function sometimes will not restart. This time it happened in the middle of traffic at an intersection, and I had to put the car in park and restart it before I could move. This could cause a collision in busy traffic times or if people are not paying attention. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealer at this time. During the time it shut off, the battery light and oil light came on, but I just had the car serviced three weeks ago and was told it passed their inspection (I only go to my manufacturer's dealership for service). The oil light and battery light shut off and did not reappear again after restarting the car. The vehicle can be available for inspection depending on time and date. This happened once before about a year ago, but the dealership said nothing was wrong with the vehicle.

On 5/27/23 I was stopped at a light in the middle of active traffic. When traffic started moving again, I put my foot on the accelerator. Nothing happened: the "check engine" light appeared on the dashboard as well as the "Auto Stop" light, which showed up yellow. The engine was dead. Cars in back started honking. I put on my hazard lights, turned the ignition off, waited a few seconds, then on impulse turned the key on again. Car started without a problem, and the indicator lights disappeared. I called the dealership but could not get a service appointment until Thursday. I am afraid my own car will kill me if this happens again in active traffic.

The car has rebooted (like a computer) three times in the last month as I am driving the car. Not in Park, not just starting the car. I am in drive and the car just reboots. Today, I received a warning about my forward collision system and all the lights on the dashboard lit up.

While driving along the interstate, going 70 MPH, I noticed the RPM gauge started to fluctuate. Shortly after, I started having issues maintaining the speed. I pressed the gas pedal, but the vehicle wouldn’t speed up - instead started loosing speed. I started to hear grinding noises as I pressed the gas pedal. Eventually, I kept loosing speed and there was nothing I could do to make the vehicle move. I had to pull off and coast into a parking lot to be towed.

My car was stolen using a usb cord. The manufacturer needs to correct this error in design. There are internet videos detailing how to steal these cars. The consumer is left to foot the expense of this design error.

Unknown

My issue is constant engine stalling. It is a very scary experience.

The car started knocking at 65 mph while excelling to 70 the engine then had a loud bang and the engine block broke apart and spilled oil on to manifold almost starting a fire I have been informed that the engine is recalled for piston rings. This is an extremely dangerous situation. LUCKILY I managed to exit highway and not engulfed in flames. So far Kia has been unwilling to assist me and I also purchased an extended warranty with Automotive Protective Corporation in Atlanta Ga. and no body is helping me.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving the vehicle was slow to move and stalled. The oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the oil was dirty, the oil level was low, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The Vin was included in NHTSA Campaign number: 21V259000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, declined to offer any assistance for the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Mileage: 50,000

When pulling out into traffic the car started to go, RPMs spiked all the way and the car just died… I shut it off, and all was fine…. Then I stopped to get gas, and when the auto stop/start kicked in, the car didn’t restart… the oil pressure light turned on, battery light, and check engine light all at the same time. Would not let me shift into park. I had to push the shift release to let me put it into park. I was then able to shut off the car properly and start it just fine, and no lights active. This all happened around 19,000 miles. The last 2 times I’ve been in for an oil change, there has been 2 recalls completed , and now this new recall related to the oil piston.

Recently I noticed when I stop and the stop-start system feature and the Blind-spot sensors are turned on the car will either shut completely off or stall once I step on the gas.

6/4/2021 Returning from picking up my children in Maryland, my vehicle stalls out at MD 137 in Hereford. The idle stop and go system repeatedly engages and disengages, the engine continued to sputter and rev. I took the vehicle to the nearest service station, as all the Kia service techs no longer were working past 4 PM. I was able to have a Jiffy Lube service tech read the code P0420 (which has been a previous issue with catalytic converters wearing out at 80,000 miles for previous Souls) as well as several codes for the Camshaft sensor and Crankshaft.

STOPPED AT STOP LIGHT, LIGHT TURNED GREEN. PRESSED GAS AND DASHBOARD SYMBOLS CAME ON AND CAR DIED. TRIED STARTING AGAIN AND IT WAS DEAD. PUSHED IT TO PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO JUMP IT. DIDNT JUMP.. PUSHED TO AUTO ZONE. TESTED BATTERY IT WAS AT 10%. THEY DIDN'T HAVE A BATTERY. USED A JUMP BOX AND CAR STARTED. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME.

Mileage: 28,000

WHEN THE AUTOMATIC START STOP START IS ON WHEN I STOP AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AS IT SHOULD, WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE IT MAKES A WHINING NOISE FOR A FEW SECONDS. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN GOING UP MY DRIVEWAY. HAVE READ THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN A LOT OF PEOPLE'S 2020 KIA SOUL'S AND NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW OR HAVE A FIX.

Mileage: 26,500

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS ON A CITY STREET ABOUT TO GO ON HIGHWAY RAMP. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND AS USUAL ISG (IDLE STOP AND GO) FEATURE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, BUT WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I MOVED MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK, THE CAR DID NOT START AGAIN, INSTEAD THERE WAS AN ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY AND OIL LIGHTS THAT WENT ON. THERE WERE CARS BEHIND ME. THANKFULLY, SINCE I WAS ON A HILL I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TOWARDS THE CURB ALLOWING THE CARS BEHIND ME TO PASS. AFTER THAT I USED MY CAR KEY TO COMPLETELY TURN OFF AND THEN TURN ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE STARTED AGAIN. IN THE PAST I HAVEN'T HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS ISG (IDLE STOP AND GO) FEATURE, BUT NOW I'M WORRIED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN ON A HIGHWAY OR IF I CANNOT START THE CAR WITH MY KEY.

Mileage: 2,500

I STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AND MADE A DING SOUND BUT RADIO NEVER DISCONNECTED. NOT THE USUAL SHUT OFF THIS WAS DIFFERENT. THEN IT STARTED BUT IT MADE AN UNUSUAL DING SOUND. PLUS, SOUNDS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS DRAGGING IT WAS A RECALL AND I TOOK THE CAR BACK FOR MAINTENANCE AND NOW IT'S DOING SAME THING AGAIN PLUS THIS TIME IT WAS WHINING FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

Mileage: 9,000

OUR KIA SOUL 2020 HAS SOME FAILURE RELATED TO THE AUTO STOP FEATURE (ISG). STARTING AT ABOUT 3000 MILES, THE CAR GROANS AS IT COMES OUT OF AUTO STOP, WITH THE NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT. KIA CORPORATE DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A REPEATED ISSUE, THOUGH THERE ARE MANY FORUMS ONLINE RECORDING THIS EXACT PROBLEM AROUND THIS MILEAGE. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO CONSENSUS ON THE REPAIR, AND NO CONSENSUS ON WHETHER IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. IF THE AUTO STOP (ISG) FEATURE IS DISABLED, THE NOISE DOES NOT HAPPEN. MORE ACCOUNTS CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTPS://WWW.KIASOULFORUMS.COM/THREADS/ENGINE-GRINDS-WHEN-COMING-OUT-OF-THE-AUTO-START-STOP.116042/ A VIDEO WITH THE SAME NOISE CAN BE FOUND HERE: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/1TA6BH6ZPU8 THIS UNNERVING NOISE OCCURS AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING (NO NOISE PRIOR TO THAT).

Mileage: 3,100

THIS 2020 KIA SOUL HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION. IT HAS NOW FAILED TWICE WITH ONLY 1400 OR SO MILES ON THE CAR. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY, APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES FROM OUR HOME. THE SECOND OCCURRED ON STREETS BY MY HOUSE, DIRECTLY BY A SCHOOL IN A SCHOOL ZONE. THE CAR FAILED TO DRIVE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND KIA WILL NOT EVEN SPEAK WITH ME. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ASSIST EITHER. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 14 DAYS, WITH ONLY A LOANER FOR 7, AND NOW IT IS DEAD A SHORT TIME LATER. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW.

Mileage: 1,400

WHEN THE ISG (AUTOMATIC STOP/START) COMES OUT (LIFT FOOT OFF OF BREAK PEDAL), THE CAR MAKES A VERY LOUD NOISE. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN COMING OUT OF ISG. OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS HAVE FOUND SAME THING. THIS HAPPENS ONLY WHEN COMING OUT OF A FULL STOP, AFTER THE ISG ENGAGES, THEN DISENGAGES (THIS IS WHERE SOUND OCCURS). CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AFTER EVERY ISG STOP.

Mileage: 6,000

IN THE MORNINGS VEHICLE IS NOT STARTING. TAKES 20 TRIES...HAS OCCURED LAST 5 DAYS.

WHILE AT MY KIA DEALERSHIP ON 6/17/20 FOR A ROUTINE VEHICLE INSPECTION, KIA STAFF TOLD ME THAT MY CAR HAD "TWO SAFETY RECALLS (SA409 AND SA424)." I ASKED WHY KIA HAD NOT TOLD ME ABOUT THE "SAFETY RECALLS". THEY TOLD ME THAT: "WE DON'T KNOW THAT THEY EXIST UNLESS YOU BRING YOUR VEHICLE IN HERE. THEN, WHEN WE CHECK OUR RECORDS, WE FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS". IF THIS STATEMENT IS TRUE, BOTH KIA AND NHTSA HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LAPSE IN THEIR PROCEDURES. HOW WAS I AS THE CAR'S OWNER SUPPOSED TO LEARN ABOUT THE UNADDRESSED "SAFETY RECALLS"? YESTERDAY, I SENT EMAILS TO KIA' S CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN IRVINE, CA. THEY DO NOT REPLY. SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE "SAFETY RECALL" CODE NUMBERS MEAN, I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, OR, HOW LONG THE ISSUE(S) HAD BEEN PRESENT. PLEASE REPLY AND PLEASE, CONTACT KIA TO APPRISE THEM OF THE CARELESS MANNER IN WHICH KIA STAFF HANDLED THIS MATTER. *TR

4/3/20 AT 6,959 MILEAGE, TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP 'CAUSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. THEIR COMPUTER DIAGNOSTIC CODE FOR COOLANT COLD S5ART ERROR, KIA HAS NO REPAIR AT THIS TIME. HAVE PERIODICALLY CHECKED WITH DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE, STILL NO REPAIR, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. HAVE INVOICE # K1CS392579 FROM MENTOR KIA, MENTOR, OH 44060 - SAME RESPONSE FROM PURCHASING DEALERSHIP, HALEEN KIA IN NORTH OLMSTED, OH ON 4/24/20 AND KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IN CALIFORNIA ON 4/24/20. NOT COMFORTABLE WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON CONSTANTLY! *TR

Mileage: 6,959

GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK WE RAN THROUGH THE END OF THE HOUSE. THIS HAPPEN WHILE TURNING IN OUR DRIVEWAY

Mileage: 12,000

1-13-2020 DRIVING WHEN A LITTLE ROCK MADE A CHIP IN MY WINDSHIELD AND WITHIN SECONDS A CRACK ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG APPEARED AND NOW THE CRACK IS A FOOT LONG. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WE WERE TOLD OUR WARRANTY WOULD COVER EVERYTHING, BUT WHEN WE TOOK IT IN THEY INFORMED US WE ONLY GOT BUMPER TO BUMPER MECHANICAL. THE PERSON WE GOT IT FROM LIED TO US ABOUT WHAT WE WERE GETTING AND WE THOUGHT WE COULD TRUST HIM. WE HAD TO RESET THE RADIO BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T, THEN MY BACKUP CAM WOULDN'T WORK IF THE RADIO WAS ON THE FRITZ. STARTING 1-17-2020 MY KIA STARTED SURGING OR CHUGGING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DIE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HOPEFULLY THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED. THIS IS MY FIRST BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE SELLERS OR THE VEHICLE SO FAR. AND NOW MY WINDSHIELD WONT BE FIXED BECAUSE WE THOUGHT WE COULD TRUST THE PERSON WE BOUGHT FROM AT THE KIA IN MOLINE, ILLINOIS CAUSING THIS SAFETY ISSUE AND OUR DEDUCTIBLE IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IT WOULD BE THAT TO JUST PAY OUT OF POCKET.

Mileage: 4,500

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT THE ROOF OF MY CAR. I OPENED THE SUNROOF COVER AND DISCOVERED MY SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED BUT STILL INTACT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THERE WAS NO SIGN OF DEBRIS HITTING THE SUNROOF OR ANY PART OF THE ROOF. THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED, WHICH I NEVER KNEW IT COULD DO, BUT READING FURTHER ON THE INTERNET IT CAN AND DOES HAPPEN.

Mileage: 15

THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF AND I WILL START IT BACK UP IT WILL CRANK THEN SHUT BACK OFF AND TO BE CLEAR IT HAS PLENTY OF OIL SO THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM

VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTO STOP/START. WHEN AT A STOP LIGHT THE AUTO STOP/START ENGAGED, AND BEFORE THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED THE AUTO STOP/START DISPLAYED AN ERROR IN THE DISPLAY INDICATING THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO BE SHIFTED TO P OR N AND RESTARTED AS THE STOP/START FUNCTION ENDED AND ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM SEEMED TO FIX THIS. NOW THE SAME VEHICLE DISPLAYS THE SAME ERROR (ENGINE STOP/START IS OFF) AS THE VEHICLE IS BEING PARKED IN A PARKING SPACE AND BEFORE THE ENGINE IS PHYSICALLY TURNED OFF (THE BRAKE IS BEING ENGAGED, AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO PARK AT THE SAME TIME. THIS HAPPENED IN BOTH MY VEHICLE AN EX MODEL, AND A 2020 S MODEL (RENTAL CAR). MY VEHICLE HAS PUSH BUTTON START/STOP, AND THE S MODEL IS A KEY START MODEL. THIS BEGAN ON 082919 WITH THE EX, AND LASTLY ON 120619 WITH THE S MODEL.

Mileage: 2,298

I LEARNED THE CAR HORN ON MY 2020 KIA SOUL DID NOT WORK WHILE ON A HIGHWAY AND CLOSE TO BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. I TRIED TO USE HORN TO ALERT THE OTHER DRIVER AND IT FAILED. I CONTACTED DEALER SERVICE DEPT FOR ASSISTANCE AND HAD TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AND THEY ADVISED ME THE HORN SYSTEM FAILED AND SENT ME HOME WITH MY CAR AND NO HORN. I COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MGR AND THEY GAVE A LOANER AND TOOK MY CAR BACK TO THEIR SERVICE AREA UNTIL THE PARTS COME IN. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE PART WILL TAKE 4 WEEKS TO COME IN, THEY CAN'T TAKE THE PART FROM THE OTHER 2020 SOUL ON THE LOT AS THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME FAILED HORN SYSTEM.

Mileage: 500