2020 KIA Soul problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am filing this complaint regarding a serious paint defect on my Kia in which the exterior paint is peeling off in large sheets. I purchased the vehicle used from Dean McCurry Kia, and the dealership was aware of the paint issue before selling the vehicle to me but failed to properly repair or disclose the condition before the sale. The paint has continued to deteriorate and is now peeling extensively, leaving exposed areas of the vehicle. I have contacted both Dean McCurry Kia and Kia regarding the problem, but both have refused to take responsibility or provide a reasonable solution. I believe this is a pre-existing manufacturing or paint defect that was known to the dealership before the vehicle was resold to me, and I am concerned that Kia and the dealership are refusing to address a potentially widespread safety and quality issue. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this complaint and determine whether this paint defect affects other Kia vehicles and warrants further action.

NHTSA complaint #11758500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Making a left turn car stalled in middle of turn lane.

NHTSA complaint #11757351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Engine piston recall defect. Car has been at the dealership 12 days today and has been diagnosed and has been submitted to a Kia corporate case for repair free of charge. Car had no warning lights on and basically blew up on me driving home from my overnight work shift Thursday into Friday, July 31 morning. Every day they tell me they will give me a loaner and every day they lie. I have called until I’m blue in the face and no action has happened. I’m making a report because I’m about to lose my home and the car in the shop being repaired both because I’m stranded at my house as a single woman with a child with no alternate transportation. It is at the Kia dealership in Southhaven Mississippi 745 East Goodman Rd. I maintained this vehicle and paid every single note on time and did nothing wrong. I’m gonna lose everything because of this recall repair needed that I never knew anything about. It wasn’t on my auto report in 2024 when I bought the car somehow or I probably wouldn’t have bought it with any engine issues but I was unaware. The car literally never had any lights on or issues until the morning when it blew up. During this time I thought I was supposed to get alternate transportation and that hasn’t happened. Because I invested in Kia I’m the only one suffering right now about to lose my home and job because they have my car and won’t give me alternate transportation. A free repair is no good if you’re going to lose everything you work hard to maintain while it’s being repaired. I will never buy Kia again and I will never tell anyone else to buy. Absolute horrible experience so far. I’ve already paid out-of-pocket for a tow which can’t be reimbursed until 6 to 8 weeks after the repair is complete from what I read. If I end up homeless over this 6 year old car I thought would last me, I’m not gonna want the car anymore.

NHTSA complaint #11756769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. There was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and two hubcaps were damaged, and the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact stated that when the vehicle arrived at the residence, there was no oil inside the engine. The contact added oil to the engine, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that an oil change was performed at approximately 54,000. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,375.

NHTSA complaint #11756018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was erratically shaking, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with piston rings failure. The contact was informed that there was a hole in the catalytic converter. The contact was informed that the engine, catalytic converter, the two Oxygen sensors, radiator hoses, heater coil hoses, motor mounts, and the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the engine was replaced in 2022 under an unknown recall. In addition, the contact was informed that the mileage on the vehicle was 108,000, at the time that the recall repair was completed. The contact was informed that the warranty only covered the replacement of the engine. The contact stated that the failure was a consequential failure associated with the engine failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA complaint #11755047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was erratically shaking, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with piston rings failure. The contact was informed that there was a hole in the catalytic converter. The contact was informed that the engine, catalytic converter, the two Oxygen sensors, radiator hoses, heater coil hoses, motor mounts, and the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the engine was replaced in 2022 under an unknown recall. In addition, the contact was informed that the mileage on the vehicle was 108,000, at the time that the recall repair was completed. The contact was informed that the warranty only covered the replacement of the engine. The contact stated that the failure was a consequential failure associated with the engine failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA complaint #11755047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The engine shut down unexpectedly while driving. The dealer confirmed it was due to internal oil consumption. There's a known history of engine failure in these vehicles due to manufacturing defect, including shutting down while driving, noise coming from the engine and even a risk of fire. The warning oil lamp never came up, there was no oil leak spots in my driveway. My safety definitely was at risk, and Kia was sued and lost for these same reason before. I towed the car to Kia City in South Orlando but they wanted to charge me $7500 for fixing the engine under the excuse that the warranty had expired. This is not true, since this vehicle was purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle with only 3000 miles and still is under the ten year powertrain warranty. I towed the vehicle back home after almost a week in the dealer.

NHTSA complaint #11754589 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I want to make a complaint about my 2020 Kia Soul. It is a great car, but the white paint will not stay on the car no matter what I do. It keeps flaking off all over the car. Just recently, it was my right passenger side door. It looks horrible. The car is under a car loan and is loosing paint as I pay off. I want to make Kia aware of this issue. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11753079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning while releasing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle restarted after each failure. The first dealer diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P04100 (Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit); however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Hendrick Kia of Concord (7550 Hendrick Auto Plaza NW, Concord, NC 28027); and the technicians informed the contact that the vehicle was not properly repaired. The vehicle was returned to the first dealer, and the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. The dealer dismissed the contact’s concern that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was informed that adding one quart of oil per 1,000 miles was within normal operation of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to Kia recall SC199. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

NHTSA complaint #11751776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

At 63387 miles my backup camera on my 2020 KIA Soul EX stopped working without warning. It will blink on and off occasionally but is generally just a black screen when placed in reverse. All of the other screens work fine. This is concerning to me as it is an important safety feature. It seems like KIA would repair such an item at no charge. I called my local KIA outside of Dallas about the issue and I was told the repair would cost at least $800. I’ve gotten used to using my mirrors again but it’s concerning I no longer have a backup screen.

NHTSA complaint #11751913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning while releasing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle restarted after each failure. The first dealer diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P04100 (Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit); however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Hendrick Kia of Concord (7550 Hendrick Auto Plaza NW, Concord, NC 28027); and the technicians informed the contact that the vehicle was not properly repaired. The vehicle was returned to the first dealer, and the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. The dealer dismissed the contact’s concern that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was informed that adding one quart of oil per 1,000 miles was within normal operation of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to Kia recall SC199. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

NHTSA complaint #11751776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Vehicle has 22000 miles and has a major/excessive oil consumption and engine failure. Exhaust camshaft (broken pin) Exhaust CVVT (broken pin) These components breaking caused the vehicle to stall and completely shut the vehicle down while driving 70 MPH on the freeway. The vehicle was inspected by a Kia certified mechanic and mentioned this is a well known concern. The only indicator that there was an issue was an engine light which gave a code representative of a faulty senor, not a major engine concern.

NHTSA complaint #11750779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Jeff Smith Kia in Perry was doing the maintenance they went out of business Kia Hutchinson I told several employees more than once that I was having problems the car would slowly shut down and cut off start then stop on the hey I had to call tow trucks have rentals there was a chainsaw sound underneath had to constantly place oil in the car Kia Never contacted me about a recall the dealerships never communicated recalls on the engine and oil burning they placed me and my grandchildren at risk and say I have to pay $110000 for a new engine. A belt. Cadillac converter and I simply do not have that. School starts in a week 1/2 and I cannot get four children to school or make it to my Dr appointments tremendous hardship and safety concern because a mechanic told me the shutting down is a mechanism to keep the engine from catching on fire and exploding. I have been told by several Kia owners they had the same issue. Walmart mgr told me it is a manufacturer issue I should not have to pay for repairs.

NHTSA complaint #11750558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

On XXX my family and I were heading home from a family vacation. My engine burned through the oil that was put in my car on XXX. No low oil pressure light came on and there was no warning my vehicle had problems with the oil. We took our car to a Kia dealership in [XXX] and that’s when I was informed that my engine was burning oil. We had no prior knowledge that there was a problem. The service guy we were working with admitted that this issue was due to the fault engines from Kia and submitted a claim to get my engine replaced that was denied due to “low oil” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11750483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Jeff Smith Kia in Perry was doing the maintenance they went out of business Kia Hutchinson I told several employees more than once that I was having problems the car would slowly shut down and cut off start then stop on the hey I had to call tow trucks have rentals there was a chainsaw sound underneath had to constantly place oil in the car Kia Never contacted me about a recall the dealerships never communicated recalls on the engine and oil burning they placed me and my grandchildren at risk and say I have to pay $110000 for a new engine. A belt. Cadillac converter and I simply do not have that. School starts in a week 1/2 and I cannot get four children to school or make it to my Dr appointments tremendous hardship and safety concern because a mechanic told me the shutting down is a mechanism to keep the engine from catching on fire and exploding. I have been told by several Kia owners they had the same issue. Walmart mgr told me it is a manufacturer issue I should not have to pay for repairs.

NHTSA complaint #11750558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle paint is bubbling and pealing. This is the Snow White Pearl paint. Dealer's response is that it is not their problem and the manufacturer states that they will not make any repairs or compensation. There are also numerous rust spots all over the car as shown in attached photos.

NHTSA complaint #11749607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The car began making a weird noise and stalling. Then close to home if shut off, I was able to restart it and drove a short distance to home. Realized couldn't drive it like that and contacted City Kia Greater Orlando dealer. Towed the car to the indicated destination and after about four days (it was the July 4th weekend) they sent me a diagnostic of engine failure due to internal combustion and want to charge me $7500. Offered another alternative for about $1500 but acknowledged that would likely not solve the issue. I declined and informed them that I was told about the engine recall, that my vehicle year and model (2020 Kia Soul) was included in the lawsuit that caused the recall, and that I was never told by the dealer or Kia about the engine recall and about a particular software upgrade that was supposed to alert me about the possibility of engine failure due to a Kia manufacturing defect. They informed me that my vehicle was out of warranty and that my VIN number was not in a particular list of vehicles. I don't understand how is it possible, since I purchased that vehicle in the same dealer with about 3000 miles at the time of purchase and the vehicle has been properly maintained in the same dealer, as the maintenance records show, including a good maintenance badge from CarFox. I believe this is extremely unfair, how I am supposed to accept that I have a useless vehicle when I did everything right and my car obviously should've been included in that engine recall. How is it that I received letters from Kia about other recalls but not about that engine recall? Previous to the engine stalling and noise incident the oil warming light never turned red. I believe that my vehicle should be included in the list of vehicles approved for the engine recall, based on this statement and the facts.

NHTSA complaint #11749416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I own a 2020 Kia Soul that received Recall SC209. Kia performed the recall remedy and considered the recall complete. Before the engine failed, the vehicle had a documented history of excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was previously diagnosed by an independent third-party mechanic shop for excessive oil consumption, and I repeatedly had to add significant amounts of engine oil between oil changes to keep the engine operating. Despite this known condition, the excessive oil consumption continued after the recall was completed. Eventually, the engine suffered a connecting rod bearing failure and seized. The Kia dealership has denied warranty or recall coverage solely because Recall SC209 had already been completed. Kia Consumer Affairs also denied assistance and stated that the engine failure is not covered because the recall was previously performed. My concern is that the symptoms leading up to the engine failure—including excessive oil consumption followed by connecting rod bearing failure—are consistent with the defect addressed by Recall SC209. In my opinion, the recall remedy did not correct the underlying defect on my vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate whether the SC209 recall remedy is effective for vehicles that continue to experience excessive oil consumption and subsequently suffer catastrophic engine failure after the recall has been completed. I have maintenance records, documentation from the independent mechanic shop showing excessive oil consumption, proof that Recall SC209 was completed, and documentation of the engine failure and Kia's denial of coverage.

NHTSA complaint #11747963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

A service campaign/safety recall was issued, necessitating an engine replacement. Bramlett Kia in [XXX], performed this service in late May/early June of 2025. It took them an entire six weeks to do the work. Upon completion of the job, my husband attempted to drive it off their lot, only for the transmission to go out immediately. Kia also replaced the transmission. After this was done, my husband drove the car back to our house in [XXX]. It sat in our garage from June until two weeks ago. My brother has been driving the car between [XXX], and [XXX]. Two nights ago, as he was leaving work, the vehicle started, ran for 30 seconds and made a rumbling sound before breaking down. He restarted the car and started driving it, but the car quickly overheated. As an emergency measure, he drove it to a service shop in [XXX], where it was discovered that the AC compressor and serpentine belt had come loose. This was because the bolts securing the engine were overtightened during the engine replacement in [XXX], and two of them had broken off while the vehicle was in motion, thus allowing the compressor and serpentine belt to loosen. We had the car towed to Cavenaugh Kia in [XXX]. They will not perform the work and say that the vehicle should go back to the dealership in [XXX]. The Alabama dealership says it is not their problem. Kia Customer Affairs also says that because the work was performed just over a year ago, it is no longer covered under warranty. Furthermore, they will not pay to have it towed. I called Gossett Kia in [XXX], where the car was purchased, and they are not sure they will be able to do the work either. I feel so stuck and without recourse in this situation. We are stuck with a [XXX]old car that is undrivable. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11748034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

While driving on the interstate at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of forward motive power. The engine revved, but the vehicle completely ceased forward acceleration and could not maintain highway speeds. This created an immediate safety hazard, forcing me to navigate across active lanes of highway traffic without power to reach the shoulder, narrowly avoiding a rear-end collision. Once stopped, the vehicle completely refused to engage any forward gears (Drive). However, the transmission will still engage and move backward in Reverse. This is the second time this vehicle has experienced a total transmission failure in 6 years, despite having previously had the transmission replaced at an authorized dealership under Kia Service Campaign SC199. The replacement Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) component has suffered an identical, catastrophic mechanical failure to the first unit. The manufacturer’s previous campaign remedy failed to permanently resolve this severe highway safety defect.

NHTSA complaint #11747549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I recently bought this 2020 Kia soul the 2 L engine and I’ve noticed every 700 miles 1 quart of oil in this concerns me because how do I not affect it would’ve ran dry and burn the motor up that me is safety. I understand that they have it to replace motor and engine for the original owner, but since I am second owner of this vehicle I don’t qualify for the hundred thousand miles 10 year warranty. My vehicle has 88,700 miles and I’m sure what not to do next.

NHTSA complaint #11745470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

There are hundreds of on-line complaints regarding 2020 Kia Soul with paint flaking and peeling off. This is especially true for cars painted white. This is happen to the Soul I purchased a few years ago. I can no longer use a car wash. Please see pictures. The exposed areas will lead to rust and corrosion. If the metal supporting the engine, cabin, or bumpers flakes off or has holes, the vehicle loses its ability to protect occupants during a collision. A rusty car can be highly dangerous if the corrosion has spread to critical structural or mechanical components. Rust on surface areas will eventually let water leak through to a vehicle's frame, suspension, or braking system which will significantly compromise safety and increases the risk of catastrophic failure. One of the attached photo's will show paint that came off the car with painters tape which I used on the back of a credit card to show the relative size of another area where paint has come off!!!

NHTSA complaint #11744019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

I was driving when the vehicle stalled while slowing down. It stalled several more times at a stop light, and then when slowing down or accelerating slowly. I then noticed the engine started making a noise. I have parked it and not been able to drive it since. No safety indicators popped up during the stalling. When the engine started making a noice the check engine light then turned on. The car has only 65958miles on it. I believe it should be apart of the SC209 recall list but it is not.

NHTSA complaint #11741921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

There was a recall-SC209A for a faulty piston ring. This vehicle “passed” prior to my purchase. I was unaware that my vehicle was part of the recall- when the VIN is entered in the NTSB website, no active recalls show. Starting in 10/24, the vehicle began having problems accelerating, and when I brought to my local mechanic it was found to be nearly empty on oil despite a recent oil change. I have since experienced continuing issues with low oil and oil consumption. The latest incident was in XXX on a trip to [XXX] . The car seized in the highway, and was brought to a local Kia dealer. They diagnosed a bad transmission, and it was replaced. Despite this, the car has continued to burn oil. I have brought the car to my local Kia in Schaumburg where it was purchased. It was today that I found out it was part of the recall. I asked for an oil consumption test, and I was told this would be at a $200 cost to me. I am worried for my families safety taking this car on the road- the oil light doesn’t come on when it is low. Kia hasn’t offered to retest the car, and I feel at significant risk continuing to drive it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11741488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated while driving. The contact stated that he was a mechanic, and the contact had retrieved a diagnostic code indicating a vibration in the pistons. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 112,704.

NHTSA complaint #11741590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.