10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 5
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 12,393 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The car had transmission failure at 44000 miles.
- Bothell, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was unable to pull to the shoulder of the roadway but was able to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer initiated a 1,000-mile oil consumption test. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Williamsburg, KY, USA
Appropriately April 2024, The engine service light came on at about 115,000 miles, followed by the 2020 Kia Soul X-line engine stopped running. I tried turning off the key and attempting to restart the car however it would start but for only a few seconds. After 5 or 6 tries to restart the car, I finally turned off the car, waited about 3 minutes and then restarted the car in as it continued to run. The check engine light remained on but I noticed that there was a drop in power when I tried to accelerate. Since then I have notice the engine check light go on and off several times. I recently brought my car in to have an oil change only to find out that there was no oil on the dipstick. I signed a form stating this and got the oil change completed. I have had the Software Program installed about 3 months after I heard of the recall, however the Local Kia Dealer will not do the diagnostic unless I pay a diagnostic fee because I have a check engine light on... I am calling KIA at the corporate number tomorrow to ascertain " IF " I will still have to pay for the Recall issues...
- Iowa, LA, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking, vibrating and a loss of motive power. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the engine was faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced but the failure persisted. The contact stated that later while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) however, the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that the DC-to-DC converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,000.
- O'fallon, MO, USA
Engine burning oil..started knocking
- Monroe, GA, USA
Pistion Rings
- Oak Grove, MO, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact was driving at approximately 35 MPH when the check engine warning illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and she was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light would turn off and on. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised a new engine was needed. The contact checked online and discovered that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The contact drove her vehicle to a local dealer who ran a test on the engine and advised the contact that to determine that the engine needed to be replaced she would need to pay a diagnostic fee. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then drove her vehicle to another dealer who advised that she would need to pay a diagnostic fee to determine if the piston oil rings had damaged the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
- Glendale, AZ, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The following day, while the contact was driving, and in route to take the vehicle to the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V2590000 (Engine) however, the only part of the recall completed was the noise sensing software. The failure occurred the day after the recall repair was completed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
- Lexington, SC, USA
The engine burns all oil out within 1000 miles of driving. No leaks, but oil disappers.
- Gowen, MI, USA
The oil plug
- Burlington, VT, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal, with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. Despite the failure, the contact was able to coast the vehicle back to the residence. The contact called several dealers and independent mechanics who were unable to service the vehicle or provided a high estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
- Canton, TX, USA
My check engine light is on. I took to mechanic and the diagnostic code that came up as p1327:00. Piston Ring Noise Sensing System". And KIA issued a service bulletin [XXX] (Rev 1, [XXX]). I called the dealership Premier KIA in Kenner, LA. They refuse to even acknowledge or respond to have it checked out. I emailed owner and service manager and explained issue and informed them of everything and added that I did indeed have the software update done when the initial recall came out. Today February the car stalled on me as I was pulling out onto [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Springfield, LA, USA
I had transmission changed out in May of 23 and then in November the check engine lights starts blinking and now I need a new engine, prior to needing a new engine the car would cut off it was loud and it wasn-??t taking off like it should.
- Stafford, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and coasted to a stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence and then towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact was informed by the dealer that the vehicle failed to qualify for the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
- Austin, TX, USA
The engine when it heats up drives so rough. Then the car completely shuts off. This creates such a dangerous situation when on the freeway. The motor needs to be replaced. I bought car from a used dealership and have only had 2 months and the motor is gone. Recall on certain motors is garbage because this motor is suffering from the same problem as the GDIs. I have an MDI. $15,000 down the drain. Thanks
- West Monroe, LA, USA
Unresolved Recall. The vehicle was under recall in 2019 and should not have been sold by JTs Kia in Columbia, SC. The piston oil rings were affected in the 2019 recall and also caused an issue for the 2020 Kia Souls. The car was sold under recall. Once the revised recall came out in 2021 JTs Kia did not properly resolved the issue and later the car engine overheated and caught fire. JTs Kia Never took responsibility and told the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs that the Kia Corporation will not honor any repairs. The car was no longer able to turn on and JTs KIA is still selling these dangerous cars that has had piston oil ring issues since 2010
- Columbia, SC, USA
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.
- Ethridge, TN, USA
The engine was damage and the Kia Wesley chapel. Does not want to respond and is within the warranty and has less than 100,000 miles. The car broke do2n on the express and it turned off.
- Winter Haven, FL, USA
Apparently the engine according to the dealership. The engine has been stalling a slow speeds usually in stop and go traffic. No because they told me they will only drive it about a half a mile and not in the same conditions as I explained. I am being told the dealership has inspected this. Absolutely nothing appeared as a warning.
- Ft Pierce, FL, USA
- Bothell, WA, USA