10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,939 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.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2020 Kia Soul:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad
problem #10

May 052023

Soul

  • miles
See attached document from complainant

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #9

Mar 262023

Soul

  • miles
While driving on the highway at 60 mph, the vehicle Started To feel like it was trying to go forward (thrusting) on its own. It then accelerated on its own to over 80 mph. I slammed on the brakes and pulled over and put it in park.the engine was revving in park. After Kia roads on assistance couldn't send a tow truck, I thought I would be okay driving on the emergency lane The 2 miles home from the highway. As I put the car in drive, the engine was revving at 6 On the gauge but the vehicle Wouldn't go over 20 miles an hour. It is at the dealership today. There were no warnings or lights or sounds.It all started with the slight thrusting of the entire car. I could have easily slammed into the back of another vehicle if it had been in front of me.

- Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #8

Feb 232021

Soul

  • 12,500 miles
2 transmission fails in less than 12 months. When running, it effects the ability to maneuver in daily driving routine.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #7

Jan 092021

Soul

  • 13,400 miles
At 10K miles the vehicle shut off multiple times with no warning or dummy lights right after I slowed and made a turn. Oil change was scheduled for the following week. Took vehicle in and was almost out of oil. At 13,400 miles vehicle started making loud ticking noise and was not properly accelerating. Each time I had slowed to make a turn and when I attempted to accelerate, the RPM would go up, but the vehicle did not go as if it was in neutral. Took it to the dealership and they said there was no oil on the dipstick. They started an oil consumption test and said the acceleration issue was due to lack of oil. 5 days and 200 miles later I took it back to the dealership because it was making the loud noise again from the engine and also not accelerating properly. They test drove it and said there was nothing wrong and to come back in 300 more miles. This vehicle is not safe to drive 300 more miles due to the acceleration issues. I called Kia corporate and they said the dealership knows best. I am fearful of driving it because it has already almost caused an accident once.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #6

Dec 242020

Soul

  • 23,020 miles
Today while driving home. My 2020 Kia Soul hit 23000 miles. Shortly after as I was on highway on way home still. My vehicle started sputtering like bad gas. Then started jerking and rpms kept revving up even thou I wasnt pushing on gas any harder.about 27miles from home rpms shot up and car started slowing down. Quickly pulled over. So I put in park the shifted to drive again tried to give lil gas but car didnt move had to get towed home.

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #5

Sep 152020

Soul

  • 10,000 miles
While pulling into driveway and coming to a stop and the engine turned off. I let my foot off the brake and the car took off like a rocket and hit a parked car in our driveway. It pushed the parked vehicle forward about 2 feet until the car stopped. This is a dirt driveway. I guess what happened is this cars start and stop feature which turns the motor off when you come to a stop and starts back up when you let your foot off the brake. Some Kia feature that went haywire and caused the accident. You can disengage this feature but it must be done every time you stop and turn off he vehicle. The dealer did not even want to look at the vehicle and suggested taking it to a mechanic to make sure the radiator was not damaged.

- Ft Mccoy, FL, USA

problem #4

Feb 262020

Soul

  • 1,666 miles
Bought the car 2-11 with 1200 miles on it drove it for 8 days then on 2-19 it started jumping and jerking and making some really bad sounds. On 2-21 it was so bad that I had it towed to battleground Kia because I was scared to drive it, they had it for 3 days and then on 2-24 called me to come get the car because they found nothing wrong with it. I had the car 1 day it started acting up again and then on 2-26 it was so bad that I drove it back to battleground Kia and made a mechanic drive the car with me in it, because I was scared to death to drive it anymore so we made it all of 1 block then he turned around and headed back to the shop. We came up on a 4 way stop and he gave it gas to go and the RPM's went to 6000 and the car did not go at all, then he gave it more gas and it started jumping and jerking and knocking so bad that when we got back to the dealership he immediately said the transmission has serious issues and put in the paper work to have a new transmission put in. We both decided that driving the car the way it was was very dangerous and not safe at all. There is a serious issue with the ivt transmission that Kia needs to recall, just hope the replacement transmission is not the same. At this point I'm in a rental car provided by Kia while I await my fate.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #3

Jan 302020

Soul

  • 16,000 miles
I noticed my car was accelerating differently and seemed to not be shifting right. I called the service department and they advised me to put fuel cleaner in it. I did so as advised. A few days later I was making a turn across a highway and my car revved up really high and then died in the middle of the lane of oncoming traffic. The car started back up and we got it out of the road but it was not running right. The next day we got it in the shop and they told us it needed a whole new transmission. The car has less than 17,000 miles on it and it has been nearly a month in the shop.

- Somerset, KY, USA

problem #2

Jan 302020

Soul

  • 5,000 miles
The date listed below is the day I took my Kia Soul in for the 2nd time for surging and jerking. I found out the 3rd of February this past Monday it has a bad transmission and needs replaced. They originally wanted to send me home yet again after this problem until my dad stepped in and told them to figure the problem out and just doing some "adjustment " to the engine and transmission isn't goi ng to fix the actual problem. My car has been in the shop 3 times now and I've had a loaner in total of 10 days split between all the issues with my "new" car. I bought this car because I loved it and now I cant stand it thinking I might get stranded with my kids somewhere in the cold. I want my money back or a new car. This is the 2nd time I'm posting a problem on here the first time was because of the radio going in and out of a black screen and freezing. I took it in for that and all they did was again hit a reset button and showed me how to reset it myself so I dont have to being it in again for the same issue. Sorry but it's not my job to fix this issue I wasnt happy with that statement either. And now the transmission issue in twice for that and not to mention all the lies I've caught the dealership saying to me. I've done my research and know people in the industry I dont take being lied to for easily when I'm spending over 25 grand on something. I have videos to prove what was going on since they were saying it wouldn't repeat the problem but I'm not able to attach them here.

- Geneseo, IL, USA

problem #1

Jan 182020

Soul

  • 7,800 miles
Vehicle RPM began fluctuating while on cruise control in rainy weather. Switched to manual (sport mode) control and the problem lessened. Vehicle began to loose power and was shifting randomly between gears automatically, eventually redlining while maintaining 74mph. A loss of power occurred and nearly caused a collision on interstate 10 as my speed fell dramatically. I was able to coast to the nearest exit but the car would not shift out of 5th gear. We were stranded in a thunderstorm for several hours and dealership offered no help. Aaa saved the day, got the vehicle back, and then the dealership refused to issue a rental car for several days after the incident. Please be aware that if the transmission fails at interstate speeds, the risk of injury is high and do your best to get off the main road as safely as possible. Dealership has since issued a rental car and informed me that a transmission would be re-manufactured. For my vehicle. I am not afraid to drive a brand new vehicle anywhere away from home.

- Pensacola, FL, USA