NHTSA has 387 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Soul[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 251 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here is how owner complaints to NHTSA split by part group, biggest first.
- Engine. 251 complaints[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the engine shutting off at stops and restarting with a loud groan or shudder. Some describe the car stalling while driving. The group also includes 6 fires[2].
- Power Train. 91 complaints[6]. Owners describe rough or sudden gear changes, revving that jumps around, and cars that lost power or would not move.
- Unknown Or Other. 52 complaints[7]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
- Electrical System. 28 complaints[8]. Owners describe a horn that cuts out, warning lights and lamps that fail together, and the auto stop-start acting up.
- Steering. 16 complaints[9]. Owners describe the car pulling to one side at highway speed, a clunk when turning the wheel while parked, and one case of steering that stopped working for a moment.
- Fuel/Propulsion System. 15 complaints[10].
- Speed Control. 14 complaints[11].
- Brakes. 11 complaints[12].
These are unverified owner reports[1].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2020 Soul is necessarily included.
- Engine (21V259), April 2021. About 147,249 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[14] | 27 / 33 / 30 | $2,250 |
| Soul Eco dynamics, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 29 / 35 / 31 | $2,150 |
| Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 25 / 31 / 27 | $2,500 |
| Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[16] | 27 / 32 / 29 | $2,300 |
| Soul Electric, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity[17] | 127 / 101 / 114 | n/a |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV FWD[5] | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 14.7% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
How 2020 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 135 | 3 |
| 2011 | 194 | 3 |
| 2012 | 514 | 3 |
| 2013 | 667 | 3 |
| 2014 | 904 | 5 |
| 2015 | 908 | 7 |
| 2016 | 823 | 5 |
| 2017 | 290 | 3 |
| 2018 | 222 | 3 |
| 2019 | 140 | 3 |
| 2020 | 387 | 1 |
| 2021 | 238 | 2 |
| 2022 | 94 | 1 |
| 2023 | 54 | 4 |
| 2024 | 30 | 0 |
| 2025 | 12 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Soul show 387 complaints and 1 recalls for 2020[3]. Among the 16 model years listed, 10 have fewer complaints than 2020 and 5 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2025 (12) and the most are for 2015 (908)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2020 Soul?
Owners filed 387 complaints for this model year[1]. Engine reports make up the largest group at 251 complaints[2], and power train follows with 91[6]. A small share of the complaints involve crashes, fires or injuries, so it is worth reading the details before you buy[1]. The counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where owners ran into trouble and not how likely it is to happen to you[1]. A used 2020 Soul deserves a careful test drive, with attention to stops and starts, gear changes and steering.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Kia Soul?
- Owners filed 387 complaints with NHTSA[1]. The engine group has the most at 251[2], followed by the power train at 91[6].
- Does the 2020 Kia Soul have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 1 recall for 2020[3]. Details are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- Is the 2020 Kia Soul reliable?
- The record is mixed. There are 387 complaints on file[1], with the engine group the largest at 251[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so weigh them with the safety ratings and recall sections on this page.
- What is the gas mileage of the 2020 Kia Soul?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the official figures.
- Is 2020 a good year for the Kia Soul?
- See the by-year comparison section on this page to compare 2020 with other model years.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Kia Soul
Compare all model years of the Kia Soul
Other Kia models from 2020
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 387 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Kia Soul (9 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 6 injuries, 8 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 251 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Soul model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Soul Eco dynamics, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 35 highway / 31 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,150. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 91 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,850). NHTSA vehicle records
- 52 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 28 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,632). NHTSA vehicle records
- 16 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 15 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 14 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,950). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 21V259, filed April 13, 2021: Engine. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 33 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AM-S7), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 32 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Soul Electric, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 114 MPGe combined, 243 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Soul with electric motor: rated 38 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Soul with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 201 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2020 Kia Soul with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 147 hp. www.epa.gov