Model year
2020 Kia Soul
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 387 complaints for the 2020 Kia Soul (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (244), POWER TRAIN (88), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (52). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated the SUV FWD 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 27–31 mpg combined and 114 MPGe combined and 29.2 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $650–$2,500, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2010 135 complaints
- 2011 194 complaints
- 2012 514 complaints
- 2013 667 complaints
- 2014 902 complaints
- 2015 902 complaints
- 2016 816 complaints
- 2017 272 complaints
- 2018 219 complaints
- 2019 137 complaints
- 2020 387 complaints
- 2021 238 complaints
- 2022 94 complaints
- 2023 54 complaints
- 2024 30 complaints
- 2025 12 complaints
Recalls
21V259000 · Apr 13, 2021
ENGINE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
Complaints
387 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 9, fire flag on 6, injury field 6, deaths field 8. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| SOUL EV | 0 | 0 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP22003 | Loss of Motive Power · ENGINE | Sep 12, 2022 | Dec 12, 2023 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric SUV FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| SUV FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 · possibility 0.147 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul · 2L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 33 | 30 | — | — | $2,250 |
| Soul Eco dynamics · 2L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 29 | 35 | 31 | — | — | $2,150 |
| Soul · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 31 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Soul · 1.6L · Automatic (AM-S7) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 32 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Soul Electric · Automatic (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive | Electricity · EV | 127 | 101 | 114 | 29.2 | 243 | $650 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2020 Kia Soul at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.