2020 Kia Soul engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V259000Apr 13, 2021147,249 vehicles
  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.

  Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 4, 2026MEEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle experienced complete and sudden engine failure while actively driving on a roadway. The engine began making loud, violent knocking noises, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle completely stopped and lost all motive power mid-drive. I believe this is directly caused by the defective piston oil rings covered under NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 21V-259 (Kia Campaign SC209). The vehicle had only just begun exhibiting these severe symptoms on the exact…

   NHTSA complaint #11768835 · source
2. Filed Oct 3, 2026LAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle Details: 2020 Kia Soul, 2.0L Nu MPI Engine Complaint Description: My vehicle is experiencing severe, excessive engine oil consumption at 99,000 miles, which has directly resulted in a P0420 diagnostic trouble code (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) due to motor oil poisoning the catalytic converter. This vehicle exhibits the exact failure mechanism, symptoms, and manufacturing defects detailed in Kia Safety Recalls SC209 and SC336 (improperly heat-treated…

   NHTSA complaint #11768690 · source
3. Filed Sep 22, 2026NYEngine

   My 2020 Kia Soul 2.0L has developed serious engine problems. The vehicle initially had diagnostic trouble code P0014 and later P000B. The vehicle has also experienced significant oil consumption. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that the engine has sustained damage related to oil consumption and that the engine requires complete replacement. I was previously advised that the issue could involve the camshaft timing/variable valve timing system or cam phaser,…

   NHTSA complaint #11766145 · source
4. Filed Sep 18, 2026154,937 miNYEngine

   The contact owned a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while attempting to operate the vehicle, the engine seized and the vehicle failed to start. When attempting to start the vehicle, a knock turnover was present, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine); as the cause of the failure. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, and the dealer confirmed the total engine failure was directly…

   NHTSA complaint #11765243 · source
5. Filed Sep 17, 2026182,000 miOHEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and added oil to the engine before continuing to drive. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis, and the contact was informed that the engine and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The manufacturer…

   NHTSA complaint #11764952 · source
6. Filed Sep 11, 2026NCEngineOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   This car was purchased in December of 2025 with 26K miles on it. There are stall issues when using the auto start stop feature. I had to power down the car and restart it up to get the car to move. It also will throw the check engine light code and then after you drive it, it goes away which makes it difficult to take to a service shop for diagnosis. Recently the car is now at 28K (9 mo later) and it has an intermittent stutter when driving; I can only describe it as a…

   NHTSA complaint #11763658 · source
7. Filed Sep 11, 2026CAEngine

   I own a 2020 Kia Soul with approximately 39,000 miles. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Kia dealer in connection with an engine safety recall (sc209). During the recall process, the engine failed Kia’s required testing, and I was advised that engine replacement was being submitted for approval. Kia subsequently requested my historical oil-change records and advised the dealer that the PWA case would be closed and denied if additional maintenance records were not…

   NHTSA complaint #11763532 · source
8. Filed Sep 4, 2026NYElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle has experienced intermittent stalling and near-stalling while driving. The problem began after a prior Kia engine replacement related to DTC P1327/P132700. After the engine replacement, the vehicle developed additional drivability and warning-light concerns, including P0420 and communication/CAN faults. An authorized Kia dealer later documented that the vehicle had stalled a few times, identified P0420, reported a clogged catalytic converter, and found 11…

   NHTSA complaint #11762208 · source
9. Filed Sep 3, 202670,000 miFLTowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the taillights were inoperative, there was oil leaking from the bottom of the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. The contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11761988 · source
10. Filed Aug 26, 2026NCEngine

    Back in 2021 there was a safety recall for the engine burning oil and having a high risk of catching fire. I leased this car from the Kia dealership in Asheville, NC and was guaranteed that the issue was not with this car. Here I am a year later and I have to basically put oil into the car at least every two weeks because the engine is burning the oil so fast and the car is basically running terribly. I have made multiple complaints to a bunch of mechanics including the…

    NHTSA complaint #11759676 · source
11. Filed Aug 13, 2026MSEngine

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11756769 · source
12. Filed Aug 10, 202656,375 miPAEngine

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11756018 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology