The Lemon Index2020 Kia Soul. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 4
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S7) | FWD | 27 / 32 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto (variable gear ratios) | FWD | 27 / 33 / 30 | Regular | $2,100 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 25 / 31 / 27 | Regular | $2,300 |
| Electric | Auto (A1) | FWD | 127 / 101 / 114 | Electricity | $650 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,000 and 50,600 miles. Median 13,400, from 162 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 24,000 | 9,100–79,200 | 86 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 8,800 | 3,900–17,400 | 60 |
| Electrical | 21,600 | 9,200–90,900 | 7 |
| Steering | 4,000 | 100–11,600 | 9 |
| Speed control | 13,000 | 7,100–24,800 | 10 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 51% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 36% |
| Electrical | 8% |
| Steering | 7% |
| Speed control | 5% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 386 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 33 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 1
21V259000 Apr 2021 Engine
Defect. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Loss of motive power | 2022 | 2023 |
Manufacturer communications 139
Kia filed 139 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Technical service bulletin: service action: replacement of 7-speed dual clutch transmission…
- Technical service bulletin: creaking or popping noise from steering wheel column tilt lever -…
- Technical service bulletin: service action: sk3 1.6t gdi ecu logic improvement (sa413) - this…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Soul Electric SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Standard | Standard |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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