Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

378 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Read closely
304

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 5 mention a crash, 4 mention an injury.

sudden stalling 157transmission slipping 53
A recent report: 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…
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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 provided within five business days. I no longer have complete receipts for oil changes that were performed over the approximately six years I have owned the vehicle. My concern is that the vehicle failed testing performed as part of an acknowledged safety recall, yet the recall remedy may be denied solely because I cannot produce a complete historical set of oil-change receipts. The vehicle has fewer than 40,000 miles. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether conditioning the recall-related engine replacement on complete maintenance documentation is consistent with the required remedy for this safety recall.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11763532 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
26

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 7software faults 4
A recent report: At 63387 miles my backup camera on my 2020 KIA Soul EX stopped working without warning. It will blink on and off occasionally but is generally just a black screen when placed in reverse. All of the…
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At 63387 miles my backup camera on my 2020 KIA Soul EX stopped working without warning. It will blink on and off occasionally but is generally just a black screen when placed in reverse. All of the other screens work fine. This is concerning to me as it is an important safety feature. It seems like KIA would repair such an item at no charge. I called my local KIA outside of Dallas about the issue and I was told the repair would cost at least $800. I’ve gotten used to using my mirrors again but it’s concerning I no longer have a backup screen.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11751913 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
4

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

loss of braking 2sudden stalling 1fluid leaks 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH and going up a slight hill, the vehicle stalled. The contact's son said multiple unknown…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving at approximately 35 MPH and going up a slight hill, the vehicle stalled. The contact's son said multiple unknown warnings illuminated. The son depressed the brake pedal and felt that it was very hard to depress. The son was able to restart the vehicle and continued on to his destination. The contact stated that the engine stalling failure had occurred once, however the failure of the brakes had occurred several times. The contact's son stated that when he was slowing the vehicle, as he was in reverse (R) backing out of a parking spot, he was unable to stop the vehicle using the brake pedal and had to use the emergency brake to stop. The son stated that another brake failure occurred as he was slowing for traffic. The son stated that he depressed the brake pedal and it was stiff and the vehicle was not stopping. The front end of his vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle in front. The son said that when the brake failure occurred the check engine, oil check and the battery warning illuminated. The son stated that he used the emergency brake to stop. The police were called and wrote a report, both of the vehicles were drivable and there were no injuries. The son stated that there were minor dents and scratches on the front bumper and grill of his vehicle and dents and scratches on the rear bumper and trunk of the other vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer where it was determined that there was no mechanical issue with the brakes or the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000. The contact stated that in 2021 the vehicle had an engine failure and the engine had been replaced.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11684758 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
12

Most reports here involve loss of steering.

loss of steering 11premature wear 1
A recent report: The contact’s wife owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel failed to return to center. There were no warning lights…
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The contact’s wife owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel failed to return to center. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the steering rack, and pinion plugs were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 232,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11656289 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
7

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 3
A recent report: Immediately after purchase, the Passenger Airbag warning light illuminated. An authorized Kia dealer confirmed that the airbag system is defective and requires repair under warranty. Despite this…
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Immediately after purchase, the Passenger Airbag warning light illuminated. An authorized Kia dealer confirmed that the airbag system is defective and requires repair under warranty. Despite this confirmation, more than five (5) months have passed without repair, citing parts unavailability. I am operating a vehicle with a known airbag malfunction. This defect involves a federally regulated safety system and poses a safety risk.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11713543 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
10

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 2sudden stalling 1
A recent report: Last year the left rear driver side door the paint started to peel off. It is now 12 inch area. I brought this up to Bulldawg, Athens, Ga. KIA where the care was purchased and got a so sorry, nothing…
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Last year the left rear driver side door the paint started to peel off. It is now 12 inch area. I brought this up to Bulldawg, Athens, Ga. KIA where the care was purchased and got a so sorry, nothing we can do. No accident, no harsh weather.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11762844 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
15

Most reports here involve unintended acceleration. Of these, 1 mention a crash.

unintended acceleration 1fluid leaks 1
A recent report: I’m having trouble with my pearl white paint peeling off my car. I am available for an inspection. The car has not inspected by anyone at this time. Waiting on instructions. This started last year…
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I’m having trouble with my pearl white paint peeling off my car. I am available for an inspection. The car has not inspected by anyone at this time. Waiting on instructions. This started last year July and just keeps getting worse every day.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11764790 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 378 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2019 and 2026, roughly 52 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.