Kia Soul problems
352 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Stories from the shop
The 2020 Soul is a sensible, cheap, low-risk used car — but two things are worth getting straight, because the internet panic about Kia engines doesn’t apply here the way people assume.
It’s not the Theta
The non-turbo 2020 Soul runs the 2.0L Nu engine. That is not the Theta II that put Kia near the top of our worst-platforms list. The Nu is a plain, durable engine with no rod-bearing or fire history. The Soul is not on our list anywhere. Trim (X-Line, etc.) is cosmetic and changes nothing mechanical.
The 2020 shows a slightly elevated complaint count (~340) only because it’s the first year of the third-gen redesign — mostly minor electronics/infotainment teething. It settles fast (2021: ~200, 2022: ~82).
The real watch item: the IVT
The 2020 Soul’s automatic is Kia’s IVT — a CVT-type transmission. It’s been more reliable than the Jatco CVT that sits at number ten on our list, but it’s still a CVT, and dealers will tell you the fluid is “lifetime.” It isn’t. That’s how CVTs die.
- Service the IVT fluid on a real schedule (drain-and-fill, correct Kia spec)
- On the test drive, confirm no shudder/hesitation pulling away from a stop
- Trans-fluid service records are the green flag
Should you buy one?
Yes — engine’s a non-issue, the first-year bump is minor, just respect the CVT and don’t believe the “sealed for life” line. A 2020 Soul non-turbo with documented IVT service is a genuinely sensible, low-cost used car. On a vehicle this cheap to run, the warranty calculator will often say skip — and that’s the honest answer.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Engine failure while driving, only 51,000 miles on the vehicle. I was driving on the interstate and fortunately was in the right lane so I could pull over immediately and it did not cause an accident. I was driving approximately 45 miles per hour to pull onto the interstate when…
I purchased this car new with approximately 50 miles on it. On day 34, while driving on a two lane rural road the rpms began going up and down wildly, a strong smell (which I now know is transmission) and the car would not move forward or backward. Being in an s curve with…
The problems with the KIa Sol began with the "check engine" light continuously coming on in January of 2025. Took it to the dealership twice and numerous repairs were made and the vehicle continues to malfunction. It sputters and has created a dangerous condition to drive. For…
I had transmission changed out in May of 23 and then in November the check engine lights starts blinking and now I need a new engine, prior to needing a new engine the car would cut off it was loud and it wasn’t taking off like it should.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Kia Soul reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 352 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Kia Soul is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2020 Kia Soul?
The 2020 Kia Soul is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Kia Soul?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 162 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 56,321 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 45,012 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Soul has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Kia Soul?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 352 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.