Federal safety data shows 1 recalls and 342 complaints for the 2020 Kia Soul, a high safety profile overall. Check the known issues section below for the most common problem areas.

Recalls

342

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

21V2590002021-13-04

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.

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.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Of 342 issues reported over 1 model years, engine problems are the most common for the 2020 Kia Soul. A pre-purchase inspection should focus here first.

01Engine140

02Power Train48

03Unknown Or Other27

04Power Train,engine18

05Steering10

342 total across 1 model years (2020–2020)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Kia Soul Fuel Economy

27–114mpg combined

25-127city

31-101hwy

$650-$1,600/yr

The 2020 Kia Soul delivers 27 to 114 MPG combined across 5 powertrain combinations. If fuel cost matters to you, pay attention to engine and drivetrain. The spread is significant.

By Trim

Soul Electric - Automatic (A1)

114mpg

Front-Wheel DriveEV

127 city101 hwy~$650/yr10/10 Clean

Soul Eco dynamics - Automatic (variable gear ratios)

31mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

29 city35 hwy~$1,400/yr7/10 Clean

Soul - Automatic (variable gear ratios)

30mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

27 city33 hwy~$1,450/yr7/10 Clean

Soul - Automatic (AM-S7)

29mpg

1.6L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

27 city32 hwy~$1,500/yr6/10 Average

Soul - Manual 6-spd

27mpg

2.0L 4-cyl · Front-Wheel Drive

25 city31 hwy~$1,600/yr6/10 Average

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2020 Kia Soul

32States

28%in top 3

Florida has the most inventory at 11%, with options spread across 32 states. Willing to ship? Your selection opens up significantly.

FLFlorida

68411%

TXTexas

5799%

CACalifornia

5118%

DCWashington DC

3936%

MDMaryland

3476%

AZArizona

3135%

PAPennsylvania

2684%

GAGeorgia

2474%

NCNorth Carolina

2374%

HIHawaii

2153%

ILIllinois

1993%

DEDelaware

1843%

WAWashington

1472%

MOMissouri

1452%

OHOhio

1432%

NHNew Hampshire

1262%

MAMassachusetts

1202%

NVNevada

1142%

TNTennessee

1102%

OK106

OR105

IN103

MI75

NJ70

NY70

CT63

UT54

CO52

MN47

KY46

VA44

LA38

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2020.

2020 Kia Soul Buyer FAQ

What to know before you buy

Is the 2020 Kia Soul a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 2020 Kia Soul. There are 1 recall to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 2020 Kia Soul?

NHTSA shows 1 recall campaign for the 2020 Kia Soul. Before buying, verify all recalls are complete. The dealer must fix them at no charge. See the safety section for the full list.

What's the gas mileage of the 2020 Kia Soul?

You'll get between 27 and 114 MPG combined from the 2020 Kia Soul, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 2020 Kia Soul?

ENGINE problems top the list with 342 total complaints filed. Not every car is affected, but it's worth asking about and inspecting. Full details in the known issues section.