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2020 Kia Soul

ElectricGas
Small Station Wagons
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
85 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical1
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA375
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
EV rangebest configuration, EPA243 mi
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2020 Kia Soul is sold in the U.S. as a electric and gas wagon with 5 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the Soul Electric, is EPA-rated at 243 miles with 114 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 375 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
Soul ElectricElectricFWD201 kW AC PMSM127101114 MPGe243 mi29.29.5 h$650
Soul Eco dynamicsGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl293531———$2,000
SoulGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl273330———$2,100
SoulGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo273229———$2,150
SoulGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl253127———$2,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43412, 41221, 41220, 41223, 41222.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2020 Kia Soul is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Engine

SC209
147,249 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA 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.FixKia 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 campaign 21V259000reported Apr 13, 2021Kia Motors America

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are

Opened Sep 12, 2022 · closed Dec 12, 2023 · action DP22003

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
375complaints filed

9 involved a crash · 6 a fire · 6 injuries · 8 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 17 · 2020: 51 · 2021: 69 · 2022: 28 · 2023: 45 · 2024: 36 · 2025: 72 · 2026: 57

Most-cited components

Engine233
Power Train89
Unspecified51
Electrical System30
Steering16
Fuel/Propulsion System15

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The contact stated that the manufacturer declined the recall repairs because the vehicle was in Puerto Rico, and was not a state, but a U.S. territory. The dealer and another dealer, Caribbean Auto Distribu…”Sep 27, 2021 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) however, the dealer advised the contact to call back in two months to set up a recall repair appointment since the dealer was already booked for repair dates. The contact stated that the manufactur…”Aug 12, 2021 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owned a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while she was at the stop light, the vehicle inadvertently stalled and lost power. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle and drove to her destination. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that…”Aug 12, 2021 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Soul model years

A

2025 Kia Soul

0 recalls · 12 complaints

A

2024 Kia Soul

0 recalls · 29 complaints

F

2023 Kia Soul

4 recalls · 50 complaints

B

2022 Kia Soul

1 recalls · 88 complaints

C

2021 Kia Soul

2 recalls · 231 complaints

C

2019 Kia Soul

3 recalls · 138 complaints

C

2018 Kia Soul

3 recalls · 216 complaints

C

2017 Kia Soul

3 recalls · 288 complaints

F

2016 Kia Soul

5 recalls · 812 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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