The 2020 Kia Soul has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 147,249 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 480 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE21V2590002021-04-13147,249 affected
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
220
3crashes6fires3injuries
POWER TRAIN
84
1crashes1fires2injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
46
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
27
1crashes8deaths
STEERING
16
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
15
1crashes
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
12
1crashes1fires
SERVICE BRAKES
10
1crashes1fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
Total complaints480
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I recently bought this 2020 kia soul the 2 l engine and i’ve noticed every 700 miles 1 quart of oil in this concerns me because how do I not affect it would’ve ran dry and burn the motor up that me is safety. I understand that they have it to replace motor and engine for the original owner,…”
“While driving on the interstate at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of forward motive power. The engine revved, but the vehicle completely ceased forward acceleration and could not maintain highway speeds. This created an immediate safety hazard, forcing me to…”
“The contact owns a 2020 kia soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated while driving. The contact stated that he was a mechanic, and the contact had retrieved a diagnostic code indicating a vibration in the pistons. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted.…”
“My 2020 kia soul had its engine replaced under safety recall sc209 (nhtsa campaign 21v259). At 136,202 miles, this replacement engine suffered a secondary catastrophic failure, dropping heavy metal shavings into the oil lubrication system and causing the engine to stall. Kia of orange park (repair…”
“I was driving when the vehicle stalled while slowing down. It stalled several more times at a stop light, and then when slowing down or accelerating slowly. I then noticed the engine started making a noise. I have parked it and not been able to drive it since. No safety indicators popped up during…”
“The contact owns a 2020 kia soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to o’reilly’s where it was diagnosed with a failed engine. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle…”
“I own a 2020 kia soul that, according to kia customer care, had the sc209 engine recall repair completed in 2021 at approximately 28,000 miles under a previous owner. I have the exact repair date written down and can provide it if needed. On may 12, 2026, while driving, the vehicle suddenly…”
“Car just starting shutting off only will drive a certain amount of time then turns off again”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP22003 Opened 2022-09-12 · closed 2023-12-12
Loss of Motive Power
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2020 Kia Soul as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.