Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1040–25K
1725–50K
1150–75K
1575–100K
10100–150K
3150K+
160 reports with mileage · 218 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 235 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 89 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports6 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
378 reports
50,000 miles · Jul 8, 2021
Unknown Or Other
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving the vehicle was slow to move and stalled. The oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the oil was dirty, the oil level was low, and the engine needed to be replaced. The veh…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving the vehicle was slow to move and stalled. The oil level warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the oil was dirty, the oil level was low, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The Vin was included in NHTSA Campaign number: 21V259000 (Engine). The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, declined to offer any assistance for the repairs. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #11423945
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2021
Engine
My car has been at Classic Kia in Beaumont TX with the exception of 2 days since May 5. It stalled and died repeatedly. They said they fixed it and I picked it up may 19th. It died 20 miles down the road and warning light came back on...service engine soon. I returned it to them May 21 and they still have it. They say metal shav…
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My car has been at Classic Kia in Beaumont TX with the exception of 2 days since May 5. It stalled and died repeatedly. They said they fixed it and I picked it up may 19th. It died 20 miles down the road and warning light came back on...service engine soon. I returned it to them May 21 and they still have it. They say metal shavings are in the oil. I am hamstrung without a car. I don't think they have mechanics that know how to fix it. I called Kia Corp. June 7. They said they'd call Classic Kia and call me back. They have still not called me back. Please help me. Nobody should take two months to repair factory recalls!
NHTSA ODI #11423599
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:21V259000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall r…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:21V259000 (Engine) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The contact called the local dealer who stated the parts were not available. The contact stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11422087
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2021
Engine
Took the vehicle in for oil consumption issues earlier this year. Kia cooperate stated the consumption was abnormal, but within parameters and would not fix the problem. The recall came out for the oil piston issue and i took the vehicle on for repair. Kia still refuses to fix the oil piston ring issue and oil consumption issue …
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Took the vehicle in for oil consumption issues earlier this year. Kia cooperate stated the consumption was abnormal, but within parameters and would not fix the problem. The recall came out for the oil piston issue and i took the vehicle on for repair. Kia still refuses to fix the oil piston ring issue and oil consumption issue under the recall order. States the issue with the vehicle is abnormal, but passed inspection. The engine does not run correctly, while driving on the road, the engine looses power and has knocking sound. The vehicle still uses oil and Kia refuses to fix under warranty or the recall. .
NHTSA ODI #11421623
22,000 miles · Jun 14, 2021
Engine
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. There was an abnormal ticking sound detected. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was sludge buildup in the engine from poor mai…
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The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. There was an abnormal ticking sound detected. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was sludge buildup in the engine from poor maintenance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated that the failure was like the failure mentioned in NHTSA campaign number: 21V259000 (Engine). The failure mileage was 22,000. Consumer stated vehicle is not drivable will only drive about a block before it shuts off. Recall repairs for earliest date is August 6, 2021. Mechanic could not perform due to pre-existing damage caused by lack of maintenance and manufacturer would not honor repairs in the recall.
NHTSA ODI #11420883
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2021
Unknown Or Other
When pulling out into traffic the car started to go, RPMs spiked all the way and the car just died… I shut it off, and all was fine…. Then I stopped to get gas, and when the auto stop/start kicked in, the car didn’t restart… the oil pressure light turned on, battery light, and check engine light all at the same time. Would not l…
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When pulling out into traffic the car started to go, RPMs spiked all the way and the car just died… I shut it off, and all was fine…. Then I stopped to get gas, and when the auto stop/start kicked in, the car didn’t restart… the oil pressure light turned on, battery light, and check engine light all at the same time. Would not let me shift into park. I had to push the shift release to let me put it into park. I was then able to shut off the car properly and start it just fine, and no lights active. This all happened around 19,000 miles. The last 2 times I’ve been in for an oil change, there has been 2 recalls completed , and now this new recall related to the oil piston.
NHTSA ODI #11420702
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2021
Unknown Or Other
6/4/2021 Returning from picking up my children in Maryland, my vehicle stalls out at MD 137 in Hereford. The idle stop and go system repeatedly engages and disengages, the engine continued to sputter and rev. I took the vehicle to the nearest service station, as all the Kia service techs no longer were working past 4 PM. I was a…
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6/4/2021 Returning from picking up my children in Maryland, my vehicle stalls out at MD 137 in Hereford. The idle stop and go system repeatedly engages and disengages, the engine continued to sputter and rev. I took the vehicle to the nearest service station, as all the Kia service techs no longer were working past 4 PM. I was able to have a Jiffy Lube service tech read the code P0420 (which has been a previous issue with catalytic converters wearing out at 80,000 miles for previous Souls) as well as several codes for the Camshaft sensor and Crankshaft.
NHTSA ODI #11419713
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
Recently I noticed when I stop and the stop-start system feature and the Blind-spot sensors are turned on the car will either shut completely off or stall once I step on the gas.
NHTSA ODI #11419688
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2021
Engine
Engine shuddering violently, losing power and shutting off around 6500 miles causing loss of power and near accidents. The check engine light came on and remained solid during the duration of the incident. Oil level was found to be around 2.5 quarts low after being observed resting at a healthy level just 1000 miles prior dur…
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Engine shuddering violently, losing power and shutting off around 6500 miles causing loss of power and near accidents. The check engine light came on and remained solid during the duration of the incident. Oil level was found to be around 2.5 quarts low after being observed resting at a healthy level just 1000 miles prior during fluid checks by owner. Vehicle had recently been taken to dealership for first oil, lube and filter visit and inspection around 3500 miles. Following the discovery of oil loss vehicle was promptly taken to dealership where no external leaks were detected and an oil consumption test was started. The consumer stated the Kia oil consumption test disallows for the consumer to check the oil. The consumer would have to drive the vehicle 1,000 miles or until the car shuts off while testing the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11419534
Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2021
Engine
My car is experiencing all issues related to recall SC209 yet it has not been recalled. I am now being told by Kia that a 2020 vehicle with 22k miles has a dead engine from missing 2 oil changes. Please advise.
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 & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
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 susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
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