Model Year Problem Record

Kia Soul 2020 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2020 Kia Soul: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

388Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

21Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Engine256

Fuel and Propulsion System16

Vehicle Speed Control14

Brakes11

Vehicle Structure10

Lighting6

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems6

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine256 complaints

256 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 21V259000.

Power Train91 complaints

91 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other52 complaints

52 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

21V259000Reported April 13, 2021 - 147,249 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on April 13, 2021. The campaign covers an estimated 147,249 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP22003Opened September 12, 2022 - Closed December 12, 2023

Loss of Motive Power. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

201917

202051

202169

202228

202345

202436

202572

202670

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.