2020 Kia Soul: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2020 Kia Soul at 27–31 mpg combined (gas versions) and 114 MPGe combined with 243 miles of EPA-rated range across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 388 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
27–31
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2020 Kia Soul recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2020 Kia Soul, newest first.
Engine
NHTSA 21V259000Reported Apr 13, 2021
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC209)
Units affected
147,249 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2020 Kia Soul fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2020 Kia Soul crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2020 Kia Soul NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2020 Kia Soul Electric SUV FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
2020 Kia Soul SUV FWD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
14.7%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2020 Kia Soul owner complaints
Owners have filed 388 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Kia Soul, most recently on Oct 22, 2026. 9 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 6 injured people and 8 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2020 Kia Soul complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Engine
245
Power train
88
Unknown or other
52
Electrical system
28
Steering
16
Fuel/propulsion system
15
Vehicle speed control
13
Engine and engine cooling
10
Service brakes
10
Structure: Body
10
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
