Kia Soul 2020–2025Common problems, reliability & repair costs

Symptoms: Engine burning oil between changes (owners report multiple quarts per oil-change interval), ticking or knocking that gets louder, oil-pressure warning light, stalling or sudden loss of power. In the worst cases the engine seizes, and leaked oil on hot exhaust parts has caused fires.

Fix: Engine replacement. Improperly made piston oil rings damage the cylinder walls over time. Kia recalled 2020–2021 Souls in April 2021 (NHTSA 21V-259, ~125,400 Souls) and had to come back in February 2025 with a second recall covering 2021–2023-built cars (25V-099 / SC336, ~83,600 more Souls built July 2020–April 2022). The remedy is a Piston-ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) — software that watches for the failure — with a free engine replacement only if it trips a code. Owner complaints about inconsistent inspections and long parts delays pushed NHTSA to open an audit of the recall in 2025. Under recall the fix is free; out of pocket, a replacement 2.0L runs $4,500–$8,000 at an independent shop.

Sources: NHTSA recall report 21V-259 (2020–2021 Soul piston oil rings), NHTSA recall report 25V-099 (second piston oil-ring recall), CarComplaints — 2020 Kia Soul (engine complaints, 'engine dies' at ~11k mi average), CarComplaints news — NHTSA audit of Kia's piston oil-ring recall

Symptoms: Hesitation or lag when accelerating from a stop, whine that rises with road speed, shuddering, RPM flare under steady throttle, warning lights, and in full failures loss of drive — often with metal shavings found in the fluid.

Fix: Kia issued software (TCU) updates and, in defined cases, replaced complete IVT units — original owners got them under the 10/100 powertrain warranty, and forum-documented failures cluster at unusually low mileage on 2020 and 2021 builds. Out of warranty, a replacement IVT at an independent shop runs $3,500–$6,000; a failing electric oil pump alone can be around $1,200. Replacement rates dropped noticeably on later builds.

Sources: Kia Soul Forums — IVT transmission failures at low total mileage (long-running thread), Kia Forum — 2021 Soul needs a new transmission, CarComplaints — 2020 Kia Soul (transmission failure at ~13k mi average)

Symptoms: Shudder or judder when creeping in traffic or pulling away uphill, hesitation and slow engagement in 1st and 2nd gear, occasional slipping feel before the clutch bites. A dry dual-clutch generates the most heat exactly where commuters live: low-speed crawl.

Fix: Kia addressed the take-off hesitation largely through transmission control module (TCM) software updates, which helped; the clutch judder is more stubborn. Once the friction material is heat-damaged, the durable fix is a clutch pack (and sometimes more), which runs $1,500–$4,000 at an independent. Drive one in traffic before buying, and be suspicious of a Turbo that judders on a warm creep.

Sources: Kia Soul Forums — 2021 DCT morning shudder and adjustment, Kia Soul Forums — any problems with the DCT? (owner reports, 2020 GT Turbo hesitation)

Symptoms: Usually none before the recall work — the electric oil pump controller for the auto stop/start system can contain damaged electrical components that overheat. Burning smell or smoke from the pump area is the escalated version.

Fix: Free under Kia recall SC275, which covers certain 2023 Souls (along with Sportage and Seltos siblings): dealers inspect and replace the ISG electric oil pump controller. Nothing to budget for — just verify by VIN that it was done.

Sources: Cars.com — 2023 Kia Soul recalls (ISG oil pump, SC275), Kia owner recall lookup (check any VIN)

Tools: Clean rag or paper towel, Funnel, Notebook or phone note for the log

1. Park on level ground and let the engine sit off for at least 10 minutes so oil drains back to the pan.
2. Pull the dipstick, wipe it, reinsert fully, and pull it again — read the level against the two marks.
3. If it's below the full mark, top off with 0W-20 full synthetic in small amounts, rechecking as you go. The 2.0L holds only about 4.2 quarts total, so a quart low is a big deal.
4. Log the date, odometer, and how much oil you added every single time.
5. If you're adding anywhere near a quart per 1,000 miles, stop topping off quietly and take the log to a Kia dealer — that's recall/goodwill territory on these engines, and the paper trail is your leverage.

Tools: None (hands only; maybe a small screwdriver for stubborn airbox clips)

1. Unclip the airbox lid in the engine bay, lift it, and swap in the new engine air filter with the sealing edge seated flat.
2. Open the glovebox and squeeze the side stops so it swings all the way down.
3. Pull the cabin filter cover, slide the old filter out, and note the airflow arrow direction.
4. Insert the new cabin filter with the arrow matching, refit the cover, and snap the glovebox back on its stops.

Tools: Floor jack + jack stands, Lug wrench / breaker bar, Socket set (14mm for caliper guide bolts), C-clamp or piston-press tool, Brake cleaner and caliper grease

1. Loosen the front lugs, jack the car, set it on stands, and remove the wheels.
2. Remove the two caliper guide bolts and hang the caliper from the strut with wire — never let it dangle by the brake hose.
3. Slide out the old pads, press the piston back with the clamp (crack the reservoir cap first and watch the fluid level).
4. Clean the bracket, grease the contact tabs and guide pins, and fit the new pads with fresh hardware.
5. Rebolt the caliper, refit the wheels, torque the lugs, and pump the pedal firm before moving the car.
6. Bed the pads: several moderate stops from ~35 mph, no full stops, no highway panic braking for the first 100 miles.