Case file · KIA-SOUL-2020-2025 · Field document

Kia Soul 2020–2025 · Pre-purchase checklist

Bring this to the inspection. Every check below is specific to this generation's documented failure modes — not generic used-car advice.

1. Check 01

   Run the VIN at Kia's recall lookup (owners.kia.com/us/en/recalls) or NHTSA.gov. On 2020–2022 cars, confirm the piston oil-ring recalls (NHTSA 21V-259 and 25V-099 / Kia SC336) are closed — and ask the dealer whether the remedy was just the warning software (PNSS) or an actual engine replacement. A documented replacement engine is the best outcome.

2. Check 02

   Cold-start the engine and listen for ticking, knocking, or a rough rattle — the abnormal engine noise that precedes oil-ring-related failure. Walk away from any 2.0L that knocks.

3. Check 03

   Pull the dipstick and ask for oil records. An owner who was topping off between changes is telling you the rings are going. Burned, low, or dirty oil on a freshly-listed car is a red flag.

4. Check 04

   Test drive from a full stop repeatedly: IVT hesitation when you lift off the brake, whine that rises with speed, shudder, or RPM flare under steady throttle are the known failure signs on 2020–2021 cars.

5. Check 05

   On a 1.6 Turbo, creep in stop-and-go and do an uphill start — low-speed clutch judder is the DCT's known weak point, and a fix can run into thousands out of warranty.

6. Check 06

   On a 2023, confirm the Idle Stop & Go oil-pump controller fire-risk recall (Kia SC275) and, on April-2023-built cars, the side-curtain airbag recall (SC289) are done.

7. Check 07

   Do the warranty math before you pay: Kia's 10-year/100k powertrain warranty does NOT transfer — second owners get 5 years/60k miles from the original in-service date, which on most of these cars has already expired.