2020 Kia Soul · symptom sheet

Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing

86owner reports
51,000median miles
$7,000median quote
2involved a crash

Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

245 of the 381 complaints on this car are about the engine. 86 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.

1 recall on this systemcovering the 2020 model year

2 crashesin 86 reports

1 person hurtin these reports

1 firein 86 reports

NHTSA investigation1 covering the 2020

Tick what matches of 86 reports

a knocking or ticking noise first

the engine seized

oil light or low oil

the engine was replaced

it was covered by a warranty or extension

I was denied coverage

Engine failure on other Soul years

2014245 reports 2015266 reports 2016227 reports 2017120 reports 201873 reports 201936 reports 202086 reports 202167 reports

Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.

What this problem usually is

These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.

Read the full explainer · Which cars report it most

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (82 reports) and the timing chain (5 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

21V-259Apr 13, 2021

Engine

The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.

Risk, remedy and owner complaints on recall 21V-259

The recall on the 2020 Kia Soul, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Soul

AQ25-001opened Aug 6, 2025

Engine · model years 2021 to 2023

Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.

DP22-003opened Sep 12, 2022

Engine · model years 2012 to 2020

Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.

EA21-003opened Dec 22, 2021

Engine · model years 2012 to 2016

Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.

What owners paid

14 of the 86 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $8,000.

$500$7,000$8,000

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 12,800 and 100,000 miles, from the 43 reports that gave a mileage.

Is this a known problem?

The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Kia Soul that deal with this problem. Newest first.

Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.

Service bulletinSC209Y_TSB_R2Jun 17, 2024
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PISTON RING NOISE DTC 1327 (SC209Y) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (SC209A) titled “ECM Logic Improvement for Piston Ring Noise Sensing System”.
Service bulletinPS731May 25, 2022
PITSTOP: DTC P0011/ P0014/ P0016/ P0017 DUE TO INCORRECT CAMSHAFT RELUCTOR WHEEL CONFIGURATION This Pitstop provides information on some 2010-2013MY Soul (AM), 2014-2019MY Soul (PS), and 2020~MY Soul (SK3) vehicles equipped with the engines listed below, which may set DTC P0011, P0014, P0016, or P0017 after an engine replacement.
Service bulletinSC209Y_TSB_R1Apr 7, 2022
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PISTON RING NOISE DTC P1327 (SC209Y) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (SC209A) titled "ECM Logic Improvement for Piston Ring Noise Sensing System".

What owners wrote

“My 2020 Kia Soul has around 135,000 miles on it. When accelerating it sounded like a rod or piston was coming through the engine wall. Then began the chugging and loud knocking noises along with engine shutting off. Glad we were not on a railroad track or something like that. We could have easily been killed. No warning lights or sounds at all.”
Filed Jan 19, 2026 · 135,000 miles

“The check engine light came on and took in to have checked and am told I need a whole new engine. When Kia is contacted they are saying that they do not honor 100,000 mile warranty as I am not the first owner. I would like this to be honored because it is ridiculous that an engine would fail this soon. I have kept up on all oil changes and services since I have owned the vehicle”
Filed Nov 19, 2025

“I had software installed for piston rings. Got car back with check engine light on. Brought it back and was told I need a new engine which I need to pay for. Car was bought brand new gave receipt for oil changes.”
Filed Dec 7, 2024

“I was driving to work this morning and my check engine light started flashing.I took it to O'reilly's and plugged it in and it said something wrong with my engine.I just had it serviced and everything was fine and tell all of the sudden.This happened?Time this happened.I had to have 4 new engines put in my Kia.This has to be a recall”
Filed Sep 3, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 2 of 86 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.

Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works