2020 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 125owner reports
- 26,000median miles
- $1,400median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 11, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
313 of the 381 complaints on this car are about the engine. 125 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Soul.
Tick what matches of 125 reports
Stalling on other Soul years
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
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (15 reports), the battery (11 reports) and the ignition coil or plugs (8 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.
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
The recall on the 2020 Kia Soul, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Soul
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
What owners paid
18 of the 125 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $315 to $7,500.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 12,000 and 70,000 miles, from the 71 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“So my car (despite being regularly maintained) had complete engine failure. At 100,300 miles. I was told the bottom half of the engine had complete shut down due to excessive oil burning. The car would start but then when put in gear would die immediately. When originally noticed the engine would shut down when going from a stopped position into moving, usually through an intersection. Not safe at all.”
Filed Feb 27, 2025 · 100,300 miles
“The engine when it heats up drives so rough. Then the car completely shuts off. This creates such a dangerous situation when on the freeway. The motor needs to be replaced. I bought car from a used dealership and have only had 2 months and the motor is gone. Recall on certain motors is garbage because this motor is suffering from the same problem as the GDIs. I have an MDI. $15,000 down the drain. Thanks”
Filed Dec 14, 2023
“Apparently the engine according to the dealership. The engine has been stalling a slow speeds usually in stop and go traffic. No because they told me they will only drive it about a half a mile and not in the same conditions as I explained. I am being told the dealership has inspected this. Absolutely nothing appeared as a warning.”
Filed Oct 11, 2023
“Transmission completely cut out. Had to tow to dealership and get an entire new transmission. 30k miles.”
Filed Jan 23, 2023 · 30,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 125 reports involved a crash. 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
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 86 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 79 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 41 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 36 reports