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2020 Kia Soul
2020 Kia Soul: the engine dominates owner complaints
Owners filed 353 complaints with NHTSA. The engine is by far the most reported area at 62%, well ahead of the power train (24%) and the electrical system (8%). The engine reports include 6 fires, 3 crashes, and 3 injuries, so pay close attention to engine behavior on a test drive.
Most reported areas
Engine safety 62%
The dominant complaint by far: 219 reports (62%), with 6 fires, 3 crashes, and 3 injuries. Watch for stalling and engine warning lights while driving.
Power Train safety 24%
The second most reported area: 86 reports (24%), tied to 1 fire, 1 crash, and 2 injuries. Several owners describe trouble around stop-and-go driving.
Electrical System safety 8%
27 reports (8%), including 1 crash. Some reports describe safety features such as the horn cutting out intermittently.
Steering0 5%
A smaller area at 16 reports (5%), with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported. Owners mention the car pulling to one side at speed.
Fuel/Propulsion System safety 4%
The fewest reports here: 15 (4%), with 1 crash. Complaints overlap with stop-and-go driving behavior.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints · 353 complaints
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Get Vehicle Story Maintenance scheduleGeneral information compiled from public NHTSA complaint data, for reference only — not professional advice and not reviewed by automotive experts. Verify before acting; Team AM is not responsible for decisions made from it.