2020 Kia Soul: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Engine · 56,375 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. There was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and two hubcaps were damaged, and the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was taken to the residence. The contact stated that when the vehicle arrived at the residence, there was no oil inside the engine. The contact added oil to the engine, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that an oil change was performed at approximately 54,000. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,375.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Engine · GA

Jeff Smith Kia in Perry was doing the maintenance they went out of business Kia Hutchinson I told several employees more than once that I was having problems the car would slowly shut down and cut off start then stop on the hey I had to call tow trucks have rentals there was a chainsaw sound underneath had to constantly place oil in the car Kia Never contacted me about a recall the dealerships never communicated recalls on the engine and oil burning they placed me and my grandchildren at risk and say I have to pay $110000 for a new engine. A belt. Cadillac converter and I simply do not have that. School starts in a week 1/2 and I cannot get four children to school or make it to my Dr appointments tremendous hardship and safety concern because a mechanic told me the shutting down is a mechanism to keep the engine from catching on fire and exploding. I have been told by several Kia owners they had the same issue. Walmart mgr told me it is a manufacturer issue I should not have to pay for repairs.

Filed Apr 23, 2025 · Engine · 69,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. While the contact's daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's daughter noticed an abnormally loud knocking sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, there was smoke coming the exhaust and the vehicle was erratically shaking. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's uncle checked the oil pressure, and the engine low was extremely low. The contact arrived on the scene and added oil to the engine. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The contact researched and identified an unrepaired recall repair under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine), which the contact stated was associated with the VIN. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a fuel system failure. The dealer confirmed there were metal shavings in the oil pan. The contact was informed of a fuel system failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the dealer did not address the unrepaired recall repair or the failure due to the unrepaired recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact stated that the manufacturer confirmed the unrepaired recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the discrepancy regarding the unrepaired recall repair, which the contact stated had been removed from the federal safety agency database. The contact stated he had not received any updates from the manufacturer since the report was made a week prior. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2025 · Engine · 69,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming a quart of oil every 1,000 miles. The contact stated that there were no visible leaks. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to accelerate above 2,500 RPM. There was smoke coming from the vehicle. There was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that a software update was needed. The contact was provided the cost for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Engine · 121,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact heard a loud banging sound coming from the engine compartment. In addition, there was blue smoke entering the cabin of the vehicle with smoke coming from the exhaust pipes. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power in the middle of the road. The vehicle was coasted to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was not determined; however, the contact received an estimate for the repair from the dealer, which quoted a price to rebuild the engine. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. In addition, the contact was advised to expect a call from the legal team. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2024 · Acceleration, Brakes · 114,502 miles · AR · fire

I was driving to work. 12 miles my oil leaked. A state trooper turned around when seeing flames and called the fire department and tow truck. I lost control of the car, nothing was working. I was only ever given one recall notice which I fixed 2 months after buying the car. The car also has issues with security. Only certain insurance companies will cover the car and their prices are higher. We took car to dealership . three months later I contact attorney general. The GM this started attacking us, denying anything happened etc. He should be fired for how he treats people. Reviews of their business show others have had issues. Kia corporate has always told us they r waiting on images yet this GM contacted them, told us to leave, and screamed he would charge us for every day it was on lot. So we had it towed the next day. Insured company will be doing their own I xpection. This isn't about money, its about safety and these cars have slot of issues. It is wrong to blame the consumer for a faulty product. We had to get new car and now upside down in this one. We bought thus Kia be,cause the previous one the engine seized. We expressed our concerns, but got put in another car with issues. Kia corporate has been non talking to us the entire three months, so the only findings can be based on what GM said. They washed the motor. It sat so long the battery died. Someone went through papers in the glove box then left them out. We had medicine in the loaner, which they say is a lie. My daughter drives the car and recently was laid off. So now she can't have her medication..... Although she left it in the car they had no right to do that. There was plenty of other issues along the way.

Filed Nov 16, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · SC · fire · 1 injury

Unresolved Recall. The vehicle was under recall in 2019 and should not have been sold by JTs Kia in Columbia, SC. The piston oil rings were affected in the 2019 recall and also caused an issue for the 2020 Kia Souls. The car was sold under recall. Once the revised recall came out in 2021 JTs Kia did not properly resolved the issue and later the car engine overheated and caught fire. JTs Kia Never took responsibility and told the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs that the Kia Corporation will not honor any repairs. The car was no longer able to turn on and JTs KIA is still selling these dangerous cars that has had piston oil ring issues since 2010

Filed Sep 22, 2023 · Engine · SC · fire

My husband was driving down the street in our 2020 Kia soul when under the hood of the car started to smoke profusely and a fire broke out under the hood of the car the engine was affected the car no longer turns on or turns over there was a recall for the engine overheating however we took it into a Kia location and June and they said nothing was wrong we took it in in May for recalls they said nothing was wrong they deleted all of the codes in the vehicle and one month later this happened in the car is no longer operable. Kia refused to help us at JT's Kia claiming that the car experienced wear and tear however the car was only 3 years old and there was no wear and tear. When we took the vehicle into address the recall we were told on two different occasions that there was nothing wrong with the car even though the overheating light kept coming on to deal with this they deleted all of the codes and denied anything was wrong with the car one month later my husband's life was almost taken by this vehicle catching on fire/overheated

Filed Mar 22, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

I was driving down the road when all of a sudden the engine started to sputter and shake violently. I couldn't get it to accelerate. I pulled the vehicle to safety and shut it off. I looked under the hood and saw or smelled nothing unusual. I restarted the vehicle and it ran okay. I went immediately to a Kia dealership. I was told that if it was running okay to make an appointment for the next day. I did. The battery was changed out and I was told it was fine. It is not. The same thing happened again, several times. I am being told that if they can't duplicate the problem, they can't fix it. This problem is very unsafe given the entire vehicle slows to an almost stop, even on the highway, at times. I have researched this and it is a common problem with this engine. Many have caught on fire. Kia sent out to the dealerships a Technical Service Bulletin, Number 203, on March, 2019, for Model 2020My Soul(SK3) 1.5T, addressing this problem, yet the local Kia dealer does nothing about it. I was told the recall on this vehicle for the Improperly heat-treated piston oil rings was taken care of but I have to wonder.

Filed Aug 7, 2021 · PA

The car started knocking at 65 mph while excelling to 70 the engine then had a loud bang and the engine block broke apart and spilled oil on to manifold almost starting a fire I have been informed that the engine is recalled for piston rings. This is an extremely dangerous situation. LUCKILY I managed to exit highway and not engulfed in flames. So far Kia has been unwilling to assist me and I also purchased an extended warranty with Automotive Protective Corporation in Atlanta Ga. and no body is helping me.

Filed Mar 10, 2021 · Engine · 7,100 miles · GA · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2020 kia soul. The contact stated that the check engine light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (lifetime kia 4170 us-64, murphy, nc 28906;(828) 835-9200) who diagnosed that the crankshaft had failed however no repair was completed. The contact stated that shortly after that while their son was driving approximately 35 MPH, when they heard a pop noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle then loss all power and a nearby driver informed the contact that the rear of the vehicle was on fire. The driver coasted to the side of the road and exited the vehicle. The fire then began to grow fairly quickly. The fire department put out the fire and a report was made. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. There were no injuries and no medical attention was needed. The contact had spoken to the dealer regarding the fire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2020 · Transmission · 9,200 miles · GA

Complete transmission failure at 9,200 miles. Car locked up coming off interstate exit ramp and would not take gear at all. Very strong smell of burning transmission. Unit needed complete transmission. Has been at dealer for over 6 weeks.