2020 Kia Soul: engine stalls while driving

Filed Nov 7, 2026 · Engine · NY

Since XXX our Kia Soul has been stalling and burning oil. It stalled out on a city street near me and had to be towed to the kia dealership where it is serviced. They said it was out of oil. We just had it serviced in XXX with complete oil and filter done. On research, we have learned this car burns oil and had a piston defect recall. At the time it was inspected they found no piston defect yet (the federal safety agency Recall 21V259000) They did the initial (PNSS) piston ring noise sensing system or vibration test which was negative AT THAT TIME. I would like to request a Techline case to authorize an oil consumption test TSB SST082 since the car is stalling and burning oil and needs a quart every week or less. It is our only car and we need it for work and activities of daily living. We have had it serviced religiously at the dealer since purchase and can document each and every service done, the laste one in XXX, where they did 4,000 in minor repairs and said we were driving it too much that;s why it ran out of oil. It puts my family's safety at risk. Please authorize an oil consumption test on our vehicle. Please note, we had our oil changed in XXX, then again in XXX at the dealer after the stall out, then again in XXX when it went low again, and then continually we added our own oil from then until now, November, awaiting approval of an oil combustion test at John Stark Kia in [XXX], but they have been giving us the run around. The three uploads document oil changes. I also have credit card proof of purchase of motor oil over these 4 months. Also note, after towing to the dealer, they did 4,000 in minor repairs but did not address the engine issues. Just said we were driving too much. Thanks very much. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Engine · PA

Engine stalled all lights came on On a 2020 Kia Soul GT, the “Gas Saver” (ISG) button disables the Idle Stop & Go system for that drive, but if the engine still cuts off at stops, it’s likely a fault in the ISG or related electrical system — often a weak AGM battery or a failing Low‑Voltage DC‑to‑DC Converter (LDC) module. Engine stopped at low speed 1mph and would not restart when gas peddle was pushed. Valve tapping noise from top of engine and engine stalling. New Battery installed and problem continued. Kia Soul GT 2020 Mileage 39947

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Engine · AL

The car stalled at red light. After a few minutes cranked back up.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Engine · AL

On [XXX], my 2020 Kia Soul (2.0L Nu MPI, VIN [XXX], approximately 102,420 miles) suffered total engine failure: complete loss of motive power, stalled and would not restart. This is the exact defect covered by federal recall 21V259000 / Kia SC209 (piston oil rings causing engine damage and stalling). The SC209 recall remedy had already been performed on this vehicle at Kia of Daphne (Daphne, AL) in June 2026. The recall did not prevent the failure. Symptom history matches the defect: the vehicle has burned oil excessively its entire life (oil changed every 3,000 miles; oil like sludge by approximately 2,000 miles) - the textbook piston-ring symptom. Sputtering began June 2026; a spark-plug replacement bought two to three months before total failure. Diagnostic codes at failure: P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire), P219F (cylinder imbalance), P0014 and P0017 (camshaft/crankshaft timing correlation), P1327 (knock sensor) - internal engine and timing damage consistent with the recalled defect. On [XXX], Kia of Daphne inspected the vehicle ([XXX]). The technician found low compression and wrote the failure 'does not have to do with recall campaign sc209A' and is 'not covered under Kia warranty or recall,' quoting $5,855.28 for an engine long block. I dispute this: low compression plus lifelong excessive oil consumption is the classic signature of worn piston oil rings - the exact SC209 defect. The one-sentence dismissal does not address the documented symptom history. Kia corporate cases [XXX] (opened 09/30/2026) and [XXX]; rebuttal submitted 10/07/2026 requesting field-engineer review; no response as of 10/15/2026, cases now closed. Safety: total loss of motive power AFTER the remedy was performed. This post-remedy SC209 failure belongs in the federal safety agency's investigation of Kia recall remedy effectiveness. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Engine · CA

On XXX my 2020 Kia Soul while on the freeway, would not accelerate and silently stalled. The check engine, oil, and battery light all came on. Putting it into Park and then Drive again, the vehicle began shifting backwards. The vehicle could not be safely driven and was towed to Kearny Mesa Kia in [XXX]. The dealer diagnosed code P0017 (crankshaft position and camshaft position correlation). The technician found the exhaust camshaft out of sync because the pin on the CVVD gear had broken, which allowed the gear to spin on the camshaft. The recommended repair is replacement of the exhaust camshaft, CVVD gear and bolt, timing chain tensioner, and valve cover gasket, quoted at $3,285.34. A borescope inspection found no valve damage. The service advisor told me this is a common problem on these vehicles. An internal engine part failing like this at about 99,000 miles is a premature failure, not normal wear. A sudden loss of camshaft timing can cause stalling or a loss of power while driving, which is a safety risk. I am the third owner and bought the car used through Carvana at about 55,000 miles, so the powertrain warranty does not cover this repair. Kia America denied my request for goodwill assistance. I ask the federal safety agency to look into CVVD gear and camshaft timing failures on the 2020 Kia Soul 2.0L engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · LA

Vehicle Details: 2020 Kia Soul, 2.0L Nu MPI Engine Complaint Description: My vehicle is experiencing severe, excessive engine oil consumption at 99,000 miles, which has directly resulted in a P0420 diagnostic trouble code (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) due to motor oil poisoning the catalytic converter. This vehicle exhibits the exact failure mechanism, symptoms, and manufacturing defects detailed in Kia Safety Recalls SC209 and SC336 (improperly heat-treated or defective piston oil rings). However, when checking my 17-digit VIN on the Kia portal, I am informed that my vehicle is excluded from these recall campaigns. The heavy oil consumption creates a severe safety hazard. The engine rapidly drops below safe oil operating levels between scheduled maintenance intervals without illuminating an oil level warning light, putting the vehicle at high risk for sudden engine stall, total engine seizure, or an engine compartment fire while traveling at highway speeds. Because this is a known, documented manufacturing defect for this specific model year and engine type, Kia should expand Safety Recall SC209 to include my VIN and prevent a catastrophic highway failure.

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · NC

This car was purchased in December of 2025 with 26K miles on it. There are stall issues when using the auto start stop feature. I had to power down the car and restart it up to get the car to move. It also will throw the check engine light code and then after you drive it, it goes away which makes it difficult to take to a service shop for diagnosis. Recently the car is now at 28K (9 mo later) and it has an intermittent stutter when driving; I can only describe it as a push/pull motion and its random, during this time the check engine light came on again. On my way to take it to a service station for diagnosis, it went away. Not sure if this has been reported by other 2020 Kia Soul owners.

Filed Sep 4, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NY

The vehicle has experienced intermittent stalling and near-stalling while driving. The problem began after a prior Kia engine replacement related to DTC P1327/P132700. After the engine replacement, the vehicle developed additional drivability and warning-light concerns, including P0420 and communication/CAN faults. An authorized Kia dealer later documented that the vehicle had stalled a few times, identified P0420, reported a clogged catalytic converter, and found 11 additional lost-communication/CAN-related codes. The dealer stated that approximately eight additional diagnostic labor hours would be required to investigate the remaining faults. The vehicle was returned with the intermittent stalling condition unresolved. The stalling presents a safety risk because the vehicle can lose motive power unexpectedly while being driven. The vehicle remains available for inspection. The dealer confirmed the stalling complaint and performed diagnostic testing, but the complete cause has not been determined. Kia previously performed an engine replacement related to the earlier P1327 condition, and the current stalling occurred afterward.

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Engine · 70,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the spark plugs and coils needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the taillights were inoperative, there was oil leaking from the bottom of the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle returned to normal operation. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed and the dealer stated that there was an oil consumption issue with the vehicle; however, cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Engine · CA

Making a left turn car stalled in middle of turn lane.

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 21, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 34,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning while releasing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle restarted after each failure. The first dealer diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC: P04100 (Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit); however, the repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Hendrick Kia of Concord (7550 Hendrick Auto Plaza NW, Concord, NC 28027); and the technicians informed the contact that the vehicle was not properly repaired. The vehicle was returned to the first dealer, and the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. The dealer dismissed the contact’s concern that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact was informed that adding one quart of oil per 1,000 miles was within normal operation of the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to Kia recall SC199. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.