YearToAvoid

2020 Kia Soul Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 16 Fuel System complaints for the 2020 Kia Soul, 4% of its 381 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure was 19,500 miles. There is no fuel-system-specific recall on file for this year.

Fuel System complaints
16
4% of 381
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
19,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report stalling or engine shutdown at stops or during idle, sometimes with no warning and no check engine light until after the stall.
  • Some drivers describe the check engine light coming on at highway speed followed by fuel injector replacement, with the problem returning after refueling.
  • One owner reported the vehicle overheating internally with a dry coolant reservoir shortly after a scheduled fuel-related service visit.
  • Reports describe unexpected surging or self-acceleration, in one case the vehicle accelerating on its own toward 80 mph before the driver could stop it.
  • Several owners noted the vehicle stalling while idling in park or at stops, with the issue difficult for the dealership to reproduce.

When 2020 Kia Soul fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 29, 2019, latest Jun 2, 2026.

2020 Kia Soul fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month3Oct 2019Sep 2022Mar 2023May 2024Nov 2024Nov 2025Jun 2026
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2019 to Jun 2026; peak Dec 2025 (3).

Fuel System recalls for the 2020 Kia Soul

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Soul model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20105 (4%)
  2. 20119 (5%)
  3. 201223 (4%)
  4. 201330 (5%)
  5. 201457 (6%)
  6. 201578 (9%)
  7. 201683 (10%)
  8. 201719 (7%)
  9. 201811 (5%)
  10. 201915 (11%)
  11. 202016 (4%)
  12. 202111 (5%)
  13. 20227 (8%)
  14. 20232 (4%)
  15. 20240 (0%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many 2020 Kia Soul owners reported fuel system problems?
NHTSA shows 16 Fuel System complaints for the 2020 Kia Soul, which is 4% of all 381 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Kia Soul fuel system?
No, the JSON lists no related recalls tied to the Fuel System category for the 2020 Kia Soul.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 19,500 miles.
Did any 2020 Kia Soul fuel system complaints involve crashes or fires?
NHTSA records show 1 crash and 0 fires linked to Fuel System complaints for the 2020 Kia Soul.
How does the 2020 Soul compare to other years for fuel system complaints?
The 2020 Soul's 16 complaints and 4% share are lower than years like 2016 (83 complaints, 10% share) and 2019 (15 complaints, 11% share).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.