2020 Kia Soul engine problems

“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 (NHTSA 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…”

“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”

“Reason for Dispute & Desired Resolution: I am filing an executive escalation regarding a catastrophic engine failure on my 2020 Kia Soul, which is actively included in the Piston Oil Ring Safety Recall (Campaign SC209). The engine suffered a total structural failure where a rod broke and punctured a hole directly through the engine oil pan. The vehicle is completely undrivable and presents an environmental hazard due to active fluid leakage. Standard Kia Customer Care and Roadside Support lines have officially denied emergency towing assistance and rental car coverage, stating they cannot help. The closest authorized dealership, Kia of Columbia, has an appointment backlog delaying an official inspection until October 29th. I cannot afford the out-of-pocket costs for an hour-long flatbed tow from my home or weeks of upfront rental car fees. As a consumer, I am being penalized and left stranded by a severe manufacturing defect that Kia has legally acknowledged. I demand that Kia’s Executive Resolution Team immediately issue a direct digital dispatch code to authorize a free flatbed tow to the dealership, and establish a direct-billed loaner or rental vehicle (via…”

“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…”

“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…”

“The vehicle experienced complete and sudden engine failure while actively driving on a roadway. The engine began making loud, violent knocking noises, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle completely stopped and lost all motive power mid-drive. I believe this is directly caused by the defective piston oil rings covered under NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 21V-259 (Kia Campaign SC209). The vehicle had only just begun exhibiting these severe symptoms on the exact day it stopped working. The loud engine knocking, immediate check engine light, and rapid internal oil loss all occurred rapidly within hours of each other on the same day, leading directly to the total mechanical failure and seizure. The engine component is currently intact and remains completely available for physical inspection upon request. The engine in my Kia Soul is the 2.0L Nu MPI. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Kia dealership service center. The dealership confirmed that the engine has completely failed and had loud knocking sounds, but they are attributing the issue to an external leak in an attempt to deny coverage under Safety Recall SC209. The manufacturer (via the…”