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P0420 on KIA SOUL

Severity
High
NHTSA Reports
68
Most Affected
2015, 2016, 2014

What P0420 Means on Your KIA SOUL

Real KIA SOUL Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"I bought the car 2 yrs ago come April and it's had nothing but issues. I've had one recall did which was the knock sensor however now the check engine is on and it's smelling like rubber my brakes are wearing like an eraser and my engine just feels sluggish."

— 2012 KIA SOUL owner • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE • Filed 10/26/2025

"So I purchased a 2012 Kia Soul A few months ago and since I got it the car has been having issues with accelerating the car delays to respond and I have had many closed calls specifically when entering a freeway the car losses power and I have to really press on the pedal for the vehicle to respond"

— 2012 KIA SOUL owner • VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM • Filed 04/02/2024

"The contact owns a 2012 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated."

— 2012 KIA SOUL owner • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ENGINE • Filed 02/08/2023

"My vehicle's malfunction light came on and it began to lose power off and on going down the turnpike. since then, it sometimes won't start even though it sounds like it is going to. it continues to have these problems intermittently."

— 2012 KIA SOUL owner • ENGINE • Filed 03/27/2021

"7/22/20 - car driven to firestone store #005738, newport, ky to purchase 2 new tires and an engine courtesy check was performed - firestone id #7046930 - no engine lights, no safety warnings, mileage 77,071 miles on car."

— 2012 KIA SOUL owner • ENGINE • Filed 07/22/2020

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P0420 on KIA SOUL

50%
4.4%
4.4%
4.4%
4.4%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2012
7
2013
10
2014
11
2015
20
2016
13
2017
3
2018
1
2019
1
2020
1
2021
1

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P0420 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026