2020 Kia Soul Key Replacement | Wilshire Lock & Key

The 2020–2021 Soul uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Kia Soul key guide.

2020 Kia Soul: key facts

Key type: Mechanical (no chip)
Push-to-start: No
Transponder chip: None
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Turn-key base Souls through 2021 generally lack an immobilizer (the 2020-2022 Soul appears in the Hyundai/Kia theft class list) — a cut key starts them with no programming. Smart-key trims use fob SY5SKFGE04 (95440-K0000); vendor listings describe the chip only as NXP AES 128-bit and catalogs split between ID75 and 4A — we read the fob before quoting.

What key does a 2020 Kia Soul use?

The base 2020 Soul is a turn-key car. You put a mechanical key in the ignition and turn it. It is not push-to-start. Turn-key Souls through 2021 generally lack an immobilizer, which means the car does not check a chip in the key before it will run. A properly cut key starts it.

That is good news if you lost a key. There is no transponder to program on those cars, so the work is mostly cutting and fitting. It is also the reason these cars were targeted in the Kia theft wave of 2021 to 2023. The 2020 to 2022 Soul appears in the Hyundai and Kia theft class list.

Some Soul trims have a smart key instead. Those use the fob SY5SKFGE04 (part 95440-K0000). That is a different job from a plain cut key, and we treat it that way. Every smart fob also carries a mechanical backup key, so you can still open the door if the fob battery dies.

Copy a key or replace all keys lost?

For this setup, you do not need an original key to get a new one made. Duplication does not depend on having a working key in hand, and an all-keys-lost situation is possible to solve.

If you still have one key, we can copy it. A copy is the more economical route simply because there is less to figure out. If you have none, we work from the lock itself and the vehicle information, and cut a key that fits.

One key left: bring it in or have us come to you, and we cut a duplicate.
No keys left: we can still make one for a turn-key Soul, with proof the car is yours.
Smart-key trim: we read the fob first, then explain what is needed. Programming, where required, is done through the OBD port.

How we handle it, step by step

Our shop is at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, and we also run mobile vans, so you can come to us or we can come to the car. It is one company, with no dispatch middleman between your call and the person doing the work. David oversees the work.

Call (213) 577-1366. Someone answers any hour, any day.
Tell us whether the key turns the ignition or whether the car pushes to start, and whether any key still exists.
We confirm ownership with your ID and registration.
We cut the key, or for a smart-key trim we read the fob and then quote.
We test the key in the ignition, the doors and the trunk or hatch before you leave.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the price?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the honest answer depends on the car in front of us. These are the things that actually move the cost:

Turn-key or smart key. A cut mechanical key is the lighter-cost job. A smart fob costs more because the fob itself costs more and may need programming.
Whether any key remains. Copying one is simpler than building one from nothing.
Ignition condition. A worn lock may need work before any key will turn smoothly.
Theft damage. Many stolen-and-recovered Souls need a new ignition lock, and sometimes steering-column repair, on top of the key.
Where and when. A mobile visit at 3 a.m. differs from a shop visit during the day.

Ignition problems on this Soul

Two problems come up with turn-key Souls beyond lost keys. The first is worn ignition lock wafers. The key sticks, or goes in but will not turn. A new key does not always fix that, and we will say so plainly rather than sell you one.

The second is damage from a theft attempt. If your Soul was broken into or stolen and recovered, the ignition and steering column are often damaged, and the car usually needs a new ignition lock. We can replace the lock and cut a key to match it, so you are not left with a car that starts on a screwdriver.

What we have not verified

Our records for this year are marked as conflicting, and we will not guess. The chip in the smart fob is described by vendors only as an NXP AES 128-bit part, and parts catalogs split between ID75 and 4A. So for a smart-key Soul, we confirm by VIN and by reading the fob in person before we quote. If any step requires the dealer, we tell you before work begins.

Also, California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for that number before they start work.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 2020 Kia Soul need a programmed key?

A turn-key base Soul generally has no immobilizer, so a cut key starts it with no programming. Smart-key trims use a fob that may need programming, and we confirm by VIN and reading the fob.

Can you make a key if I lost all my keys?

Yes. All-keys-lost is possible for this setup. We verify ownership first, then cut a key, or for a smart-key trim, work out the fob and programming.

Do I need my original key to get a copy?

No original is required to have a key made, though having one makes the job simpler.

Why was my Soul's ignition damaged?

Turn-key Souls lack an immobilizer and were frequent targets in the 2021 to 2023 theft wave. Recovered cars usually need a new ignition lock.

My key sticks in the ignition. Do I need a new key?

Not always. Worn ignition lock wafers are a common cause, and the lock may be the real problem. We check before replacing anything.

Can you come to me?

Yes. We run mobile vans and answer at (213) 577-1366 around the clock. You can also visit our storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd. See our Kia key services or the full Soul page for other years, or contact us online.

We cover all these cities

Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.