2020–2025 Kia Soul

2020-2025 Kia Soul - Engine Air Filter Replacement

By Ray Delgado ✓ Certified Mechanic · Published Sep 21, 2026 · Updated Oct 22, 2026

🔧 Easy 10-20 minutes $20 DIY

Save $45 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $65

Quick answer: Engine Air Filter Replacement on a 2020–2025 Kia Soul is rated Easy and takes about 10-20 minutes. No tools are required for this job, and parts cost about $20. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.

Quick Video Tutorial

Parts You Need

Total Cost

$20.00

Part Name	Part Number	Price	Buy
Engine air filter	—	$20.00	Amazon

About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.

💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps carefully

Prep and locate the air box

Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and shut the engine off. The air box is the black plastic housing under the hood, connected to the intake tube. Replacement: Fram CA12057. No tools needed -- grab a rag and a flashlight.

Open the air filter housing

Flip each clip off its catch and lift the lid. If a MAF plug sits on the intake side, unplug it first by squeezing its release tab -- never yank the wiring. Tilt the lid up and back along the intake-tube hinge, working stiff clips gently.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado

In my experience, That MAF connector causes more comeback faults than anything else on this job -- unplug it by the tab, and park the loose plug where it cannot snag or stretch.

Remove the old filter and clean

Lift the old filter out and compare it with the new Fram CA12057. Vacuum the box bottom and wipe the sealing lip, keeping debris out of the intake tube. Look at the MAF wires without touching them. Kia: every 30,000 miles, sooner on dusty roads.

Install the new filter

Seat the new filter, rubber gasket fully in the groove, matching the old orientation. Press it flat with no raised corners -- it should drop in without force. If it needs shoving, recheck the part number. Never oil a paper filter or blast it with compressed air.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Tom Becker

I never trust the box alone on these -- I hold the new filter against the old one edge to edge. One wrong pick from a busy parts counter and the seal never seats right.

Reseal and verify

Refit the lid, seating the intake-tube hinge first, and snap every clip onto its catch. Reconnect the MAF plug until its tab clicks -- a loose plug triggers a check-engine light and rough running. Confirm the tube is snug, start the engine, and idle a minute.

All Done!

Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Installing the filter upside down or unseated so unfiltered air bypasses the element
• Leaving debris in the housing that then gets sucked into the intake
• Forcing clips/screws and cracking the plastic air box lid
• Reusing a heavily clogged filter instead of replacing it