KnownCarProblems2021 Kia Soul Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 238 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Soul, most often about the engine (77% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles). It is 8th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2021 Kia Soul problems
Engine
184 complaints · 77%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled on several occasions. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road as possible, and the vehicle was able to restart…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was unable to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and was assisted in pushing the vehicle to a safe location, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check…
Other or unspecified
26 complaints · 11%Two major issues. I have heard a very loud ticking sound coming from the engine which started about three days ago. Before then the car ran silent. Car is it approximately 8000 miles on the odometer. The clicking started getting louder and then the car stalled twice right in the middle of driving! One was on a street…
Transmission
26 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 8,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a transmission failure, and the transmission was replaced by the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer also replaced the rack and pinion due to an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that after activating the air conditioning the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was…
Electrical
15 complaints · 6%The contact owned a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v099000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning electrical odor.…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v099000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated…
Fuel system
11 complaints · 5%Two major issues. I have heard a very loud ticking sound coming from the engine which started about three days ago. Before then the car ran silent. Car is it approximately 8000 miles on the odometer. The clicking started getting louder and then the car stalled twice right in the middle of driving! One was on a street…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the engine was running rough, and there was a significant amount of air and oil when the oil cap was opened. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the exhaust system. The vehicle was sluggish while driving and depressing the accelerator pedal.…
Brakes
10 complaints · 4%The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that after activating the air conditioning the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was…
Steering
9 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a transmission failure, and the transmission was replaced by the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer also replaced the rack and pinion due to an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that after activating the air conditioning the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was…
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Kia Soul recalls
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (pnss) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed april 4, 2025. Owners may contact kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc336.
Full defect summary
Kia america, inc. (kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 seltos and soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Engine
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, kia will deploy piston ring noise sensing system (pnss) software. The recall began june 11, 2021. Owners may contact kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is sc209.
Full defect summary
Kia motors america (kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 soul, and 2021 seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0l nu mpi engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness
Summary
On august 6, 2025, the office of defect investigation (odi) opened audit query (aq) 25001 to assess the implementation of kia america, inc.âs (kia) remedy program for safety recall 25v099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This aq was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On august 11, 2025, an information request (ir) was issued to kia requesting: 1) why the inspection test was revised from requiring a âcoldâ engine to a âwarmâ en
Questions about the 2021 Kia Soul
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Soul?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (184 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); other or unspecified (26 complaints); transmission (26 complaints, typically around 8,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Soul have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 17, 2025 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Kia Soul?
- It is 8th of 16 Soul model years by number of complaints, with 238 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.