Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2021 Kia Soul has 2 recalls, 189 complaints, and a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
2
Recalls
189
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 7, 2026
21V259000
ENGINE
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 no...
25V099000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which c...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2021 Kia Soul SUV FWD
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 30, 2026 | ENGINE | I am writing to formally report a failure by Classic Kia of Streetsboro to provide the federally man... |
| Mar 28, 2026 | ENGINE | NHTSA SAFETY COMPLAINT: RECALL SC336 (CAMPAIGN 21V-301) NON-COMPLIANCE VIN: [XXX] I. PATTERN OF REC... |
| Mar 21, 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the ve... |
| Mar 17, 2026 | ENGINE | DEALER ADMISSION OF NON-COMPLIANCE: I am updating my complaint to document that Kia of Streetsboro i... |
| Mar 15, 2026 | STEERING,ENGINE | 1. Component or System Malfunction Engine (internal piston/piston ring system) is malfunctioning. Th... |
| Mar 13, 2026 | ENGINE | My 2021 Kia Soul is exhibiting a severe safety defect documented in Recall SC336: frequent, unpredic... |
| Mar 11, 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the... |
| Mar 6, 2026 | ENGINE | Vehicle consistently stalls at complete stops in traffic. After the engine stalls, it requires a man... |
| Feb 20, 2026 | ENGINE | My 2021 Kia Soul is having the same piston issues leading to engine failure as other previously reca... |
| Feb 13, 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety failure involving the service braking system a... |
| Feb 13, 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Description of Incident: On February 13, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia S... |
| Feb 13, 2026 | ENGINE | We are the 2nd owner of 2021 Kia Soul bought in July 2025. Took to a dealership for open recalls sho... |
| Feb 9, 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Description of Incident: On February 9, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia So... |
| Feb 8, 2026 | POWER TRAIN,ENGINE | The transmission on the vehicle has gone bad twice since we purchased it used. The car has 34,400 mi... |
| Jan 23, 2026 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the engine was running rough, and there wa... |
| Jan 22, 2026 | ENGINE | vehicle is consuming over 2 quarts of oil in less than 1000 miles and it causing the oil light to c... |
| Jan 16, 2026 | ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | Owner was driving home at the normal posted speed limit when the car stalled out. The check engine l... |
| Jan 9, 2026 | ENGINE | On 01/12/2026, I had my 2021 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) inspected by a technician at J&K Automotive afte... |
| Dec 26, 2025 | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH and depressing the... |
| Dec 15, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE | The entire car is dead from the engine to the key function completely dead. The car broke down 3 tim... |