Kia Soul 2021 recalls, problems, complaints and safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Kia Soul 2021 and 237 complaints filed by owners. It has 5% more complaints than the average Kia Soul from 2016–2025 (226 per year).

These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.

Recalls issued for the Kia Soul 2021

Engine and cooling
NHTSA campaign 25V099000 · 2025-02-17

What happens

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.

Consequence

Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 25V099000

Engine
NHTSA campaign 21V259000 · 2021-04-13

What happens

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 21V259000

Complaints from other owners

237 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.

12 with a crash · 3 with a fire · 5 injuries

Most reported problems on the Kia Soul 2021

• Engine: 137 (58% of complaints)
• Engine and cooling: 47 (20% of complaints)
• Powertrain and transmission: 26 (11% of complaints)
• Electrical system: 15 (6% of complaints)
• Fuel and propulsion: 10 (4% of complaints)

Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.

What to check before buying a Kia Soul 2021

• Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
• Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
• Check coolant level and color, the temperature gauge on the test drive and leaks under the engine.
• On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
• Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.

Safety rating (NCAP)

Kia Soul recalls by year

• 2016 : 2 recalls · 823 complaints
• 2017 : 1 recalls · 272 complaints
• 2018 : 1 recalls · 218 complaints
• 2019 : 1 recalls · 136 complaints
• 2020 : 1 recalls · 384 complaints
• 2021 : 2 recalls · 237 complaints
• 2022 : 1 recalls · 92 complaints
• 2023 : 4 recalls · 54 complaints
• 2024 : 0 recalls · 30 complaints
• 2025 : 0 recalls · 12 complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the Kia Soul 2021 have?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Kia Soul 2021. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.

What is the most common problem with the Kia Soul 2021?

In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: engine (137 of 237 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.