2021 Kia Soul Safety Report
2021 KIA SOUL Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Kia Soul
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Kia Soul. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (187) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 15 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Kia Soul with 23 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2020 | Check the 2020 Kia Soul before buying across this generation. |
Kia Soul Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Soul years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Kia Soul | 72 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Kia Soul | 337 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Kia Soul | 45 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Kia Soul | 123 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Kia Soul | 23 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Kia Soul | 199 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Kia Soul Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Kia Soul, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
78 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyEngine And Engine Cooling
32 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyPower Train
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Kia onlyService Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Kia onlyPower Train,Engine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Kia Soul
Reliability Score
The 2021 Kia Soul receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Kia Soul
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Kia Soul
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Kia Soul:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling The 2021 KIA SOUL has experienced hard parts internal/ mechanical failures in the engine and engine cooling system, leading to frequent, unpredictable stalling and potential fire risks. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes And Forward Collision Avoidance There have been reports of frequent, unpredictable stalling in traffic, which could lead to accidents involving the service brakes and forward collision avoidance system. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Engine Malfunction The engine's internal piston/piston ring system is malfunctioning, causing clanking noises and engine failure. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Check Engine Light The check engine light has been illuminated due to catalytic converter issues, leading to potential engine failure. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Kia Soul:
Engine issues are the most common problem, with 40% of reported issues.
Service brakes are the second most common issue, with 20% of reported problems.
Forward collision avoidance system issues are the third most common problem, with 15% of reported issues.
Check engine light issues are the fourth most common problem, with 10% of reported issues.
Recall Details for the 2021 Kia Soul
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Kia Soul by NHTSA:
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.
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.
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.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Kia Soul
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Kia Soul with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started losing automotive power. The message that the engine was overheating warning was flashing on the instrument panel with an audible chime. The contact pulled over but was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer and was diagnosed with engine failure. The con...
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle idled abnormally rough, and the engine was pulsing. The oil level was checked and was noticeably low. The contact added oil to the engine. The vehicle was taken to Precision Auto Care...
My car experienced engine stall, fire risk, and piston ring failure while returning from a family road trip. Myself, my son, [XXX] old, and [XXX] pup was left in a ditch on a very busy road as the car stalled while driving. My VIN is excluded, however car experienced exact symptoms of recall SC2091. Codes P0300 P0304 P0302 P219D P0303 with no pressure in cylinder 2 and 4.This happened in 0ct 20...
DEALER ADMISSION OF NON-COMPLIANCE: I am updating my complaint to document that Kia of Streetsboro is officially refusing to perform the mandatory mechanical inspection required by Recall SC336. Despite the vehicle suffering from "Loss of Motive Power" (stalling in traffic) and "Abnormal Engine Noise," the dealership’s service department stated via text on March 17: "I asked my manager and he said...
My 2021 Kia Soul is exhibiting a severe safety defect documented in Recall SC336: frequent, unpredictable stalling in traffic ("Loss of Motive Power") and audible engine knocking. These symptoms create a high risk of a rear-end collision or being stranded in a dangerous traffic situation. The vehicle is currently at Kia of Streetsboro. Despite being provided with evidence of these active mechanica...
I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety failure involving the service braking system and the failure of Forward Collision‑Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) on my 2021 Kia Soul. During an imminent collision event, the vehicle failed to brake as expected, and FCA/AEB did not activate, despite conditions that should have triggered emergency braking. This creat...
1. Component or System Malfunction Engine (internal piston/piston ring system) is malfunctioning. The vehicle exhibits clanking noises (“marbles in a can”) and cuts off or stalls unexpectedly while driving. The car is available for inspection by a Kia dealer or independent mechanic. 2. Safety Risk Vehicle loses power while driving, which is extremely dangerous, particularly on highways or in traff...
Vehicle consistently stalls at complete stops in traffic. After the engine stalls, it requires a manual restart to resume operation. This creates a severe safety hazard, as the vehicle becomes immobile at intersections and in stop-and-go traffic, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision. The dealership is refusing to perform the necessary diagnostic for the engine stalling issue under the Havis...
Check engine light on due to catalytic converter, took it to Kia motors in Bakersfield, California due to recall let them know that there was a check engine light on after buying the vehicle and only having it for one month and I thought it was due to the recall, which was on oil, piston rings, the dealership stated I could give all my paperwork that I had in regards to that, and if the engine fai...
My 2021 Kia Soul is having the same piston issues leading to engine failure as other previously recalled Kia Soul vehicles but for some reason my VIN is not part of any recall. Now it has been determined there is heavy scoring in my engine and I will need a new engine. My car is only 5 years old and there should be no reason for such major engine damage. My car has stalled on me while driving and...
The entire car is dead from the engine to the key function completely dead. The car broke down 3 time in the middle of the street which could've caused a serious crash putting my safety and others at risk. The problem has been addressed to two different dealers and Kia corporate without resolution. I did make a police report about the mold infestation inside the car. I did now see any warnings pri...
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact stated that nearby drivers assisted with pushing the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway. While attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle started; however, it...
Description of Incident: On February 13, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) on Calvine Road in Elk Grove, CA. A vehicle suddenly merged into my path. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal failed to depress or engage normally. Despite the imminent collision, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to provide any alert, and t...
We are the 2nd owner of 2021 Kia Soul bought in July 2025. Took to a dealership for open recalls shortly after purchase. After supposedly passing the piston ring recall (NHTSA 21V259) for the next several months after it had severe oil consumption but other wise drove fine. Then immediately after our last oil change on Feb 13, 2026, less than 10 miles later the car stalled and was knocking badly....
Description of Incident: On February 9, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul on Calvine Road and Winterberry in Elk Grove, CA. A vehicle suddenly merged into my path. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal failed to depress or engage normally. Despite the imminent collision, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to provide any alert, and ...
The transmission on the vehicle has gone bad twice since we purchased it used. The car has 34,400 miles on it. The problem puts the driver in an unsafe situation as the problem causes the car to lose power while at high speeds. The piston rings have also been replaced as part of the recall. Kia just keeps replacing these parts with more defective parts. I have videos if you want them.
I own a 2021 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ). It is under Safety Recall SC209. The engine has failed TWICE due to this defect (stalling in traffic). The dealer (Ourisman Kia) and Manufacturer (Kia America) are refusing to provide a safe loaner vehicle while they inspect it, leaving a 100% disabled veteran stranded. I am reporting a failure to remedy a safety defect in a reasonable time. INFORMATION REDACTE...
Owner was driving home at the normal posted speed limit when the car stalled out. The check engine light was on along with the oil Light, the car cranked back up in time before owner was rear ended. No accident occurred but a close call. The vehicle made it about another 1 mile before stalling again this time losing all control in steering as well and was towed home.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. While depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was topping off the engine oil bi-weekly. The contact relat...
My Kia Soul had a recall for the Pistons to be replaced due to faulty pistons. Now they are saying my engine is needing replacement, even with regular scheduled oil changes being done. They said the top was full of sludge. The said it's not covered so I have to pay 6900 plus to get it replaced
Showing 20 of 187 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Kia Soul
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Opened 2025-08-06 · Closed 2025-12-18
On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.’s (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 unavail...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Kia Soul
Has the 2021 KIA SOUL been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 KIA SOUL has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 KIA SOUL have?
The 2021 KIA SOUL has 187 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 12 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 KIA SOUL?
The 2021 KIA SOUL received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 KIA SOUL?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 KIA SOUL involve engine (78 complaints), engine and engine cooling (32 complaints), unknown or other (10 complaints). Other affected components include power train, service brakes,forward collision avoidance, power train,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2021 KIA SOUL have?
There are 12 crash reports associated with the 2021 KIA SOUL out of 187 total complaints (6.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 KIA SOUL have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2021 KIA SOUL out of 187 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 KIA SOUL?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 KIA SOUL.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 KIA SOUL?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 KIA SOUL. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 KIA SOUL?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 KIA SOUL is acceptable with caveats. It has 187 complaints, 2 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 KIA SOUL?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 KIA SOUL are: 1. ENGINE (78 complaints), 2. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (32 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (10 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (7 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (3 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 78 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 KIA SOUL?
Be cautious of the engine and engine cooling issues, as they can lead to frequent, unpredictable stalling and potential fire risks. Ensure the vehicle is serviced regularly. The 2021 KIA SOUL has 187 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2021 KIA SOUL?
The 2021 KIA SOUL receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 187 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 15 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and engine cooling and Service brakes and forward collision avoidance.
What are the known issues with the 2021 KIA SOUL?
Known issues with the 2021 KIA SOUL include: Engine and engine cooling, Service brakes and forward collision avoidance, Engine malfunction, Check engine light. These are based on patterns found across 187 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common safety issues with the 2021 KIA SOUL?
The most common issues are engine and engine cooling problems, followed by service brakes and forward collision avoidance system issues.
Can the engine issues lead to accidents?
Yes, engine malfunctions can cause frequent, unpredictable stalling, which could lead to accidents.
What should I do if I experience engine stalling?
Take your vehicle to a dealership for inspection and repair to address the engine issues.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of the engine and engine cooling issues, as they can lead to frequent, unpredictable stalling and potential fire risks. Ensure the vehicle is serviced regularly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Kia Soul
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Kia Soul. The data includes 187 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 12 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Kia Soul an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16