2021 Kia Soul Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine problems: cars that stall or lose power while driving, engines that use large amounts of oil between changes, and engines that had to be replaced. Many complaints reference the piston-ring recalls on this engine, and several owners say the symptom continued after the recall inspection or software update. A second, smaller group describes transmission and electrical faults, often at low mileage.

1. 1
   Engine

   Stalling and loss of motive power

   • 105 complaints (44%)
   • median 68,066 mi at 4.4 yrs old (34 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,738 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe the vehicle stalling or losing power at speeds from parking-lot pace to highway speed, sometimes with the check engine light on and sometimes with no warning at all. Many owners say the car restarted after being pulled over, then stalled again. Some were told by the dealer that the engine needed replacement; others had spark plugs, ignition coils or software addressed first and the symptom returned. Several owners link the failure to the piston-ring recalls and report that the recall software update or inspection did not end the stalling. Reported from a few thousand miles up to roughly 190,000 miles, with many around 40,000 to 95,000 miles.

   Recall 25V099000Recall 21V2590004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the piston-ring recalls (21V259000 and 25V099000) were performed and whether the noise-sensing software was installed. Test drive at steady speed and at idle, and ask whether any stalling or engine-light history shows in service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I was driving at 15mph the car completely shut off. So I tried to restart it and when I took the key out everything locked up and it was like that for 5 min in the middle of the road before the car came back on and flahed the engine and oil light.”

   NHTSA complaint #11375455, filed 2020-11, 2,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to a local mechanic and was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The mechanic referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11663331, filed 2025-05, 60,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Excessive oil consumption

   • 69 complaints (29%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (19 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $6,500 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners report the oil level dropping quickly with no visible leak, in some cases adding a quart every 1,000 miles or topping off every few days. Some say the dealer could not duplicate the consumption or asked for maintenance records before acting, and others were told an oil consumption test was needed. Complaints mention piston oil rings as the suspected cause and reference the engine recalls. Reported from about 2,000 miles to over 200,000 miles, with many between 30,000 and 100,000 miles.

   Recall 21V259000Recall 25V0990004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the dipstick for level and smell, and ask for oil-change records. A dealer oil consumption test can document the rate before purchase warranty runs out.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the high oil consumption might cause a fire in the engine bay due to a failure with the piston rings. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); as the possible cause for the failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11757683, filed 2026-08, 215,000 miles

   “The contact owned a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that soon after purchase of the vehicle, she discovered both low coolant and low oil levels upon inspection of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on two separate occasions. On her second visit, the contact stated that the dealer informed her to bring the vehicle back in 1,000 miles to check both oil and coolant levels to monitor the issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11425410, filed 2021-07, 2,416 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Engine noise, knocking or seizure

   • 122 complaints (51%)
   • median 66,766 mi at 4.3 yrs old (36 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $6,000 (median of 13 quotes)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Complaints describe ticking, rattling, rumbling or knocking sounds from the engine, sometimes with rough running, low oil pressure light or a seized engine. Dealers reportedly replaced spark plugs, coils, the ECU or valve train in some cases, replaced the engine in others, and in a few cases declined repair citing missing maintenance records. Some owners say the symptom came back after the recall repair. Reported from under 10,000 miles to beyond 130,000 miles, spread across the range.

   Recall 25V099000Recall 21V2590004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for ticking or knocking at cold start and at idle, and have a pre-purchase inspection check compression and oil pressure if possible.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 going about 45 miles an hour! The otherwas on a side street going approximately 25 miles an hour. The ec oh mode was on in the car. Also' when you turn on the heater fan on high it started making a high-pitched squealing sound. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11399233, filed 2021-03, 8,000 miles

   “The contact noticed the oil drained quickly and RPMs increased rapidly upon starting the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 86,100. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the ECU was replaced twice, the piston rings were not replaced; the issue persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 86,100”

   NHTSA complaint #11737863, filed 2026-05, 86,100 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission failure and harsh shifting

   • 33 complaints (14%)
   • median 25,000 mi at 2.7 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe shuddering, rumbling or clunking while accelerating, failure to accelerate uphill, and in some cases a transmission that had to be replaced. Some complaints pair the transmission diagnosis with engine work done in the same visit. A few mention unrelated brake or steering symptoms alongside the drivetrain concern. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 130,000 miles, with several under 15,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from a stop through several upshifts and at light throttle; ask whether the IVT oil pressure sensor or transmission control software has been addressed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I I was on the interstate and my car started making a loud noise and decelerated. It seemed to lose power, I turned around and started home as I was very frightened. The car accelerated without pressing the gas, decelerated without pressing the brake. The tachometer was swinging around wildly. The car most of the time seemed to have no power. I was afraid of a rear end hit by another car or flyling into the back of the car in front. I was trying to limp it in to the dealer. The car only had 3400 miles on it and I had had it for 7 months. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11416073, filed 2021-05, 3,437 miles

   “The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and accelerating, the vehicle occasionally shuddered or stalled, forcing the contact to pull over onto the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone, where a diagnostic scan retrieved information for a cylinder #1 misfire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11651362, filed 2025-03, 20,000 miles
5. 5
   Electrical system

   Warning lights and sudden loss of electrical power

   • 13 complaints (5%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 4.4 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Complaints describe multiple warning lights coming on at once, headlights and interior lights going out, power loss to steering and accessories, and in some cases the vehicle shutting down while moving. A few owners report the alternator was replaced and the problem came back. There is also a repeated report of the horn not working. Mostly reported under 15,000 miles, several within the first few thousand miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check that all lights, the horn and the steering work at start-up, and ask whether the horn warranty extension (WTY041) inspection was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Had car 1 week - 204 miles. Power steering warning light came on while I was driving 55. Then the tire pressure light. Then all warning lights. Headlights and interior lighting off and on then finally just off. Pulled into parking lot where all systems stopped working. Was not enough power to close sun roof. No power door locks - had to operate manually. Car towed to dealer. Thankfully I am a strong person and was able to get off the highway and into a parking lot without incident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11406532, filed 2021-04, 204 miles

   “While driving down the road in wet weather conditions. The vehicle lost all power, lost wipers and headlights. Happened on interstate while traveling at 65 MPH. Vehicle stated key wasn't detected in car. While in motion using other vehicles headlights was able to get over to the side of the highway thankfully. Vehicle was towed to dealer for assessment.”

   NHTSA complaint #11372340, filed 2020-10, 814 miles

Buying note. Have any 2021 Soul inspected for oil consumption and engine noise before buying, and confirm both piston-ring recalls were completed with the software update. Ask for the full service history, since dealers in these complaints often asked owners for maintenance records before doing engine work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.