2021 Kia Soul Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 239 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2021 Kia Soul, 2% of the 239 complaints for this model year. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system did not activate. …”
NHTSA complaint #11717950, filed 2026-02“While crossing an intersection a Jeep Gladiator ran a red light causing my vehicle to hit it broad side. Front and side airbags did not deploy. The frontend was damaged is buckled, hood about 6 , fenders crushed and the grill was destroyed. Driver's door wouldn't open. The seatbelt didn't restrain my wife enogh to keep her from hitting the steering wheel. This caused bruises on her leg , abdomen and chest areas.”
NHTSA complaint #11500246, filed 2023-01“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 created an extremely dangerous situation and placed me and other motorists at risk of serious injury or death. …”
NHTSA complaint #11724786, filed 2026-03Related service bulletins
- 10205425Dec 2, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT FOR DTC C160449 & C160649 - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10201429Sep 10, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT AND SOFTWARE UPGRADE INSTALLATION - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised…
- 10200550Aug 24, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT FOR DTC C160449 & C160649 - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10200524Aug 23, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT AND SOFTWARE UPGRADE INSTALLATION - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Front…
- 10200525Aug 3, 2021PITSTOP: FRONT RADAR SENSOR MOUNTING INSPECTION (PS704) - This pitstop provides information regarding front radar sensor alignment on 2014MY and later vehicles that may exhibit a…
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 17% |
| 2024 | 3 | 10% |
| 2023 | 5 | 9% |
| 2022 | 4 | 4% |
| 2021 | 5 | 2% |
| 2020 | 5 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 2 | 0% |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2021 Kia Soul
139 complaintsEngine cooling
47 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Kia Soul
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology