YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Soul Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#7 most-complained of 16 Soul years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Kia Soul has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 77% of complaints, tied to two piston oil ring recalls, with median mileage at failure of 65,000.

Complaints
233
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
12 / 3
Injuries / deaths
5 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29.5
27.5 city / 32.5 hwy

Top 2021 Kia Soul problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine179 (77%)
  2. Other26 (11%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain26 (11%)
  4. Electrical System18 (8%)
  5. Fuel System11 (5%)
  6. Brakes10 (4%)
  7. Steering9 (4%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers7 (3%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (2%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration when pressing the brake pedal, causing low-speed collisions into fixed objects.
  • Some describe the brake pedal failing to slow the car or feeling like it stopped working entirely, leading to rear-end impacts.
  • Several report the engine losing power, the service engine light illuminating, then a loud bang followed by the engine catching fire.
  • Multiple complaints describe airbags failing to deploy during frontal or side-impact crashes despite significant vehicle damage.
  • One owner reported the steering pulling to one side even after an alignment and steering angle relearn were performed.
2021 Kia Soul complaints: complaints filed per quarter512020 Q42021 Q32022 Q22023 Q12023 Q42024 Q32025 Q22026 Q1
304 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q2 (51).

2021 Kia Soul recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V099000Feb 17, 2025Engine137,256 vehicles

    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 can result in engine damage.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 21V259000Apr 13, 2021Engine147,249 vehicles

    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 not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.

    Risk: 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.

2021 Kia Soul fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27.5 MPG
Highway
32.5 MPG
Combined
29.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Soul years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Best13136128
2020Avoid80381130
2021Caution60233229.5
2022Best2088130
2023Good2751430.5

All Kia Soul years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Soul reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2021 Soul a Complaint Index of 60, ranking it 7th worst among 16 model years, so it earns a Caution verdict relative to other Soul years.
What is the main problem with the 2021 Kia Soul?
Engine complaints make up 77% of all reported issues for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 75,000 miles, and two recalls address faulty piston oil rings.
Does the 2021 Kia Soul have an engine recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists two recalls covering the engine, campaigns 21V259000 and 25V099000, both tied to improperly manufactured or heat-treated piston oil rings that can cause engine damage.
How does the 2021 Kia Soul compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 60 is lower than the worst years like 2015 (100) and 2014 (93), but higher than better years such as 2019 (13) and 2024 (0).
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Kia Soul?
The EPA rates it at 29.5 mpg combined (27.5 city / 32.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,200.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.