YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Soul Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 18 electrical system complaints for the 2021 Kia Soul, 8% of its 233 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 13,000 miles. No recalls are tied specifically to this electrical pattern.

Electrical System complaints
18
8% of 233
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
13,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden total power loss while driving in wet weather, with headlights and wipers cutting out at highway speed.
  • Some describe a cascading warning-light sequence — power steering, tire pressure, then all dash lights — followed by loss of interior lighting, power locks, and sunroof function shortly after purchase.
  • Several mention the horn failing to operate, in some cases more than once on the same vehicle.
  • Owners describe burned wiring and fuses linked to brake light failures and to headlamps burning out from an electrical short.
  • One owner reported the ignition system's steering column construction made it easy for the vehicle to be broken into and tampered with during an attempted theft.
  • A few describe headlights, wipers, dash lights, and infotainment display all shutting off simultaneously while driving in rain, sometimes after hitting a bump.

When 2021 Kia Soul electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 30, 2020, latest Aug 10, 2026.

2021 Kia Soul electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2020Sep 2022Nov 2023Feb 2025Apr 2025Aug 2025Feb 2026Jun 2026
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2020 to Aug 2026; peak Feb 2024 (2).

Electrical System recalls for the 2021 Kia Soul

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Electrical System complaints by Soul model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201028 (21%)
  2. 201142 (22%)
  3. 201247 (9%)
  4. 201378 (12%)
  5. 2014187 (21%)
  6. 201599 (11%)
  7. 201669 (8%)
  8. 201719 (7%)
  9. 201822 (10%)
  10. 201917 (13%)
  11. 202033 (9%)
  12. 202118 (8%)
  13. 202210 (11%)
  14. 202316 (31%)
  15. 202411 (38%)
  16. 20254 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical complaints does the 2021 Kia Soul have?
NHTSA lists 18 electrical system complaints for the 2021 Kia Soul, which is 8% of the 233 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Kia Soul electrical system?
No recall is listed specifically for the electrical system complaints. A separate recall (Campaign 25V099000) covers the engine and engine cooling system, which some owners mention alongside electrical symptoms.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Soul electrical problems usually show up?
NHTSA data shows a median failure mileage of 13,000 miles for electrical system complaints on the 2021 Kia Soul.
How does the 2021 Kia Soul compare to other years for electrical complaints?
The 2021 Soul's electrical complaints are 8% of its total complaints, lower than years like 2011 (22%) and 2014 (21%), but the 2023 and 2024 model years show higher shares at 31% and 38%.

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.