2021 Kia Soul Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 179 engine complaints for the 2021 Kia Soul, 77% of its 233 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 75,000. Two recalls cover faulty piston oil rings that can cause engine damage, including one fire and one crash reported.
- Engine complaints
- 179
- 77% of 233
- Crashes reported
- 1
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 75,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine stalls suddenly while driving at various speeds, sometimes with an 'engine failure' message and no warning lights.
- Loud ticking or knocking noise from the engine develops over a few days and worsens before a stall.
- Owners report low oil and coolant levels shortly after purchase with no dashboard warning illuminated.
- After the piston-ring recall repair, some owners still experienced stalling because the related software update was not yet available.
- Excessive oil consumption noticed after routine oil changes, accompanied by a slight knocking sound.
- One reported case involved loss of power followed by an engine fire that left the vehicle a total loss.
When 2021 Kia Soul engine complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 19, 2020, latest Sep 24, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2021 Kia Soul
- 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.
- 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.
Engine complaints by Soul model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Are engine problems common in the 2021 Kia Soul?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 179 engine complaints for the 2021 Soul, which is 77% of all 233 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Kia Soul engine?
- Yes, two recalls apply: campaign 21V259000 (2021, reported April 2021) and campaign 25V099000 (2021-2023 Soul and Seltos, reported February 2025), both involving improperly manufactured or heat-treated piston oil rings that can cause engine damage.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 75,000 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2021 Kia Soul.
- Have engine problems caused any fires or crashes in the 2021 Soul?
- NHTSA records show 1 fire, 1 crash, and 2 injuries associated with complaints in this engine dataset.
- What is the recall remedy for the piston ring issue?
- Dealers inspect the engine and replace it if necessary, free of charge, and install a piston-ring noise sensing system as part of the fix.