2021 Kia Soul problems, complaints & recalls

2021 Kia Soul recalls (2)

• Recall 25V099000Feb 17, 2025137,256 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.

• Recall 21V259000Apr 13, 2021147,249 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• AQ25001Opened Aug 6, 2025Closed Dec 18, 2025

  Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness

  On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.’s (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On August 11, 2025, an Information Request (IR) was issued to Kia reques…

NHTSA 5-Star safety ratings

Recent 2021 Kia Soul complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026OHEngine

   Burning oil and piston failure in my 2021 Kia soul. But it’s not the 1 percent under recall. More than just the 1 percent

   NHTSA complaint #11769404 · source
2. Filed Oct 3, 2026NCEngine

   Was driving engine jumped time and stalled out doing 45. Vehicle only has 63499 miles on it. Had it towed to dealership. The vehicle passed the original piston oil ring recall test in 2025 and 15,000 miles later is needing a new engine due to the ineffectiveness of Kia recall.

   NHTSA complaint #11768671 · source
3. Filed Sep 28, 2026NJEngine

   consumer protection complaint against Gateway Kia of North Brunswick for wrongful warranty denial, deceptive business practices, and failure to comply with a federally mandated class action settlement.On Friday, September 25, 2026, my 2021 Kia Soul was left at Gateway Kia due to engine distress. The service department performed a physical mechanical bearing test and confirmed that the vehicle has a failed connecting rod bearing (the engine rod is shot).Despite this…

   NHTSA complaint #11767450 · source
4. Filed Sep 24, 2026MIEngine

   My 2021 Kia Soul was included in Recall SC336 involving defective piston oil rings that may cause increased oil consumption, engine damage, and stalling. The recall remedy was done in June 2025. Kia digitally inspected the engine and said it passed so no engine replacement was performed. Eight months later the car began having symptoms mirroring those of the recall. On February 13, 2026, an independent repair facility documented a check engine light, poor acceleration,…

   NHTSA complaint #11766643 · source
5. Filed Sep 9, 2026CAEngine

   Recall 25V099/SC336 was not performed on my vehicle when it was in the dealership. My vehicle is now disabled at Capitol Kia San Jose with complete engine failure. They are denying any responsibility and refusing repair coverage. I have written a formal letter to Kia Corporation requesting an immediate review of my vehicle. With this being an NHTSA recall I am hoping to get some intervention somewhere regarding this situation.

   NHTSA complaint #11763092 · source
6. Filed Sep 8, 2026OHEngine

   The check engine light came on in the car and within a few minutes while looking for a safe place the pull over there was a foul smell coming from the engine, followed by many error lights on the dash and the car losing the ability to accelerate and drive. The car had to be towed to a local repair shop who inspected the car and found that the engine a thrown a rod through the engine block.

   NHTSA complaint #11762913 · source
7. Filed Sep 4, 2026188,000 miVATowedEngine

   The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); and the recall repair was previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not yet diagnosed due to the cost. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the…

   NHTSA complaint #11762182 · source
8. Filed Sep 4, 2026VAEngine

   My kia soul has high oil consumption. When informed of the recall for the piston rings, I had First Team Kia look at it. They informed me that they didn't see anything wrong so they cleared the recall. They NEVER performed the oil consumption test. Within 3 weeks, I traveled over 800 miles, round trip, and upon my return home I had to put 4 qrts of oil back in my car. I took my car to Southern Auto. They performed the oil consumption test that revealed the car has high oil…

   NHTSA complaint #11762118 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology