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2021 Kia Soul

Gas
Small Station Wagons
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
C
Safety Signal
70 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA231
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA31 mpg
2025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Kia Soul is sold in the U.S. as a gas wagon with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Soul Eco dynamics, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of C. Owners have filed 231 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Soul Eco dynamicsGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl293531$2,000
SoulGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl283330$2,100
SoulGasFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo273229$2,150
SoulGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl253127$2,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42497, 42496, 42499, 42498.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Kia Soul is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

SC336
137,256 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskEngine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.FixDealers 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 campaign 25V099000reported Feb 17, 2025Kia America, Inc.
!critical

Engine

SC209
147,249 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA 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.FixKia 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 campaign 21V259000reported Apr 13, 2021Kia Motors America

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical — Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness closed

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 requesting: 1) why the inspection test was revised from requiring a ‘cold’ engine to a ‘warm’ en

Opened Aug 6, 2025 · closed Dec 18, 2025 · action AQ25001

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
231complaints filed

12 involved a crash · 3 a fire · 5 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2020: 3 · 2021: 15 · 2022: 12 · 2023: 25 · 2024: 14 · 2025: 92 · 2026: 70

Most-cited components

Engine131
Engine And Engine Cooling48
Unspecified26
Power Train26
Electrical System15
Service Brakes10

What owners describe

“On or approximately January 6, 2023 my 2021 Kia Soul with ISG technology began to display Check Engine Light. Took to AutoZone where they hooked to analyzer and came up with P0017 code. Notified local Kia dealership (Galeana in Columbia, SC) and was told could not get appointment until 01/24. Told if engine light no bl…”Jan 30, 2023 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“On 12/29/2022, the check engine light came while driving to work on my 2021 Kia (25k miles). I called the dealership right away and made an appointment for inspection the next day. At lunch time the same day, I got into my car and went through a local drive thru. On the way back, the vehicle stalled out WHILE driving. …”Jan 12, 2023 · Engine · NHTSA owner report
“On 12/28 at approximately 5:00 pm my vehicle shut off 2 times within a span of 30 minutes while I was driving it. It happened on approach to a highway. It was NOT the Stop-Start System. My car was moving while it happened. My car lost all power, and every warning indicator flashed in my dash and I even lost my power st…”Jan 7, 2023 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆15%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Compare the 2021 Soul with

2021 Nissan Rogue Sport →

Other Soul model years

A

2025 Kia Soul

0 recalls · 12 complaints

A

2024 Kia Soul

0 recalls · 29 complaints

F

2023 Kia Soul

4 recalls · 50 complaints

B

2022 Kia Soul

1 recalls · 88 complaints

B

2020 Kia Soul

1 recalls · 375 complaints

C

2019 Kia Soul

3 recalls · 138 complaints

C

2018 Kia Soul

3 recalls · 216 complaints

C

2017 Kia Soul

3 recalls · 288 complaints

F

2016 Kia Soul

5 recalls · 812 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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