2021 Kia Soul
2 recalls · 189 complaints · Safety Score D
Recall History
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.
Consequence & Remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Consequence & Remedy
Consequence: 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.
Recent Complaints
| Date | Component | Description | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/30/2026 | Engine | I am writing to formally report a failure by Classic Kia of Streetsboro to provide the federally mandated safety remedy ... | No | No |
| 03/29/2026 | Engine | NHTSA SAFETY COMPLAINT: RECALL SC336 (CAMPAIGN 21V-301) NON-COMPLIANCE VIN: [XXX] I. PATTERN OF RECALL EVASION Vehicle ... | No | No |
| 03/23/2026 | Engine and Engine Cooling | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormally... | No | No |
| 03/23/2026 | Engine and Engine Cooling | The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started losing... | No | No |
| 03/17/2026 | Engine | My 2021 Kia Soul is exhibiting a severe safety defect documented in Recall SC336: frequent, unpredictable stalling in tr... | No | No |
| 03/17/2026 | Engine | DEALER ADMISSION OF NON-COMPLIANCE: I am updating my complaint to document that Kia of Streetsboro is officially refusin... | No | No |
| 03/17/2026 | Engine | My car experienced engine stall, fire risk, and piston ring failure while returning from a family road trip. Myself, my ... | No | No |
| 03/16/2026 | Steering,engine | 1. Component or System Malfunction Engine (internal piston/piston ring system) is malfunctioning. The vehicle exhibits c... | No | No |
| 03/16/2026 | Service Brakes,forward Collision Avoidance | I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety failure involving the service braking system and the failure of Fo... | Yes | No |
| 03/10/2026 | Engine | Vehicle consistently stalls at complete stops in traffic. After the engine stalls, it requires a manual restart to resum... | No | No |
Most Complained-About Components
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2021 Kia Soul has 2 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA. Total complaints filed: 189.
The 2021 Kia Soul has a Safety Score of 31/100 (Grade D). This score factors in recall severity (40%), complaint frequency (30%), crash and fire reports (20%), and trend direction (10%).
The 2021 Kia Soul received a Safety Score of D. This vehicle has a below-average safety record — review the specific recalls and complaints below. There are 12 crash reports on file. There are 3 fire reports.
Contact your nearest Kia dealership to schedule a free recall repair. You can also check your specific vehicle by VIN at NHTSA.gov. Manufacturers are required by law to fix recall-related defects at no cost.
Safety Score is calculated from recall severity (40%), complaint frequency (30%), crash/fire reports (20%), and safety trend (10%).