2021 Kia Soul engine problems
186 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2021 Kia Soul, which is 58% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 186 58% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 75,000 miles 57 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When engine problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 5 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 6 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 10 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 15 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 57 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 75,000 miles, and 33% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 crash, 1 fire, 2 injuries.
What owners wrote
We were going south on [XXX] about 25 mph intending to make a left turn onto [XXX] My wife said “slow down or you won’t make the turn” to which I replied “I am trying but it won’t slow down” As I applied the brakes to slow down to turn, instead the car started to speed up and I could not make the left turn. I continued down the road trying to slow down enough to attempt a left turn on to [XXX] But the car continued to go even faster, so I pumped the brakes trying to slow down and get the car to stop.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repair. The dealer replaced the piston rings; however, the Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software was not updated as it was not available during the recall repair. The contact stated while driving 35-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. There were no warning lights illuminated.
Other problems reported for the 2021 Kia Soul
- Drivetrain & axles 26 complaints
- Electrical system 15 complaints