2021 Kia Soul problems
NHTSA has received 320 complaints about the 2021 Kia Soul, and 58% of them involve engine. After that come drivetrain & axles (8%) and electrical system (5%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 320 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 58% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 24 and 4
- Injuries and deaths
- 12 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 47,000 miles 85 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 27 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 9 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 11 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 16 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 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
Among the 85 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 46,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 75,000 miles (57 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 24 complaints mention a crash; 4 complaints mention a fire; 12 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2021 ranks 5th most-complained-about out of 15 model years of the Kia Soul with enough data (320 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
My daughter was driving her 2021 KIA Soul S and a Chevy Silverado suddenly pulled in front of her. The crash report says impact was at 50 mph. My daughter survived the crash; however, the vehicle immediately caught on fire and flames entered the cabin from what was left of the engine compartment. Her airbag inflated, but did not deflate. She punched the airbag to make enough room for her to try and exit the vehicle, but her driver's door would not open using the handle even after manually unlocking the door.
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.
Vehicle keeps pulling. Vehicle pulled to the right. Performed a steering angle relearned, and wheel alignment. Cross rotated tires and now the vehicle pulls to the left. Told nothing else can be done at this time. Car is constantly. Fighting itself with steering assist.
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.