Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal
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.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 239 owner complaints for the 2021 Kia Soul. Most complaints involve engine (139) and engine and engine cooling (47). The EPA rates it 27–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Soul model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 135 |
| 2011 | 194 |
| 2012 | 515 |
| 2013 | 667 |
| 2014 | 905 |
| 2015 | 908 |
| 2016 | 823 |
| 2017 | 290 |
| 2018 | 223 |
| 2019 | 140 |
| 2020 | 388 |
| 2021 | 239 |
| 2022 | 95 |
| 2023 | 54 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 12 |
“I bought my car brand new. 5 years later, im driving and come to a stop and stall. Crank up, drive and come.to a stop and stall again. I took to dealership twice and another shop for second review. Shop said I should be covered under the oil piston recall, but need to find out. Dealership at first only.told.me I just needed a tune-up. Then when I took it to the shop for second opinion, kia corporate then told.me.to take back to dealership. I did, on trailer, and then they confirmed what shop said and told.me.i had a bad motor. The dealership then told.me they take it as a trade in since I cant afford a.new motor, but when I get there, they tell me they won't take it. Ive paid.on this car 10 months while.trying to get answers. Now im going g to have this on my credit and I STILL DONT HAVE A CAR 10 MONTHS LATER AS A SINGLE MOM”
“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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 188,000.”
“I am filing this complaint regarding my 2021 Kia Soul due to repeated engine and powertrain failures and concerns about the quality and safety of the repairs. While my vehicle was under Kia's 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, I repeatedly brought it to the dealership for excessive oil consumption and transmission problems. Despite multiple visits, the dealership performed minor repairs or claimed they could not identify the transmission issue. I also contacted Kia Consumer Affairs but received no assistance. Shortly after my warranty expired, Kia determined both the engine and transmission required replacement. The repairs were completed as a "good faith" repair rather than a warranty or recall repair, using remanufactured components. Since then, I have continued experiencing problems. The replacement engine appears to have been installed improperly, including stripped motor mount bolts/pins and a missing bracket. Within months, I also developed radiator and coolant reservoir problems, raising additional safety concerns. I understand Kia has issued recalls and service campaigns involving similar engine and powertrain defects. When I previously checked my VIN, I…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soul Eco dynamics Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 35 | 31 | $2,050 | 287 |
| Soul Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 33 | 30 | $2,150 | 302 |
| Soul Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 32 | 29 | $2,200 | 309 |
| Soul Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 31 | 27 | $2,400 | 332 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 239 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (139), engine and engine cooling (47), power train (26). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2021 Kia Soul at 27–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Kia Soul 4 out of 5 stars overall.