Research · Small Station Wagons

2021 Kia SoulRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

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.

Combined MPG
27–31mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Feb 2025
Owner complaints
239
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Feb 17, 2025NHTSA 25V099000

Engine

Free remedy

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.

EngineReported Apr 13, 2021NHTSA 21V259000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

239 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine139
  2. Engine and engine cooling47
  3. Power train26
  4. Electrical system15
  5. Fuel/propulsion system10
  6. Service brakes10
  7. Steering9
  8. Exterior lighting6
  9. Visibility/wiper6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Soul model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2010135
2011194
2012515
2013667
2014905
2015908
2016823
2017290
2018223
2019140
2020388
2021239
202295
202354
202430
202512
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

139 reports1 crash1 fire
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2026Unknown or other, EngineODI 11773473

Engine and engine cooling

47 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11762182

Power train

26 reports1 crash
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 29, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11747277
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AM-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Soul Eco dynamics
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293531$2,050287
Soul
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283330$2,150302
Soul
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
273229$2,200309
Soul
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
253127$2,400332
  • Soul Eco dynamics
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    29 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Soul
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 33 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Soul
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    27 city · 32 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Soul
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    25 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Kia Soul SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
3 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 15135
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Soul questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Soul have?

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.

What are the most common 2021 Kia Soul problems?

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.

What MPG does the 2021 Kia Soul get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Kia Soul at 27–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Kia Soul?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Kia Soul 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026