2021 Kia Soul engine and engine cooling problems
47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2021 Kia Soul — 20% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Sep 4, 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the high oil consumption might cause a fire in the engine bay due to a failure with the piston rings. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number…”
filed Aug 18, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damageCampaign 25V099000 · Feb 17, 2025
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Soul years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Soul | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 Soul | 19 | 22% |
| 2020 Soul | 11 | 3% |
| 2019 Soul | 6 | 4% |
| 2018 Soul | 9 | 4% |
| 2017 Soul | 9 | 3% |
| 2016 Soul | 106 | 13% |
| 2015 Soul | 58 | 6% |
| 2014 Soul | 55 | 6% |
| 2013 Soul | 44 | 7% |
| 2012 Soul | 32 | 6% |
| 2011 Soul | 4 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Kia Soul
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.