The Lemon Index2021 Kia Soul.
The 2021 Kia Soul is about average by owner complaints: 69 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 95, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 27 to 31 mpg combined. The best Kia Soul year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 238 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Soul year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 93K miles on the car (65 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 8K–84K miles
Recalls 2
- engine 2025
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
- engine 2021
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 117 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…
- Technical service bulletin: front view camera replacement and software upgrade installation -…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedKia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2050–2400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Turning left onto busy street, engine stopped, car stuck in incoming traffic lane, would not go momentarily.
2021 Kia Soul owner · NHTSA complaint 11507138
More owner reports
While driving my kia soul 2021 it had a complete engine failure. Completely shut down!!!
NHTSA complaint 11530666
Engine light was on , I was driving the turn off I take the car to Kia theyâre fixed in December, now the is doing the same engine light on, I was driving the car turn off is the same problem the I have before,
NHTSA complaint 11510524
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Kia Soul reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 95; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Soul year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Soul problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (42%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Soul have?
2 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Soul get?
27 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Kia Soul safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Soul problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 93,500 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 65 complaints.
Does the 2021 Kia Soul have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Kia Soul cost in fuel a year?
About $2050 to $2400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Kia Soul have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Kia Soul year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2013 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works