The Lemon Index2021 Kia Soul. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 3
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S7) | FWD | 27 / 32 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto (variable gear ratios) | FWD | 28 / 33 / 30 | Regular | $2,100 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | FWD | 25 / 31 / 27 | Regular | $2,300 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 20,000 and 93,500 miles. Median 65,000, from 65 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 41,000 | 8,000–84,000 | 15 |
| Engine | 80,000 | 53,000–109,000 | 41 |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 8,400 | 2,900–58,000 | 6 |
| Steering | 4,800 | 400–32,500 | 5 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 42% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 20% |
| Electrical | 9% |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 7% |
| Steering | 6% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 238 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 28 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 2
25V099000 Feb 2025 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine / Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Defect. 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.
Risk. Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
21V259000 Apr 2021 Engine
Defect. 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.
Risk. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness | 2025 | 2025 |
Manufacturer communications 117
Kia filed 117 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…
- Technical service bulletin: front view camera replacement and software upgrade installation -…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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