Are there open safety recalls?
2 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2021 Kia Soul has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 222 owner complaints, and gets about 31 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2021 Kia Soul
- Engine 4-cyl 2L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Small Station Wagons
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
5 injuries reported
5 of 222 reports (~2%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 20191recall
- 20201recall
- 2021 · this car2recalls
- 20221recall
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 3, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 4 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 3 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2021 Kia Soul SUV FWD
Open safety recalls
2 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Engine
13/04/2021
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Engine And Engine Cooling
17/02/2025
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 3, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 2019134reports
- 2020365reports
- 2021 · this car222reports
- 202288reports
222 owner reports on file
12 crash mentions 3 fire mentions 5 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 222 total reports.
- ENGINE 101 of 222
Vehicle: 2021 Kia Soul LX, 2.0L Engine Subject: Loss of Motive Power and Stall While Driving Under Recall SC336 Description of Incident: On 07/02 @ roughly 6:15PM, while driving on the highway I-35E at approximately 60 MPH, my vehicle's e
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 42 of 222
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at a
- POWER TRAIN 21 of 222
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
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 of 222
Took my vehicle in a year ago for the oil piston recall to the Kia dealer in North Huntington, Pa. I was told they corrected the recall during other servicing. My vehicle just broke down and is unable to be driven due to this unresolved iss
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10 of 222
The entire car is dead from the engine to the key function completely dead. The car broke down 3 time in the middle of the street which could've caused a serious crash putting my safety and others at risk. The problem has been addressed to
- STEERING 9 of 222
1. Component or System Malfunction Engine (internal piston/piston ring system) is malfunctioning. The vehicle exhibits clanking noises (“marbles in a can”) and cuts off or stalls unexpectedly while driving. The car is available for inspecti
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 3, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2021.
- 201928mpg
- 202029mpg
- 2021 · this car31mpg
- 202229mpg
$2,000
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 29 mpg
Highway driving 35 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 31 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to save about $1,000 on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 101 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 24 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 3, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (variable gear ratios)
- Body
- Small Station Wagons
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 3, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the engine). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2021 Kia Soul listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2021 Kia Soul? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Soul, including the engine. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Soul get? +
The EPA rates the 2021 Kia Soul at 31 mpg combined (29 city / 35 highway), about $2,000 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2021 Kia Soul? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Kia Soul 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2021 Kia Soul? +
Owners have filed 222 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Soul, including 12 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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