2021 Kia Soul
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Kia Soul is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.
2021 Kia Soul at a glance
Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.
2021 Kia Soul recalls 2
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.
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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 t…
Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.
2021 Kia Soul common problems
The most-reported problem areas from 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2021 Kia Soul MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2021 Kia Soul costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
2021 Kia Soul trims & engines on record
2021 Kia Soul vehicles on record
Other Kia Soul model years
2021 Kia Soul — frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Kia Soul have any safety recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Soul?
Based on 216 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Soul get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 2021 Kia Soul at about 29 mpg combined (27 city / 32 highway).
Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.