Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2021 Kia Soul: common problems and reliability
An average Soul year.
233 owner complaints, most about engine. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Soul?The 2021 Kia Soul has 233 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine and engine cooling.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Kia Soul vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Soul years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Soul?
Across the 16 Soul model years we track, complaint volume runs from 51 (2023) to 1,808 (2015). With 233 complaints, the 2021 Soul sits below the model's median of 290.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Soul
engine
Campaign 21V259000Kia 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.
engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Campaign 25V099000Kia 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.
What owners say across generations
Mixed to negative sentiment, heavily dependent on model year and engine.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Soul. See the full Soul owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Soul listings typically run $13,383–$20,275 across 2015 to 2025 model years.
Other Soul model years
Compare every Soul year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Soul against its rivals
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