Owners have reported 12 crashes, 3 fires and 5 injuries to NHTSA for the 2021 KIA Soul. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints85
ENGINE
Owners report frequent issues with the 2021 Kia Soul's engine, primarily involving stalling, excessive oil consumption, and engine failure. Typical symptoms include engine stalling at stops or while driving, audible knocking, and warning lights for check engine and oil. Many complaints occur around 80,000 to 90,000 miles, with some owners noting issues shortly after recall-related repairs. Safety implications are significant, as multiple reports mention the risk of rear-end collisions due to sudden stalling and, in one case, an engine fire. These patterns suggest potential buyers should be cautious of engine reliability and verify any recall compliance and repairs.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints36
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners report that the 2021 Kia Soul frequently experiences excessive oil consumption and engine failures. Complaints often describe symptoms such as abnormal engine noises, rough idling, stalling, loss of power, and illuminated check engine lights. These issues typically emerge at mileages ranging from approximately 30,000 to over 150,000 miles. Some owners mention that their vehicles stall while driving, posing potential safety risks, but no reports of crashes or fires are noted. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring engine issues and the potential need for significant repairs, including engine replacements.
Owner complaints16
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2021 Kia Soul frequently report issues related to the power train, particularly involving transmission failures and engine power loss. Typical symptoms include sudden loss of power while driving, inability to accelerate, engine revving without power transfer to the wheels, and erratic RPM fluctuations. Many complaints mention these issues occurring at various mileage points, but some note problems as early as 3,400 miles and others at higher mileages like 70,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of vehicles losing power on highways, creating potential hazards for rear-end collisions. One complaint involves a crash resulting from these issues. This information is crucial for used car buyers considering the 2021 Kia Soul, as it highlights potential reliability concerns with the vehicle's power train.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several reliability issues with the 2021 Kia Soul, with multiple complaints mentioning engine stalling and oil consumption problems. Symptoms frequently described include the vehicle stalling while driving, excessive oil consumption requiring frequent oil changes, and a burning oil smell without warning lights. Complaints also note engine ticking sounds and issues with acceleration, particularly at low mileages, such as around 3,500 to 8,000 miles. Safety implications are highlighted by reports of a vehicle fire originating from the car while parked and a crash resulting from theft due to a design flaw in the ignition switch. These issues suggest potential safety risks and maintenance concerns for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report multiple issues with the electrical system of the 2021 KIA Soul, with frequent mentions of stalling and loss of power. Symptoms include the vehicle stalling at stoplights, unexpected acceleration when braking, and complete electrical failure affecting headlights, wipers, and dashboard lights, often after hitting a bump or in wet conditions. Several complaints describe problems occurring shortly after purchase or within the first 14,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with one reported crash resulting in two injuries due to uncontrollable acceleration and brake failure. Additionally, the vehicle's ignition vulnerability has been highlighted in a theft attempt, suggesting a potential security risk.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints9
STEERING
Owners of the 2021 Kia Soul frequently report issues with the steering system, with several complaints describing abnormal clunking sounds and a drifting or pulling sensation while driving. Symptoms often include the steering wheel shifting back and forth or pulling to one side, sometimes after a period of steady driving. These issues are noted at varying mileages, with some reports as early as 204 miles and others around 53,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as some owners experience loss of steering control, which could lead to dangerous situations on the road. Buyers should be aware of these potential steering problems and the need for careful inspection before purchase.
Owner complaints6
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report significant issues with the service brakes of the 2021 Kia Soul, often involving crashes. A common failure pattern involves the brake pedal failing to depress or engage normally during emergency situations, with multiple incidents where the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems fail to activate. These issues have resulted in crashes, including rear-end collisions and impacts with stationary objects. Complaints frequently mention severe mechanical damage following these failures, and one owner notes unusual brake pad wear at under 10,000 miles. Buyers should be aware of these potential safety implications, especially given the pattern of brake system failures and non-functioning collision-avoidance systems.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2021 KIA Soul frequently report issues with airbags failing to deploy during crashes, with all four complaints involving significant frontal impacts. Typical symptoms described include severe front-end damage where airbags did not activate, leading to injuries in three cases. One report also mentions a fire following a collision, with the airbag inflating but not deflating, complicating the driver's escape. These incidents often involve substantial vehicle damage, and in one instance, the vehicle was deemed a total loss. Prospective buyers should be aware of these safety-related concerns, especially since they occur during high-impact collisions.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 1 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints2
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners report issues related to the 2021 KIA Soul's paint and glass components. Complaints frequently mention massive paint delamination on the roof, where large sheets of paint flake off during motion, potentially distracting drivers and exposing the metal underneath. Another issue involves the sunroof, which owners describe as spontaneously exploding without external impact, raising the risk of injury or distraction. Additionally, a similar glass failure is noted with the driver’s door window, where it breaks without apparent cause or evidence of vandalism. These problems seem to occur regardless of mileage or specific timeline, and they present potential safety hazards related to visibility and debris.
Owner complaints2
SUSPENSION
Owners report issues with the suspension of the 2021 Kia Soul, particularly involving steering and tie rod failures. Complaints frequently mention a popping or grinding noise when turning the wheel, with one report specifically describing a snapped left front tie rod that resulted in a loss of steering control. These issues are noted to occur early in the vehicle's life, with one owner experiencing problems as soon as three months after purchase. The safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control, which could lead to dangerous situations on the road. Used car buyers should be aware of these reported suspension issues and consider inspecting the vehicle's steering components before purchase.
