2021 Kia Soul
Common Problems
Ranked from 81 federal NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
28 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Stop-Start System Failure
16complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine frequently stalls at idle, especially during stop-start operation, leading to loss of power and difficulty restarting.
$150–$900est. stop-start system diagnosis · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 2
Engine oil consumption and loss of power
8complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine consumes excessive amounts of oil, leading to loss of power and frequent stalling.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 3
Excessive Oil Consumption
8complaintsHigh severityFuel systemThe engine consumes more than one quart of oil per 1000 miles without visible leaks.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotes - 4
Engine Overheating and Oil Consumption
7complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine overheats and consumes excessive oil, leading to potential engine failure and fire risks.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 5
Engine failure due to piston oil ring issues
6complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine fails due to defective piston oil rings, leading to stalling, loss of power, and potential fire risk.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 6
Engine misfire and check engine light issues
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and the check engine light frequently illuminates, indicating underlying engine issues.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 7
Engine stalling and loss of control
6complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine stalls unexpectedly, often losing control of the steering, posing a safety risk.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 8
Engine stalling during acceleration
6complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls during acceleration, often requiring multiple attempts to restart, leading to frustration and inconvenience.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 9
Excessive oil consumption during recall repairs
6complaintsMedium severityEngineDespite recall repairs, the engine continues to consume excessive oil, leading to frequent oil changes.
$400–$4,500est. oil-consumption repair (rings/pcv) · 3–14 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 10
Transmission Failure
6complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe transmission fails, often requiring immediate repair or replacement.
$2,500–$5,500est. transmission rebuild/replacement · 8–16 hrs laborGet local quotes - 11
Complete Loss of Power During Deceleration
5complaintsHigh severityTransmissionThe vehicle loses power suddenly when decelerating, often leading to a complete stall.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotes - 12
Engine Failure Due to Recalled Piston Oil Rings
5complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine fails due to faulty piston oil rings, leading to engine fires and potential loss of power, posing a safety risk.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 13
Engine Failure During Highway Driving
5complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine fails completely during highway driving, potentially leading to a loss of control.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 14
Engine Knocking and Abnormal Noise
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces knocking sounds and abnormal noises, indicating potential internal damage or misalignment.
Related recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 15
Engine Light On with No Clear Issue Identified
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe check engine light comes on without a clear issue being identified by mechanics.
Related recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 16
Engine Low Oil Level and Warning Light
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine frequently runs low on oil, leading to warning lights and potential engine failure.
$100–$250est. professional diagnosis · 1–2 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 17
Engine Misfire and Unresponsive Accelerator Pedal
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and the accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive, leading to sudden loss of power and difficulty controlling the vehicle.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 18
Engine Shuddering and Stalling
5complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine shudders and stalls intermittently, especially at various speeds, leading to frequent breakdowns.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 19
Engine Seizure and Complete Loss of Power
4complaintsSafety riskEngineThe engine suddenly seizes and loses all power, requiring immediate towing and posing a safety risk.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 20
Engine Stall During Driving
3complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine stalls during driving without any warning lights.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 21
Engine Failure Due to Recall Issues
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine fails despite completion of recalls, indicating incomplete or improper repairs.
$4,000–$8,000est. engine replacement · 12–20 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 22
Engine Knocking and Misfire
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces knocking sounds and misfires, often due to piston ring issues.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 23
Engine Noise and Failure
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine produces a ticking sound and stalls, sometimes accompanied by a loud noise.
Related recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 24
Engine Overheating and Failure
2complaintsHigh severityEngineThe engine overheats and fails, sometimes requiring full engine replacement.
$150–$1,200est. cooling-system diagnosis + repair · 1–6 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 25
Engine Stall at Idle Due to Misfire
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine misfires and stalls at idle, often without warning lights.
$200–$900est. ignition service (coils/plugs) · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 26
Engine Stalling During Driving
2complaintsMedium severityEngineThe engine stalls during driving, especially at high speeds or under load.
$150–$1,200est. stalling / shutdown diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recalls: 21V259000, 25V099000
- 27
Forward Collision Avoidance System Failure
2complaintsSafety riskFuel systemThe forward collision avoidance system fails to activate during potential collisions, increasing crash risk.
- 28
Steering Issues During Long Curves
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe lane keep assist system falls asleep during long curves, posing a safety risk.
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.