10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
500 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Kia Soul miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2021 Kia Soul Owner Comments

problem #16

Mar 102023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

For years I have been experiencing the vehicle stalling, shutting off while driving, smelling oil burning and oil is disappearing which has me going to get an oil change every 1000 miles. Low oil light has never came on even when oil reservoir has been bone dry. My safety is jeopardized every time I drive this vehicle. This issue has been addressed to service center and they state according to Kia the excessive oil leak is -??normal-?? and it-??s not with any other vehicle. Also the service center does not know why oil is leaking or where oil is leaking which is a major concern. I no longer have free oil changes because I have used them all up due to multiple services for oil changes. Mind you I bought the car new in 2021.

- Antioch , CA, USA

problem #15

Oct 012023

Soul

  • miles
My 2021 Kia Soul was an attempted theft. The vehicle was locked and the would-be thieves gained access by breaking the passenger rear window. The True failure is in the ignition system. As the thieves tore apart the steering column and dismantled the ignition system, and they were ready to pull away before being interrupted. This defect in the simplicity and ease of access to the ignition system without ANY safe guards to prevent theft poses a safety risk to those who may interrupt would-be thieves in the action. While also posing a risk to the general public by inciting further possible road hazards, due to the nature of those operating the vehicles.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #14

Jun 152023

Soul

  • miles
car is doing jerk moves and it stopped working when i was driving around 30 mph in a hospital area. Ive been told that car is burning oil since day one. The only ppl changing the oil is the kia dealer and i've been told to change the oil to get it fixed but i need to change the oil every 4k miles and car is brand new from 2021... I already been in dealer reporting that car needs engine replacement and they always say that car only need oil change. However, this month a person from that dealer told me that he changed many kia same model and asked me to call kia to get the engine replace, because the car is gonna get me kill. He doesnt want me to say his name but i will sue Kia if something happens to me.

- Round Hill, VA, USA

problem #13

Sep 152023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We were traveling on the freeway 70 mph surrounded by heavy traffic at night, the vehicle started surging and bucking, shaking violently. The rpm's swung wildly from 2000 to above 3500 and car started to decelerate quickly in heavy traffic. I was able to get the car into right lane but feared being rear ended due to speed falling abruptly. Even though accelerator was being depressed and engine running car would not go and loosing power fast. I was able to turn off at an exit and there was just enough enough power to make it up a slight hill and turn right onto a round-a-bout where the vehicle would no longer move, abruptly stopping the fast traffic behind and again fearing a rear end collision to us. The engine produced power but nothing going to wheels, it was as if vehicle was in neutral no matter where the shift selector was placed. The police helped to push us off the road into a parking lot.

- Sussex, WI, USA

problem #12

Oct 202022

Soul

  • miles
The engine is consuming increasingly high amounts of oil with no leaks, far surpassing the one quart per 1000 miles. Oil pressure lamp has illuminated on 1-2 occasions, only briefly, and shortly before I took it to the dealership. Unusual noises coming from the engine while accelerating and also after I stop. I had my oil changed 1 week ago, unusual noises have not improved. Currently awaiting inspection at the dealership for manufacturer warranty coverage for repair of this issue, but seems to have all the earmarks and the production date (9/20) that line up with the piston ring recall, though they say my vehicle is not covered by the recall.

- Spring, TX, USA

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problem #11

Sep 212022

Soul

  • miles
When exiting the highway, I pushed on brake to slow down and car accelerated at fast speed and had to use emergency brake.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #10

May 152022

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On May 15, 2022 my house burned and all my belongings and the home were a total loss. The fire origination specialist brought in by my homeowners Insurance Company reported the back left of the garage was the origination spot and that my 2021 Kia Soul was parked face in on the left side of the garage. The car was charred and the Chrysler 300 parked next to it was also damaged but recognizable. The Kia had been unused for 24 hours plus. Both the auto and home owners insurance companies are investigating the Kia as the source at a salvage company in Lumberton, NC.

- Murrells Inlet, SC, USA

problem #9

Jun 012022

Soul

  • miles
After stopping on a grade and after the engine shuts off, and you take your foot off the accelerator pedal to move forward, there is a lengthy pause (sometimes) before the engine restarts and proceeds forward. If there is a vehicle behind you it can be unnerving and if they are real close it could cause an accident. I had the dealer check it and they could not find any service bulletins on that issue. This has happened on multiple occasions.

- Hudson, OH, USA

problem #8

Mar 092021

Soul

  • miles
I am very concern with the 2021 KIA Soul that I drive presently. The vehicle is in my son-??s name; however, I pay the monthly payments and I am the primary driver for this automobile; this is also listed on my insurance policy as well. I have been experiencing some dangerous mechanical conditions with the car. Please find a copy of my uploaded document summary. I have an appointment tomorrow, Tuesday, on March 22, 2022.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

problem #7

Nov 012021

Soul

  • miles
My daughter was driving her 2021 KIA Soul S and a Chevy Silverado suddenly pulled in front of her. The crash report says impact was at 50 mph. My daughter survived the crash; however, the vehicle immediately caught on fire and flames entered the cabin from what was left of the engine compartment. Her airbag inflated, but did not deflate. She punched the airbag to make enough room for her to try and exit the vehicle, but her driver's door would not open using the handle even after manually unlocking the door. Only after repeated Black Belt level martial arts' kicks and elbow thrusts did the door open and my daughter was able to exit before the car was consumed by flames. A police report and picture will be sent. Please investigate - no one should have to suffer fate of burning to death.

- Tallassee, AL, USA

problem #6

Oct 142021

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The Plastic Ignition Switch for my vehicle is an invitation to steal my car. Which is exactly what happened. I could have been harmed had I seen this happening. Many people on the streets of Milwaukee could have been harmed as well, because my stolen vehicle ended up in a Police car chase and caused almost $9,000 worth of damage. Kia knows this is happening to their customers. This component have been inspected by the police and insurance company. Their was no warnings of this known problem with the ignition. I would not have bought that problem. I wasn't aware of this until my car was stolen. This is not fair and something should be done. People could die because so many of these Kia car thefts end up in a Police Chase through the City. Also, I could have been hijacked or worse. This is not a safe car to be on the road.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #5

Oct 152021

Soul

  • miles
I put my car in park, turned off my car, and it lit up with an alarm saying that my car was not in park. It doesn't happen every time but it has happened twice.

- Minot, ND, USA

problem #4

Oct 082021

Soul

  • miles
Over the course of 24 hours car would not accelerate when depressing the pedal, although the engine was revving. This occurred 3 times at intersections when the car was stopped at a light. The car only has 3,500 miles on in it; it was purchased in April 2021. On the way to the dealer it was also bucking and stuttering. Very concerned about the safety of the car.

- Geneva, NY, USA

problem #3

Sep 282021

Soul

  • miles
Car was stolen using a known design flaw. Now both of my cars are in the shop because of this

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #2

Jun 182021

Soul

  • miles
My vehicle has stalled several times. I was speeding up to merge on the freeway, pressed my foot hard on the gas, it went slow and a lot of smoke came from the back of the vehicle. I took my vehicle to a Kia dealership and was told that has nothing to do with the recall. I was there less than 30 minutes and feel like my issues were not taken seriously.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #1

Mar 022021

Soul

  • 8,000 miles
Two major issues. I have heard a very loud ticking sound coming from the engine which started about three days ago. Before then the car ran silent. Car is it approximately 8000 miles on the odometer. The clicking started getting louder and then the car stalled twice right in the middle of driving! one was on a street going about 45 miles an hour! the otherwas on a side street going approximately 25 miles an hour. The ec oh mode was on in the car. Also' when you turn on the heater fan on high it started making a high-pitched squealing sound. The car is at the dealership right now as it will not work properly.

- Twinsburg, OH, USA

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