2021 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 67owner reports
- 67,533median miles
- $6,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
180 of the 234 complaints on this car are about the engine. 67 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 67 reports
Engine failure on other Soul years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (67 reports) and the timing chain (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
All 2 recalls on the 2021 Kia Soul, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Soul
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.
Loss of motive power. Closed dec 12, 2023.
Engine fires. Closed feb 5, 2024, led to recall 23V-877.
What owners paid
13 of the 67 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $449 to $7,476.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 25,600 and 88,200 miles, from the 25 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Kia Soul that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PISTON RING NOISE DTC 1327 (SC209Y) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (SC209A) titled “ECM Logic Improvement for Piston Ring Noise Sensing System”.
PITSTOP: DTC P0011/ P0014/ P0016/ P0017 DUE TO INCORRECT CAMSHAFT RELUCTOR WHEEL CONFIGURATION This Pitstop provides information on some 2010-2013MY Soul (AM), 2014-2019MY Soul (PS), and 2020~MY Soul (SK3) vehicles equipped with the engines listed below, which may set DTC P0011, P0014, P0016, or P0017 after an engine replacement.
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PISTON RING NOISE DTC P1327 (SC209Y) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (SC209A) titled "ECM Logic Improvement for Piston Ring Noise Sensing System".
What owners wrote
“I was travelling on [XXX] in highland Indiana when my engine stopped powering my car and I heard knocking inside. I smelled like and saw smoke everywhere INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”
Filed Apr 29, 2024
“While driving my kia soul 2021 it had a complete engine failure. Completely shut down!!!”
Filed Jul 6, 2023
“2021 Kia Soul started making engine noises as it was being driven home. The next day while driving home there was a loud boom and total loss of power while driving. It coasted to a parking lot. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. We are now awaiting approval for total engine replacement via warranty. Vehicle has less than 50K miles. Oil changes were done with synthetic oil.”
Filed Feb 22, 2023 · 50,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 67 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 99 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 61 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 44 reports