2021 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 99owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- $3,017median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
200 of the 234 complaints on this car are about the engine. 99 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2021 Soul.
Tick what matches of 99 reports
Stalling 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
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (11 reports) and the battery (5 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.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed dec 22, 2021, led to recall 20V-088.
Non-crash vehicle fires. Closed may 10, 2019, led to recall 18V-907.
What owners paid
12 of the 99 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,530 to $7,476.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 12,000 and 81,073 miles, from the 50 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Owner was driving home at the normal posted speed limit when the car stalled out. The check engine light was on along with the oil Light, the car cranked back up in time before owner was rear ended. No accident occurred but a close call. The vehicle made it about another 1 mile before stalling again this time losing all control in steering as well and was towed home.”
Filed Feb 5, 2026
“Auto Start Stop Issue - Vehicle will stall and not start when waiting at a red light after you let go of break. All warning lights would turn on and stall.”
Filed Nov 10, 2025
“Engine failure I have had it inspected already by Koons Kia of Owings Mills and State Farm. My vehicle 2021 Kia Soul stalled while driving. I received a recall letter by mail from Kia on April 12, 2025 letter was dated for April 4, 2025. The oil light illuminated when the vehicle stalled on October 21, 2024. The recall issue has still not been resolved.”
Filed Apr 14, 2025
“Consistent oil burning of about one quart per 1,000 MI I think an exact number would be .8 per 1000 occasional misfiring and stalling presumably due to improperly heat treated piston rings like other recalls”
Filed Feb 28, 2025 · 1,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 99 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 failure, knocking or rod bearing 67 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 61 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 44 reports