2021 Kia Soul · recalls

2021 Kia Soul recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recalls that include the 2021 Kia Soul. The newest, 25V-099, was filed Feb 17, 2025 for the engine and engine cooling.

2recalls
2systems
232owner complaints

Newest recall or investigation Dec 18, 2025 · checked Sep 22, 2026

Whether your car is included depends on its VIN, and a finished repair drops it off the list. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Every recall, newest first

25V-099Feb 17, 2025NHTSA 25V099000

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.

Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.

47 of the 232 owner complaints on this car cite the engine and engine cooling. Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine stalls or loses power while driving (98) · Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (65) · Check engine light or misfire (60) · Burns oil or oil level rises (43).

21V-259Apr 13, 2021NHTSA 21V259000

Engine

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.

Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.

132 of the 232 owner complaints on this car cite the engine. Symptom sheets that include this system: Engine stalls or loses power while driving (98) · Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing (65) · Check engine light or misfire (60) · Burns oil or oil level rises (43).

Complaints with no recall behind them

The systems owners of the 2021 Kia Soul complain about most that none of these recalls covers, as of Sep 22, 2026. A problem can be widespread without being a safety defect NHTSA can order fixed.

Transmission and drivetrain: 26 complaints, no recallstalling
Electrical: 15 complaints, no recallstalling · misfire
Fuel and propulsion: 10 complaints, no recallstalling · misfire
Brakes: 10 complaints, no recall
Steering: 9 complaints, no recall

NHTSA investigations

AQ25-001opened Aug 6, 2025

Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2021 to 2023

Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.

NHTSA summary

On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.âs (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On August 11, 2025, an Information Request (IR) was issued to Kia requesting: 1) why the inspection test was revised from requiring a âcoldâ engine to a âwarmâ engine; 2) why the recall remedy was suspended from April 30, 2025 to May 7, 2025; 3) how Kia notified customers of the recall remedy suspension and the need to re-test engines that failed the âcoldâ engine test; 4) the number of post-recall remedy complaints alleging engine or other engine related failures; and 5) the warranty coverage Kia is offering to vehicles that passed either inspection tests. On September 10, 2025, Kia responded to NHTSAâs IR: Kia reported the change in temperature from âcoldâ to âwarmâ engine testing was done to increase accuracy. The inspection test uses diagnostic tools that detects abnormal engine vibrations to identify damaged engines. From the initial launch of the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) on April 4, 2025 through April 28, 2025, âcoldâ