Contact Information: •Name: [XXX] •Contact: Phone: [XXX] Email: [XXX] •Location: Hawaii Vehicle Information: •Year / Make / Model: 2021 Kia Soul S •VIN: [XXX] •Mileage: 133,000 miles Recall Reference: •Verified NHTSA recall for VIN: [XXX] Kia Consumer Affairs Case Number: XXX ⸻ Complaint Description 1.I received a notification of an NHTSA safety recall for this vehicle. In February…
2021 Kia Soul powertrain problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2021 Kia Soul powertrain carries serious risks: defective piston oil rings can cause engine seizure with no warning, and transmission failures causing sudden loss of drive power on highways have occurred repeatedly in owners' reports. Warranty coverage gaps exist for salvage-titled vehicles and second owners, and dealer responsiveness has been poor in several documented cases.
2021 Soul owners describe two primary powertrain catastrophes: piston oil ring defects and transmission failures, both capable of leaving drivers stranded on highways.
Piston rings: Owners report excessive oil consumption (one quart in days), abnormal engine noise, overheating, blue smoke, and engine seizure. Diagnostic compression tests show low compression; one owner was told an engine replacement was needed at 4 months of ownership. Another at 133,000 miles displayed all classic symptoms—overheating, excessive oil burn, check engine light—but scheduling a recall inspection took weeks, with dealers initially denying warranty coverage due to salvage title despite recall applicability. The NHTSA recall 25V099000 and Kia Safety Recall SC336 address piston oil ring manufacturing defects.
Transmissions: Multiple owners experienced sudden loss of drive power on busy highways with heavy traffic—complete inability to accelerate, wild RPM swings, violent shaking. One owner lost all power at 70 mph surrounded by traffic. Another had metal shavings in the transmission fluid. One owner required two transmissions in roughly two years. Dealers cite lack of stored codes as reason not to act, though symptoms recur repeatedly. The IVT transmission is explicitly mentioned in at least two cases.
Power loss: Beyond transmission, some owners report engine stalling unexpectedly or losing power without clear diagnosis. One car wouldn't move after stalling on a highway; another showed engine oil depletion and metal shards in valves.
Parking hazard: One rental car shifted from park into drive unintentionally while parked, rolling backward across a road.
Dealers have been slow to provide loaner vehicles or rental reimbursement, leaving owners stranded.
Same Kia Soul powertrain reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2020 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Defective piston oil rings with engine seizure risk
Piston oil rings incorrectly manufactured, causing excessive oil consumption, abnormal engine noises, internal engine damage, and potential engine seizure. Related to NHTSA recall 25V099000 and Kia Safety Recall SC336.
When: 4 months to 133,000 miles; typically first symptoms appear within first few years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not start (cranks but no ignition); Excessive oil consumption (one quart in days); Abnormal engine noises and rattling under acceleration; Engine overheating; Blue smoke from exhaust; Check engine light illuminated; Low compression test results; Engine seizure
Codes mentioned: P0171 (bank 1 running lean), Camshaft sensor code (mentioned but not detailed), Cylinder 1 misfire code
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required in multiple cases; compression testing performed; some owners charged for diagnostic testing despite recall eligibility; piston rings replaced as part of recall in at least one case but with defective replacement parts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 25V099000; Kia Safety Recall SC336; inspection and software update stated as 1–2 hours, engine replacement 8+ hours; warranty denial based on salvage title despite recall applicability; dealers citing recall completion despite ongoing symptoms
Transmission failure and loss of drive power
Complete or partial loss of transmission engagement and drive power, rendering vehicle unable to accelerate or maintain speed on highways. Multiple transmission replacements needed in some cases. Involves IVT (Infinitely Variable Transmission) in noted cases.
When: Within first month of ownership to 96,000 miles; some recurring after initial replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power while driving on highway; Partial loss of power; vehicle slows to near stop; Vehicle will not engage into drive or reverse; RPM surging and wildly fluctuating (1000–6000 rpm swings); Shaking and violent bucking; No power to wheels despite engine revving; Transmission engagement delay (30 seconds at stops); Vehicle stalling unexpectedly; Stuttering and bucking at low to moderate speeds; Metal shavings in transmission fluid
Codes mentioned: Transmission failure diagnosis (specific codes not consistently cited)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; IVT transmission replaced with different transmission type in at least one case; metal shavings found in transmission and fluid; owners out-of-pocket rental costs during repairs; one customer had transmission replaced twice within approximately two years and 37,500 miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty coverage limited by 60,000-mile cap and second-owner status; dealer initially refused to provide loaner vehicles or rental reimbursement; some dealers citing lack of stored trouble codes as reason not to act; one recall (SC209A) denied to dealer-owner citing ineligibility
Engine power loss and stalling at highway speeds
Sudden, unexpected engine shutdown or complete loss of drive power while vehicle is in motion on highways, creating immediate crash risk. Engine may restart or may require towing. Distinct from transmission failure in some cases; potentially related to electronic or fuel system issues.
When: At various mileage points; one case at 3,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine powers off without warning while driving; Complete loss of power on highway; Vehicle unable to maintain speed or accelerate; Vehicle slowing abruptly in traffic despite accelerator input; Loud noise preceding power loss; Tachometer swinging wildly; Vehicle will not move after stalling
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Engine light codes mentioned but not specified in most cases
Repairs/costs cited: Towing required; diagnosis unclear in several narratives; one case involved replacement with different transmission type
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Cases submitted to dealerships and some to Kia tech-line; no specific recalls cited for this isolated symptom aside from piston ring recall
Gear shifter engaging unintentionally or shifting out of park
Vehicle shifts from park to drive on its own or fails to remain in park, creating rollaway risk when parked and unattended with engine running.
When: At least one incident during vehicle rental use
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle in park (P) mode shifted to drive (D) mode without driver input; Vehicle rolling backward on slight slope while parked in designated space
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle recovered with assistance; no repair performed
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
The vehicle started loosing power. the engine would rev up but the car wouldn't go. the car had to be towed to the dealership because the vehicle would not engage into drive or reverse. the dealership is replacing the transmission. It is the IVT transmission
Had powertrain trouble with your 2021 Kia Soul?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2021 Kia Soul?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 15,212 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Kia/Soul.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.