2021 Kia Soul: engine failure

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Engine · 66,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped at a red light, the engine seized. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the oil warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, after the dealer diagnosed the vehicle, it was determined that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The dealer refused to perform the recall repair, specifically claiming that the issue was under an engine warranty and not a recall; even though the VIN tool indicated that the VIN was included. The failure mileage was 66,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Engine · 51,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while accelerating from a traffic light at 10 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was later towed from the residence to the dealer. The vehicle was still being diagnosed to determine the cause of the engine failure. However, the dealer stated that the failure was not associated with the piston oil rings. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a range of vehicle with improperly manufactured oil rings. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Engine · VA

My kia's soul was part of a major safety recall for oil piston ring. The reason it's not showing on a recall list is because they claim to have fixed the issue. And it was removed. The issue is still persistent, and now the car has suffered catastrophic engine failure due to this recall issue. Kia corporate is refusing to rectify.

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Engine · NC

Was driving engine jumped time and stalled out doing 45. Vehicle only has 63499 miles on it. Had it towed to dealership. The vehicle passed the original piston oil ring recall test in 2025 and 15,000 miles later is needing a new engine due to the ineffectiveness of Kia recall.

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Engine · NJ

consumer protection complaint against Gateway Kia of North Brunswick for wrongful warranty denial, deceptive business practices, and failure to comply with a federally mandated class action settlement.On Friday, September 25, 2026, my 2021 Kia Soul was left at Gateway Kia due to engine distress. The service department performed a physical mechanical bearing test and confirmed that the vehicle has a failed connecting rod bearing (the engine rod is shot).Despite this definitive physical proof of mechanical failure, the dealership's service department and Kia Corporate Consumer Affairs flatly refused to honor the repair or provide a mandated loaner vehicle. They claimed the vehicle is "out of warranty" and "does not match a recall."This vehicle is explicitly covered under the Kia Nu Engine Class Action Settlement, which legally mandates a Lifetime Warranty Extension for connecting rod bearing wear and failures for qualifying vehicles, regardless of original ownership or standard factory warranty expiration. Furthermore, the settlement explicitly dictates that a free loaner or alternative transportation must be provided while a class vehicle is held for a qualifying engine failure.By running a physical test that proved a settlement-covered mechanical failure, yet refusing to honor the court-ordered warranty extension, Gateway Kia is engaging in deceptive trade practices and violating federal class settlement terms. They are holding my inoperable vehicle while I am forced to maintain a $449.13 monthly finance payment to Credit Acceptance Corporation for a vehicle they refuse to fix.Requested Resolution:I request that the Division of Consumer Affairs investigate Gateway Kia of North Brunswick and compel Kia America, Inc. to immediately authorize the engine replacement under the Class Action Settlement terms.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Engine · MI

My 2021 Kia Soul was included in Recall SC336 involving defective piston oil rings that may cause increased oil consumption, engine damage, and stalling. The recall remedy was done in June 2025. Kia digitally inspected the engine and said it passed so no engine replacement was performed. Eight months later the car began having symptoms mirroring those of the recall. On February 13, 2026, an independent repair facility documented a check engine light, poor acceleration, timing-related engine fault codes, no oil on the dipstick, less than two quarts of oil recovered from the engine, and no visible external oil leaks. On May 21, 2026, a Kia dealership documented that the vehicle arrived three quarts low. Engine timing and performance issues later required warranty repairs. On Sept. 19 2026, the vehicle stalled while turning onto a busy roadway with four occupants inside. Following the stall event, the vehicle was again found to be extremely low on oil despite documented regular maintenance and oil changes throughout ownership. I’m worried that the recall inspection didn’t identify an affected engine and that the car then developed the symptoms in Recall SC336 - excessive oil consumption, engine-related faults, poor performance, and dangerous stalling. The car is now being evaluated by Kia. I am complaining because I believe the federal safety agency should know a vehicle that passed the SC336 recall inspection within months developed symptoms resembling the condition that recall was intended to address. I have been informed by the dealership that because Recall SC336 was already completed, Kia would not allow the recall process to simply be performed again. My concern is that the vehicle was determined to have passed the recall inspection but then developed all of the recall symptoms. I am concerned that the recall history is not being considered as part of the current diagnosis and that the underlying condition addressed by SC336 was not identified despite the vehicle having symptoms.

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Engine · CA

Recall 25V099/SC336 was not performed on my vehicle when it was in the dealership. My vehicle is now disabled at Capitol Kia San Jose with complete engine failure. They are denying any responsibility and refusing repair coverage. I have written a formal letter to Kia Corporation requesting an immediate review of my vehicle. With this being an the federal safety agency recall I am hoping to get some intervention somewhere regarding this situation.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Engine · FL

My 2021 KIA Soul has a recall order for P1327 code which is the knocking noise from the piston ring. The KIA dealership in Idaho Falls is denying the recall order, claiming that it has to be from the upper chamber, not the lower chamber. Which is not stated in the recall letter. They have done everything to avoid this recall. I have evidence that they know the engine have all the symptoms of the piston ring, but trying to avoid everything to replace the engine. They even deny giving the part name that is causing the knocking noise and not giving me the diagnostic report. Even charging $6,000 for the engine replacement.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Engine · TX

My vehicle has been in the shop 7 times for misfire in all cylinders over a 2 1/2 year span Kia dealer refused to replace the engine, 8 months after I threatened to sue the dealership for saying they fixed the misfire in all cylinders issue and 8 months later I’m getting misfire in 4th cylinder. As the engine light came on again and I have a high end car diagnostic tool attached to the car which is giving me that code and previous codes of misfire in all cylinders. First misfire in all cylinders started at 16,000 miles bought car brand new and it continued all the way to 37,067 miles . The Kia dealership keep saying it’s this or that and it’s been fixed but the lights come on the previous 7 times after a week or less after taking it home from the dealer and then saying it’s fixed last time I wanted a new engine a Kia representative said it doesn’t need a new engine. I talked to a technician there about reading about this issue in alot of same vehicles he said I was right but Kia doesn’t want to pay for a new engine so they give excuses or just reset or clear the codes which doesn’t resolve the problem , Kia has changed the fuel tank, changed the spark plug wires, the spark plug cables the assembly,ecm which never resolved the problem

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Engine · FL

On XXX My car was stopped at a light, the vehicle shot down, and would not restart. I had the car towed to Galeana Kia, [XXX]. Upon isnpection at Kia it was found that the engine oil was three quarts low. I was shocked. There had been no warning lights on the dashboard. I had a synthetic oil change 9,000 miles previously. Galeana Kia charged me $315.96. There was a subsequent recall 25V099. "The piston oil ring(s) in your vehicle may have been manufactured incorrectly...This may lead to increased oil consumption..." On April 16, 2025, subject to the recall, Galeana Kia replaced the engine block. I requested a refund of the $315.96 for the work done on November 25, 2024. Galeana Kia refused. Because the repair work done in November 25, 2025 obviously relates to the subsequent recall, I request that you have Kia reimburse me. See Kia case XXX INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Engine · VA

Initial Breakdown: July 2024, my 2021 Kia Soul (under 40,000 miles) idled roughly and stalled while in motion. It restarted, but as a precaution, I towed it to Kia Greenbrier Chesapeake while it was operable. After diagnostics, the vehicle would no longer start. Warranty Denial: The dealer blamed engine sludge from two missed oil changes in 2022 and quoted $10,000 for a new engine. In August 2024, I appealed the decision but was denied (Exhibit A & B). There were no recalls active for the 2021 model at this time, but there were recalls for the 2018-2020 models for identical symptoms. Third-Party Repair: I paid $3,017 out of pocket to an independent shop for a new timing assembly to make the vehicle safe and drivable again (Exhibit C). Because my daughter is disabled and requires transportation, getting repairs was imperative. A new valve kit, fresh synthetic oil, and filter service were completed by the third-party repair shop. I also returned to Kia Virginia Beach for several subsequent oil changes (Exhibit D). In April 2025, Kia Corporate issued an official safety recall for my exact vehicle (Exhibit E). Before that, in March 2025, I attempted to have the newly issued recall (25V‑099) performed, but the dealer turned my vehicle away, claiming a lack of parts. Final Failure: In May 2025, the night before a rescheduled recall appointment, the car became permanently inoperable (at only 47,500 miles). Due to extreme financial hardship and health concerns, I am without my vehicle and without an option. Complaint: The Kia dealership refused to perform the safety recall remedy, verbally citing the same 2022 maintenance gaps from the previous year. The dealership violated federal recall regulations for a known defect. I was left stranded, resulting in a financial charge-off of my auto loan.

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Engine · CA

My 2021 Kia Soul experienced repeated overheating despite replacement of major cooling system components including the thermostat and water pump. The vehicle continued to overheat and was later diagnosed by a Kia dealership with engine damage requiring full engine replacement. This failure occurred around 105,000 miles. The symptoms and failure pattern are consistent with known issues affecting similar Kia engines, yet my VIN is not included in any recall. I am concerned this represents a broader defect that may not be fully captured in current recalls.