Last updated: 2026-10-10
Kia Soul Engine Problems
Kia Soul engine problems center on heavy oil burning that can end in knocking, stalling, seizure, and sometimes fire, mostly on 2018 to 2022 cars.
- Owner complaints
- 484
- Share of all complaints
- 48%
- Crash / fire / injury reports
- 2 / 17 / 2
- Related recalls
- 2
Soul engine complaints by model year
The 2020 model year has the most engine complaints, followed by 2021 and 2018. The 2019 and 2022 years sit in the middle. The 2020 year also carries the only crash and injury reports in this area. The 2018 year has the most fire reports. Model years 2023 and 2024 show only a handful of complaints, and 2025 shows none. That mostly reflects less time on the road, so those years should not be read as clear. Early reports on 2023 and 2024 cars already include stalling and an engine failure at low mileage.
- 2018102 · 9.7/10k sold
- 201959 · 6/10k sold
- 2020150 · 20.9/10k sold
- 2021121 · 16.1/10k sold
- 202244 · 7.8/10k sold
- 20236 · 1/10k sold
- 20242 · 0.4/10k sold
- 20250 · 0/10k sold
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA under engine, engine and engine cooling. Newer model years have had less time to collect complaints.
What goes wrong
Oil loss is the thread running through most of these complaints. Owners add a quart every few hundred to a thousand miles, with no visible leak and often no warning light. Then the engine knocks, loses power, or stalls, sometimes at highway speed. Mechanics in the reports mention metal shavings in the oil, worn piston rings, and failed connecting rod bearings. Many owners say dealers ran oil consumption tests and sent them home.
This is a serious problem. Stalling in traffic or on a highway is a crash risk, and several reports describe cars that were towed and then needed a new engine. Fire is a real part of the picture too. Reports include flames from the engine bay while driving, a car that burned while parked, and cars declared a total loss. Engine complaints make up nearly half of everything filed on this model, which is a large share for a single area.
Symptoms owners report
Oil disappearing between changes
Owners add a quart every 500 to 1,000 miles or find the dipstick dry soon after a change. There is usually no leak and no low-oil warning. Burned oil is also blamed for clogged catalytic converters and check engine lights.
Knocking and rattling from the engine
A rod knock, rumble, or clunk often comes before failure. Mechanics in these reports found metal shavings in the oil and failed connecting rod bearings. Some owners got a rod knock sensor code that kept returning after the sensor was replaced.
Stalling and sudden power loss
The car shuts off at highway speed, at 40 to 45 mph, in intersections, or at a light. Restarts can take several tries. Many owners say no warning light came on first. Newer cars show this pattern at low mileage.
Seizure and total engine failure
Some engines lock up with a bang, smoke, or a burning smell and need a tow. Dealers then call for a full replacement. Owners also report warranty denials, missing maintenance receipts, and long waits for parts.
Smoke and engine fire
Owners describe smoke under the hood followed by flames, sometimes after a burning smell or check engine light. A few fires started after a stall. One car burned while parked. Several cars were total losses.
Problems returning after recall software
Several 2021 owners say a recall visit installed piston ring noise sensing software and cleared codes. Oil loss, stalling, or engine failure came back afterward. Others say dealers refused recall work once the engine had died.
When the problems start
Owners report trouble across a wide range. Oil loss shows up from about 29,000 miles to past 135,000 on 2020 cars. Failures on 2018 cars cluster from about 70,000 to 94,000 miles, with more past 120,000. Stalls on 2021 cars cluster around 57,000 to 72,000 miles. Some newer cars fail much earlier, including engines at roughly 5,800 and 7,000 miles.
Repairs and recalls
Federal recall records list two engine recalls. Recall 21V259000 covers 2020 and 2021 Souls with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. Recall 25V099000 covers 2021 to 2023 Souls. Both involve piston oil rings that could cause engine damage. In both, dealers inspect and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge, and install piston ring noise sensing software. Owners report mixed results. Some say the software did not stop oil loss. Others were told parts were unavailable or were asked to pay for a new engine. Dealers also replaced oil pumps and spark plugs in some reports.
| Model years | Campaign | Problem |
|---|---|---|
| 2021, 2022, 2023 | 25V099000 | 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. |
| 2020, 2021 | 21V259000 | 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. |
Checking a used Soul for engine problems
- Pull the dipstick on a cold engine. Walk away from any car that reads dry or very low, even if it was recently serviced.
- Ask for oil change records and look for short intervals or notes about added oil. Some dealers ask owners for these receipts.
- Enter the VIN on the federal recall lookup and confirm recalls 21V259000 and 25V099000 show as completed where they apply.
- Ask the seller whether the engine was replaced, and get paperwork showing when and by whom.
- On the test drive, listen for knocking or rattling at idle and under load. Check for blue or black exhaust smoke.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection that checks for oil leaks, burning smells, and stored engine codes, including rod knock codes.
2 engine recalls cover the Kia Soul. A VIN check shows whether the car you're looking at had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
Kia Soul Engine Problems: common questions
- Which Kia Soul years have the most engine problems?
- The 2020 model year has the most engine complaints in the data, followed by 2021 and 2018. The 2019 and 2022 years have fewer. The 2023 to 2025 years have very few complaints, but those cars have had less time to collect them.
- Is it safe to drive a Kia Soul that burns oil?
- Not without close watching. Owners report that oil can run dangerously low with no warning light, followed by stalling at speed or engine seizure. Some reports also describe fires. If a Soul burns oil, check the dipstick often and get it inspected.
- Does a recall cover Kia Soul engine problems?
- Yes, for some cars. Recall 21V259000 covers 2020 and 2021 Souls with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. Recall 25V099000 covers 2021 to 2023 Souls. Both cover piston oil rings. Dealers inspect and replace the engine if necessary, free of charge. Check the VIN for open recalls.
- Does the recall software fix the oil burning?
- Owner reports are mixed. Several 2021 owners say oil loss, stalling, or engine failure returned after the piston ring noise sensing software was installed. The recall lines say dealers install the software and replace the engine if necessary. Ask a dealer for the inspection results in writing.
- Why does my Soul stall with no warning light?
- Many owners report stalls with no warning light, and some report a dry dipstick afterward. Low oil is a common thread in these reports. Check the oil level first. If the car stalls again, have it towed rather than driven.
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