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2021 Kia Soul Electrical Problems

10 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

10
Complaints
1
Crashes
Feb 2025Nov 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (10)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2026

Your car has completely lost power multiple times while driving on the street, leaving the engine and key functions completely unresponsive. This has happened three times over the past three months, creating a serious safety risk for you and other drivers. You've reported the issue to two different Kia dealers and Kia corporate without getting a resolution, and you've also filed a police report about mold inside the car. The repair will likely involve diagnosing and replacing the electrical system component causing the complete power loss, which could be a battery, alternator, or wiring issue.

NHTSA #: 11720757
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

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.

NHTSA #: 11698596
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2025

When the car was originally going out, the check engine light came on and the engine was making a funny sound, then after we filled up on gas like 10-15 miles later, the engine shut off and stopped accelerating but all of the electronics were still coming on, the battery and oil pressure light came on as well, we pulled it over and when trying to start, it was cranking but not coming on, but the electronics and everything was still working just fine, radio worked and my phone was charging, eventually when we tried cranking again, the engine started rattling and grinding . Towed it to Kia. KIA said they did every test possible on the car and are about 90% sure that the car needs a new ecu, but that kia doesn't manufacture that part anymore and that if they made it, it could take 2 weeks to 4 months, they're saying that it's not apart of the warranty so it would be expensive. They said that the best bet would be to trade in the car. Then they asked for all receipts for oil changes. Then they said it's the camshaft. "Wanted to reach out to let you know we need to replace the Cam shaft, the camshaft phaser and valve cover gasket before we can do the test for the recall this will cost about $1530". He said this after already saying they tested it. They are refusing to repair the recall. This is the Kia dealership in Gettysburg PA.

NHTSA #: 11680526
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Apr 2025

Vehicle idles low and stalls. This has happened very often while at stop lights and in turning lanes almost causing an accident. Took to the dealership and was told it was because it’s a small engine. The engine sounds like it is low on oil even though oil levels are good. Have had oil consumption and was told it was “within range”. Back hatch will not open from outside and the lights above the license plate no longer work even though we have replaced bulbs and checked fuses. Despite taking the car to the dealership multiple times since purchase and letting them know the issues they continue to tell me there is nothing wrong with the car and have not fixed the issue.

NHTSA #: 11657638
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
CrashFiled: Feb 2025

We were going south on [XXX] about 25 mph intending to make a left turn onto [XXX] My wife said “slow down or you won’t make the turn” to which I replied “I am trying but it won’t slow down” As I applied the brakes to slow down to turn, instead the car started to speed up and I could not make the left turn. I continued down the road trying to slow down enough to attempt a left turn on to [XXX] But the car continued to go even faster, so I pumped the brakes trying to slow down and get the car to stop. Instead, the car kept speeding up faster. In seeing I was close to the end of the dead-end road I swerved to the right to avoid the parked Train cars at the end of the road only to crash into the corner of a building which stopped us. At which time I was rendered unconscious. Something caused the car to speed up excessively and the brakes were unresponsive and should be available for further inspections. Not being able to physically get the car under control put the safety of my wife, myself, and others at risk. In researching I have found that this problem has been reproduced in real time and experienced by multiple others in recent years. Our insurance company has had the cars EDR data inspected although further inspection is warranted. There were no prior warnings or symptoms of this problem until the above incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #: 11643735
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2025

Less than 24 hours after being purchased as a Kia factory certified pre-owned vehicle my daughter was driving. While driving headlights, wipers, and dash lights went out including infotainment/CarPlay map display on a rainy day. California requires headlights be on when wipers are used. Occurred while doing approximately 25 mph after going over a speed bump. When stopped and key was turned to ACC, they came back on. Issue did not return when vehicle was started again. Dealer has said they can find not fault. We have located threads for this issue with other Kia models on [XXX] . One common factor is they are key start, not push start models. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #: 11641511
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Nov 2023

My 2021 Kia Soul was an attempted theft. The vehicle was locked and the would-be thieves gained access by breaking the passenger rear window. The True failure is in the ignition system. As the thieves tore apart the steering column and dismantled the ignition system, and they were ready to pull away before being interrupted. This defect in the simplicity and ease of access to the ignition system without ANY safe guards to prevent theft poses a safety risk to those who may interrupt would-be thieves in the action. While also posing a risk to the general public by inciting further possible road hazards, due to the nature of those operating the vehicles.

NHTSA #: 11553364
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2022

Horn fails to operate. 2nd time for this car. 1st time was repaired by dealer as warranty. Now failed again. Car only has 14000 miles on it.

NHTSA #: 11490664
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Sep 2022

When exiting the highway, I pushed on brake to slow down and car accelerated at fast speed and had to use emergency brake.

NHTSA #: 11485768
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Oct 2020

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN WET WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, LOST WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS. HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. VEHICLE STATED KEY WASN'T DETECTED IN CAR. WHILE IN MOTION USING OTHER VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS WAS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY THANKFULLY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR ASSESSMENT.

NHTSA #: 11372340

Other 2021 Kia Soul Issues