2021 Kia Soul · Engine & cooling
Engine may stall or the vehicle may lose power
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
What the reviewed source says
Start with the documented condition, not a parts guess.
NHTSA campaign 21V259000 includes certain 2020 to 2021 Kia Soul vehicles. 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. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Words owners may use
Does this match the moment?
Symptoms in the pattern
- The engine may stall, fail to restart or lose propulsion, sometimes without advance warning
- An open campaign appears when the complete VIN is checked
- Some recalled vehicles may show no advance warning before the component fails
Vehicles and scope
- 2020 to 2021 Kia Soul
- NHTSA campaign 21V259000
- The manufacturer filing lists 147,249 potentially affected units across the complete campaign.
- VIN eligibility determines whether this recall applies to an individual vehicle
Manufacturer position
What the official procedure directs
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.
Safety recall eligibility is based on the VIN and campaign scope, not ordinary warranty mileage. Check the complete VIN even when the vehicle is outside its original warranty.
Original evidence
Open the documents behind this page.
Repair paths and safe checks
Separate the diagnosis from the action.
Use the official recall 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.
Do not buy parts from the campaign description alone. VIN scope, superseded remedies and parts availability can change.
What owners reported
Did this repair fix the same symptom on your car?
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Check the complete VIN before arranging work
Enter the 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask the manufacturer or an authorised dealer to confirm whether the campaign is open for this vehicle.
A year, make and model match does not prove that every vehicle is included. The VIN result controls eligibility.
What owners reported
Did this repair fix the same symptom on your car?
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Useful before authorizing work
Read the method beside the problem
These guides explain the safety and evidence checks that apply to this problem file.
Check recalls by VIN
A VIN search checks the displayed NHTSA records for an unrepaired safety recall associated with one vehicle. A model search shows only the wider campaign population.
Read guide ↗When a car is unsafe
A warning light does not always mean the same thing, but weak brakes or smoke leave little room for experimentation. Damaged tires and certain recall instructions can do the same.
Read guide ↗Why symptoms overlap
“It makes a weird noise” is useful human language. Diagnosis begins when that language is tied to the exact vehicle and its operating conditions.
Read guide ↗More for this model
Other reviewed Kia Soul conditions
2023 Kia Soul · Transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain defect may interrupt drive
The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
2017 to 2019 Kia Soul · Safety restraints
Air bag system safety defect
The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit.
2021 to 2023 Kia Soul · Engine & cooling
Engine may stall or the vehicle may lose power
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.