What is a Carchieve vehicle history report?

A Carchieve report is a complete safety and records check on any U.S. vehicle. Enter the 17-character VIN and you get the decoded vehicle identity and full specifications, every open safety recall, owner-reported complaints by system, official NHTSA crash-test ratings, and a buyer action plan, in one clean report and a downloadable PDF.

How is Carchieve different from a typical VIN lookup?

Carchieve doesn't just dump raw data. It authenticates the VIN, organizes every federal safety record into a buyer-ready dossier, scores the vehicle, and tells you exactly what to inspect, ask and verify before you pay, the way a careful mechanic would read the car.

How fast will I get my report?

Reports are generated in under a minute. As soon as your VIN is checked against the recall, complaint, ratings and identity databases, your report and PDF are ready to view and download.

Can I buy more than one report?

Yes. A single report is $24.99. If you're comparing several cars, the 3- and 5-report bundles save you money per report and the extra credits stay in your account until you use them.

What information do I need to run a report?

Only the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is on the lower-left corner of the windshield, the driver-side door jamb, and the vehicle title or registration.

Where does the data come from?

Every report is built from authoritative U.S. vehicle databases, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall, complaint and 5-Star safety-rating programs and the federal VIN product information catalog. Carchieve authenticates the VIN check digit so you know the identity is genuine.

Can I share the report with a seller or mechanic?

Yes. Every report includes a professionally formatted PDF you can download, print, or forward to a private seller, dealer, or mechanic to support your buying decision.

2021 Kia Soul Recalls: 2 Campaigns, 232 Complaints & Ratings

2021 Kia Soul: Recalls, Complaints & Safety Ratings

2Safety recalls

232Owner complaints

4★NHTSA overall

Quick answer

The 2021 Kia Soul has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns and 232 owner complaints on file, with an overall 4-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Check a specific VIN to confirm whether recalls apply, whether repairs were completed, and what to verify before you buy.

Check the exact car

Run a full report for this Soul

2021 Kia Soul pages show model-level safety data. A Carchieve VIN report checks the exact car before you buy.

Safety record reviewed September 2026 · sourced from NHTSA

The 2021 Kia Soul has 2 safety recall campaigns and 232 owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and it earned an overall 4-star NHTSA crash-test rating. Below is the public model-level safety record. To see whether a specific Soul had applicable recalls repaired and what its decoded VIN says, run that car's VIN.

Safety recalls

ENGINE

Campaign 21V259000 · 13/04/2021

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.

RiskA damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

RemedyKia 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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Campaign 25V099000 · 17/02/2025

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.

RiskEngine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

RemedyDealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.

What owners complain about

The systems 2021 Kia Soul owners report most often to federal regulators:

Engine132

Engine And Engine Cooling47

Unknown Or Other26

Power Train26

Electrical System15

Fuel10

NHTSA crash-test ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Overall★★★★★

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Kia Soul have any recalls?

Yes. The 2021 Kia Soul has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns associated with this model year. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer when the exact VIN is affected. Check your specific VIN to confirm applicability and completion.

What problems do 2021 Kia Soul owners report?

Owners have filed 232 complaints with the NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Soul, most often about the engine, engine and engine cooling, unknown or other.

How do I check a specific Soul's history?

Enter the 17-character VIN into Carchieve. You get the recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings shown here for that exact vehicle, plus full decoded specifications and a guided title and odometer check.

Check a specific 2021 Kia Soul

This page covers the model. For one exact car, run its 17-character VIN to confirm recalls, decoded specifications and buyer checks.

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