2022 Kia SOUL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
88 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
65,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2022 model year. Data snapshot: . 22 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 51 of 88 complaints (58.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 23 | 26.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 51 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 19 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Engine: 51; Engine And Engine Cooling: 19; Power Train: 12; Unknown Or Other: 12; Electrical System: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 6; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 66 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 50 |
| 2026 | 21 |
2021: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 10; 2024: 2; 2025: 50; 2026: 21
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 23 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11452546 · 2022-02-17 (February 17, 2022)
I purchased a brand new 2022 Kia Soul GT line on 9/01/2022. At 4300 miles, the IVT transmission imploded while on the freeway. Same issues as all the others reported here - fluctuating rpms, followed by a complete loss of power while the tach is redlined. Had it towed to the Kia dealership, and they determined that I needed a new transmission. The only thing they could tell me was that there were metal shavings in the transmission fluid. Also, I didn't get a new transmission in my new car - they installed a refurbished trans, which I questioned…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11452546 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534201 · 2023-07-24 (July 24, 2023)
1. Car was getting great gas milage 33 in town and 41 on highway. Suddenly, could barely get 28 - 31 regardless of circumstance; then,.... 2, Car kept shutting off automatically when driving, to include when making a left hand turn that nearly got us broadsided when it stalled. Nearby mechanic adjusted fuel mixture and kind enough to test drive. Stated to expect engine light to turn back on, but wouldn't shut down. Able to get to KIA dealership whom looked at, got engine light off but stated that the light would most likely come back on …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534201 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11484300 · 2022-09-13 (September 13, 2022)
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the message displayed on the instrument panel to "Shift to park(P) or neutral(N) Before Starting engine". Additionally, there was a battery discharged message displayed. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic found no cause of the failure. The contact stated that an unknown sensor was reset however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11484300 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11510623 · 2023-03-07 (March 7, 2023)
I was entering I 24 east toward Nashville on March 3 2024 @5p. As car entered the freeway. The engine stopped. Engine light turned on pulled over on shoulder. Put in park and tried to start but would not turn over. There was still full battery power according to dash board. I had two minor incidents two weeks prior. Entering store parking lots. Engine died a low speed . 5-10 miles an hour. Vehicle did restart at those incidents without problem s at regular speed before March 3 rd incident. KIA mechanic said might be cam gear shaft malfunct…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11510623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11436495 · 2021-10-12 (October 12, 2021)
As explained to me by the phone lady at Parsons KIA in Winchester Va. It is a built in feature that supposedly kills the engine at a stop light to save gas. however occasionally if you let go of the brake and hit the gas at the right time the car lunges out into the intersection then dies. I almost got side swiped once. Then when I reported this to the car dealer the answer is they ask their customers to remember to turn off the feature before driving the car. This "WILL" cause an accident some where out there and needs to be recalled immediat…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436495 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544794 · 2023-09-15 (September 15, 2023)
When applying brakes over bumps the car sounds as if the brakes are locking up. When putting are in reverse and it uses the Automatic Emergency Braking aggressively too early. I have already paid to replace the window motors due to all windows not working when using the button on drivers side buttons, since replacing those motors the vehicle STILL continues to have electrical malfunctions when rolling windows down they won't roll up.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11544794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11516974 · 2023-04-13 (April 13, 2023)
Transmission failed on my 2022 Kia soul in June 2022 when my car only had 4,594 miles. I was stuck in the middle of a busy intersection with my daughter and I in the car unable to accelerate almost being hit by multiple vehicles. Transmission failed on my 2022 Kia soul once again when my car had only 10,734 miles on it. Again brought it into Kia dealership whom confirmed the transmission had failed again for a second time. In this incident I was stuck on the side of a highway almost being hit by multiple big rigs again with my daughter in the…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11516974 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11661217 · 2025-05-15 (May 15, 2025)
Rodents chewed through the main wire harness on my vehicle on 2 separate occasions, both times in the same exact location. This recurring damage poses a serious safety risk and may be linked to soy-based wire coatings that attract rodents. The first incident required a $4,979.27 repair, covered by insurance; I paid a $500 deductible. The vehicle was diagnosed by Boonton Auto Body Shop. I recently discovered a second instance of rodent damage in the exact same location, which has not yet been repaired. This led me to investigate further and lea…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11661217 at NHTSA ↗