2022 Kia SOUL: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11445349 · 2021-12-28 (December 28, 2021)
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul X-Line. The contact stated while at a stop, the vehicle was rear-ended and the seat belts did not retract nor did none of the airbags deploy. The contact sustained shoulder bruises and a hip bruise. The contact's friend was sitting in the passenger side front seat and sustained a head injury that required stitches. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed to an insurance lot. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11445349 at NHTSA ↗
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 11462936 · 2022-05-01 (May 1, 2022)
Put my car in park in garage and got out of the car to place something on shelf in garage. Car rolled forward right in to some steel shelves.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11462936 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 11507484 · 2023-02-15 (February 15, 2023)
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated while attempting to fasten the driver’s side seat belt, the buckle failed to latch as needed. The contact made several attempts before buckling the seat belt securely. While attempting to unlatch the seat belt, the buckle failed to unlatch. The contact pressed the latch button several times and the buckle released. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available.
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11507484 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 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
25V099000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Reported: 2025-02-17 (February 17, 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.
Consequence: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗