2022 Kia Soul Safety Report

2022 KIA SOUL Safety and Reliability Report

72Complaints
1Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
3Crash Reports
5Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (21)Engine And Engine Cooling (15)Power Train (5)Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System (3)Unknown Or Other,Engine (3)Vehicle Speed Control (2)Electrical System,Engine (2)Unknown Or Other (2)Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine (1)Engine And Engine Cooling,Power Train (1)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2022 Kia Soul

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2022 Kia Soul. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2022 Kia Soul Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenModerate (1)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsModerate (72)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports3Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubEngineCompare engine issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2025Compare against the 2025 Kia Soul with 9 complaints and 0 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2020Check the 2020 Kia Soul before buying across this generation.

Kia Soul Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Soul years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Kia Soul Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2023 Kia Soul 45 4 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2021 Kia Soul 187 2 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2024 Kia Soul 23 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2020 Kia Soul 337 1 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2025 Kia Soul 9 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2019 Kia Soul 123 1 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.

2022 Kia Soul Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2022 Kia Soul, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Engine

21 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Kia only

Engine And Engine Cooling

15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Kia only

Power Train

5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train issues Kia only

Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System

3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Kia only

Unknown Or Other,Engine

3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Kia only

Vehicle Speed Control

2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Vehicle Speed Control issues Kia only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2022 Kia Soul

The 2022 KIA SOUL has accumulated 72 complaints and 1 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Among the complaints, 3 involved crashes and 0 involved fires. There have been 5 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are engine (21 complaints), engine and engine cooling (15 complaints), power train (5 complaints). Engine and engine cooling issues have been reported, with some vehicles experiencing sudden and excessive oil consumption and engine stalling. Power train and engine problems have also been noted, including loss of motive power and rough idle, which can increase the risk of accidents. Key known issues to be aware of include Engine and Engine Cooling, Power Train and Engine, Engine Stalling. Be cautious with the 2022 KIA SOUL, especially regarding engine and power train issues. Regular maintenance is crucial.

Reliability Score

The 2022 Kia Soul receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2022 Kia Soul

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★☆
4/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2022 Kia Soul

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2022 Kia Soul:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Engine And Engine Cooling
Several 2022 KIA SOUL vehicles have experienced sudden and excessive oil consumption, potentially leading to engine failure. Kia America, Inc. is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles due to this issue.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Power Train And Engine
Reports indicate that the power train and engine have experienced issues such as loss of motive power and rough idle, which can increase the risk of accidents and breakdowns.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Engine Stalling
Multiple owners have reported that their 2022 KIA SOUL has stalled while idling, which can be a serious safety hazard.
Low Common 30k-60k miles
Check Engine Light
The check engine light has been a recurring issue, often accompanied by drivability problems such as rough idle and loss of power.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2022 Kia Soul:

Engine 40% of complaints

Engine issues are the most common problem reported, with 40% of the issues related to engine and engine cooling.

Power Train 25% of complaints

25% of the issues are related to the power train, including engine and fuel/propulsion system.

Electrical System 10% of complaints

10% of the issues are related to the electrical system, often in conjunction with the engine.

Vehicle Speed Control 5% of complaints

5% of the issues are related to vehicle speed control, which can be a safety concern.

Recall Details for the 2022 Kia Soul

The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2022 Kia Soul by NHTSA:

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Campaign #25V099000 17/02/2025

Summary: 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.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2022 Kia Soul

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2022 Kia Soul with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.

Crash Reports: 1 Injury/Fatality Reports: 1
Engine
03/20/2026

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2022 Kia Soul LX with approximately 97,500 miles. The vehicle has experienced sudden and excessive oil consumption despite regular maintenance and a recent oil change about 1,500 miles prior to failure. While driving in normal traffic conditions, the vehicle suddenly began running rough, lost power, and entered limp mode. Shortly after, the engine stall...

ODI #11725761
Engine
03/10/2026

Vehicle is only 4 years old. Engine light came on. I used my Fixd code reader to diagnose. It mentioned several sensors which I replace cam shaft sensor. Intake sensor. Crank shay sensor. All were replaced, engine light came back on after each replacement. I took it to dealership for service and diagnosis. They indicated engine replacement due to timing being out of line; sheared king pin. Vehicl...

ODI #11723229
Engine
03/09/2026

The car stopped several times and had to be towed! One day the car just wouldn't start! My brother took it to the dealership and they said it needed a new engine!

ODI #11723078
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
01/20/2026

My 2022 Kia Soul experienced a sudden loss of motive power and stalling while driving, creating a high risk for a rear-end collision in traffic. An authorized Kia dealership (Mike Miller Kia) performed a major timing repair in March 2025 [XXX] ) to address these safety issues. However, the exact same failure occurred again in January 2026. The dealership now documents that the engine was 4 quarts...

ODI #11712243
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine
01/17/2026

In March 2025, my 2022 Kia Soul developed a check engine light and drivability problems that progressed to rough idle, loss of power, reduced power with limited speed and an unresponsive throttle, and stalling after continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and the dealer performed a major timing related repair (camshaft and related timing/CVVT components) under on 03/07/2025. I...

ODI #11711598
Power Train,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
12/20/2025

I have a Kia Soul 2022 and I have been having a lot of different problems with my vehicle that are a serious safety hazard for my family and myself. I was trying to pass 18 wheeler truck one night and I saw white and black smoke coming out from the back of my Kia Soul. I was trying to pass a 18 wheeler on the Interstate and my car shut its self all the way off. I freaked out and lucky there was n...

ODI #11706306
Engine And Engine Cooling,Power Train
12/17/2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while idling on several occasions. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact scanned the vehicle with a vehicle scanner, and the DTC: P1C28 was retrieved, which the contact related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V531000 (Power Train); however, the model year was not included in the recall. Th...

ODI #11705683
Engine
11/10/2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly jerked and jolted before returning to normal functionality. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. ...

ODI #11698572
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine
10/29/2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the month that the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road. The ABS, traction control, Forward Collision Avoidance, and System Check warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to th...

ODI #11696462
Unknown Or Other,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance
10/27/2025

Since purchasing the vehicle, it just turns off while driving. It has NEVER stopped doing this. The dealership has consistently stated they are unable to repair as the diagnostic device does not register any code. Impossible as the car should have retained a code for this and so many other warning lights going off. Even so, Kia has the responsibility of fixing it all this time. I have shown s...

ODI #11695800
Engine
10/22/2025

I was driving back from Cleveland Oh to Columbus oh, the car started to slow down on its own , the engine light came on,and the car started to shake, and back firing. I made back home took care of to a certified mechanic shop for diagnostics. I just got an oil changed two days before this happened the mechanic noticed there was no oil in my car, it Was in my piston rings. They told me there was ...

ODI #11695075
Engine And Engine Cooling
09/10/2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. Additionally, the contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light failed to illuminate while the engine oil level was significantly low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed. The contact stated that on the first test, the vehicle ...

ODI #11686390
Engine
09/04/2025

Open [XXX] SK3 Horn Warranty Extension for Replacement 17/02/2025 ~ 31/12/9999 Open [ZZZ] [Recall] Nu ATK (SK3, SP2, BD) Engine Inspection & Replacement 01/01/2025 ~ 31/12/9999 3 other are at 2 other are at safety risk The problem is confirmed by [XXX] that is a independent service center The vehicle has not been inspected ...

ODI #11684951
Engine
08/19/2025

Engine stalls with white smoke with auto start stop on

ODI #11681584
Engine And Engine Cooling
08/15/2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the engine while driving at various speeds and while the engine was idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under the recal...

ODI #11680881
Engine And Engine Cooling
08/14/2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while receiving an oil change, the contact was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The contact stated that oil was being added to the vehicle more often than normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The engine oil was topped off however, two days later, oil needed to be add...

ODI #11680691
Unknown Or Other,Engine
08/13/2025

I had this car go to the garage back in February under the 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul engine recall. The engine was fine but the check engine light is has been on since MARCH. I personally believe this was software related as I had MULTIPLE technicians verify the sensor and wiring is still in top shape. My OBD2 Reader shows the engine is pulling a large amount of retarded timing and it only happens...

ODI #11680309
Engine
08/11/2025

My 2022 Kia Soul was recalled due to an engine defect involving piston oil rings. The recall repair was supposed to include a specific engine vibration test and possibly an engine replacement if the test failed. Initially, the dealership performed the test incorrectly and said it failed. They redid the test and said it passed, but instead of replacing or fully inspecting the engine, they only inst...

ODI #11679917
Engine
08/10/2025

My kia soul had no warning lights until last week when it shut down completely while pulling into an intersection, I have just purchased it 6 months ago. The engine light came on along with the oil lamp, battery light and master warning light. The car shut down and after a few minutes came back on. It has been doing this randomly for a week now so its barely been driven. It had a p000a code so I t...

ODI #11679665
Engine
08/10/2025

Originally, my CE light came on the first week of July 2025 and threw a Historical P0011 code for my intake Camshaft Variable Timing Solenoid. Light went off, and I took it to my local KIA dealership within a couple of days for a diag. They didn't catch a code, but said that sometimes the P0011 code will throw if there is any oil build-up, so they just recommended a 60k mile maintenance about 9k m...

ODI #11679623

Showing 20 of 72 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2022 Kia Soul

NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.

Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
NHTSA AQ25001 Closed

Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Opened 2025-08-06 · Closed 2025-12-18

On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.’s (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavail...

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2022 Kia Soul

Has the 2022 KIA SOUL been recalled?

Yes, the 2022 KIA SOUL has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2022 KIA SOUL have?

The 2022 KIA SOUL has 72 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2022 KIA SOUL?

The 2022 KIA SOUL received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2022 KIA SOUL?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2022 KIA SOUL involve engine (21 complaints), engine and engine cooling (15 complaints), power train (5 complaints). Other affected components include power train,engine,fuel/propulsion system, unknown or other,engine, vehicle speed control.

How many crash reports does the 2022 KIA SOUL have?

There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2022 KIA SOUL out of 72 total complaints (4.2% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2022 KIA SOUL have?

There are no fire reports for the 2022 KIA SOUL in the NHTSA database.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2022 KIA SOUL?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 KIA SOUL.

How many injuries are reported for the 2022 KIA SOUL?

5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2022 KIA SOUL. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2022 KIA SOUL?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2022 KIA SOUL is acceptable with caveats. It has 72 complaints, 1 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2022 KIA SOUL?

The components with the most failures on the 2022 KIA SOUL are: 1. ENGINE (21 complaints), 2. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (15 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (3 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE (3 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 21 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2022 KIA SOUL?

Be cautious with the 2022 KIA SOUL, especially regarding engine and power train issues. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2022 KIA SOUL has 72 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).

How reliable is the 2022 KIA SOUL?

The 2022 KIA SOUL receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 72 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Power Train and Engine.

What are the known issues with the 2022 KIA SOUL?

Known issues with the 2022 KIA SOUL include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Power Train and Engine, Engine Stalling, Check Engine Light. These are based on patterns found across 72 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

What are the most common issues with the 2022 KIA SOUL?

The most common issues are engine and power train problems, including engine stalling and loss of motive power.

Is the 2022 KIA SOUL safe to drive?

There are safety concerns, particularly with engine and power train issues. Regular maintenance is recommended.

What should I do if I experience engine stalling?

Take the vehicle to a dealership for inspection and repair as soon as possible to avoid potential accidents.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be cautious with the 2022 KIA SOUL, especially regarding engine and power train issues. Regular maintenance is crucial.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2022 Kia Soul

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2022 Kia Soul. The data includes 72 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2022 Kia Soul an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16