2022 Kia Soul: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 88 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (45% of complaints); the 2024 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 2 new complaints in the last 90 days · latest recall Feb 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH uphill, there was an abnormal knocking sound from the rod bearings inside the engine. The contact stated that the rod bearings had gone through the engine block, and there was black smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle became inoperable after the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The diagnostic test and repair were pending. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2026
“- a theft attempt caused by the widely reported Kia software vulnerability (documented in my police report) - a display failure that Kia refused to repair - a recall that Kia refused to perform because the display was broken - repeated defects lighting, battery warning indicators never come on when the oil is beinf consumed - and now a complete engine failure on a 2022 vehicle”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2026
“Backup camera intermittently glitches and cuts to a black screen. Display will also occasionally appear darker than normal. Concern began suddenly with no known cause. It first occurred after vehicle was parked for 10-11 hours.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2026
Show 7 more owner reports
“The check engine light came on. I took the jar to Kia and also requested for the piston recall to be repaired. I was denied due to an expired warranty. The engine stalled and stopped suddenly while driving in the street. Soon the care was no longer drivable.”Owner report · Engine · May 2026
“When I drive in alloys mode the system jerky and engine makes noise or hangs and I have to turn it off and on to start it back up to drive. When I drive without alloys on it thugs sporadically as if it is going to drive backward. Per the dealer the engine oil is slugs even thought it had oil change. But this vehicle is scary, I need it but scare of driving it.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2026
“Urgent Escalation - Case CAS-XXX - Kia Soul 2022 VIN [XXX] - Excessive Oil Consumption Confirmed in 3 Tests - Partial Repair Unacceptable After Multiple Failures and Second Engine Intervention in Less Than six months INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2026
“Safety recall letter dated 4/4/25 states the piston rings may have been manufactured incorrectly causing oil consumption resulting in loss of drive power and/or fire. Kia performed two 1000 mile oil level checks which indicated it was 2 quarts low both times!!! I have asked for a written document stating they are not going to fix the problem and why (because he did not have all his oil change records ) but they will not send one not will they answer my emails or phone calls!”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2025
“My car stalled with no precursors. The engine and oil was maintain but the engined stall with out smoke or mixed oil. This error falls directly under the recall for pistion rings that cause engine failure. I brought my vehicle to Archer Kia and after two-three months of waited for the recall repair they stated that they could not repair the failed engine under the recall that causes failed engines.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Nov 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. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 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 a recall on my year Kia for the piston . I called Kia, they said they couldn't find a recall for my car. If there was a recall sc336 for Kia souls and seltos. I asked if the dealer could honor the recall on my vehicle they said no because the recall didn't include my vin number”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Soul by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2022 Kia Soul reliable?
NHTSA has 88 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2022 Kia Soul. The most complained-about area is engine (45% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2022 Kia Soul problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,500 miles or less.
Does the 2022 Kia Soul have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.