2022 KIA Soul Reliability Report

Owners report several issues with the 2022 KIA Soul, with a notable pattern involving the engine unexpectedly shutting off while driving, which poses a significant safety risk. Complaints frequently mention problems related to the engine's stop-start feature, causing the vehicle to lunge forward and stall, as well as persistent warning lights and the engine's failure to retain diagnostic codes. Some owners describe their vehicles consuming oil rapidly, leading to low oil pressure without dashboard alerts, and difficulties with shifting. One incident involved a crash where the vehicle rolled forward when parked. These issues often arise early in ownership, with some occurring shortly after purchase, and they suggest potential reliability concerns for prospective buyers.

Owners of the 2022 Kia Soul frequently report issues related to the electrical system, including vehicle stalling and loss of motive power. Common symptoms described include the vehicle failing to accelerate, stalling at complete stops, and various warning lights illuminating, such as ABS and traction control lights. These issues are reported at a range of mileages, from as low as 100 miles to over 60,000 miles. Some owners associate these problems with the control area network and the STOP/START feature, and they note that dealers often fail to identify a specific cause. Safety implications are suggested by reports of the vehicle shutting down unexpectedly, which could pose risks in traffic situations.

Owners of the 2022 Kia Soul report issues related to vehicle speed control, with symptoms such as delayed acceleration, high RPMs without corresponding speed increase, and intermittent RPM surges during deceleration, particularly in sport mode. Some complaints mention the vehicle struggling to exceed 50 mph, and one owner notes chugging behavior on the freeway. These issues are reported across varying timelines, with one account indicating problems as early as 95,700 miles. While no crashes or fires are mentioned, the described symptoms could potentially affect vehicle control. Buyers should be aware of these patterns and consider them when evaluating this model for purchase.

Owners of the 2022 Kia Soul report issues with airbag deployment during crashes. Complaints frequently mention that airbags fail to deploy even in collisions where injuries occur, with one incident involving a rear-end collision at a stop and another during a vehicle merging incident. In both cases, injuries such as shoulder bruises, a hip bruise, and a head injury requiring stitches are reported. These issues are observed at mileages around 8,000 and 49,000 miles. The safety implications include potential injuries due to non-deployment of airbags during crashes, which may be a consideration for prospective buyers.

Owners of the 2022 KIA Soul report issues related to rodents chewing through the main wire harness, potentially due to soy-based wire coatings, and causing damage to critical systems like steering and braking. One owner describes repeated incidents of this damage, noting high repair costs and the manufacturer's refusal to cover expenses. Another owner reports the vehicle shutting down unexpectedly while driving, with the battery, oil, and engine lights illuminating, and the steering becoming difficult. This issue has occurred multiple times since 2022, with the vehicle sometimes reversing while in drive and the brakes becoming stiff. These problems, occurring at various times and under different conditions, pose significant safety risks, including the potential for loss of control while driving.