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2022 Kia Soul
Solid pick. The public record on this car is clean for its age — inspect it, then negotiate with confidence.
87 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 10, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Complaints are still coming in strong late in this car's life — a chronic-problem pattern, not early teething.
Engine problems dominate (57% of complaints, typically reported near 6k miles).
The math, shown
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2022 Kia Soul, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Engine & cooling (19) · Electrical system (10) · Fuel system (7) · Speed control (6)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint — a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
57%50 complaints · typically near 6k mi · 46 in the last 2 years
“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 stal…”
Engine & cooling
22%19 complaints · 19 in the last 2 years
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power and stalled, with several u…”
Transmission & drivetrain
14%12 complaints · typically near 4k mi · 7 in the last 2 years
“• 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 t…”
Electrical system
11%10 complaints · 7 in the last 2 years
“• 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 t…”
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 25V099000
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.
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
Before you hand over money
Check the VIN for open recalls
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150–$250 independent inspection of this exact 2022 Kia SOUL beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2022? See how every Soul model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2022 Kia Soul against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score — if they disagree, that’s worth knowing.