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What 87 owners told NHTSA about the 2022 Kia Soul

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (87)Crash / fire / injury (5)Engine (50)Engine & cooling (19)Transmission & drivetrain (12)Electrical system (10)Fuel system (7)Speed control (6)Driver assistance (4)Airbags (3)Brakes (3)Seat belts (2)

5 of 87 complaints match · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Apr 8, 2026EngineCrashFire3 injuries3 deaths

My [XXX] daughter was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a crash in which the vehicle struck a tree and a fire was present. She was unable to exit the vehicle and did not receive medical attention in time. Public records indicate the vehicle had an open federal safety recall at the time, listed as incomplete. I am submitting this information for awareness and review. I am not making any conclusions regarding causation. However, I believe it is important that incidents involving vehicle fires and open recalls are documented and evaluated to help protect other families. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11730024

Jun 17, 2025AirbagsCrash1 injury

The contact owned a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle attempted to merge in front of the contact, causing the front driver side of the vehicle to collide with the rear passenger end of another vehicle, but the air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained neck and shoulder injuries. Medical attention was not sought as of yet; however has a doctor appointment scheduled. The vehicle was then towed to a tow lot where it was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000.

NHTSA ODI 11667358

Apr 13, 2023Transmission & drivetrain2 injuries

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 car. My daughter is currently pregnant and had to be seen at the emergency room for high blood pressure and anxiety attack. We now have hospital bills, car towing of about 800.00, rental car is now being used which I was forced to get because Kia would not assist me with getting it. This is a huge safety hazard as my vehicle went from 65 miles per hour down to 20 in a matter of seconds. I was so close to being hit then stranded in the middle of the desert. I called Kia corporate requesting this car be declared a lemon and me be refunded any money put into the car. I currently have an open case with them. If something happens to me or my child or now grandchild while driving I will fully hold Kia responsible for this.

NHTSA ODI 11516974

May 1, 2022Crash

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.

NHTSA ODI 11462936

Dec 28, 2021AirbagsSeat beltsCrash2 injuries

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.

NHTSA ODI 11445349

Working with the data? Download all 87 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2022 Kia Soul verdict →