Research · Small Station Wagons

2022 Kia SoulRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 95 owner complaints for the 2022 Kia Soul. Most complaints involve engine (54) and engine and engine cooling (20). The EPA rates it 29–31 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
29–31mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2025
Owner complaints
95
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: hard parts internal

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Feb 17, 2025NHTSA 25V099000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

95 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine54
  2. Engine and engine cooling20
  3. Power train12
  4. Electrical system10
  5. Fuel/propulsion system7
  6. Vehicle speed control6
  7. Forward collision avoidance4
  8. Air bags3
  9. Service brakes3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Soul model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2010135
2011194
2012515
2013667
2014905
2015908
2016823
2017290
2018223
2019140
2020388
2021239
202295
202354
202430
202512
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
3
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

54 reports1 crash1 fire
“My 2022 Kia Soul was previously serviced under Safety Recall SC336 (NHTSA Campaign 25V099000), and the dealership only uploaded the monitoring software. The safety recall remedy has now completely failed. The software's warning triggers are active: the oil light is flashing, the check engine light is flashing, and the engine is vibrating violently and failing to run. The manufacturer's remedy did not fix the physical defect, and the car is now dangerously disabled."”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026EngineODI 11771506

Engine and engine cooling

20 reports
“The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the engine was not replaced under the recall. While the contact's wife was driving 10 MPH, the vehicle started sputtering. The vehicle later lost motive power while the contact was driving. Upon inspection, the contact discovered there was no engine oil inside the engine. The vehicle was taken to O'Reilly's and diagnosed with a cylinder #3 misfire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed an oil change, but after 3,000 miles there was no oil in the engine. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times for oil consumption tests, and the spark plugs were replaced; however, the contact was informed that the engine could not be replaced under recall because the engine oil level was full at inspection. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11772606

Power train

12 reports
“• 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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11743951
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Soul Eco dynamics
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
293531$2,050287
Soul
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
283330$2,150301
Soul
Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
273229$2,200309
  • Soul Eco dynamics
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    29 city · 35 hwy · $2,050/yr
    31
    mpg comb.
  • Soul
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    28 city · 33 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Soul
    Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    27 city · 32 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Kia Soul SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
3 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 15952
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2022 Soul questions

How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Soul have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2022 Kia Soul problems?

Owners filed 95 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (54), engine and engine cooling (20), power train (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2022 Kia Soul get?

The EPA rates the 2022 Kia Soul at 29–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2022 Kia Soul?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2022 Kia Soul 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026