2022 Kia Soul Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: October 19, 2026 · Filed: October 30, 2026

My 2022 Kia Soul (VIN: KNDJ23AU1N7165149, ~57,000 miles) is subject to Safety Recall 25V-099 (SC336) for defective piston oil rings causing rapid oil loss, engine noise, stalling, seizure, and fire. On Oct 19, 2026, my vehicle suffered severe engine rattling and was towed to Kia of Frisco (TX). Technicians physically inspected it and documented two critical findings: 1. The oil pan was completely dry/empty. 2. The engine exhibited heavy carbon buildup in the combustion chamber. The vehicle was 1,000 miles UNDER its maintenance interval, with the previous service done at this same dealership. A dry oil pan and carbon fouling are direct physical proof of defective piston rings allowing oil to burn rapidly. REMEDY FAILURE & FALSE NEGATIVE: Despite documenting a bone-dry oil pan and carbon fouling, the dealership ran Kia's PNSS sound/vibration test, which yielded a false "pass." Based on this false negative, Kia of Frisco and the regional DPSM formally refused on Oct 30, 2026, to authorize recall engine replacement. Instead, they are forcing me to drive this internally damaged, oil-starved, rattling vehicle on public highways for a 1,000-mile oil consumption test. SAFETY HAZARD & AUDIT AQ25001: Ordering a consumer to drive an oil-starved, rattling engine on public roads creates an immediate hazard of high-speed engine failure or fire. Kia Consumer Affairs refuses to transfer calls, leaving me stranded with out-of-pocket rental costs. This directly demonstrates the flaws investigated under NHTSA Audit AQ25001 regarding unreliable 25V-099 recall protocols. I request the NHTSA investigate Kia for issuing false-pass inspections and forcing consumers to operate severely compromised, fire-risk vehicles.

Incident: September 1, 2025 · Filed: October 29, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer only inspected the engine and had not installed the piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after the recall repair. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal clicking sound and failed to accelerate, and there was an abnormal smoke odor. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had failed. The vehicle was then towed to a second dealer, DeMontrond Kia (14101 N Fwy Service Rd, Houston, TX 77090); however, the contact was informed that manufacturer authorization was required to perform the recall repair again under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Incident: February 1, 2026 · Filed: October 21, 2026

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.

Incident: October 7, 2026 · Filed: October 15, 2026

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."

Incident: June 14, 2024 · Filed: October 10, 2026

The paint above the windshield is peeling.

Incident: June 14, 2024 · Filed: October 10, 2026

The paint above the windshield is peeling off.

Incident: October 7, 2026 · Filed: October 8, 2026

Jake Sweeney Kia opened a repair order for Safety Recall SC336 on my 2022 Kia Soul at 8:00 AM on Wednesday. At 3:10 PM the exact same day, they finalized the ticket with a 'PASS' result and issued an invoice. The manufacturer’s official Technical Service Bulletin for Campaign SC336 explicitly mandates a 24-hour overnight cold engine soak before the PNSS acoustic test can be executed. The dealership completely bypassed this federal safety mandate, testing a warm engine in only 7 hours, and uploaded closed-out safety data to the manufacturer network to wipe the open recall from my VIN.

Incident: June 25, 2026 · Filed: October 7, 2026

Engine oil light came on and went to take in to get an oil change though it had 1000 miles or so to go. Had oil change but light did not go out, and service said to get it diagnosed at mechanic. Made an appointment and car then driven by my daughter stalled when entering the freeway. The car started and I had her drive it home. I tried it the next day and had no problem other than lack of power. At the car appointment, stated that it looked like a National Safety Recall problem and to take it to Kia for the problem. At Kia, they said there were a number of recall's that the fixed on the vehicle, but the safety recall for the engine did not apply as they didn't "hear" anything. They agreed it was losing power and it stalled when coming to a stop, turning and or accelerating. They said for $250 they could run a diagnostic. Having already done that with a trusted mechanic, I seemed at a loss on what to do. I had another mechanic look at it with the same recommendation that it was a recall problem and engine should be replaced.

Incident: September 22, 2022 · Filed: October 2, 2026

The oil consumption is outrageous. I have to check the oil every week. I keep taking it to WYATT JOHNSON KIA but they refuse to report the oil consumption problem to KIA

Incident: June 25, 2026 · Filed: July 17, 2026

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.