The Lemon Index2022 Kia Soul. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 2
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Auto (AM-S7) | FWD | 27 / 32 / 29 | Regular | $2,150 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | Auto (variable gear ratios) | FWD | 28 / 33 / 30 | Regular | $2,100 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 41,700 and 80,200 miles. Median 65,500, from 22 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 70,000 | 49,500–80,200 | 14 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | 51% |
| Engine | 24% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 13% |
| Electrical | 10% |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 7% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 1
25V099000 Feb 2025 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine / Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Defect. 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.
Remedy. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness | 2025 | 2025 |
Manufacturer communications 77
Kia filed 77 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRECAUTIONS FOR TRANSMISSIONS WITH ISG/EOP - This bulletin…
- Technical service bulletin: excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines - this…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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