2022 Kia Soul

The 2022 Kia Soul is a popular subcompact SUV known for its distinctive boxy styling, spacious interior, and affordable price. The base engine for the 2022 model year is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-4 cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). There are no other engine or transmission options. People generally like the Soul’s quirky design, practicality, and value. Common dislikes include the lack of available all-wheel drive, the sometimes-underwhelming performance of the base engine, and road noise.

Engine

2.0L Inline-4 Cylinder

• Engine Hesitation/Stalling
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported experiencing engine hesitation upon acceleration, particularly from a stop. In some instances, this hesitation has led to the engine stalling.
  • Solution: Some dealerships have found issues with the mass air flow (MAF) sensor, fuel injectors, or engine control unit (ECU) programming. Replacing the faulty sensor or reflashing the ECU software may resolve the issue.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Excessive Oil Consumption
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have experienced excessive oil consumption requiring them to add oil more frequently between oil changes. This can lead to engine damage if not monitored closely.
  • Solution: A compression test and leak-down test can help diagnose the source of oil consumption. Depending on the cause, possible solutions may include replacing piston rings, valve seals, or even the entire engine in severe cases.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $5000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)

• Rough Shifting/Jerking
  • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported experiencing rough shifting or jerking during acceleration or deceleration, particularly at lower speeds. This may be more noticeable when the transmission is cold.
  • Solution: In some cases, a transmission fluid flush or replacement of the transmission control module (TCM) may resolve the issue. In other cases, a full transmission replacement is required.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $4000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Transmission Slipping
  • Description/Symptoms: The engine RPMs rise without a corresponding increase in vehicle speed.
  • Solution: Some dealerships have recommended replacing the transmission fluid, or replacing the transmission.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $4000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Infotainment System Freezing/Crashing
  • Description/Symptoms: The infotainment system (including the touchscreen display, navigation, and audio functions) may freeze, become unresponsive, or crash unexpectedly.
  • Solution: Try a system reset. A software update may resolve the issue. In some cases, the entire infotainment unit may need to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 - $1000+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Backup Camera Malfunction
  • Description/Symptoms: The backup camera may display a black screen, distorted image, or fail to activate when the vehicle is put in reverse.
  • Solution: Check the camera connections and wiring harness. A software update may resolve the issue. If the camera itself is faulty, it will need to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• Dead Battery Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: The car battery may drain unexpectedly, especially if the vehicle is not driven frequently.
  • Solution: Check for parasitic drains by aftermarket accessories. Some dealerships will perform a software update of some electronic control units in an attempt to fix it. The battery may need to be replaced.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300+
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Windshield Cracking
  • Description/Symptoms: The windshield may be prone to cracking or chipping easily, even from small impacts. This may be due to the windshield’s design or thickness.
  • Solution: Replace the windshield. Consider using a higher-quality aftermarket windshield for improved durability.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500+
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Rattling/Squeaking Noises
  • Description/Symptoms: Owners have reported various rattling or squeaking noises coming from the dashboard, door panels, or other interior components, particularly when driving on rough roads.
  • Solution: Dealerships can attempt to locate and address the source of the noises by tightening loose fasteners, adding padding, or replacing faulty components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $300+
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2022 Kia Soul, while generally reliable, does have some common issues that owners have reported. The engine issues, such as hesitation and oil consumption, can be concerning and potentially costly to repair. The transmission issues, particularly the rough shifting and slipping, can affect the driving experience. Electrical issues with the infotainment system and backup camera can be frustrating, while interior rattles can detract from the overall comfort and driving experience. Overall, some of the issues can be severe, requiring costly repairs, however, there are no outstanding recalls.