2022 Kia Soul Powertrain & Transmission Problems

My 2022 Kia Soul experienced a sudden loss of motive power and stalling while driving, creating a high risk for a rear-end collision in traffic. An authorized Kia dealership (Mike Miller Kia) performed a major timing repair in March 2025 [XXX] ) to address these safety issues. However, the exact same failure occurred again in January 2026. The dealership now documents that the engine was 4 quarts low on oil, nearly empty, despite proper maintenance. This indicates a severe oil consumption defect that leads to timing failure and unpredictable engine stalls. I believe this vehicle poses an unreasonable safety risk due to this recurring stalling condition, which matches the defect described in NHTSA Recall 25V099 (SC336), though my VIN is currently excluded. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I have a Kia Soul 2022 and I have been having a lot of different problems with my vehicle that are a serious safety hazard for my family and myself. I was trying to pass 18 wheeler truck one night and I saw white and black smoke coming out from the back of my Kia Soul. I was trying to pass a 18 wheeler on the Interstate and my car shut its self all the way off. I freaked out and lucky there was no one on the right side when this happened I veered off to the right of the interstate and checked everything but I could smell something was burning. I sat on side of interstate I waited about 45 minutes and tried to crank it and it cranked so I was able to get to our location and I had a mechanic look at it he said it was the pistons and burning my oil. I took it back to get the guy look at it where I got the oil changed and he had to put more oil and an oil filter in it again.. I then went back home several days later I took the car back out and it started smoking and jerking on the road. The smoking is getting worse now. I know Kia had a recall on the cars, but for some reason my VIN wasn’t included my car is doing the same as what the other ones are doing and to be honest I feel like all KIa Spul 2022 should be in recall this is very dangerous and I am still having to pay on ours and I am scared to drive it. There is a lot more to my story, but I don’t want to get banned. I just want my car to be included in the recall and all the others that are still having this problem. This is a dangerous defect and it should be fixed my car is my source of income and now have no clue what I will do when it catches on fire. Just today it smoked four times after going back to get more oil last night, because it was completely out of oil and I bought 2 quarts of oil just to get to the oil change place. Be careful and call corporate they should be under recall and corporate should be nicer to their customers and we shouldn’t have to pay for everything this recall is causing

Check engine light came on so I took the car to a mechanic who scanned the vehicle and found diagnostic trouble code P0017 (Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation). This code indicates a timing issue that could be related to a timing chain or camshaft sensor malfunction. The car only has 92,000 miles and is less than 10 years old, I bought it pre-owned. I contacted KIA corporate and was told to take the car to a dealership for evaluation, but the dealership refused to inspect the car without a $250 diagnostic fee, stating it was not covered because the vehicle was purchased used. My understanding is that powertrain issues like this should be covered under warranty, and this may relate to existing recalls such as Recall SC336, which concerns engine performance and safety. This could pose a serious safety risk if the engine fails while driving.

In March 2025, my 2022 Kia Soul developed a check engine light and drivability problems that progressed to rough idle, loss of power, reduced power with limited speed and an unresponsive throttle, and stalling after continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and the dealer performed a major timing related repair (camshaft and related timing/CVVT components) under on 03/07/2025. In January 2026, the check engine light returned and the dealer’s printout shows timing correlation related codes again (P0014 shown as pending and P0017 stored as history). Because the prior event involved loss of power and stalling, I stopped driving the vehicle immediately and brought it in as soon as the dealer had an opening to avoid a repeat safety incident. The dealership has stated the condition is due to low oil or excessive oil consumption and has recommended either engine replacement or additional major timing/engine repairs to make the vehicle drivable. I am concerned this is a recurring engine timing or engine control condition that can lead to reduced power and stalling while driving. I am also aware of recalls or manufacturer campaigns reported for similar Kia Soul vehicles involving engine oil consumption or related engine damage concerns, but my VIN does not show as included. Given the repeat timing related codes and prior reduced power and stalling, I am requesting review of whether this condition warrants broader investigation beyond the current VIN scope.

Unknown, my car has been burning through oil every 1000 miles and is starting to seize as I’m driving which is super dangerous! I have kept up with my car on oil changes and everything else that is recommended.

Transmission issues. 10/27/23 the engine turned off on Rt93 highway in Massachusetts while in stop-and-go traffic. I put it in park, and restarted the car. It seems to accelerate fine, but is herky-jerky when slowing down. It has a rubber band effect, and threatens to stall at 22mph and 12mph when slowing down. The dealer's first appointment is 2 months out. I'll have to drive it until then. Hopefully they can update the software and change the transmission fluid. Web traffic says that "might" fix it. Super sad, love the car, but constantly stressed out when driving it.

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.

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the message displayed on the instrument panel to "Shift to park(P) or neutral(N) Before Starting engine". Additionally, there was a battery discharged message displayed. The vehicle was taken to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic found no cause of the failure. The contact stated that an unknown sensor was reset however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was not available.

1. Car was getting great gas milage 33 in town and 41 on highway. Suddenly, could barely get 28 - 31 regardless of circumstance; then,.... 2, Car kept shutting off automatically when driving, to include when making a left hand turn that nearly got us broadsided when it stalled. Nearby mechanic adjusted fuel mixture and kind enough to test drive. Stated to expect engine light to turn back on, but wouldn't shut down. Able to get to KIA dealership whom looked at, got engine light off but stated that the light would most likely come back on in the morning when started again. It did. Took it back to the dealership again. Note check engine light twice which should have a code. 3. Happened a third time, KIA stated reached out to manufacturer whom had them tear down certain parts and clean. (Associate stated same happened to their KIA and same repair). Working better. Check engine light again. Tried to tell me no code. Not possible with check engine light on. 4. Happened again. Can feel the car start to chug/sputter. Took to shop. Tried something else before I put on the road for about 1,200 miles. Milage improved to about 36/37 on highway 29 in town. However, when I went to return home it shut off as I was fastening seatbelt and placing purse. Mileage immediately stated 9 to 12 to 14. With the chugging detectable. Took an easy 50-100 miles before chugging settled and milage began to climb but not beyond 29-30 mpg. Next tank, rolled 50 feet to edge of gas station and average miles per gallon suddenly stated 50 mpg. Seemed to state averaging 46/47 mpg highway. In town is now dropping. Makes no sense whatsoever as to the variance in gas milage. These people want to keep my car for 5 days leaving me with no car, to pay for the parts they put into the car as they ATTEMPT to figure out the issue. I have heard gas and fuel somehow mixing, had to tear things apart and fix, fuel mixture automatically adjusts, the issue is with the tripometer device..

I purchased a brand new 2022 Kia Soul GT line on 9/01/2022. At 4300 miles, the IVT transmission imploded while on the freeway. Same issues as all the others reported here - fluctuating rpms, followed by a complete loss of power while the tach is redlined. Had it towed to the Kia dealership, and they determined that I needed a new transmission. The only thing they could tell me was that there were metal shavings in the transmission fluid. Also, I didn't get a new transmission in my new car - they installed a refurbished trans, which I questioned, but I was assured that all would be well. Of course, the "new" transmission failed after only 1300 miles, same issue, and my car is still in the shop two weeks later. No warning lights came on, no notification of trouble through the app, either. Now I'm getting half-answers from my dealership about my next steps. I know what that will be - an attorney. KIA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THESE IVT TRANSMISSION FAILURES FOR OVER TWO YEARS AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING. I will never buy another Kia again. Ever. If you're reading this, please DON'T BUY A KIA.