2022 Kia Soul Driver assistance Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11711598

Incident

Mar 3, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the month that the vehicle was purchased, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to coast to the side of the road. The ABS, traction control, Forward Collision Avoidance, and System Check warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The failure was progressively worsened. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights illuminate every seven miles of driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The failure was later diagnosed as a control area network failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked at the residence, and afterwards, the system rebooted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 100. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11696462

Incident

Mar 31, 2022

Mileage

100 mi

Since purchasing the vehicle, it just turns off while driving. It has NEVER stopped doing this. The dealership has consistently stated they are unable to repair as the diagnostic device does not register any code. Impossible as the car should have retained a code for this and so many other warning lights going off. Even so, Kia has the responsibility of fixing it all this time. I have shown screen shots where both lower level rows of warning lights and the one in the upper right corner are all on or a variation. There are people in my car witnessing these events. My family and myself are in eminent danger. The car is unreliable and unable to pass emissions with warning lights on or the car just shutting off. Kia continues to endanger us by forcing the car back onto the road without repairs, or so they say. They do not state what they have done other than taking off the front bumper and I believe they didn't even intend to tell me. I drive away it occurs again. You turn off the car; then, turn it back on and the lights go away temporarily. Kia Customer Care will only allow a service manager to communicate with, so if they are on vacation or out the car owner has no recourse and no car. Request a Kia field manager and refuse!!! Will only take action if diagnostic show code which it doesn't and I have witnesses the car just turns off. This is not the only Kia vehicle that have known to shut down. I have never received a notice of recall and it doesn't show, but my SUV SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND KIA HAS FAILED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. I have special road side assistance other than KIA as they are untrustworthy and must caravan if I have to travel. I should not be limited or live in fear of being killed in this vehicle. It has been towed, won't start,.....

NHTSA ID

11695800

Incident

Apr 15, 2022

My car keeps losing a major amount of oil and has been doing that before the correct date or miles is due for a new oil change and then my car makes a funny noise. It has issues when I accelerate, it langs, it takes longer to get up to speed and the shifting sometimes is loud and behind, my rpm goes really high and I'm going no where at times. My air conditioner also makes a really bad humming sound on when turned up. Not exactly sure on date when started honestly. It's been some months now.

NHTSA ID

11664063

Incident

Sep 19, 2024

Rodents chewed through the main wire harness on my vehicle on 2 separate occasions, both times in the same exact location. This recurring damage poses a serious safety risk and may be linked to soy-based wire coatings that attract rodents. The first incident required a $4,979.27 repair, covered by insurance; I paid a $500 deductible. The vehicle was diagnosed by Boonton Auto Body Shop. I recently discovered a second instance of rodent damage in the exact same location, which has not yet been repaired. This led me to investigate further and learn that this may be a common issue in certain vehicles, possibly due to soy-based insulation. I filed a complaint with Kia, but they denied responsibility. The main wire harness is critical to safety systems including braking, steering, engine performance, lighting, and airbags. Although I caught the issue before any accident occurred, undetected damage could lead to serious safety failures while driving. Some may argue the issue is environmental, but I also own a 2012 Toyota Prius, which I own and park in the same location since 2012. That vehicle has never had any rodent damage. This suggests that the problem is not just environmental, but may be due to the design, material based, or placement of the wiring in the Kia. Many consumers are unaware they can report safety-related issues to NHTSA. After being denied by the manufacturer, most are left with high repair costs and no resolution. I am concerned that if consumers remain silent or unaware of this process, Kia will not be held accountable. This is not an isolated case. The repeated, location-specific failure and the manufacturer's refusal to act show a clear pattern of potential design defect. I urge NHTSA to investigate this issue seriously, issue a recall to ensure Kia addresses the problem and protects consumer safety, and require the manufacturer to reimburse affected consumers for repair costs. This issue must be addressed before a serious accident occurs.

NHTSA ID

11661217

Incident

May 6, 2025

As of today 05/08/25 car will not start, it was also chugging while i was on the freeway and would not go over 50mph

NHTSA ID

11659790

Incident

May 8, 2025

RPM surges intermittently upon deceleration while in the sport mode. Began a few months ago.

NHTSA ID

11639286

Incident

Jan 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V123000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) However upon having the vehicle inspected by a local dealer, she was denied service of the recall due to the ECU unit not responding. The contact was advised that the unit needed to be replaced before having service completed for the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,700.

NHTSA ID

11635251

Incident

Jul 22, 2022

Mileage

95,700 mi

I received a letter stating that there is a major increase in contacts focus on certain Kia and Hyundai cars, including my car that is registered in New York State. It also is televising me that I can receive advice of tools, available free of charge to help my car from getting stolen.

NHTSA ID

11548900

Incident

Oct 5, 2023

When applying brakes over bumps the car sounds as if the brakes are locking up. When putting are in reverse and it uses the Automatic Emergency Braking aggressively too early. I have already paid to replace the window motors due to all windows not working when using the button on drivers side buttons, since replacing those motors the vehicle STILL continues to have electrical malfunctions when rolling windows down they won't roll up.

NHTSA ID

11544794

Incident

Sep 15, 2023