Kia Soul transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2025
252 of the 2,268 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Soul 2016–2025 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2020 (89), 2016 (65), 2018 (32). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Kia Soul transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 1 TSB | the year → |
| 2024 | 0 | — | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 5 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 12 | 14% | — | 5 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 26 | 11% | — | 26 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 89 | 23% | 9k | 33 TSBs | the record → |
| 2019 | 7 | 5% | — | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2018 | 32 | 14% | 33k | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2017 | 21 | 7% | — | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 65 | 8% | 66k | 1 recall · 1 investigation | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2018: 4 · 2019: 21 · 2020: 46 · 2021: 52 · 2022: 22 · 2023: 30 · 2024: 20 · 2025: 28 · 2026: 27
Across the model years, half of the 121 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 6,000 and 62,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I bought a 2020 Kia Soul s aug 30 2020 december 23, 2020 I found out my transmission needed replacing 5600 miles on car. Dealer said it would be 2 to 3 months as they are on back order.
On december 23rd the car was being driven on the highway at 70mph when it dropped to 1st gear and rpm's increased dramatically. We were able to get off the off ramp to a parking lot but the car never came out of 1st gear. We tried to use the manual option but there was no difference.
My Kia Soul's engine failed when we were exiting the highway. The car started making awful grinding sounds and went into "limp mode." When I tried to restart the vehicle, the oil lamp and check engine lamp illuminated.
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact also stated that due to the transmission failure, the vehicle would not allow the contact to shift gears. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated.
This is for 2018 Kia Soul EV. I stopped, placed the car in park and got out. Car then rolled down a hill with no one in the car. Causing an accident
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- Jul 31, 2023 · 39,765 vehicles
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
- 20V389000 HighJul 2, 2020 · 3,714 vehicles
- Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Kia Soul Electric Vehicle (EV) vehicles. The parking mechanism may become damaged if the driver moves the gear shift lever into Park 'P' before the vehicle comes to a complete stop. If the parking mechanism is damaged, unintended vehicle movement may occur when the gear shift lever is in the Park 'P' position and the parking brake is not applied.
NHTSA investigation
- RQ23005 Vehicle Rollawayopened Sep 10, 2023 · closed Jan 16, 2024
- On July 2, 2020, Kia America Inc. (Kia) filed safety recall 20V-389 for model year (MY) 2015-2016 Kia Soul EV vehicles. This recall was in response to allegations of unintended vehicle movement while in Park and provided updated electronic control unit software for the electronic parking brake logic as the remedy. The updated logic, which was included during production for MY 2017-2019 Kia Soul EV…
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Feb 19, 2026
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC199 FL301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to update the software programming on the Transmission Control Module (TCM) and, if necessary, replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) on certain 2020-2021 MY Soul vehicles.
- Apr 17, 2025
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Kia Soul
Source: the same filesCommon questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Kia Soul years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2020, 89; 2016, 65; 2018, 32. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (23%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Kia Soul?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 23V531000 (2023), 20V389000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Kia Soul?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 17,848 miles across the model years; half of them between 6,000 and 62,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.