Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2010 Kia Soul Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
8%of 135 total for the year
Median mileage
36,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2010 Kia Soul, 8% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My wife and I just purchased a used 2010 Kia SOUL on 01/21/2012. She was driving it to the car was and as she was trying to make her way to the entrance she was pulled up too closely. She backed up then shifted into first gear and as she began to drive the vehicle thought it was still in reverse and began to move backward. She then put the car in neutral then shifted into first again and the same problem occurred, this time causing her to hit the pay box for the car wash and causing damage to the driver side fender, mirror and door.”

NHTSA complaint #10444813, filed 2012-01, 45,000 miles

“I recently came out to get into my husbands Kia to find a flat tire. While this is not an unusual event it was expensive. I purchased four new tires, and had them mounted. The mechanic mentioned the unusual wear pattern on the back tires which I had noticed as well. The tires were wearing in the center and to the inside edge of the tires. He suggested that I take the SOUL to the dealership since they would be able to align the vehicle according to the manufacturers specs. I made an appointment for the following morning at the Kia dealership to do so. I heard the mechanic say to the dept. …”

NHTSA complaint #10560567, filed 2014-01, 87,761 miles

“Problem started after having clutch replaced in april 2019. When in 2nd gear, car hesitates and behaves as if it isn't getting gas; ie: does not accelerate when applying gas. I take foot off of gas and then put back on the pedal or have to change gears before car accelerates.”

NHTSA complaint #11311076, filed 2020-02, 145,000 miles

“Car does not recognize it is in park, and cannot be started due to safety feature of not being able to start car in gear. Temporary fix was discovered to be shift all the way to 2nd gear, then back to park. Taking to Kia dealer tomorrow to have 'switch' checked for possible short. Car was driven and parked. Problem occurred twice. Once in carport the next morning (10/9). Then in parking lot after returning from shopping in grocery store (10/12).”

NHTSA complaint #11268222, filed 2019-10, 136,649 miles

“This and other models of Kia/hyundai have a very common issue with auto trans a4cf1/2 electrica harness that fails prematurely and frequently, including temp sensor intergrated into it. Car now has 94k and code p0713 for the temp sensor failure and recently p0765 for selonoid d, which is all related to wire harness inside trans. Temp sensor fails, and solder connections become loose and irretic shifting, check engine lights and all sorts of trans problems start. I wouldn't be surprised upon owners taking cars to dealer or trans shop, they are told their transmissions are no good.”

NHTSA complaint #11192485, filed 2019-03, 94,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202518%
202426%
202359%
20221213%
20212611%
20209123%
201964%
20183114%
2017197%
2016628%
2015617%
2014586%
2013142%
2012214%
2011137%
2010118%

Other parts of the 2010 Kia Soul

Electrical system
24 complaints
Air bags
21 complaints
Body and structure
21 complaints
Brakes
16 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaints
Other or unknown
13 complaints
Steering
12 complaints
Engine
9 complaints
Vehicle speed control
9 complaints
Tires
6 complaints
Engine cooling
5 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology