2016 Kia Soul Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 62about this part
- Share
- 8%of 818 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 62 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Kia Soul, 8% of the 818 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,500 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“As I was pulling out to go to work,I noticed the RPM indicator went up to 51000 RPM.I had not had this issue before.the car only had 18000 miles on it when I bought it. It has 19500 miles now.I was on the major highway in austin texas and couldn't go after than 50 MPH.I almost got hit driving .in the past,I had my Kia sportage repaired without issue. I am going to the Kia service center in the am. I will everyone know the outcome”
NHTSA complaint #11391125, filed 2021-02, 19,817 miles“Driving to work from lunch my car stalled and then completely stopped in the middle of the road. The engine light started flashing and then my car started to move again but it was sluggish and slow. It wont go past 45 miles before slowing all the way down. I had got my car recalled three days before, they said nothing was wrong with the engine/transmission at the time of the recall. Now three day later my cars stuck in limp mode showing a p0326 code.”
NHTSA complaint #11318957, filed 2020-03, 57,568 miles“On sunday, may 26th, 2019, our Kia SOUL caught fire as we were driving on the interstate highway. My family was in the car when my husband felt the car lose power. We heard a knocking sound between us and under us, forward between our seats and the engine. My husband saw smoke as he pulled over on the side of the highway. A few seconds after we pulled over, we saw flames erupt from the hood of the car. We got our three kids out of the car as fast as we could and ran from the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11217487, filed 2019-06, 63,000 miles“Was driving car and it lost power while on highway. Causing cars to swerve to avoid hitting me. After going to shop found out it was the catalytic converter. Car was also burning oil and misfiring. Had the 3 and 4 coil relpaced ,spark plugs , but still not able to figure out what us causing oil to burn. Car had regular oil changes. Kia basically said that after I fix the coils car would be fine . Well it's not still doing the same thing. I was informed that it just needs a new engine. Kia has refused to honor warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #11343442, filed 2020-08, 76,000 miles“On 8/4/19 I was heading to work when my car decided not to go anymore. I was at an intersection making a left turn when all of a sudden my car did not want to accelerate. I could not get passed 3000 rpms. Felt the engine rev up but would only go 30 MPH. At first I thought it was me, because the whole ride everything was smooth sailing and then this happend out of nowhere. So I gave it a little more gas and could feel the engine struggling. I came to the next red light and when I started to give gas it just jerked and I rolled into the nearest gas station. …”
NHTSA complaint #11243417, filed 2019-08, 79,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017172Apr 17, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This 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…
- 10226555Nov 18, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
- 10200551Aug 24, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 7-SPEED DCT JUDDER INSPECTION AND DUAL CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised…
- 10174520Apr 24, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating…
- 10169700Dec 4, 2019TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCT ACTUATOR ROD LENGTH ADJUSTMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to adjust the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) actuator rod lengths using the…
- 10130104Feb 16, 2018TSB - DRIVESHAFT SERVICEABILITY - This bulletin has been revised most recently to include additional information. This bulletin provides information regarding axle shaft…
- 10088982Oct 30, 2015Service action: ecm/tcm shift logic improvement (sa207) - this bulletin provides information related to the ecm/tcm software upgrade for some 2016my soul (ps) vehicles to improve…
- 10089382Aug 3, 2015Tsb: 6-spd. A/t adaptive value reset /relearn - this bulletin provides the procedures necessary to reset and relearn the adaptive values after transmission replacement or…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 5 | 9% |
| 2022 | 12 | 13% |
| 2021 | 26 | 11% |
| 2020 | 91 | 23% |
| 2019 | 6 | 4% |
| 2018 | 31 | 14% |
| 2017 | 19 | 7% |
| 2016 | 62 | 8% |
| 2015 | 61 | 7% |
| 2014 | 58 | 6% |
| 2013 | 14 | 2% |
| 2012 | 21 | 4% |
| 2011 | 13 | 7% |
| 2010 | 11 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Kia Soul
563 complaintsOther or unknown
127 complaintsEngine cooling
106 complaintsFuel system
84 complaintsElectrical system
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSuspension
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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