Skip to content
Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2017 Kia Soul Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
7%of 272 total for the year
Median mileage
79,738miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2017 Kia Soul, 7% of the 272 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,738 miles.

Example complaints

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

“Got in my car september 2020 and heard knocking under hood. Drive it to the penzoil less than 15 minutes away and I knock got faster and louder. Penzoil told me park it and tow to nearest Kia. Extremely disheartening I'm 23 y/o single mother. Now with a broken car. 16000 in debt for a year and half worth of driving less than 80000 on odometer jeeeshhh Kia . Hopefully we get recall soon”

NHTSA complaint #11415299, filed 2021-05, 79,477 miles

“My car feels like it steers sideways down the road,it bounces,hard to control,it loses power in 3rd gear,the brakes don't work well at all,engine pings loudly constantly.I took my car to carfax in modesto california whom I purchased from and they couldn't find anything wrong,th s ir lieing,living, car was wrecked and painted over ,its full of over spray,the car is dangerous to drive,I want it replaced with a new kiasoul”

NHTSA complaint #11362960, filed 2020-10, 19,990 miles

“With no warning my car completely stopped working, no engine light ever came on, my oil changes were up-to-date, and it was diagnosed with rod knock which is what everybody else on here is saying. How is there not already a recall on this year???”

NHTSA complaint #11406569, filed 2021-04, 89,000 miles

“Low oil pressure indication alerted while driving. Had my vehicle towed for an evaluation. Oil was full but engine failure was detected. No warning whatsoever. No knocking or stalling of engine. Car still runs but I will not drive the vehicle in fear of catastrophic consequences. Now out of a car and still owe $8500 on the loan. 82,000 miles on car. Out of warranty because I'm the second owner. Kia service center reps laughed at me. Infuriating situation. Was told my options were 'fix it or don't' thanks Kia.”

NHTSA complaint #11387891, filed 2021-01, 82,000 miles

“My 2017 Kia showed no signs of problems until I was driving to store on state road 9 going 40 MPH and while in drive in died out on me. I turned the key over a few times. It finally caught and started. I continued home and it did this again. Only the oil light came on. I got it started and moved off the road and had it towed to my mothers. When I tried to start it again it wouldnt start. My step father looked at it and the piston had flown it to the spark plug. And I was told my moter was blown.”

NHTSA complaint #11352239, filed 2020-08, 100,000 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 2017 Kia Soul

Engine
191 complaintsOther or unknown
32 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 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