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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2020 Kia Soul Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
91about this part
Share
23%of 388 total for the year
Median mileage
8,850miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 91 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Kia Soul, 23% of the 388 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,850 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

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

“1-on three different times I pulled out onto the highway to go and my car goes into limp mode no power how much you push the gas petal them eventually it takes off and goes. Called the dealer where I purchased my car and they told me to just drive my car in sport mode. I don't like having to drive my car in sport mode the RPM's run high and it uses more gas. …”

NHTSA complaint #11389135, filed 2021-01, 16,000 miles

“Bought the car 2-11 with 1200 miles on it drove it for 8 days then on 2-19 it started jumping and jerking and making some really bad sounds. On 2-21 it was so bad that I had it towed to battleground Kia because I was scared to drive it, they had it for 3 days and then on 2-24 called me to come get the car because they found nothing wrong with it. …”

NHTSA complaint #11311733, filed 2020-02, 1,666 miles

“When the automatic start stop start is on when I stop and the engine shuts off as it should, when I release the brake it makes a whining noise for a few seconds. Also happens when going up my driveway. Have read that this is happening in a lot of people's 2020 Kia SOUL's and nobody seems to know or have a fix.”

NHTSA complaint #11407823, filed 2021-04, 26,500 miles

“I purchased a new 2020 Kia SOUL lx with 16 miles on the odometer. 2 months later, my car began to lose power suddenly. The engine increased RPM as I've lost power. The car would only accelerate to about 25 MPH. I drove it immediately to the dealership who told me I needed a new transmission. My car stayed in the dealership shop for two months awaiting a transmission that was on back order.”

NHTSA complaint #11301363, filed 2020-01, 2,230 miles

“I stopped at stop sign and the car shut off and made a ding sound but radio never disconnected. Not the usual shut off this was different. Then it started but it made an unusual ding sound. Plus, sounds like the transmission is dragging it was a recall and I took the car back for maintenance and now it's doing same thing again plus this time it was whining for about 10 seconds while I was driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11384024, filed 2020-12, 9,000 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 2020 Kia Soul

Engine
245 complaintsOther or unknown
54 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsSteering
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsAir bags
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2020 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