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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2022 Kia Soul Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
12about this part
Share
13%of 95 total for the year
Median mileage
62,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2022 Kia Soul, 13% of the 95 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles.

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.

“Unknown, my car has been burning through oil every 1000 miles and is starting to seize as I’m driving which is super dangerous! I have kept up with my car on oil changes and everything else that is recommended.”

NHTSA complaint #11656237, filed 2025-04

“I have a Kia Soul 2022 and I have been having a lot of different problems with my vehicle that are a serious safety hazard for my family and myself. I was trying to pass 18 wheeler truck one night and I saw white and black smoke coming out from the back of my Kia Soul. I was trying to pass a 18 wheeler on the Interstate and my car shut its self all the way off. I freaked out and lucky there was no one on the right side when this happened I veered off to the right of the interstate and checked everything but I could smell something was burning. …”

NHTSA complaint #11706306, filed 2025-12

“Transmission failed on my 2022 Kia soul in June 2022 when my car only had 4,594 miles. I was stuck in the middle of a busy intersection with my daughter and I in the car unable to accelerate almost being hit by multiple vehicles. Transmission failed on my 2022 Kia soul once again when my car had only 10,734 miles on it. Again brought it into Kia dealership whom confirmed the transmission had failed again for a second time. In this incident I was stuck on the side of a highway almost being hit by multiple big rigs again with my daughter in the car. …”

NHTSA complaint #11516974, filed 2023-04

“Check engine light came on so I took the car to a mechanic who scanned the vehicle and found diagnostic trouble code P0017 (Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation). This code indicates a timing issue that could be related to a timing chain or camshaft sensor malfunction. The car only has 92,000 miles and is less than 10 years old, I bought it pre-owned. I contacted KIA corporate and was told to take the car to a dealership for evaluation, but the dealership refused to inspect the car without a $250 diagnostic fee, stating it was not covered because the vehicle was purchased used. …”

NHTSA complaint #11676696, filed 2025-07

“Transmission issues. 10/27/23 the engine turned off on Rt93 highway in Massachusetts while in stop-and-go traffic. I put it in park, and restarted the car. It seems to accelerate fine, but is herky-jerky when slowing down. It has a rubber band effect, and threatens to stall at 22mph and 12mph when slowing down. The dealer's first appointment is 2 months out. I'll have to drive it until then. Hopefully they can update the software and change the transmission fluid. Web traffic says that might fix it. Super sad, love the car, but constantly stressed out when driving it.”

NHTSA complaint #11554475, filed 2023-11

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 2022 Kia Soul

Engine
54 complaints
Engine cooling
20 complaints
Other or unknown
15 complaints
Electrical system
10 complaints
Fuel system
7 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
4 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2022 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