The Lemon Index
Transmission complaints owners filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) for each model year, per 100,000 cars sold. A complaint counts when it's filed under the transmission, or under the power train and the owner describes the transmission (shifting, slipping, gears, CVT). It's an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and older years have had longer to collect complaints.
What owners describe
Share of this model's transmission complaints that mention each symptom. One complaint can mention several.
Transmission and power train recalls
- 2023 2023
The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
In owners' words
Complete transmission failure at 9,200 miles. Car locked up coming off interstate exit ramp and would not take gear at all. Very strong smell of burning transmission. Unit needed complete transmission. Has been at dealer for over 6 weeks.
2020 Kia Soul owner · NHTSA complaint
The transmission failed twice the first time they replaced the transmission and now they have to replace it again they are saying . The vehicle was on the highway and all of the sudden the rpms went through the roof and the vehicle just started to die .
2020 Kia Soul owner · NHTSA complaint
Quick answers
Which Kia Soul years have transmission problems?
By transmission complaints filed with NHTSA per car sold, the worst Kia Soul years are 2020, 2021, 2010.
What are common Kia Soul transmission problems?
Owners most often describe lost power while driving, transmission replaced, hard or jerky shifting.
Which Kia Soul years have the fewest transmission complaints?
Since 2010, the Kia Soul years with the fewest transmission complaints per car sold are 2019, 2023, 2025.
See every problem, not just the transmission: Kia Soul reliability by year. How we count