NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
89 reportsClear category filter10,533 miles · Feb 20, 2020
Power Train
CAR IS ON SECOND COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 10,500 MILES. 1ST FAILURE AT 10,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP IN BUSY INTERSECTION COMING OFF MAJOR INTERSTATE. KIA DEALER INFORMED ME IT NEEDED COMPLETE NEW TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAD UNIT FOR OVER 2 MONTHS. I HAD IT BACK 5 DAYS FROM DEALER REPAIR AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP ON…
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CAR IS ON SECOND COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 10,500 MILES. 1ST FAILURE AT 10,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP IN BUSY INTERSECTION COMING OFF MAJOR INTERSTATE. KIA DEALER INFORMED ME IT NEEDED COMPLETE NEW TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAD UNIT FOR OVER 2 MONTHS. I HAD IT BACK 5 DAYS FROM DEALER REPAIR AND TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP ON MY AGAIN IN MIDDLE OF ROAD PULLING OUT FROM STOP SIGN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC COMING TOWARDS ME. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AFTER 45 MIN TO HR OF DRIVING WHEN TRANSMISSION GETS HOT. TODAY I AM MEETING WITH DEALER TO BUY UNIT BACK. I FEEL THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS AND THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES ARE A HUGE SAFETY CONCEN THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE THERE IS SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.
NHTSA ODI #11310304
17,801 miles · Feb 15, 2020
Power Train
ON DECEMBER 30 MY KIA SOUL BEGAN ACTING AS IT WAS CUTTING OUT AND IT WAS USING A LOT OF FUEL THE RPM WOULD SHOOT UP A TAD BIT FINALLY THE RPM RED LINED AND THE CAR STOPPED MOVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MPH. WE SAFELY EXITED AND MADE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH LUCKILY WAS ONLY ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY. HAD 17607 MILES ON THE …
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ON DECEMBER 30 MY KIA SOUL BEGAN ACTING AS IT WAS CUTTING OUT AND IT WAS USING A LOT OF FUEL THE RPM WOULD SHOOT UP A TAD BIT FINALLY THE RPM RED LINED AND THE CAR STOPPED MOVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MPH. WE SAFELY EXITED AND MADE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHICH LUCKILY WAS ONLY ABOUT 3 MILES AWAY. HAD 17607 MILES ON THE CAR THEY KEPT MY CAR FROM 12/30/2019 TO 1/31/2020 WHILE REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD MY CAR BACK FOR 2 WEEKS AND TODAY 2/15/2020 THE CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER AND HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING SPEED I STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN I WENT TO PULL AWAY THE CAR DID NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. I SHIFTED INTO PARK WHEN IT MADE A LOUD BANG AS YOU WOULD HERE IF YOU PARKED ON A INCLINE AND PUT A CAR INTO GEAR ONLY 3 TIMES AS LOUD. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO A PARKING LOT AND CALL FOR A TOW AT 5.45 AM ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SENT A TOW COMPANY 2 HOURS AWAY FROM ME AND ITS NOW 3:18 PM AND MY CAR HAS YET TO BE TOWED TO MY LOCAL KIA DEALER . CAR NOW HAS 17801 MILES ON IT. WOUNDER HOW LONG THEY WILL HAVE IT THIS TIME. WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE ABOUT LEMON LAW. THE CAR AT THIS POINT HAS PROVED IT IS UNRELIABLE VERY DISAPPOINTING AS I REALLY LOVE THIS CAR BUT NEED DEPENDABILITY.. MANUFACTURER DATE WAS 3/19
NHTSA ODI #11309379
8,697 miles · Feb 13, 2020
EnginePower Train
ON 12 FEB 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 75S IN GA AND LOST ALL ACCELERATION TO THE VEHICLE WHILE SURROUNDED BY TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOORBOARD AND HAD 0 RPMS. PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR IT RAN FINE UNTIL I GOT OFF AT MY EXIT AND STARTED AT A RED LIGHT AGAIN NO ACCELERATION 0 RPMS HELD MY FOOT ON…
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ON 12 FEB 2020, I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 75S IN GA AND LOST ALL ACCELERATION TO THE VEHICLE WHILE SURROUNDED BY TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOORBOARD AND HAD 0 RPMS. PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR IT RAN FINE UNTIL I GOT OFF AT MY EXIT AND STARTED AT A RED LIGHT AGAIN NO ACCELERATION 0 RPMS HELD MY FOOT ON THE FLOORBOARD AND IT FINALLY STARTED TO ACCELERATE AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE. TOOK THE CAR TO THE SONS KIA DEALERSHIP IN MCDONOUGH. DROPPED THE CAR OFF HAD A DIAGNOSTIC RAN AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. IMMEDIATELY CALLED KIA HQ TO REPORT THE ISSUE. GUESS I'LL DRIVE IT TILL IT FAILS COMPLETELY.
NHTSA ODI #11309007
5,000 miles · Feb 5, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS THE DAY I TOOK MY KIA SOUL IN FOR THE 2ND TIME FOR SURGING AND JERKING. I FOUND OUT THE 3RD OF FEBRUARY THIS PAST MONDAY IT HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS REPLACED. THEY ORIGINALLY WANTED TO SEND ME HOME YET AGAIN AFTER THIS PROBLEM UNTIL MY DAD STEPPED IN AND TOLD THEM TO FIGURE THE PROBLEM OUT AND JU…
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THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS THE DAY I TOOK MY KIA SOUL IN FOR THE 2ND TIME FOR SURGING AND JERKING. I FOUND OUT THE 3RD OF FEBRUARY THIS PAST MONDAY IT HAS A BAD TRANSMISSION AND NEEDS REPLACED. THEY ORIGINALLY WANTED TO SEND ME HOME YET AGAIN AFTER THIS PROBLEM UNTIL MY DAD STEPPED IN AND TOLD THEM TO FIGURE THE PROBLEM OUT AND JUST DOING SOME "ADJUSTMENT " TO THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ISN'T GOI NG TO FIX THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES NOW AND I'VE HAD A LOANER IN TOTAL OF 10 DAYS SPLIT BETWEEN ALL THE ISSUES WITH MY "NEW" CAR. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I LOVED IT AND NOW I CANT STAND IT THINKING I MIGHT GET STRANDED WITH MY KIDS SOMEWHERE IN THE COLD. I WANT MY MONEY BACK OR A NEW CAR. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I'M POSTING A PROBLEM ON HERE THE FIRST TIME WAS BECAUSE OF THE RADIO GOING IN AND OUT OF A BLACK SCREEN AND FREEZING. I TOOK IT IN FOR THAT AND ALL THEY DID WAS AGAIN HIT A RESET BUTTON AND SHOWED ME HOW TO RESET IT MYSELF SO I DONT HAVE TO BEING IT IN AGAIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE. SORRY BUT IT'S NOT MY JOB TO FIX THIS ISSUE I WASNT HAPPY WITH THAT STATEMENT EITHER. AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE IN TWICE FOR THAT AND NOT TO MENTION ALL THE LIES I'VE CAUGHT THE DEALERSHIP SAYING TO ME. I'VE DONE MY RESEARCH AND KNOW PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY I DONT TAKE BEING LIED TO FOR EASILY WHEN I'M SPENDING OVER 25 GRAND ON SOMETHING. I HAVE VIDEOS TO PROVE WHAT WAS GOING ON SINCE THEY WERE SAYING IT WOULDN'T REPEAT THE PROBLEM BUT I'M NOT ABLE TO ATTACH THEM HERE.
NHTSA ODI #11307321
5,600 miles · Jan 28, 2020
Power Train
I BOUGHT A 2020 KIA SOUL S AUG 30 2020 DECEMBER 23, 2020 I FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING 5600 MILES ON CAR. DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE 2 TO 3 MONTHS AS THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. THEY GAVE ME A LOANER, CHECKED INTO LEMON LAWS, CALLED KIA OF AMERICA A WEEK LATER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT WAS GOING TO TAKE TO …
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I BOUGHT A 2020 KIA SOUL S AUG 30 2020 DECEMBER 23, 2020 I FOUND OUT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING 5600 MILES ON CAR. DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE 2 TO 3 MONTHS AS THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER. THEY GAVE ME A LOANER, CHECKED INTO LEMON LAWS, CALLED KIA OF AMERICA A WEEK LATER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT WAS GOING TO TAKE TO GET FIXED, THE NEXT WEEK I GOT A CALL FROM KIA OF AMERICA SAYING MY CAR WOULD BE DONE THE NEXT DAY AS IT WAS. THE ODD THING IS KIA OF A OFFERED ME A GOODWILL OFFER FOR MY INCONVENIENCE. I AM DEBATING WHETHER TO ACCEPT IT OR NOT AS THERE ARE LEGAL PAPERS ATTACHED TO IT. I AM JUST HOPING THE NEW TRANSMISSION HOLDS UP WITH NO OTHER ISSUES. OTHERWISE I REALLY LIKE THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11302649
2,000 miles · Jan 26, 2020
Power Train
ON DECEMBER 23RD THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WHEN IT DROPPED TO 1ST GEAR AND RPM'S INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE OFF RAMP TO A PARKING LOT BUT THE CAR NEVER CAME OUT OF 1ST GEAR. WE TRIED TO USE THE MANUAL OPTION BUT THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE. WE LET THE CAR SIT AND TRIED AGAIN AND IT SE…
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ON DECEMBER 23RD THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WHEN IT DROPPED TO 1ST GEAR AND RPM'S INCREASED DRAMATICALLY. WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF THE OFF RAMP TO A PARKING LOT BUT THE CAR NEVER CAME OUT OF 1ST GEAR. WE TRIED TO USE THE MANUAL OPTION BUT THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE. WE LET THE CAR SIT AND TRIED AGAIN AND IT SEEMED TO BE BETTER BUT AFTER APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES OF DRIVING IT DROPPED INTO FIRST GEAR AGAIN AND NEVER CAME BACK OUT. WE CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A NEARBY KIA DEALER. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR 35DAYS BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS ON BACKORDER AND THE DEALER HAS ONLY 1 CERTIFIED MECHANIC THAT CAN WORK ON THE 2020 SOUL. WE LEASED THIS CAR IN OCTOBER AND IT HAS LESS THAN 2000 MILES ON IT AND WE HAVE HAD A RENTAL FOR OVER A MONTH. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY ARE PUTTING IN THE SAME TRANSMISSION THAT COULD HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND CONCERN FOR US.
NHTSA ODI #11302071
8,100 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Power Train
2020 SOUL EX WITH ABOUT 8100 MILES. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND SUDDENLY TACH REDLINED AND LOST ACCELERATION/POWER. LIMPED CAR INTO DEALER A COUPLE MILES AWAY, WHERE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DIAGNOSTIC WARNING APPEARED ON DISPLAY. DEALER CONFIRMED LATER THAT DAY THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PAR…
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2020 SOUL EX WITH ABOUT 8100 MILES. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND SUDDENLY TACH REDLINED AND LOST ACCELERATION/POWER. LIMPED CAR INTO DEALER A COUPLE MILES AWAY, WHERE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DIAGNOSTIC WARNING APPEARED ON DISPLAY. DEALER CONFIRMED LATER THAT DAY THAT TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PART IS NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ETA ON REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11301612
9,200 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Power Train
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.
NHTSA ODI #11301568
7,800 miles · Jan 24, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE RPM BEGAN FLUCTUATING WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL IN RAINY WEATHER. SWITCHED TO MANUAL (SPORT MODE) CONTROL AND THE PROBLEM LESSENED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND WAS SHIFTING RANDOMLY BETWEEN GEARS AUTOMATICALLY, EVENTUALLY REDLINING WHILE MAINTAINING 74MPH. A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AND NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION ON INTE…
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VEHICLE RPM BEGAN FLUCTUATING WHILE ON CRUISE CONTROL IN RAINY WEATHER. SWITCHED TO MANUAL (SPORT MODE) CONTROL AND THE PROBLEM LESSENED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER AND WAS SHIFTING RANDOMLY BETWEEN GEARS AUTOMATICALLY, EVENTUALLY REDLINING WHILE MAINTAINING 74MPH. A LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED AND NEARLY CAUSED A COLLISION ON INTERSTATE 10 AS MY SPEED FELL DRAMATICALLY. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE NEAREST EXIT BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 5TH GEAR. WE WERE STRANDED IN A THUNDERSTORM FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND DEALERSHIP OFFERED NO HELP. AAA SAVED THE DAY, GOT THE VEHICLE BACK, AND THEN THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ISSUE A RENTAL CAR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILS AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS, THE RISK OF INJURY IS HIGH AND DO YOUR BEST TO GET OFF THE MAIN ROAD AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE. DEALERSHIP HAS SINCE ISSUED A RENTAL CAR AND INFORMED ME THAT A TRANSMISSION WOULD BE RE-MANUFACTURED. FOR MY VEHICLE. I AM NOT AFRAID TO DRIVE A BRAND NEW VEHICLE ANYWHERE AWAY FROM HOME.
NHTSA ODI #11301559
2,230 miles · Jan 23, 2020
EnginePower Train
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 …
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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 ODI #11301363
NHTSA investigations
1DP22003 · Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Sep 12, 2022 · Closed Dec 12, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter dated July 13, 2022, petitioning the Agency to initiate a safety defect investigation into loss of motive power allegations attributed to oil drain pan assembly failures on certain Hyundai Motor America, Inc. and Kia America, Inc. vehicles spanning Model Years (MY) 2005-2021. The Petitioners cited examples of complaints indicating that the subject vehicles were experiencing rapid loss of engine oil due to oil drain plug back outs, resulting in loss of motive power and/or catastrophic engine damage. Additional complaints were provided which alleged that the oil drain pans lack sufficient structural integrity and are susceptible to cracking. The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11481745. On September 12, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Defect Petition (DP22-003) to evaluate the Petitioners’ request. The Petitioners have provided additional complaints within four supplemental letters dated January 31, 2023, March 21, 2023, May 23, 2023, and August 4, 2023. ODI’s evaluation included the review and analysis of the complaints and supporting information submitted by the Petitioners, as well as additional complaints submitted directly to NHTSA which referenced either the oil drain plug or a crack in the oil pan. After reviewing the available data, ODI has not identified evidence that would support opening a defect investigation into the oil drain pan assemblies of the subject vehicles. Based on a review of the available information, a loss of motive power resulting from an oil drain plug back out has not occurred between the initial sale of a vehicle and the completion of its first oil change. If during an oil change service, a technician fails to remove the existing drain plug gasket before installing a new gasket, it is likely that a proper seal between the drain plug and the oil pan will not be made. An improper seal between the drain plug and oil pan could lead to the backing out on the drain plug, resulting in the sudden loss of oil while driving. Additionally, the provided examples of oil pan cracks were localized to the immediate vicinity of the oil drain plug and/or appeared to be the result of direct-contact with a tool during servicing. There is no information to support that a vehicle-based defect exists relating to the oil pan assembly, and instead the documented incidents are related to the failure to follow the proper maintenance procedures during oil change service. In October 2023, Hyundai published a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that provided detailed instructions for oil change service on its gasoline powered vehicles, specifically highlighting the need to remove and replace the existing drain plug gasket prior to reinstalling the drain plug. After a thorough review of the material submitted by the petitioner, the information already in NHTSA's possession, and the potential risks to motor vehicle safety implicated by the petitioners' allegations, NHTSA does not believe that a formal investigation is warranted. Therefore, the petition is denied. A Federal Register Notice (FRN) further detailing NHTSA’s reasons for denial of the petition will be published. The reference numbers for the complaints to NHTSA cited by the petitioner can be found in the petition submission documents in the public file for DP22-003. To review those complaints and the additional complaints ODI added to its evaluation which are cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.