Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Kia Soul owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that after activating the air conditioning the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Also, the contact stated while depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the braking distance to be extended. The contact stated that there was popping sound coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The contact stated the headlights were dim and failed to properly illuminate the roadway and the rear brake lights also failed illuminate while depressing the brake pedal. …
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a transmission failure, and the transmission was replaced by the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer also replaced the rack and pinion due to an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed. The contact returned to the dealer after driving for 1,000 miles on three occasions. The dealer determined that the vehicle was not experiencing excessive oil consumption. The dealer replaced the motor mounts. The contact related the abnormal oil consumption to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine), which was previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the transmission and the engine had failed, and both needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 109,000.
I own a 2021 Kia Soul with 34,130 miles. Purchase brand new in 5/21. I just had it serviced on 2/3/23. On 2/10/23, I was driving toward home on I-40 east, near mile marker 418 and the rpms suddenly started to jump up and down from 1000x to 6000x and the car had no ability to go anywhere close to the speed limit. There was a whistle noise coming from under the car. I took the I-81 north interchange to try to get the 80 or so miles back home but could not get the vehicle to go more than 15 mph. I was terrified I was going to get hit by the 18 wheelers whizzing by me. I got in the break down lane and limped to exit 8. The car began to shake violently and barely move. I got off the exit ramp praying no one would rear end me. …
I bought my 2021 Kia Soul on 10/21/20. Then on 11/11/20 my car started having transmission issues within less than one month of ownership & nearly 1000 miles on it. The transmission was replaced in late Nov./early Dec. of 2020. On 12/15/22, My Soul started revving up & the RPM needle was bouncing while driving, but the car would not go any faster when I pressed the gas pedal. I realized, I was having transmission issues with my 2021 Kia Soul, AGAIN. The car has less than 37,500 miles on it. I contacted Power Kia of Salem Oregon that day & the first appointment that I could get was on 12/29/22. I had the car towed to Power Kia on 12/27/22, then received a voicemail & text msg. from Power Kia on 12/28/22 that they will diagnose the issue. That was the last time that I got any information about my car without me contacting them. …
In April 2023 I purchased a 2021 Kia Soul. I had no issues at all with my Used Kia Soul. In Nov 2023 I was in an accident. I hit a deer and that did cause damage. My insurance company fixed it. I got my car back in Dec [redacted], 2023 with approximately 96,000 miles on it. A few days later on my way to work. I entered the highway the car was running fine at 70mph then all of a sudden it lost power.. No power in the middle of the busy Atlanta Highway!! I was able to coast onto the shoulder. At that point I turned the car off. Turn the car back on to see if I was able to get it into Drive. Unfortunately that didn't work my car didn't move at all. I had to call the tow company get it towed back down to the collision shop. Only for the collision shop to send it to a Kia dealership. My car had been at the dealership for a few weeks. Today is February 8. …
My vehicle at three months had transmission failure like many 2021 Kia souls after the repair I began to experience, mini electrical issues and steering issues which are very common for this model year. Most recently I have taken it in for electrical issues. My rear brake lights are not working the fuses burn and the wiring has burned. in addition, there is a bulletin that Kia put out to their dealers asking to repair suspension and steering problems on hundreds of thousands of vehicles but this is not a recall yet my vehicle experience the same symptoms and my vehicle was not repaired siding I was too close to the end of my warranty please see the last page the Kia bulletin regarding popping in the steering the dealer installed parts at purchase of the vehicle in 2021 and please see the brake light repairs Kia motors forced me to sign a disclaimer when the when the transmission went …
The vehicle experiences a complete loss of power when slowing to a stop before it powers off on its own. The car powers off while going down the road. The car experiences partial loss of power while on cruise control and the car will slow to nearly stopped. The immediate loss of power puts myself and others at risk as the car is now stopping unexpected on the highway. I have left numerous voicemails for service managers at the dealership it was purchased brand-new from 2 years ago. They have not reached out to me. I had an appointment at their dealership to have the car inspected to see if this was covered with my warranty and they explained my warranty was only 60k miles and my car is now at 65k miles. The car was shutting off and having power loss a week before the first indicator light came on, which was the engine light. …
We were traveling on the freeway 70 mph surrounded by heavy traffic at night, the vehicle started surging and bucking, shaking violently. The rpm's swung wildly from 2000 to above 3500 and car started to decelerate quickly in heavy traffic. I was able to get the car into right lane but feared being rear ended due to speed falling abruptly. Even though accelerator was being depressed and engine running car would not go and loosing power fast. I was able to turn off at an exit and there was just enough enough power to make it up a slight hill and turn right onto a round-a-bout where the vehicle would no longer move, abruptly stopping the fast traffic behind and again fearing a rear end collision to us. The engine produced power but nothing going to wheels, it was as if vehicle was in neutral no matter where the shift selector was placed. …
Transmission complaints in other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2021 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2021 Kia Soul, 11% of the model year's 238 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Kia Soul transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2021 Kia Soul, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Soul transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.