How common are transmission problems in the 2012 Kia Soul?

NHTSA lists 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Soul, which is about 4% of the 514 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2012 Kia Soul transmission?

No. The data shows no related recalls listed for the Transmission & Powertrain component on the 2012 Kia Soul.

At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2012 Kia Soul?

The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Kia Soul is 63,000 miles.

Have transmission issues in the 2012 Kia Soul caused crashes or fires?

NHTSA data tied to this component area for the 2012 Kia Soul includes 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries.

How does the 2012 Soul compare to other years for this problem?

The 2012 Soul's share of transmission-related complaints was 4%, lower than years like 2020 (23%) and 2018 (14%), based on NHTSA complaint data.

2012 Kia Soul Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Soul, about 4% of that year's 514 total complaints. There are no related recalls tied to this component. Median mileage at failure was 63,000 miles, with three crashes and one fire reported.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 21; 4% of 514
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 3
Median mileage: 63,000 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted or decelerated abnormally at highway speeds around 40 mph.
Some drivers experienced sudden stalling at speeds up to 60 mph, including while accelerating uphill, with dealers sometimes applying a software update.
Owners describe the transmission shifting violently or lagging between first, second, and third gears during gentle acceleration.
Several reports describe the vehicle shifting from park to drive without the brake pedal being depressed, which dealers could not duplicate.
One owner reported unintended acceleration while braking at an intersection that ended in a collision with a curb and wall.
A manual-transmission owner reported the gear shifter losing all feel and being unable to engage any gear after a popping sound.

When 2012 Kia Soul transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 6, 2011, latest Sep 21, 2025.

21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2011 to Sep 2025; peak Mar 2019 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2012 Kia Soul

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Soul model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

201011 (8%)
201113 (7%)
201221 (4%)
201314 (2%)
201458 (6%)
201560 (7%)
201661 (8%)
201719 (7%)
201831 (14%)
20195 (4%)
202089 (23%)
202126 (11%)
202212 (14%)
20235 (10%)
20242 (7%)
20251 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2012 Kia Soul?: NHTSA lists 21 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2012 Kia Soul, which is about 4% of the 514 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Kia Soul transmission?: No. The data shows no related recalls listed for the Transmission & Powertrain component on the 2012 Kia Soul.
At what mileage do transmission problems typically show up on the 2012 Kia Soul?: The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2012 Kia Soul is 63,000 miles.
Have transmission issues in the 2012 Kia Soul caused crashes or fires?: NHTSA data tied to this component area for the 2012 Kia Soul includes 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 3 injuries.
How does the 2012 Soul compare to other years for this problem?: The 2012 Soul's share of transmission-related complaints was 4%, lower than years like 2020 (23%) and 2018 (14%), based on NHTSA complaint data.