YearToAvoid

2015 Kia Soul Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 60 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2015 Kia Soul, 7% of its 898 total complaints. Owners reported 8 fires, 3 injuries, and 1 crash tied to this area, with a median failure mileage of 92,640. No related recalls are listed for this category.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
60
7% of 898
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
8
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
92,640 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Clutch and flywheel loss of function while driving 35-45 mph, sometimes preceded by an unusual odor.
  • Sudden power loss or hesitation around 30-45 mph, occasionally followed by vibration, overheating, and smoke from under the hood.
  • Manual transmission lunging or failing to shift smoothly, paired with vigorous shaking at idle or while driving.
  • Loss of momentum or near-stall when shifting into second gear at around 35 mph, followed by unexpected sudden acceleration.
  • Engine rattling or rough running that progresses to stalling, loss of power, and in some cases fire, reported at highway and city speeds.

When 2015 Kia Soul transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 27, 2016, latest Jun 15, 2026.

2015 Kia Soul transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2016Mar 2019Jun 2020Feb 2021Mar 2022May 2023Dec 2024Jan 2026
60 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2016 to Jun 2026; peak Jan 2020 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2015 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.

  1. 20109 (7%)
  2. 201113 (7%)
  3. 201221 (4%)
  4. 201314 (2%)
  5. 201458 (6%)
  6. 201560 (7%)
  7. 201661 (8%)
  8. 201719 (7%)
  9. 201831 (14%)
  10. 20195 (4%)
  11. 202089 (23%)
  12. 202126 (11%)
  13. 202212 (14%)
  14. 20235 (10%)
  15. 20242 (7%)
  16. 20251 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2015 Kia Soul have?
NHTSA lists 60 complaints in the Transmission & Powertrain category for the 2015 Kia Soul, which is 7% of the model year's 898 total complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Kia Soul transmission or powertrain problems?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2015 Kia Soul.
At what mileage do 2015 Kia Soul powertrain problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 92,640 miles.
Are 2015 Kia Soul powertrain complaints linked to fires or crashes?
NHTSA data tied to this problem area on the 2015 Kia Soul includes 8 fires, 3 injuries, and 1 crash.
How does 2015 compare to other Kia Soul years for this problem area?
The 2015 Soul's 60 complaints and 7% share are close to 2014 (58 complaints, 6%) and 2016 (61 complaints, 8%), while 2020 stands out with 89 complaints and a 23% share.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.