How many transmission or powertrain complaints does the 2017 Kia Soul have?

NHTSA lists 19 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul, which is 7% of the 272 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2017 Kia Soul transmission or powertrain?

No. The data shows no related recalls listed for this problem area on the 2017 Kia Soul.

At what mileage do 2017 Kia Soul transmission and powertrain problems typically show up?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 79,738 miles.

Did any of these complaints involve crashes, fires, or injuries?

No. NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2017 Kia Soul shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.

How does the 2017 Kia Soul compare to other years for this problem area?

The 2017 Soul's 7% share of complaints in this area is similar to 2010, 2011, and 2021, but lower than 2018 (14%) and much lower than 2020, which had a 23% share.

2017 Kia Soul Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 19 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul, 7% of that year's 272 total complaints. The median mileage at failure was 79,738. No recalls are tied to this problem area for the 2017 model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 19; 7% of 272
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 79,739 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report the car jerking forward and back or shaking when the gas pedal is pressed in drive, sometimes worse when the engine is not fully warmed up.
Several owners describe sudden loss of power or complete stalling while driving, in some cases preceded by a low oil pressure or check oil warning.
A recurring pattern involves a loud knocking sound from the engine followed by failure, described by multiple owners as a spun bearing or rod knock around 72,000 to 89,000 miles.
Some owners report the car losing power specifically in third gear along with poor steering control and weak braking.
One owner describes constant smoke and fogging on the windshield when the defroster is used, suspected to be tied to the 2.0 engine.
Another owner reports the engine burning through roughly four quarts of oil within 1,000 miles, describing it as a known oil consumption issue on these Souls.

When 2017 Kia Soul transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 19, 2020, latest Jul 13, 2026.

19 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2020 to Jul 2026; peak Aug 2020 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2017 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.

20109 (7%)
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 many transmission or powertrain complaints does the 2017 Kia Soul have?: NHTSA lists 19 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2017 Kia Soul, which is 7% of the 272 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Kia Soul transmission or powertrain?: No. The data shows no related recalls listed for this problem area on the 2017 Kia Soul.
At what mileage do 2017 Kia Soul transmission and powertrain problems typically show up?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 79,738 miles.
Did any of these complaints involve crashes, fires, or injuries?: No. NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2017 Kia Soul shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.
How does the 2017 Kia Soul compare to other years for this problem area?: The 2017 Soul's 7% share of complaints in this area is similar to 2010, 2011, and 2021, but lower than 2018 (14%) and much lower than 2020, which had a 23% share.