How common are transmission problems in the 2020 Kia Soul?

NHTSA lists 89 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Soul, which is 23% of all 381 complaints filed for that model year — the largest share among all Soul model years in this area.

At what mileage do 2020 Kia Soul transmission problems usually appear?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 8,850 miles, indicating many issues surface early in ownership.

Is there a recall for the 2020 Kia Soul transmission?

No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2020 Kia Soul.

Have any crashes or fires been linked to 2020 Kia Soul transmission complaints?

NHTSA data tied to this area for the 2020 Soul lists 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.

2020 Kia Soul Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 89 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Kia Soul, 23% of all 381 complaints for the year — the highest share of any model year. The median mileage at failure is 8,850 miles, and there is 1 crash and 1 fire tied to this area, but no related recalls are listed.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 89; 23% of 381
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 8,850 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

RPMs surge or bounce wildly between idle and redline while driving at highway speed, sometimes accompanied by a burning transmission-fluid smell.
The transmission abruptly loses power or shifts into a high gear and refuses to downshift, leaving the vehicle stuck and requiring a tow.
Drivers report a sudden loud bang followed by complete loss of power while underway.
Some vehicles fail to accelerate properly after a stop, especially when the auto stop-start feature has just cycled the engine back on.
One owner reported the vehicle rolling forward into an obstacle after the shifter was moved from reverse to park, causing injury.

When 2020 Kia Soul transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 29, 2019, latest Sep 4, 2026.

89 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2020 (9).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 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 common are transmission problems in the 2020 Kia Soul?: NHTSA lists 89 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Soul, which is 23% of all 381 complaints filed for that model year — the largest share among all Soul model years in this area.
At what mileage do 2020 Kia Soul transmission problems usually appear?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 8,850 miles, indicating many issues surface early in ownership.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Kia Soul transmission?: No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the Transmission & Powertrain area on the 2020 Kia Soul.
Have any crashes or fires been linked to 2020 Kia Soul transmission complaints?: NHTSA data tied to this area for the 2020 Soul lists 1 crash, 1 fire, and 2 injuries.