2021 Kia Soul Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 220 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Kia Soul overview page.
What owners report
“Our 2021 Kia Soul experienced complete engine failure without warning. The engine suddenly lost power and became inoperable while driving. The dealership's diagnostic testing identified…”NHTSA complaint 11662060 — filed 05/20/2025
“1.) We were driving to Nashville and once my car got around 70,000 mile my check engine light came on. Then my car started to…”NHTSA complaint 11620874 — filed 10/20/2024
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11579942 — filed 03/28/2024
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Kia Soul have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Kia Soul: 26 of 220 complaints on file (11.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 Kia Soul have in total?
220 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 5 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
