2015 Kia Soul Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
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 891 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2015 Kia Soul overview page.
What owners report
“I WAS DRIVING TWENTY MILES PER HOUR. THE ENGINE WAS RATTLING THEN I LOST POWER. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER THAT.”NHTSA complaint 11191155 — filed 03/24/2019
“HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED AFTER HAVING VEHICLE IN MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE ENGINE VIBRATION ON 8/18/2018. CAR CONTINUED TO VIBRATE. TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP…”NHTSA complaint 11151029 — filed 11/12/2018
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 35-45 MPH, THE MANUAL CLUTCH SLIPPED AND LOST FUNCTIONALITY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL…”NHTSA complaint 11075799 — filed 03/02/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2015 Kia Soul have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2015 Kia Soul: 60 of 891 complaints on file (6.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2015 Kia Soul have in total?
891 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 34 involved a crash, 81 involved a fire, 32 reported injuries, and 1 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.
