2021 Kia Soul: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · TX

My 2021 Kia Soul Turbo with the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) has an ongoing transmission failure. It has difficulty reversing and accelerating, and the check engine light is on. This creates a safety risk when pulling into traffic or backing up. In September 2026, Westside Kia (Katy, TX) did not identify the root cause and offered only non-warranty repairs, which I paid for and which did not fix the problem. On [XXX], Joe Myers Kia (Houston, TX) diagnosed a failed transmission shift actuator (part #43810-2D205) and quoted $2,777.39. I am the original owner at about 76,500 miles, within Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Kia denied coverage, saying the actuator falls under the expired basic warranty (Kia case #[XXX]). Kia has previously issued Service Action SA396 (DCT replacement on 2019-2020 Soul for harsh shifting and transmission-related check engine lights), TSB TRA083 (7-speed DCT judder), and TSB TRA085 (DCT actuator rod adjustment), indicating known problems with this transmission. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Engine · 30,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered, and there was an abnormal rumbling and clunking sound coming from the engine. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software was installed; however, the failure recurred and progressively worsened. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle could not be restarted. Additionally, the vehicle experienced excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the starter was replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to the recall, but the dealer informed the contact that the repair could not be covered under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Filed May 27, 2025 · Engine · 60,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact stated that on three occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shuddering mildly and then stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted after each failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Engine · 20,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and accelerating, the vehicle occasionally shuddered or stalled, forcing the contact to pull over onto the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone, where a diagnostic scan retrieved information for a cylinder #1 misfire. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that further diagnostic testing was required to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) as a possible cause for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Jun 6, 2023 · Transmission · TN

I was on the freeway, and the car was shuddering a bit before I lost the ability to accelerate. It would rev but no power to the wheels. Had to pull over and get towed to the dealer. I think it may be a transmission failure.