Kia Soul harsh shifting problems

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 Feb 7, 2026 · Transmission · GA

I paid almost 3,500 dollars and Kia kept my car two months and I’m still having transmission issues and now they are asking for service receipts. After I picked up my vehicle from the original transmission repair I was back in less than 7 days because transmission was roughly jumping in gear and shifting horribly with burning smell. The technician noticed the problem and immediately took my car to the back but they kept my car another 30 days saying that they did an update and now I’m stuck suffering with a struggling transmission. My mpg has drastically dropped on this vehicle to a 9.6 and that is not normal. I paid cash and Kia need to help me in any way. They are trying to wait until the 12,000 mile warranty runs out and leave me stuck and that’s not fair when I’ve been complaining since I picked up the car the second time but they won’t assist me now. My Vehicle experiences delayed transmission engagement, RPM increases without acceleration, hesitation, and loss of fuel economy. Dealer refuses diagnosis unless complete failure occurs. This creates unpredictable vehicle response and loss of power concerns. Transmission hard shifts and jerks violently during gear changes and acceleration, causing loss of smooth power delivery and unsafe vehicle behavior.

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Steering · WA

I have noticed an audible “clunk” in the steering mechanism for a few weeks. I had the rack-and-pinion inspected by a local alignment shop to avoid a catastrophic failure. On 12/29/2025 while rapidly decelerating from highway speed on a downhill exit ramp, the steering wheel began to shake violently. My personal research has indicated that the steering coupler disk has failed/disintegrated causing unnecessary looseness between the electrical assist steering motor and steering shaft which has been identified by Kia in a Tecnical Safety Bulletin (TSB) as it's a known safety issue despite being a service campaign rather than a massive single recall for all vehicles.

Filed Dec 10, 2025 · Engine · OK

On the way back from Missouri to Oklahoma, while on the turnpike the engine made a clanking sound and lost acceleration power. The car shook some, luckily the car was able to steer of to the right side of the shoulder just before a bridge. Car came to a stop and would not start. It was snowing and a child was in the car. The closest person for help was 3 1/2 hours away. The hazard lights did work but the car was not started back up after the loud clunk and shaking. Was not sure what happened at that moment. Did not want any further damage to occur. Attempted to have the car towed closer to home was made. A decision was made to take it to the closes kia dealership. As we was trying to figure out what might have happened with the engine. We found there where multiple recall on the car. I was unaware of the recalls. 2 of the recalls are on the engine for piston rod damage. A family member whom is a mechanic believed that was what happened. I called Kia they confirmed the recalls were made. They said there was a fix. I never received the recall notices. They also asked me if I knew someone by the name [XXX] something. If the mail was in this person name but sent to my address. I would not have opened it or paid any attention other then sending it back with the mail man. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 22, 2025 · Engine · 97,945 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact heard an abnormal clunking sound coming from underneath the vehicle. In addition, the RPMs increased to 3,000 and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact turned the vehicle off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. However, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the RPMs increased to 3,000 again. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under any unknown recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. In addition, the contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). However, the contact was informed that the repair was already performed on the vehicle and was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 97,945.

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 Sep 5, 2025 · Steering · VA

premature wear of the motor-driven power steering (MDPS) flexible coupling. This wear causes a "knock" or "clunk" noise when turning the steering wheel, especially at a stop, and may be accompanied by a tight or loose steering feel.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Engine · WA

While driving on June 30, 2025, the engine gave a loud clunking noise, shuttered and shut down. I was able to pull over to the side of the road safely and not impede traffic, however this happened on a public roadway and had the potential of causing different results. I had no warning lights on the dash, no check engine lights came on, no LOW OIl light and/or no other warning signals appeared. I was able to restart the vehicle and it shuttered but was able to drive it at a low reduced speed to get it into a more safer place. The vehicle was towed to the dealership the following morning. The dealership was able to inspect the vehicle and confirmed it was a total engine failure. The dealership has done all the service maintenance since the date of purchase as a new car, with the exception of 3 oil changes throughout the past 8 years. The documentation show all maintenance was done in an approved licensed facility and in the prefered time frames requested by the manufacture. The vehicle has a 150,000 mi warranty and at the time of the incident the mileage was 74,000. Kia is denying the claim and is refusing to replace the engine. I am uncertain of the next steps to take at this point, referring to the Attorney General in my state for advise for product liability claim to hold the manufacture responsible for it's defective engine which has been an issue for this make and model.

Filed Aug 12, 2025 · Engine, Steering · 4,815 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a transmission failure, and the transmission was replaced by the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer also replaced the rack and pinion due to an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing abnormal oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed. The contact returned to the dealer after driving for 1,000 miles on three occasions. The dealer determined that the vehicle was not experiencing excessive oil consumption. The dealer replaced the motor mounts. The contact related the abnormal oil consumption to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine), which was previously performed on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,815.

Filed May 11, 2025 · Steering · CA

Steering wheel making a loud CLUNK sound. Possibly the steering wheel coupler. Concerned that steering wheel might malfunction while driving. Checking for any recalls prior to making an appointment with dealer. Vehicle has not been inspected. Noise started about a month ago and progressively has gotten worse.