TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Kia Soul powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2012 Kia Soul have filed 18 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 74,599 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Soul | 8 |
| 2011 Soul | 13 |
| 2012 Soul (this page) | 18 |
| 2013 Soul | 13 |
| 2014 Soul | 53 |
| 2015 Soul | 59 |
| 2016 Soul | 61 |
2crashes
1fire
3injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: - TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles on page 2. Refer to the shop manual on KGIS for the specific Kia model for the correct transmission fluid check/fill procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: 6-SPD. A/T ADAPTIVE VALUE RESET /RELEARN - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES THE PROCEDURES NECESSARY TO RESET AND RELEARN THE ADAPTIVE VALUES AFTER TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT OR REPROGRAMMING/REPLACEMENT OF THE PCM/TCM. AFTER THE ADAPTIVE VALUES ARE RESET, THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER ADAPTIVE VALUES MUST BE RELEARNED BY DRIVING IN A PRECISE MANNER TO TEACH THE COMPUTER THE PROPER SOLENOID DUTY AND LINE PRESSURE FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION/COMPUTER COMBINATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2012 Kia Soul report consistent transmission and engine problems. The automatic transmission jerks harshly between 1st and 2nd gear during light acceleration or at low speeds, sometimes bucking as if caught mid-shift. Several owners describe the transmission lagging between gears or revving high while the car hesitates to move. One manual-transmission owner's cable linkage snapped, and the dealer couldn't source a replacement quickly.
Engine stalling happens unpredictably—at 60 mph, while awaiting traffic lights, or during uphill acceleration—sometimes with black smoke inside the cabin. Owners also report unintended acceleration incidents, including one collision with injury where the car accelerated while the brake was depressed.
The catalytic converter shows repeated failures after recall service. Owners cite poor acceleration, loud noises, white and black exhaust smoke, and check-engine lights. One owner suspects the recall service damaged the converter through high exhaust temperatures but the dealer didn't replace it. Mechanics found P0420 codes (converter efficiency faults).
Separately, a cold-start rattling noise led dealers to replace the timing tensioner and oil control valves twice, yet the leak and noise persisted. Fuel was mixing with oil from leaking injectors.
Some owners describe transmission park-engage failures, steering column clicking, and one car rolling backward downhill after the engine was shut off despite being in Park. Dealerships frequently report they cannot duplicate problems or that Kia refuses warranty coverage.
Same Kia Soul powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shift jerking and harsh shifts
Owners report the automatic transmission jerking violently between gears, particularly during 1st-to-2nd shifts under light or normal acceleration. Some describe the transmission holding revs and lagging between gears as if caught mid-shift. Occurs under both city and highway driving. One manual-transmission owner reported transmission cable linkage failure.
When: Intermittent, primarily at speeds under 40-45 mph and during light city driving acceleration; one case at 860 miles; one case at approximately 178,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking between 1st and 2nd gear; Harsh downshift at highway speeds; Engine rpm lag between 2nd and 3rd gear; Transmission feels like it's bucking or catching between gears; Violent shift under gentle acceleration
Codes mentioned: Transmission fluid temperature sensor A circuit high voltage (narrative #13)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers reset adaptive learning system; topped up transmission fluid (described as non-serviceable area requiring cover removal); one manual transmission required cable linkage replacement (dealer noted part on back order for 2012 6-speed). Dealers unable to duplicate problem in at least one case; manufacturer declined repair when dealer could not diagnose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall SC176 mentioned in narrative #3; NHTSA campaign 19V120000 referenced in narratives #6, #11 (engine/catalytic converter related)
Unintended acceleration / loss of throttle control
Owners report independent acceleration while stopped or at low speed, with brake pedal depressed; one incident resulted in a multi-vehicle collision with injury. Also reported: sudden power loss and inability to exceed 35-45 mph, with delayed engine engagement after releasing throttle.
When: While stopped at intersection (99,700 miles); at 30-40 mph on highway ramp; during routine lane-change attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates independently while brake depressed; Sudden loss of power; car won't accelerate beyond 35-45 mph; Engine hesitation and delayed engagement (several seconds) after accelerator re-engagement; Black or white smoke from exhaust following power loss/engagement
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle in narrative #5 was towed and deemed total loss after collision; vehicle in narrative #6 towed to dealer, repairs denied by manufacturer despite diagnostic test conducted; narrative #9 owner unable to obtain repair details
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #6: manufacturer denied repairs despite diagnostic. Narrative #4: dealer stated no recall applies.
Engine stalling without warning
Engine stalls while driving at highway speeds and during low-speed maneuvers. One owner experienced stall while attempting uphill acceleration after initial restart. Another experienced stall while waiting at traffic light with subsequent difficulty restarting.
When: At 600 miles; at 60 mph highway speed; while awaiting traffic light change
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts out without warning while driving; Stall recurs during uphill acceleration after restart; Black smoke from engine compartment enters vehicle cabin; Difficulty restarting; multiple restart attempts over extended period
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommended software update (narrative #14); vehicle in narrative #16 towed; Kia refused to honor recall claim
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #14: dealer advised software update needed. Narrative #16: Kia declined to honor recall.
Catalytic converter failure / exhaust system damage
Multiple owners report catalytic converter malfunction, excessive exhaust smoke, and high exhaust gas temperatures. Post-recall inspections revealed catalytic converter degradation. One owner suspects engine damage from high exhaust temperatures; another detects black/grey soot accumulation and exhaust-system rattling after incident.
When: After recall SC176 and campaign 19V120000 service; incidents at 178,000 miles and highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noises during acceleration; Black or white thick smoke from tailpipe; Engine light on and off intermittently; Sluggish acceleration and loss of power; Smell of melted plastic and hole-like exhaust noise; Black/grey soot accumulation under vehicle
Codes mentioned: P0420 (Bank 1 oxygen sensor / catalytic converter efficiency, narrative #11)
Repairs/costs cited: Narratives #3, #4, #6, #11: catalytic converter or engine damage cited; dealer in #3 advised converter was under recall and likely damaged by high exhaust temperatures but did not replace it; narrative #6 repairs denied by manufacturer; narrative #11 owner uncertain whether damaged engine is affecting converter readings
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: SC176 recall and NHTSA campaign 19V120000 applied; dealers claimed service was completed but owners report continued performance degradation and failures; repairs denied in at least one case despite diagnostic testing
Cold-start noise and oil/fuel leaks
Engine noise lasting 15-20 seconds at cold start described as something loose or rattling. Investigation revealed timing tensioner, oil pump, and oil control valve issues; fuel injectors leaking gas into oil. Oil leak from OCV area persists after two replacement attempts. Owner suspects improper liquid gasket application during timing tensioner replacement.
When: Every morning at cold start; present since purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Loose-sounding noise 15-20 seconds at cold start; Strong gasoline smell at engine; Fuel smell infesting entire garage; Oil leaking from OCV area; First two fuel injectors leaking gasoline into oil
Repairs/costs cited: Timing tensioner replaced (but noise persisted); oil pump diagnosed as noise source; two oil control valves (OCV) replaced but oil leak continued; dealer could not provide further remedy until oil reaches garage floor
Transmission park-to-drive interlock failure
Vehicle able to shift from Park to Drive without depressing brake pedal on multiple occasions. Dealership unable to reproduce issue during service visits despite repeat complaints.
When: Multiple trips to dealer; early in ownership (narrative #17) and at 100 miles (narrative #10)
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter can move from Park to Drive without brake pedal pressure; No tactile resistance in shift selector
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer unable to duplicate during testing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #10: manufacturer stated vehicle was performing to standards and declined to alter design or offer assistance.
Steering coupler noise and potential failure
Clicking and clunking noises in steering wheel, increasingly severe, particularly on turns. Owner believes coupler is failing. Dealership acknowledged problem is common and noted that same part was recalled in other years of the same model but not in 2012.
When: Progressively worsening over ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Play and clicking sounds in steering wheel; Clunking on turns; Concern about imminent steering failure
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; owner research indicates coupler failure is the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership confirmed it is a common problem but noted 2012 model year was not included in prior recalls despite earlier and later model years being recalled for same part.
Unintended vehicle movement in Park with engine off
Vehicle rolled backward down steep driveway after engine was shut off, despite transmission selector showing Park and emergency brake engaged. Vehicle rolled across street and into neighbor's house, causing collision damage.
When: Upon engine shut-off while parked on steep driveway
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward when engine turned off; Transmission selector reading Park but vehicle in Neutral; Electronic transmission glitch suspected
Repairs/costs cited: Owner suspects electronic transmission glitch caused by engine shut-off; no repair details provided
Door unlock on shift to Park
All door locks automatically unlock when transmission shifted to Park. Feature cannot be disabled and dealership/manufacturer state vehicle is performing to design standard.
When: From early ownership (failure at 100 miles, current mileage 1,200)
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic door unlock upon Park shift; Feature cannot be disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; dealer stated unable to alter vehicle design
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but offered no assistance; stated vehicle performing to standards.
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 Kia Soul?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 Kia Soul?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 29,400 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 74,599. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,400; a quarter make it past 103,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Kia/Soul.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.