NHTSA Complaint #11375386 — 2020 KIA SOUL

WHILE EXITING FREEWAY, TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF 5TH GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). AFTER STOPPING AT LIGHT, CAR FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF 5TH GEAR. PULLED OFF ROAD STARTED AND STOPPED CAR (HOPING TO RESET TRANSMISSION) TRIED TO ENGAGE SPORT MODE TO MANUALLY SHIFT AND TRANSMISSION INDICATED 5TH GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN, SHIFTED OUT OF SPORT MODE. TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO ENGAGE INTO LOWER GEAR, BUT SHIFTED BACK INTO 5TH GEAR WHILE CLIMBING HILL. TURNED ENGINE OFF AND ON AGAIN, PUSHED ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, TRANSMISSION REVVED AND MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO THE TOP OF HILL. WENT THROUGH 2 STOP LIGHTS AND 1 STOP SIGN (WHILE WATCHING FOR CROSS TRAFFIC). THIS WAS AT 11:00PM WITH NO TRAFFIC PRESENT. PULLED CAR INTO CARPORT PARKING SPACE. AGAIN TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AND WAS ABLE TO PUT INTO REVERSE AND THEN DRIVE WITH TRANSMISSION ENGAGING CORRECTLY. VERY FRIGHTENING! ROUTE FROM FREEWAY TO HOME IS NOT A VERY SAFE AREA AT NIGHT TO JUST STOP AND WAIT FOR ASSISTANCE.