Less than 48 hrs after driving off the lot with a brand new Soul, at 45 mph there was a loud kaboom and the vehicle seemed to "jump".. .thereafter it was stuck in 4th gear.. the dealer replaced a computer module that controls the transmission.. 5 days later I picked up the car, and within 60 miles, the kaboom/stuck in 4th gear event recurred... I called the service dept right away and was told that unless the check engine light came on there was nothing for them to check... I then called the salesman who sold me the car, and he said I should not drive the car, and he delivered a loaner to me (40 miles) and then drove the Soul back to the dealer at 40 mph... two days later, they said they had "reset" the computer with the new module.. and I picked up the vehicle.. within 40 miles, again "kaboom/4th gear". When I say kaboom I mean a very loud explosive noise.. you cannot help but jump out of your seat.. The service guy told me the car was "dropping into 4th gear" when that happened.. However, he also said it was stuck in 4th gear... I returned to the dealer, where the service guy said he had no idea what the problem could be and that they would call in Kia specialists. The specialists drove the vehicle, during which time it did "Kaboom", and they described it as "bone jarring". They replaced ground wires, a wiring harness, applied adhesive to wires that were loose... I refuse to drive the car.. it is still at the dealer, still not officially repaired... I am driving a gas guzzler loaner 130 miles commute everyday...I feel the car was defective out of the box and that the dealer or KIA should replace it. I am making payments on a car that I have now owned for 20 days and driven less than 4 days. The dealer manager has told me that he can't do anything about replacing the car until he receives authorization from corporate. Corporate says the dealers are independently owned and operated and that corporate does not intervene. I have contacted Kia corporate and have a case #... I have a LEMON and am stuck in the process of trying to get someone/entity to step up and claim responsibility...