2013 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 662 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 22 involved a crash and 45 involved a fire. 25 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineFeb 22, 2019
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Campaign 19V120000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsDec 29, 2014
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
Campaign 14V822000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
27 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel/propulsion system, May 7, 2018
ON APRIL 3RD, 2018 AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THEN IT STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT START. HAD HELP COME WITHIN 30 MINUTES AND WHEN WE TRIED TO START IT AGAIN, IT DID START AND I DROVE IT HOME. NO ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. MY HUSBAND CHANGED THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE FOR THE PROBLEM AND TALKING TO MECHANICS ABOUT IT. RAN FINE UNTIL MAY 1, 2018, AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN CRUISE CONTROL DOING 65MPH MY CAR SUDDENLY STARTED SLOWING DOWN. I HAD NO TROUBLE LIGHTS ON. I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND PUT IT IN PARK. WHEN I REVVED THE GAS PEDAL THE RPMS WENT UP. I SAT FOR A MINUTE AND THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE AND WHEN I RELEASED THE BRAKE IT STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD. I WAITED FOR THE TRAFFIC TO CLEAR THEN GAVE IT GAS AND I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK ON THE FREEWAY AND BROUGHT THE CAR HOME SAFELY. WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG BUT WITH NO TROUBLE LIGHTS COMING ON THE DASH AND BEING UNABLE TO HAVE A SCANNER CHECK IT D/T NO TROUBLE LIGHTS COMING ON WE ARE CLUELESS. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS, IT WAS VERY SCARY BEING ON THE FREEWAY AND HAVING THIS HAPPEN.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 5, 2016
VERY SOON AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, WE DROVE TO CA. DURING THE DRIVE, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD SLOW TO TURN (LIKE INTO A DRIVE OR PARKING LOT) THE CAR WOULD ACT LIKE IT HAD A VAPOR LOCK- STARVED FOR FUEL. I WOULD PUMP THE GAS A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE CAR WOULD RESPOND (SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY). THIS WAS AT LESS THAN 6K MILES. AFTER TRIPS TO THE DEALER, WHO RODE ALONG WITH ME AND KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT FOR THE MANAGER TO DRIVE, THEY RETURNED IT SAYING THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE MY ISSUE. SO, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. TWO SUCH COMPLAINTS AND I'M 30K MILES FURTHER ALONG WITH THE ISSUE STILL PRESENT. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE!