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: service brakes
98 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Service brakes, Nov 20, 2023
Stering wheel makes a load clacking sound also lots of slack in the wheel git alignment twice and still making the sound and drifts to the right and steering wheel shakes when driving and breaking.
Service brakes, Jun 20, 2023
Brake light not working. Everything is good to the relay switch in the dash. All turn signal and parking lights work.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Mar 18, 2023
I have been having major battery issues switching out my batteries and them going out fast. Also when I'm driving my car shakes when it goes above 60 miles per hour, also when I change gears I noticed I get a hard thump when I change my gears. The electrical in the car sometimes it goes off and on my radio has completely went out it comes on when it wants. Cruise control when I put it on sometimes just cuts off when I'm driving. Engine runs kind of rough when I first got my car everything was smooth but after 6 years I noticed everything started running the little rough.
Service brakes, Dec 15, 2021
Nearly totalled Kia soul 2013, engine lost compression, then stalled. In the middle of highway, Preventing me to exit or stop, since brakes dont work when car isn't running.towwed it to dealership, they claim that it's part of recall sc176, which states engine failure, because of defect in motor, yet claim mine isn't part of recall, 19v120000
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Jul 6, 2021
My 2013 Kia Soul has been stalling while idle or at red lights. In addition, sometimes it is difficult to start and I have to attempt several times. Lately, once I do start the vehicle and begin to drive, it’s as if the vehicle doesn’t know which gear to maintain. As a result, the car will attempt to “cut off” driving and l literally will have to pull over immediately in attempt to not be hit or run off the road, as the car is practically in neutral by its own choice. Also, the “emergency brake” light is on, even though the emergency brake is not being used.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Sep 27, 2020
MY CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY GOING 75MPH WITH 70K MILES THATS ABOUT WHEN A VEHICLE SHOULD BE BREAKING IN NOT BREAKING DOWN. MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOOSE, GAS PLAY. THE RADIO SOMETIMES DOESNT COME ON AND MY ENGINE JUST SOUNDS CLOGGED
Steering, Service brakes, Aug 5, 2020
THE BRAKES' VACUUM CHAMBER OR A VALVE HAVE GONE BAD. THE PEDDLE IS HARD TO PRESS WHEN VEHICLE IS CRANKED AN BAKING OUT. ALSO, NOTICED WHEN IDLING, THE BRAKE BECOMES STIFF AFTER A SLIGHT DEPRESSION OF THE PEDAL. SOMETIMES THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT BE DEPRESSED FAR ENOUGH TO ALLOW THE START BUTTON TO WORK. OVER TIME, THE FRONT STEERING HAS BECOME LOOSE AND WOBBLILIY, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO OVER CORRECT STEERING TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE HAS 62,000 MILES ON IT, IT SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS THIS SOON.
Service brakes, Apr 20, 2019
WHEN IN MOTION THE CAR WOULD SPUTTER AND STRUGGLE TO REACH SPEEDS OVER 30 MPH. MULTIPLE TIMES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND READ AS A KNOCK SENSOR. REPLACED THE KNOCK SENSOR BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO STRUGGLE TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD SPUTTER. TOOK IT TO KIA AND THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS THE HYDRAULIC MODULE. THEY FIXED IT COSTING ME $1500. I DISCOVERED THE OTHER DAY THAT MY CAR HAS A RECALL FOR ANOTHER ISSUE BUT SAW THE CAR HAS AN INVESTIGATION ON GOING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.
Service brakes, Mar 11, 2019, crash
STARTING IN 2018, ON 6 OCCASIONS AND AT LEAST 3 TIMES IN 2019, WHEN I TRY TO BRAKE THE CAR ACTUALLY ACCELERATES. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON STREETS AND IN PARKING LOTS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DEALERS AND BOTH HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO ASSIST ME, AS THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ THAT SEVERAL DIFFERENT KIAS IN DIFFERENT YEARS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.
Steering, Power train, Service brakes, Jan 23, 2017
BRAKE SWITCH FAILED. MY BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED AND POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED, MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. COULD NOT GET CAR OUT OF "PARK" WITHOUT USING OVERRIDE BUTTON. CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO KIA DEALER. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED ON 1.6 MILLION KIA'S BUT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED BUT SHOULD BE ADDED. NOT SURE HOW LONG I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS WORKING. I'M GLAD I NEVER USE MY CRUISE CONTROL AS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDDLE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. *TR
Seat belts, Service brakes, Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2016
WINDSHIELD WIPERS TOO SLOW ON FASTEST SPEED. OLD CAR HAD FASTER WIPERS. SEAT BELTS HARD TO CLICK AND UNCLICK, VERY AWKWARD ACCESS TO SEATBELT BUCKLE. BRAKES: USER FORCE TOO HARD, VERY FATIGUING. WHEN ENGINE STARTS INITIAL IDLE SPEED CONTROL NOT SMOOTH GOES UP AND DOWN YET COMPUTER DOES NOT LOG AN ERROR. THIS IS MORE THAN 50 RPM. AMERICAN CAR WOULD PROBABLY LOG ERROR IF CAR DID THAT. CAUSES CAR TO LURCH UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY.
Service brakes, Jun 10, 2015
THE CAR WENT IN FOR IT'S FIRST YEARLY INSPECTION AND THE KIA DEALER SAID THE BACK ROTORS WERE RUSTY AND WANTED TO CHARGE 110 DOLLARS TO CLEAN THEM. THEY EVENTUALLY CLEANED THEM UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE BACK ROTORS WERE RUSTY BECAUSE THE BACK BRAKES NEVER WORKED SINCE IT WAS NEW. NOW SINCE THE BACK BRAKES NEVER WORKED THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES NEED REPLACED AT 26,000 MILES AND KIA WON'T ASSUME ANY OF THE COST AS THEY ARE SAYING THAT IS NORMAL. THE CAR HAS BEEN VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE SINCE IT WAS NEW WITHOUT BACK BRAKES AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THAT DURING THE FIRST INSPECTION.
Service brakes, Mar 30, 2015
I TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR STATE EMISSION & INSPECTION. UPON TESTING, THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS, THEY WERE MISSING PCS. I WAS TOLD THAT I "FAILED TESTING" BECAUSE OF THIS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE POSSESSION OF MY VEHICLE OR DRIVE AWAY FROM THE SHOP, IN THE CURRENT CONDITION, AS IT WAS UNSAFE AND AGAINST THE STATE LAW. I HAD TO COMPLETE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS AT THAT TIME. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER WITH KIA) AS I HAD NO CHOICE TO DRIVE IT TO THE KIA DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I ASKED THE MECHANIC IF HE HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF DEFECTS ON OTHER SOUL VEHICLES AND HIS REPLY WAS YES, ALL THE TIME. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 21, 2015
WHEN I STOP SUDDENLY THERE IS A TERRIBLE SOUND IN MY FRONT RIGHT BRAKE, AND THE PEDAL GOT STUCK AND HARD, CANNOT STOP THE CAR COMPLETELY. I FEEL MINE AND OTHERS LIFE ARE ON RISK DRIVING THIS SPECIFIC CAR, SOMETHING IT'S TERRIBLE WRONG FOR THE FIST TIME THAT I START DRIVING THIS KIA SOUL 2013, BRAND NEW. PLEASE, I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP, I DO NOT FEEL SAFETY. *TR
Service brakes, Oct 28, 2014
I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE WITH THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP FOR A HANDFUL OF SECONDS UNTIL IF FINALLY STOPPED JUST IN BACK OF BUT NOT TOUCHING A BMW IN FRONT OF US. WE BOTH HEARD A SCRAPING/PULSING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES AS THE PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR WAS STILL GOING FORWARD. HAD THE CAR NOT STOPPED JUST SHORT OF THE CAR AHEAD I FEAR ME AND MY SON WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I SAW A SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM WHICH INDICATED THIS WAS ALSO A NHTSA COMPLAINT. THIS CAR HAS SIMILAR MILEAGE (12800) AND WAS A 2013 KIA SOUL. *TR
Service brakes, Jun 24, 2014
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING SCRAPING NOISES WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. MY MECHANIC ASSUMED IT WAS THE FRONT BRAKES ALTHOUGH IT ONLY HAS 14K MILES ON IT. THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE FINE BUT THE BACK ROTORS HAVE GROOVES THROUGH THEM AND THE BRAKES THEMSELVES ARE MOTTLED LOOKING. CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID #1-HE COULD NOT HEAR THE SCRAPING AND #2-THE BRAKES ARE FINE WITH PLENTY OF WEAR LEFT ON THEM. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHY THE BACK ROTORS WOULD WEAR BEFORE THE FRONT AND WHY THEY WOULD BE WORN AT ALL WITH ONLY 14K HE HAD NO ANSWER. SINCE THERE WAS ENOUGH WEAR REMAINING ON THE REAR ROTORS THERE WAS NO ACTION REQUIRED BY THEM. MASTER CYLINDER? E-BRAKE? *TR
Service brakes, Jun 4, 2014
I BOUGHT A KIA SOUL 2013 USED WITH 12,400 MILES ON IT SATURDAY MAY 31, 2014. WEDNESDAY JUNE 4, 2014 I WAS TAPPING ON MY BRAKES TO STOP FOR A LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND NOT VERY LOUD BUT A CLICK. THE KIA SOUL DID NOT STOP. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES A LITTLE HARDER MY CAR DID NOT STOP FOR ANOTHER FOOT OR TWO. THANK GOD THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THE OTHER CAR FOR CERTAIN. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE KIA SOUL IS ALSO PULLING TO THE RIGHT I TOOK THE CAR IN TUESDAY JUNE 3, 2014 HAD THE CHECK OUT WAS TOLD THE ALIGNMENT WAS GOOD THE REASON FOR PULLING WAS BECAUSE EACH TIRE HAD DIFFERENT PRESSURE, WAS TOLD THAT ALL TIRES WERE THE NOW THE SAME PRESSURE. DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK TODAY THE KIA SOUL AGAIN STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I AM ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM FINDING OUT TO REGISTER THAT I BOUGHT A USED KIA SOUL 2013 THAT STILL IS UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. I DID NOT BUT THE KIA SOUL FROM A KIA DEALERSHIP. *TR
Service brakes, May 27, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED CREATING AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND THE BRAKES APPEARED TO BE SKIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Service brakes, Jan 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35.
Service brakes, Nov 1, 2013
AT STOP LIGHT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND VEHICLE STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD INTO INTERSECTION. THANKFULLY NO VEHICLES WERE AT THAT INTERSECTION AT THAT TIME! AFTER FIVE OR FEWER SECONDS THE BRAKES CAUGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 27, 2013
MY BRAKES MAKE THIS SCREECHING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP, AFTER HAVING ONLY 2 MONTHS. THEY WOULD ALSO NOT HOLD SOMETIMES. THE 3 MOST FRIGHTENING WAS 1. ALMOST RAN OVER A PERSON, 2. RAN OUT INTO INTERSECT WITH ENTIRE FAMILY IN CAR B 4 STOPPING 3. WITH MY BOYS IN CAR ON WAY TO SCHOOL GOING DOWN HILL BRAKES WON'T CATCH. I CALLED DEALERSHIP IT TOOK THEM ALMOST A WK TO GET ME IN SHOP TO SAY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.DIDN'T DRIVE IT THOUGH. THE PERSON THAT YOU AS TO CALL AND GET ME IN WAITED TIL MON TO CALL. I HAD CALL CORP. OFFICE AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IN SAT B 4 THAT. WASN'T OFFERED A RENTAL OR ANOTHER CAR TIL WHAT WAS WRONG WAS FIXED. THE BRAKE ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON OFF AND ON FOR MONTHS. I BOUGHT THIS SOUL NEW OFF SHOW ROOM FLOOR. AFTER MONTHS OF GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THIS, CORP SENT TO ANOTHER LOCATION THAT TOLD ME BRAKES DO THIS CAUSE CAR OUTSIDE CONDENSATION CAUSING IT. THIS NOT FIRST NEW CAR NEVER HAPPENED B 4, AFTER OTHER DEALERSHIP KEEPS A WEEK THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM, I HAVEN'T DRIVEN MY CAR MUCH GOT IN IT OTHER DAY CREEP TO STORE BACKED UP AGAIN BRAKES DIDN'T HOLD RAN INTO SHRUBBERY AND A WALL. CALLED BBB TO FILE COMPLAINT UNDER LEMON LAW. WANT DIFFERENT VEHICLE. JUST SAW TO THAT KIA DOING A RECALL OVER THERE BECAUSE OF BRAKES, THEY KNOW SOMETHING WRONG WHY NOT JUST TAKE THE CAR BACK & LET ME GET ANOTHER THIS IS JUST BAD BUSINESS. IF I RUN OVER SOMETHING, SOMEONE OR INJURY MYSELF THEY'RE GOING TO B OUT OF MORE. THEY GOT RIGHT PERSON NOT GIVING UP TIL WRONG MADE RIGHT. THE KIA SOUL BRAKING SYSTEM IS SUBSTANDARD. THEY ALL KNOW THIS TOO. *TR
Service brakes, Jul 3, 2013
BRAND NEW CAR PURCHASED 04/06/13 AND HAS 2900 MILES AND BRAKES SQUEAK. BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQUEAKING SINCE MAY BUT UNABLE TO LEAVE IT DUE TO LONG PERIODS OF WAITING FOR CAR. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT BRAKES ARE GLAZED AND ITS COMMON AND HAPPENS AND THEY WILL DEGLAZE BUT IT WILL KEEP HAPPENING BECAUSE ITS JUST THE BRAKES. I HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN MANY CARS AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS VEHICLE AND THE VAN I HAVE THAT IS ALSO MANUFACTURED BY THE SAME PARENT COMPANY AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT GLAZED BECAUSE MY VAN WAS HEAVY BUT THIS NEW CAR IS VERY SMALL AND LIGHT. A CUSTOMER IN THE WAITING AREA SAID HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF GLAZING AND WORKED ON CARS FOR 30 YEARS. I BELIEVE THAT THESE CARS MADE FROM HYUNDAI/KIA ARE MADE WITH CHEAP PARTS THAT HAVE TO BE REPLACED OFTEN AND THAT'S HOW THE MAKE UP FOR CHEAPLY SOLD CARS. I NEED HELP FIGURING OUT HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Mar 6, 2013
DURING BRAKING AND HITTING SMALL HOLE IN ROAD I NOTICED THE BRAKES SKIPPING AND BRAKE PEDAL JUMPING UP AND DOWN AS IF IT WAS A POWER DEFECT. I HAD THE SAME EFFECT HAPPEN AFTER BAD RAIN AND APPROACHING A RED LIGHT THE CAR SKIPPED TO THE STOP. WHEN IT SNOWED OUT THE BRAKES REALLY SKIPPED MADE NOISE AND SEEMED TO SLIP AND WOULD NOT STOP. I FIGURED THE CAR WAS NEW OR THE BRAKES ARE ADJUSTING KIND TO SPEED BUT NOW KNOW THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. MARCH IS THE FIRST WHOLE MONTH I OWN THE CAR AND THIS IS TIME TO CALL THE DEALER AND GET THIS FIGURED OUT. THERE WAS WITNESS IN THE CAR ON 2 OF 3 OCCASIONS. *TR