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: steering
151 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Jun 25, 2020
STEERING WHEEL CLICKING WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT AND HAS PLAY IN STEERING. *TR
Steering, Jun 3, 2020
STEERING WHEEL CLICKS WHEN TURNED RIGHT OR LEFT, NO MATTER IF PARKED OR DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. SPEEDS OF 65MPH OR GREATER CAUSES WHEEL TO VIBRATE. RESEARCHED AND FOUND SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR SAME ISSUE. THIS NEEDS ADDRESSED BY KIA AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. *TR
Steering, Other or unspecified, May 30, 2020
LAST YEAR I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO BILLION AUTO IN IOWA CITY (2 HOURS FROM WHERE I LIVE) TO GET MY RECALL SERVICED. AT THIS TIME MY VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY HAD IT IN AND OUT IN 15-20 MINUTES AND THEY SAID ONLY HAD TO DO AN UPDATE. WHICH WAS IRRITATING, CONSIDERING I HAD ASKED THEM TO CHECK MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THEY DIDN'T. BECAUSE PRIOR TO THAT A MECHANIC IN MY TOWN THOUGHT SOMETHING COULD HAVE BEEN WRONG WITH IT. WELL HERE I AM IN 2020, AND I WENT BACK TO THIS DEALERSHIP (THIS IS THE ONLY KIA IN MY AREA). LAST YEAR IN MAY THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE MDPS COUPLING. THE LETTER ALSO STATED THAT THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES- I'M RIGHT AROUND 96,500 MILES SO I AM STILL COVERED.I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED TO GET IT FIXED SINCE I WAS EXPERIENCING NOISES IN MY STEERING WHEEL TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT/ AND WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. THEY SAID YES, I SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND HE TOLD ME THAT I WOULD BE COVERED. SO I TOOK MY CAR UP THERE THURSDAY THE 28TH TO GET THIS SERVICED. ANOTHER WORKER TOLD ME IN PERSON MY COUPLING WASN'T THAT BAD, AND I COULD ALWAYS COME BACK IN THE FUTURE TO GET IT REPAIRED. HE THEN FURTHER TOLD ME THAT MY POWER-STEERING RACK WAS MAKING A LITTLE NOISE TOO, BUT THAT WOULDN'T NEED TO BE REPAIRED FOR ANOTHER 5-10 YEARS.THEN HE CHARGED ME $65 DOLLARS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE, WHICH IS COMPLETELY WRONG. I CALLED KIA COOPERATE, SPOKE WITH NUMEROUS OF FOLKS. I WAS TOLD ON THURSDAY BY COOPERATE THAT THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM MY COMPLAINT. BUT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. SO I CALLED COOPERATE BACK DEMANDING TO TALK TO MY CASE WORKER, [XXX] WHICH SHE HASN'T CALLED ME BACK. I FEEL LIKE THEY AREN'T TAKING ME SERIOUS. I'VE HAD TWO PAST RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND WASN'T HANDLED APPROPRIATELY. I ALSO SHOULDN'T OF BEEN CHARGED A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. I WANT A REFUND AS WELL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, May 15, 2020
STEERING HAS DEVELOPED 3 INCH PLAY, LOOSE NUT INSIDE THE STEERING COLUMN FROM RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Apr 9, 2020
KIA SOUL 2013 JUST BOUGHT THROUGH DEALER MARCH 13 2020, AND IT MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHENEVER IT'S DRIVEN AND I HAVE KIDS IN THIS CAR SO IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH KIAS SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ! MAKES NOISE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, TURNING AND VERY LOUD
Steering, Mar 23, 2020
WHILE PARKED OR AT SLOW RATE OF SPEED THE STEERING COLUMN MAKES A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED EITHER DIRECTION. THE SOUND IS ALSO PRESENT WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUMPY ROAD AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE STEERING FEELS LOOSE AND THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH (UNKNOWN IF ALL RELATED). I HAVE HAD NEW TIRES RECENTLY PUT ON AND BALANCED AND THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS THE NEED FOR NEW TIRES, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND HASN'T BEEN DIAGNOSED OR CORRECTED. IT ISN'T AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND THE STEERING DOES NOT PULL ANY DDIRECTION.THE SUSPENSION HAS ALSO CHECKED OUT OK AND APPEARS TO BE UNRELATED.
Steering, Mar 2, 2020
THE VEHICLE PRESENT GRINDING NOISE WHILE TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGH WHEN DRIVING. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER THEY CHECKED MY CAR THEY TOLD ME TO INCREASE THE VOLUME OF THE RADIO SO I DO NOT HAVE TO HEAR THE NOISE BECAUSE IT IS NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM.
Steering, Feb 9, 2020
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.
Steering, Feb 7, 2020
THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING. TOO MUCH "PLAY" IN STEERING WHEEL. IT FEELS LIKE IT WILL COME APART. HAPPENS KNOW MATTER HOW FAST I GO. EVEN WHEN BACK UP.
Steering, Feb 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING EMITTED A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WITH AN ABNORMAL VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (DELAND KIA LOCATED AT 2322 SOUTH WOODLAND BOULEVARD, DELAND, FLORIDA, 32720, (866) 809-7175, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAILURE IN THE STEERING COUPLER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,162.
Steering, Nov 28, 2019
STEERING WHEEL MAKES CLICKING SOUND WHEN STEERING AND ALSO WHILE VEHICLE IS NOT.IN MOTION. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I BELIEVE IT IS THE STEERING COUPLER WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE DUE TO THE CHANCE OF STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP WHILE DRIVING. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS SINCE MANY OTHER PEOPLE ONLINE ARE REPORTING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, BUT I AM SCARED OF DRIVING MY CAR IF IT IS NOT FIXED RIGHT AWAY. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS PROBLEM AND IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
Steering, Nov 6, 2019
STEERING IS SHAKING AND REQUIRING NEED TO TURN WHEEL MORE THAN USUAL TO TURN WHEN DRIVING. MAKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING.
Steering, Oct 22, 2019
STARTED WITH A CLUNK SOUND, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER. I WAS IN A MASS OF TRAFFIC SO MY SPEED AT THE TIME WAS SLOW AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIFT ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD LUCKILY. DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE VIN IS NOT IN THE RECALL, BUT I SEE THIS SAME PROBLEM RECALLED HALF A MILLION TIMES. THEY WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE, WHICH COMES AT A TUNE OF $1600.
Steering, Oct 21, 2019
THE VEHICLE PRESENT A GRINDING NOISE WHILE STEERING ON ANY DIRECTION. WHILE GETTING IT CHECKED AT THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE ON THE STEERING WHICH WAS APPARENTLY PART OF A RECALL FROM KIA, A FEW DAYS LATER THE ISSUE ON THE STEERING WAS PRESENT AGAIN AND THE LOCAL KIA DEALERSHIP IS NOW CHARGING ME AROUND 1,900 DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR EVEN THOUGH IT ALL STARTED TROUGH A MANUFACTURER RECALL..
Steering, Oct 17, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL COUPLER HAS BECOME LOOSE, CREATING A SOUND AND STEERING PLAY (OR SLACK) WHEN STEERING. THIS COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE COUPLER, RESULTING IS LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. KIA HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE 2014-16 SOUL MODELS IN RECALL NUMBER: 17V608000, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2013 YEAR MODEL, WHICH HAS A DANGEROUS DEFECT.
Steering, Sep 26, 2019
CLUNKING NOISE FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN I GO ON A BUMPY ROAD OR TURN STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WHILE IN MOTION OR STATIONARY.
Steering, Sep 25, 2019
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TURN THE WHEEL
Steering, Sep 20, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN TURNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Steering, Jul 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLES WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,851. *BF *TR
Steering, Jul 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A CLICKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LAKELAND REGAL KIA (1025 BARTOW RD, LAKELAND, FL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FLEXIBLE COUPLER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,441.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2019
HELLO I HAVE A 2013 KIA SOUL WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES ON IT. LAST YEAR AROUND FEBRUARY MY CARS STEERING COLUMN STARTED HAVING THIS AWFUL RATTLING AND KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM IT. I CAN'T DRIVE OVER 55MPH OR IT GETS REALLY BAD AND LOUD. THIS ALSO CAUSES MY BLINKERS NOT TO WORK PROPERLY ON AND OFF. I HAD SURGERY AROUND THE SAME TIME IT STARTED AND I'M JUST GETTING BACK TO BEING ABLE TO DRIVE. EXCEPT I'M AFRAID THAT THE STEERING IS GOING TO BREAK AND CAUSE A BIG WRECK AND NO THIS ISN'T A WHEEL BALANCE ISSUE. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM THAT YOU KNOW OF? I'M GOING TO CALL THE DEALER TODAY AND GET IT IN TO BE CHECKED. I CAN'T EVEN GET ON THE INTERSTATE BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF IT BREAKING AND THE EXTREMELY LOUD NOISES IS CAUSES.
Steering, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 17, 2019
OLI LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN MY OIL IS LOW. MY 2013 KIA SOUL BURNS OIL QUICKLY HAD MY OIL CHANGED 2 WEEKS AGO CHECKED YESTERDAY THE DIP STICK WAS ALMOST DRY AT NOT TIME DID MY OIL LIGHT COME ON. MY STEERING WHEEL MAKES NOISE WHEN I MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT IT MAKES A CLICKING NOISE, STEERING WHEEL FEELS LIKES IT LOCKS AT TIME WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY
Steering, Jun 4, 2019
STEERING WHEEL CLICKS OR KNOCKS WHEN MOVING OR STATIONARY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO LEFT OR RIGHT. AT SPEEDS OF 75+ MPH THE STEERING WHEEL CLICKS AND SHAKES ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY TURNING INPUT. SEEMS LIKE A SIMILAR ISSUE TO OTHER KIA RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING COUPLER.
Steering, Suspension, May 26, 2019
THE VEHICLE MAKES THE NOISE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION IS LOUD FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS COMING APART I SEEN VIDEOS OF THE PROBLEM ON YOUTUBE THERE ARE MANY AND HOW TO FIX IT KIA HAS NOT RECALL THE YEAR 2013 MODEL PLZ WHAT CAN WE DO.
Steering, May 22, 2019
AT AROUND 60,000 MILES, BEGAN TO NOTICE CLUNKING NOISE AND SLIGHT WOBBLE WITH STEERING COLUMN. AT FIRST IT WAS MINIMAL, BUT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW HEAR NEW SQUEAKING/GRINDING NOISES WHEN TURNING AT LOWER SPEEDS OR WHEN STOPPED. RECENTLY RESEARCHED AND SAW THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL (THE 2010-2013 BUILDS), WITH A VIDEO REGARDING THIS ISSUE ON YOUTUBE HAVING MORE THAN 40,000 VIEWS AS OF WRITING THIS (HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/J3U0KHPLZ8C). THE SAME STEERING COUPLER PARTS THAT WERE DEEMED DEFECTIVE FOR OTHER RECALLED MODELS FROM KIA/HYUNDAI APPEAR TO BE THE SAME ONES USED IN THE 2013 KIA SOUL (AND OTHERS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED). HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/KIA/SOUL/2013/STEERING/CLUNK_NOISE_IN_STEERING.SHTML