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, Suspension, May 10, 2019
RACK AND PINION SOUND
Steering, Apr 30, 2019
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, STEERING HAS DEVELOPED A CLICKING SOUND AND SOME PLAY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVED BACK AND FORTH AT REST AND MOVING, AND STEERING VIBRATION THAT SUDDENLY HAPPENS WHEN DOING 70 MPH. '2007-2014$5 COUPLING P/N 563152K000FFF USED ON 200 MODELS OF KIA AND HYUNDAI 'MAY 22, 2014KIATSB-CHA044OPTIMAS, SOULS, FORTES 2010-2014 IDENTIFIES DEFECTIVE COUPLING; REPAIR COST $250-$500 'AUGUST 16, 2016KIATSB-CHA072OPTIMAS ADJUSTS MAN HOURS; OFFERS FREE REPLACEMENT AND EXTENDED WARRANTY UNDER ITS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM (CS1604) STATING 'KIA'S ANALYSIS HAS IDENTIFIED THAT THIS CONDITION OCCURS IN EXTREMELY HIGH HUMIDITY STATES ADJACENT TO WARM OCEAN WATERS DUE TO WEAR OF THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING.' THEN GOES ON TO IDENTIFY 9 STATES INCLUDING FLORIDA, WHERE WARRANTY REPLACEMENT IS AUTHORIZED. 'FOR VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTER IN ALL OTHER STATES, KIA IS EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE FLEXIBLE COUPLING TO 10 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILES.' 'AUGUST 16, 2016KIATSB-CHA074 SOULS AND FORTES ADJUSTS MAN HOURS; REPAIR COST IS STILL $250-$500 'JAN. 2017HYUNDAIISSUED EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ALL EFFECTED MODELS. WHY ARE OPTIMA OWNERS GETTING A FREE REPLACEMENT OR EXTENDED WARRANTY WHILE SOUL AND FORTE OWNERS ARE PAYING $250-$500 DOLLARS FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS AND REPAIR OF THE SAME PROBLEM? IT IS MY OPINION THAT A NEW TSB SHOULD BE ISSUED TO INCLUDE THE EFFECTED SOULS AND FORTES IN THE KIA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION / WARRANTY EXTENSION PROGRAM. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM SHOULD GET NATIONAL ATTENTION IF NOT ACTED UPON BY KMAI.
Steering, Apr 27, 2019
STEERING MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE. APPARENTLY THE FLEX COUPLET WHICH WAS RECALLED ON THE 2014 THROUGH 2016 SOUL HAS WORN OUT PREMATURELY. IT'S KNOWN PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER SHOULD COVER THE COST.
Steering, Apr 25, 2019
RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING WAS FEELING SLIGHTLY HUNG OR NOT STEERING A LITTLE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. NOW THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT HAS SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND MAKES A CLUNKING WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER. I FIGURE IT IS SOMETHING WITH AN ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER LOOKING IT UP ON THE INTERNET. I AM NOT QUITE SURE IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS CONCERNED WHEN TURNING CURVES AT 65 MPH AND IT WAS FEELING HUNG UP & NOT QUITE RIGHT. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AT THIS POINT.
Steering, Apr 24, 2019
THE STEERING WHEEL IS CLICKING AND IT IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. 2 OPINIONS CITE THE RACK AND PINION STEERING. IT IS ACTING JUST LIKE THE DESCRIPTION OF THE 2014-2016 RECALLED KIA SOULS.
Steering, Apr 22, 2019
MPDS COUPLER TEETH BROKEN OFF OTHER YEARS AND MODELS COVERED UNDER RECALL BUT NOT 2013. SAME PART SAME APPLICATION DEALER WANTS CHARGE $400+ TO FIX THIS MANUFACTURED DEFECT WITH ANOTHER PLASTIC GEAR THAT WILL BREAK IN A FEW YEARS OF AGE. CLICKING SOUND WHEN YOU START TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL AFRAID WHEN ALL TEETH IN GEAR BREAK GOING TO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER STEERING DEALER HAS TSP ON THIS BUT ITS A SAFETY ISSUE
Steering, Apr 10, 2019
STEERING WHEEL MAKES A LOT OF NOISE WHEN DRIVING TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC SHOP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A DEFECT WITH KIA
Steering, Apr 4, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION, A CLICKING NOISE WAS PRESENT AND THE STEERING WHEEL FELT LOOSE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,675. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Mar 29, 2019
WHEN YOU TURN ON THE CAR THE STEERING WHEEL HAS THIS CLICK CLICK TO EACH SIDE AND AS YOU'RE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND YOU MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL A CLICK SOUND IS HEARD WHEN MOVING STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT. THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES THIS SOUND WHILE YOU'RE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY IN THE CARSON PARK WHERE THE YEAR ACTUALLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ANYTIME YOU TURN THE WHEEL JUST A LITTLE RIGHT TO THE LEFT IT SOUNDS LIKE AND FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL CONNECTION IS GOING TO BREAK I'M NOT A CAR PERSON BUT IT'S LIKE WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN GOES DOWN AND IT WILL CONNECT TO SHEA A U JOINT AND YOU TURN THE TURN IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER AND DO YOU JOIN US NOT CONNECTING PROPERLY THAT'S THE WAY I CAN DESCRIBE IT. I HAVE NO DOCUMENTS JUST A SOUND. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT NOT A LOT JUST A LITTLE BIT IT WOULD BE LIKE IN THE PLAY IN A STEERING WHEEL BUT THERE SHOULD BE NO CLICKS
Steering, Mar 26, 2019
WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY, I NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND IN MY STEERING WHEEL WHEN MOVING IT FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I GOOGLED THIS AND SAW MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE; HOWEVER THE RECALLS WERE NOT FOR THE 2013 KIA SOUL'S. I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE @ 1-800-333-4542 AND THEY SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER HAVE IT DIAGNOSED @ $143.00 BUT CANNOT GUARANTEE THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I CALLED THE KIA DEALERSHIP IN DELRAY BEACH, FL AND WAS TOLD THAT THE KIA OPTIMA WAS RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN GETTING MORE AND MORE KIA SOULS COMING IN WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $400.00 +. I SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SINCE KIA IS AWARE THIS PART IS OF POOR DESIGN AND FAILS PREMATURELY. KIA SHOULD BE RECALLING ALL MODELS SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND ALL MODELS HAVE THE SAME DEFECTIVE MDPS COUPLER IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I FEEL THAT ANYONE DRIVING A KIA IS AT RISK.
Steering, Mar 22, 2019
ARRYTHMICAL CLICKING/GRINDING SOUND FROM STEERING COLUMN AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND WHILE STOPPED WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE KIA SOUL YET ONLY 2014 THROUGH 2015 MODELS WERE AFFECTED BY A RECALL?
Steering, Mar 20, 2019
FOR CABLE COOLER ( STEERING) BRAKES CAUSING A CLUNKING NOISE AND MAKES STEERING SLOPPY.DANGER RATING 7.6 SHOULD BE RECALLED!
Steering, Mar 4, 2019
HAVE STARTED NOTICING A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN I TURN, THIS HAPPENS WHILE STATIONARY OR IN MOTION, THIS COULD BECOME A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT KIA IS AWARE AND COVERS 2014 AND 2015 BUT NOT 2013 YEAR THIS SEEMS TOTALLY UNFAIR.
Steering, Suspension, Mar 2, 2019
STEERING WHEEL PLAY IS INCREASING AND CLICKS ON EACH SIDE OF THE PLAY. SUSPENSION FEELS AS IF THE CAR DRIFT/SLIDES WHENEVER DRIVING OVER DIVIDER LANE LINES OR DIRECTION ARROWS PLACED ON THE STREET.
Steering, Feb 28, 2019
CLICKING NOISE HEARD WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED. PROGRESSED TO CLUNKING IN WHEEL WHILE TURNING AND SHAKING ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES AT ANY SPEED. FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND BALANCE DETERMINED TO BE CORRECT AND TIRES NOT ABNORMALLY WORN. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED BY DEALERSHIP TO BE WORN AND FAILING COUPLER IN STEERING COLUMN. *TR
Steering, Feb 13, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD NOT BE TURNED IN EITHER DIRECTION. DELAND KIA (2322 S WOODLAND BLVD, DELAND, FL 32720, (386) 734-7800) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V332000 (STEERING), 17V608000 (STEERING), AND 15V736000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Feb 12, 2019
A FLEXIBLE COUPLING IN THE STEERING SYSTEM WAS BROKEN AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE KIA OPTIMAS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM MY DAUGTHERS KIA HAS THE SAME PROBLEM, SHE OWNS A 2013 KIA AS WELL THE CHARGE IS $366.00 FOR A RUBBER COUPLING. HAD A VERY BAD NOISE WHEN TURNING AND WERE CONCERN AS FAR AS LOOSING THE STEERING SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING.
Steering, Feb 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD FOUR FRONT END ALIGNMENTS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED SUDDENLY. THE STEERING FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A PART THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN THE STEERING ARM, BUT IT COULD NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE GAINED MILEAGE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S HOME AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Steering, Feb 11, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH, THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED; HOWEVER, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
Steering, Feb 2, 2019
STEERING COUPLING BROKEN......MAKES CLUNKING SOUND WHILE TURNING OR DRIVING STRAIGHT.... 2014 THRU 2016 MODELS MADE BETWEEN JULY 2013 AND SEPTEMBER 2015 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM.....MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED 6 MONTHS TO EARLY TO HAVE IT RECALLED......SOMETHING SMELLS FISHY.....WITH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS I AM SEEING THIS PROBLEM STARTED EARLIER THAN SOMEONE WANTS TO ADMIT......MY CAR WAS PURCHASED AT BONIFACE HIERS IN MELBOURNE, FL AND THEY WON'T FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY....THE CAR HAS 25,000 MILES ON IT.......PATHETIC
Steering, Feb 2, 2019
THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING AND PLAY WHEN THE CAR ENGINE IS RUNNING. THIS HAPPENS WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY AND MOVING. APPEARS TO BE THE POWER STEERING MOTOR DAMPER THAT HAS AFFECTED MANY HYUNDAI AND KIA MODELS. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT.
Steering, Jan 28, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING NOISE. MY MECHANIC SAID WHILE DRIVING THIS PART COULD BREAK OFF CAUSING A SERIOUS SITUATION AND MAY PRECIPITATE AN ACCIDENT. THIS SITUATION IS CURRENT AND HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR A COUPLE MONTHS
Steering, Dec 27, 2018
I HAVE A KIA SOUL 2013 I NOTICED A CLUCKING NOISE IN THE STEARING COLLUM WHEN IT IS STATIONARY POSTION ALSO THE COLLUM SEEMS TO HAVE ALOT OF PLAY IN IT . I NOTICE IF I HIT A BUMP IN ROAD IT RATALS . I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER NEXT WEEK. I HAVE BEEN READING ALL ABOUT THESE ISSUSE FROM SI MANY PEOPLE . I CANT BELEIVE THAT KIA HAS NOT DONE SOMETHING ABIUT THIS . I DRIVE MY. 94 YEAR OLD MOTHER AROUND IN THIS CAR . I AM GOING TO CONTACT A LAYER OR A NEWS STATION ABOUT THIS . THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED PROPERLY. . I WILL SEE WHAT LOKEY KIA SAIDS ABOUT THIS AND SEE WHERE IT TAKES ME . I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 37000 MILES ON CAR BOUGHT IT IN 2015 DEC. IT HAD 21000 THEN .
Steering, Dec 8, 2018
STEERING COUPLER FAILED AT 49000 MILES
Steering, Dec 1, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL IS SUPER LOOSE AND THE CAR WILL VEER RIGHT ON ITS OWN. WE TOOK IT IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT ($80) AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO GO INTO STEERING COLUMN AND DIAGNOSE AND FIX. THEY SAID MOST THE PARTS WERE CHEAP, HOWEVER THE JOB IS TIMELY AND TEDIOUS, THEREFORE THE ANTICIPATE IT COSTING APPROXIMATELY $500 PLUS THE $80 ALIGNMENT....SO ALMOST $600! ALL OF THIS RIGHT AT CHRISTMAS TIME, AND EVEN WORSE, ONLY TWO MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE CHARLIE DEMOLISHED OUR HOME IN PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL AND SURROUNDING AREAS. THE MECHANIC TOLD US WE WERE LUCKY THE STEERING HASN'T STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY AND WARNED US TO NOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT WOULD STOPPED WORKING AT SOME POINT AND WE COULD BE IN MAJOR ACCIDENT.