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
662 reports, newest first.
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.
Engine, Mar 4, 2019
TAKATA RECALL : CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, STAYS ON FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN TURNS OFF FOR A FEW HOURS. THE ERROR CODE READS P0420. MY FUEL EFFICIENCY HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DROPPED AND I HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER AS MY CAR NOW STRUGGLES TO ACCELERATE. A SMELL SIMILAR TO SPRAY PAINT HAS BEEN PRESENT INSIDE THE CAR ON OCCASION. THE ENGINE HAS GROWN LOUD. HOWEVER, MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT PULLING UP ANY RECALLS. THIS DOES NOT MAKE SENSE, GIVEN MY SPECIFIC ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE.
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.
Engine, Mar 1, 2019
I JUST READ ABOUT THE RECALL FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATING AND CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE. MY VIN IS NOT SHOWING UNDER THE RECALL BUT MY CAR IS LOSING OIL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE MECHANIC SAYS IT IS GIVING THE CODE FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MY CAR IS ALSO LOSING POWER AND I CAN HEAR A NOISE UNDER THE HOOD THAT SOUNDS LIKE METAL HITTING METAL. THE RECALL SAYS IT INCLUDES THE 2013 KIA SOUL WITH THE 1.6 ENGINE AND I'M WONDERING IF MINE WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Engine, Mar 1, 2019
THE ENGINE ALWAYS SMELL AS IF THE RADIATOR IS OVERHEATING EVEN WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE CHECK FLOODS AND OIL CHANGES. THIS AFTER NORMAL DRIVING. I HAVE REPORTED THE CONCERN TO THE DEALER WITH NO RESOLUTION
Engine, Feb 28, 2019
MY CAR IS BURNING OIL, AND LOSING POWER I FEEL. I HAVE TO PUT IN MOTOR OIL ABOUT ONCE A WEEK, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS CHECKED AND SAYING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
Engine, Feb 28, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. OK SO THIS ENGINE RECALL THAT I'M JUST NOW HEARING ABOUT MY CAR ISN'T ON THE LIST. IT STATES BUILT UP GASSES CAUSE ENGINE NOCKING WITCH MINE HAS. AND I WAS WONDERING IF Y'ALL COULD ADD ME TO THE LIST SO I CAN GET MY CAR FIXED
Engine, Feb 28, 2019
THE ENGINE HAS ISSUES THAT HAVE CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO BE OFF. CAUSEING THE VEHICLE TO NOT WORK.
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
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2019
THE BATTERY KEEPS DRAINING. REPLACED BATTERY AND IT KEEPS DYING AFTER A FEW WEEKS. THE DOORS LOCK AND CAN'T BE OPENED WITH THE KEY PROVIDED WHEN THE BATTERY IS DEAD, SO WE ARE LOCKED OUT OF VEHICLE WITHOUT ACCESS TO OPENING THE HOOD TO GET THE CAR JUMPED. THIS IS DANGEROUS. USELESS TO HAVE A KEYHOLE FOR A KEY THAT WON'T WORK WHEN THE BATTERY IS DEAD. THE KEY WORKS ANY OTHER TIME WHEN THE CAR BATTERY IS OK.
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.
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2019
CAR WONT START, INTERMITTENTLY. GOT A NEW BATTERY AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD START. LIGHTS COME ON THE DASH BUT CAR WOULDN'T START, QUICK JUMP AND CAR STARTED RIGHT UP. THIS KEPT HAPPENING SO I THOUGHT I HAD GOTTEN A BAD BATTERY. REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH A NEW ONE AND A WEEK LATER THE SAME THING STARTING HAPPENING. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. TOOK IT TO THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE ALTERNATOR. THEY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS AND EVERYTHING CHECKED CHECKED OUT FINE, COULD FIND A PROBLEM AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE THIS. TOOK CAR HOME AND 3 DAYS LATER THE SAME THING THE CAR WONT START. QUICK JUMP STARTS RIGHT UP AND LASTS FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS AND WONT START AGAIN. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS STARTING ISSUE ON THE KIA SOUL WITH CUSTOMERS AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM, THEY ALL SEEM TO BE THE SAME ISSUE AND WHEN WE TAKE IT IN THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO
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
Exterior lighting, Jan 26, 2019
BOTH LOW BEAMS WENT OUT AT SAME TIME. HI BEAMS ARE WORKING. FUSES AND BULBS ARE OK. WAS PARKED IN GARAGE AND WHEN STARTED CAR IN EVENING NOTICED DIDN'T HAVE LOW BEAMS.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Jan 17, 2019, fire
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO MY FACTORY RADIO SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. SINCE THEN IT WILL COME ON BY ITSELF AND GO BACK OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND I AM UNABLE TO OPERATE IT IN ANY WAY OR TO CUT POWER ON OR OFF TO IT. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO IT SMELLED LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF IT THRU THE DASH BOARD AREA INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES. I THEN POPPED THE HOOD TO SEE IF THERE WAS SOMETHING ON FIRE AND DID NOT SEE ANYTHING BUT THE SMOKE WAS STILL COMING THE THE DASHBOARD AREA. THIS WAS THE ONLY INCIDENT SINCE 2 DAYS AGO. I WAS DRIVING WHEN I STARTED SMELLING THE BURNING SMELL AND THEN I PULLED OVER AND PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE.
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 .
Engine, Dec 25, 2018, fire
WE WERE DRIVING I-15 NB IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY CALIFORNIA. WE WERE HEADING UPHILL ON A GRADE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. WE PULLED TO THE SHOULDER AND BEFORE WE COULD GET OUT OF THE CAR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD CAUGHT FIRE. THE WHOLE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN 30 SECONDS. THERE WAS NO COLLISION AND NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY ISSUES. THIS HAPPENED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016
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.
Engine, Nov 26, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THICK WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE TAILPIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HATFIELD KIA (LOCATED AT 1455 AUTO MALL DR, COLUMBUS, OH 43228, (855) 226-5444) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 12952277. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. *DT*JB