2013 Kia Soul problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (201) · Steering (145) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (67)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Soul model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
366 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-25 · campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2019-02-22 · campaign 19V120000 · 378,967 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2014-12-29 · campaign 14V822000 · 95,314 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (133)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-06-09 · CS2311_TSB_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition: cylinder protector & decal installation (cs2311) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provi
Engine 2026-03-24 · SC176Y_TSB_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: subsequent repair action: catalytic converter replacement and engine inspection/replacement (sc176y) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin pr
Structure:body 2025-12-19 · CS2311_OWNR_PC201 · Other
customer satisfaction campaign: postcard owner renotification (cs2311) - this document is the owner renotification advising that kia is conducting customer satisfaction campaign. kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector hardware upgrade and can be installed at the ignition
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2025-12-09 · PS797 · Other
pitstop: technical operations: external damage to ultrasonic sensor: this pitstop provides information related to parking distance warning (pdw) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. the pdw system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty
Engine 2025-04-03 · TSB_ENG222_R8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repair
Showing the 6 most recent of 133 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-28 · Steering“there is play in the steering wheel. mechanic advised me a small plastic o ring holds steering wheel steady but i can’t just replace the o ring. said i have to replace a lower a arm to get the o ring. he thinks it is a design flaw. it had no been fixed. i drive with the wiggle. …”
2026-10-19 · Unknown Or Other“there are multiple recalls, including total engine failure recall, kia is refusing to have it towed or reimburse for tow to dealership to fix recalls. i’ve attempted through local dealership and through kia care corporate. there have been at least 6+ recalls, 3 of which are “urgent”, kia has failed to repair any of them. i’ve already had to pay to …”
2026-10-09 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 222,892 mi · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2013 kia soul. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the contact heard a noise outside and discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire near the engine compartment. the contact extinguished the fire using water and salt. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23v6…”
2026-10-07 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · 190,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 kia soul. the contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the check engine and tpms warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to auto zone, where dtc: p0420 was retrieved. the contact was informed that the failure was associated with nhtsa campaign number: 19v120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). the vehicle was …”
2026-10-05 · Engine“while driving my 2013 kia soul 1.6l gdi on the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost significant engine power and the check engine light began flashing. the sudden loss of power at highway speed created a safety concern because i could no longer maintain normal highway speed with surrounding traffic. i exited the highway and drove home at reduced spee…”
2026-10-02 · Steering“i've had no issues with the vehicle until 2 years ago when the steering column began getting incredibly loose. i can turn the wheel 10 degrees before turning. now the car can no longer go above 40 mph because the steering wheel will shake violently and the front end will vibrate and it feels like it will flip. i've read that it's most likely a plas…”
2026-09-11 · Steering · 102,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 kia soul. the contact stated that while making a turn, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the steering column. the contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel was moving freely. the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering wheel coupler needed to be replace…”
2026-09-09 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 127,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 kia soul. the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign numbers: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and 19v120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). the contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost automotive power. there was no warning light illuminated. the vehicle was restarted, and the check engine war…”
2026-08-06 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“car caught fire while sitting in my driveway with no one in it for about 12 hours.…”
2026-07-17 · Steering · 80,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 kia soul. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, there was a popping and knocking sound coming from the steering wheel. no warning light was illuminated. a dealer was contacted. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. the vehicle w…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.