10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 27
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
73,559 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Kia Soul engine problems

engine problem

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2013 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 3 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #212

May 042023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The recall #19V120 States that engine damage may occur do to this recall & that in that case KIA would repair the engine at no cost to me. My car has the same engine damage that they refer to & also has recall open. I took to a KIA dealer & they confirmed that the engine has a bad connecting rod but like stated can happen but KIA will not cover it because recall was not performed soon enough. They state in their recall information that this is what can happen & that it is inclusive of the recall but then say they will not cover? I'm confused. Is this acceptable for Recalls. Then they do not understand why people do not want to take their time to take a car back in for a recall because its just a waste of your time & then the dealer wants to upsell you on something they say they saw when perfoming the recall.

- Sinking Spring, PA, USA

problem #211

Apr 192023

Soul

  • 128,890 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an oil change; however, the contact stated that after the oil change was performed; while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal pop underneath the hood and then the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic where the contact was informed by the technician of an engine oil leak that was unmentioned at the time of the oil change. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the mileage was over the warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 129,890.

- Utica, NY, USA

problem #210

Mar 082023

Soul

  • miles
Engine bad sound. Engine knocking noise. No crash was issued. The strange sound appeared one day and engine seems to have inside damage for unknown reason.

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #209

Jan 252023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In December 2022, my 2013 KIA Soul was broken into. There was a trend on tik tok showing how easy it was to break into KIA AND HYUNDAI. My Kia Soul was in the shop for over a month getting fixed. While driving home on I-95 the Kia Soul broke down, it shut off and had to be towed back to the shop. When the shop called back and told me what the issue was, they said the engine was done. I looked up on the recall website seeing if the engine was on the recall list, it said it was not. There are 4 Kia Soul engines on the list but mine is not. I contacted Kia about the issue, they said since I am not the 1st owner, the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty was a void. I only got 5 years 50,000 miles. How are customers getting new engines with the same issue & this Soul isn't

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #208

Apr 122023

Soul

  • miles
The 2.0 engine of the Kia 2013 Soul seems to have to same problem as the Kia 2013 Soul with the 1.4 engine which was recall due to the crankshaft teeth getting damaged and engine get damaged due to the same recall of the 1.4 engine. 2.0 engine should also be added to the recall. Puts the drivers at risk of death as it can catch on fire like the 1.4 engine. Vehicle was expected by a mechanic after the engine light came on and described the same as the 1.4 engine recall.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #207

Mar 142023

Soul

  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine and catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The dealer confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the dealer declined to perform the recall repair and the engine replacement due to the warranty being expired. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

- Newnan, GA, USA

problem #206

Apr 052023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Smoke from exhaust, randomly losing power, randomly struggling to start and accelerate

- Carencro, LA, USA

problem #205

Mar 222023

Soul

  • 205,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine light would appear on the instrument panel. The contact then received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000(Engine, Engine, and Engine Cooling). The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the recall was serviced; however, the check engine soon after the recall repair. While driving at 55 MPH, a fellow motorist flagged the contact down to alert her that a fire had started from underneath the vehicle. The flame had died out once the contact pulled over and exited the vehicle. The contact suffered no injuries and a fire report was not filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to her home. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no further assistance. The vehicle had yet to be serviced. The failure mileage was approximately 205,000.

- Prospect, OR, USA

problem #204

Mar 082023

Soul

  • 143,429 miles
Took car to dealership for a safety recall. After picking up the car the engine light was on, I immediately called them and was told to take car back. after two weeks of checking my car, they call and tell me that it's the catalyctic converter was faulty. this same dealership had fixed that catalyctic converter recall previously. now they want me to pay to have it fixed.

- Kermit, TX, USA

problem #203

Sep 072022

Soul

  • 237,205 miles
Catalytic converter is going out. Although apparently there was no recall for MY car in particular but there has been a recall for the converter overheating and damaging the engine. Car no longer goes over 40 mph; meaning I can no longer use the freeway. Oil light comes on at least twice a month. Even after a oil change It comes right back on. Check engine light never goes off. Piston Rod is damaged which then contributes to a oil leak. This has been happening over a 6 month time span. I call myself fixing one thing then something else more detrimental breaks.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #202

Jun 232020

Soul

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving and making turns, the vehicle made abnormal popping sounds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the flex coupler was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the engine was making abnormal knocking sounds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer completed an oil change and serviced the fuel system; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was excessive clearance in the rod bearing. The dealer replaced the short block and all gaskets; however, the failure persisted. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer replaced the engine; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) as the catalytic converter was never replaced under the recall. The dealer informed the contact that she would be charged for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #201

Feb 262023

Soul

  • miles
Vehicle traveled down I-65 normal cruising. Had a check engine light illuminated. Code pulled as a P0420 diagnosed for Catalytic Converter. Because of this code, the oxygen sensors eventually went out. Sensors were replaced. Two months later the code for O2 sensors being bad came again. Vehicle was seen by another driver on right side with flames showing under the engine while driving. From there, a noise was heard, seen later as a hole made in the bottom of the cast iron block. Vehicle was pulled to the side of the road. I had gotten out to pop the hood, where white smoke was fuming from. Then I seen flames arise and grabbed all personal belongings fearing the worst (explosion). Flames simmered down after 1 hour passed. Engine was not started but with a hole in the bottom, fear of a rod being slung is scary.

- Shepherdsville, KY, USA

problem #200

Sep 072022

Soul

  • 113,956 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption and was making abnormal knocking sounds intermittently while driving at various speeds. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact turned on the hazards lights and exited the highway. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact then pushed the vehicle to a gas station with the assistance of bystanders. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 113,956.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #199

Feb 162022

Soul

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact heard an abnormal knocking sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where it was diagnosed with a rod bearing knock. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

- Keokuk, IA, USA

problem #198

Dec 012022

Soul

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and overheated. Additionally, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved an unknown fault code. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

- Portland, ME, USA

problem #197

Feb 142023

Soul

  • miles
My 2013 Kia Soul was diagnosed with engine failure. My mechanic stated no trouble codes, all fluids full. No diagnostic codes at all. At above 30 mph my vehicle blows black smoke. My mechanic found Kia TSB 222 Excessive Oil Consumption. He wrote up that he warned me not to drive vehicle and have towed to KIA dealer. Contacted KIA dealer and was told my vehicle not covered as I was second owner. The vehicle had 105302 miles when I bought it in May 2021 and currently has 112446 as of today. There is a class action lawsuit pending on these issues. It shouldn't matter who the owner is when an engine fails because of defective workmanship. KIA is aware of this specific problem and are doing everything they can to NOT make it right by the consumer. This recall should encompass all vehicles with the defect. This is not some recall for a window seal that falls out. This renders the vehicle completely useless and valuable only as scrap. Imagine all the people who did everything right and now have no vehicle due to an issue over which they had no control.

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #196

Jan 262023

Soul

  • miles
My engine been making noise past two years

- Woonsocket , RI, USA

problem #195

Jan 212023

Soul

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound. The contact veered to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that a significant amount of engine oil was leaking underneath the engine onto the ground. The vehicle was towed to a gas station and was then towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be responsible for repairing the vehicle as she failed to repair the vehicle under unknown service campaigns that had been sent to her. However, the contact had not received the notifications. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

- Lubbock, TX, USA

problem #194

Jan 192023

Soul

  • miles
Check engine light came on and was showing issues with the camshaft and crankshaft sensors. I took it to the dealership where I purchased the car and they told me there was sludge built up due to lack of maintenance (regular oil changes). I have proof of regular oil changes being done. They told me there are no recalls (there is an open investigation on my make and model) and I would have to pay for a new engine which costs more than the car is worth.

- Media, PA, USA

problem #193

Dec 172022

Soul

  • miles
My engine failed and I thankfully was able to get my car to my mechanic but had I not, I could have stalled on the highway and caused a car accident.

- La, CA, USA

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