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 8 of 13)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #112

Nov 042020

Soul

  • 119,000 miles

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

Stalled while on the interstate. Will not start back up since.

- Vinemont, AL, USA

problem #111

Oct 022020

Soul

  • 133,937 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated while driving at 65 mph, the vehicle started shaking and smoke was detected from the hood and the vehicle stalled. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to bill byrd Kia (2435 15th St, panama city, fl 32405 (850) 872-0444) where it was diagnosed that the battery and engine needed to be replaced. The contact replaced the battery. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,937.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #110

Sep 072020

Soul

  • 18,800 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that she check the oil level a month after an oil change was performed and became aware that the oil level was low. Kia atlanta South (7310 jonesboro rd, morrow, ga 30260(770) 968-3400) informed the contact at the time of the oil change that the piston rings may need to be replaced. The oil level warning light recently illuminated and the dealer recommended that the engine be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,800.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #109

Apr 012020

Soul

  • 110,000 miles

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

NHTSA campaign id 19V120000: The SC176 recall on my car was repaired May 30, 2019. Earlier this year my car began showing the signs of the further damage noted in the recall details. In April 2020 my car randomly stalled when in motion on a city street and the check engine light came on. I was able to coast off the road and eventually start the car again. The pandemic prevented me from having it serviced at my Kia dealership or elsewhere. Since April, this has occurred five times, both on city streets and the highway while in motion. The highway event was frightening as I was in heavy traffic travelling at 60 mph. My local one stop oil change re-opened and I was able to get an oil change May 5, 2020 at 110,431, then again on August 24, 2020 at 114,121 miles at one stop (receipt attached). A week later my engine oil pressure warning light came on despite the recent oil change. I added oil, but in two weeks the level is again low and I put in 2 quarts. I took it to the Kia service center September 16, 2020 at 115,179, and the oil was again low as shown on the attached receipt. Kia service was unable to determine the cause of the lost oil. Although my car had the repair performed for the recall, I'm afraid the piston has been damaged, causing the engine stalls. My oil is leaking out somewhere, so I fear it may be the broken connecting rod that has punctured the engine block allowing the engine oil to escape. The Kia quote for the brake, exhaust and tire work was expensive, so I had a friend's expert mechanic do the repairs for less. He warned me that the oil was leaking out and the engine may blow and I'll need a new engine, and strongly suggested I sell the car before that occurs. I cannot, in good conscience, sell it knowing the risk to a new owner. I hope this explanation will lead to Kia repairing my car properly.

- East Dennis, MA, USA

problem #108

Aug 042020

Soul

  • 67,000 miles
My car died while driving on highway going 75mph with 70K miles thats about when a vehicle should be breaking in not breaking down. My steering wheel is loose, gas play. The radio sometimes doesnt come on and my engine just sounds clogged

- Fort Hood, TX, USA

problem #107

Aug 242020

Soul

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph, the engine made a knocking sound. The contact checked the oil after pulling in to a gas station. The contact continued driving home however, the engine blew and oil started squirting from under the hood. The contact pulled off the roadway and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic discovered a hole at the bottom of the engine however, a diagnostic test was not performed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Detriot, MI, USA

problem #106

Aug 192020

Soul

  • 138,432 miles

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

While driving back home my 2013 Kia Soul L4 1.6 suddenly lost its power in the middle of the road. I was able to get it off of the road and check it up into a parking lot. I opened the hood and found everything was normal so I decided to drive back again but as soon I start the engine a red lighy got appears on the on. I got home and called a mechanic. A mechanic did a computer scan and the report fault code retrival and diagnosis were: #1= system to lean @ higher load bank # 1. then #2 - fuel pressure control low. He referred me to the dealership since it can not be fixed by them (recall) when I contacted Kia they told me my vehicle didn't qualify for any guarantee since it has 130K miles on it not recall cover, and I have to pay to fix it as my own expense but as I read it should be covered, I'm not sure why my car doesn't qualify. I have not other transportation vehicle and I don't have the funds to pay theexpensive dealership to fix it so please I need to know if you can help and asvise. Thank you.

- Venice, FL, USA

problem #105

Aug 012020

Soul

  • 160,000 miles
My 2013 Kia Soul check engine light blinking. I was told needed a new catalytic converter which I took care of 2 months ago. Check engine light came on again when I was driving and car would not go I've 40mph. I took it to a repair shop and was told I needed a new engine. I have always gotten my oil changed every 7000 miles as requested. I did this at the Kia dealership for the first 5 years then just locally. My hours at work have been cut back due to covid and I do not have $5000 dollars. The shop said that the engines are hard to find due to this being a ongoing problem with the 1.6 liter 2013 Kia Soul. My Kia has 160,000 on it but has been well maintained. I contacted Kia and they are not taking any responsibility yet sold these Kia knowing the engine was faulty.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #104

May 202020

Soul

  • 125,000 miles
My car was brought in for the recall and they told us it was fine but I noticed it offen got hot and it liked to burn oil or leak oil I had to put oil in each week and one day om my way home the motor blow a rod and this was only a couple months after they checked it and said it was fine the car only had 125000 miles on it and I had to pay 1700 dollars for a new motor and I'm still waiting on it to arrive I don't think I should have to cover the cost of the motor or the repairs because it falls in the recall list our car had all the problems that the recall was listing. I would like to here back from someone on my concerns.

- Sharon, WI, USA

problem #103

Dec 052019

Soul

  • 120,000 miles
Was driving my 2013 Kia Soul and it threw a rod and my engine locked up. I found out that there was a recall on the catalytic converter. Dealership said they tried to run a diagnostic and it said engine failure after they replaced the recalled catalytic converter.

- Sheridan, AR, USA

problem #102

Jul 202020

Soul

  • 137,985 miles

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

Regarding recall SC176 the engine is overheating and has engine damage which can lead to the vehicle starting on fire. Have brought it to 2 dealerships and they are just trying to brush it off saying nothing is wrong even though it is overheating and an independent mechanic states that there is piston and cylinder damage.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

problem #101

Jul 202020

Soul 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,003 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her son was driving, the vehicle stalled with the low power steering fluid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was pushed off the roadway and restarted. There was a knocking sound coming from the engine after the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling) however, the vehicle experienced the failure stated in the NHTSA campaign. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,003.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #100

Jul 042020

Soul

  • 167,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph the vehicle began to stall. The contact drifted into a nearby parking lot. The contact stated smoke was coming out the outside rear. The contact lifted the hood and notice oil had spilled all over the engine of the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the piston had failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer hagerstown Kia (10307 auto pl, hagerstown, md 21740 phone: (301) 739-7283) for the repairs who stated that their failure did not relate to NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine). The vehicle was not repaired as of yet. The contact was unsure if the manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage 167,000.

- Berkley, MD, USA

problem #99

Jul 122020

Soul

  • 150,000 miles
Was driving on the high way engine blinked five times and car locked up began to shut off. Got out the car thinking I need oil popped the hood saw something fall looked under the car there was a fire put the fire out with a towel called the police and the fire department came and said a rod blew? and I googled there is a recall for this exact happening

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #98

Apr 152020

Soul 4-cyl

  • 103,865 miles
While driving my certified 2013 Kia Soul on a busy highway it suddenly lost all power. I was able to get it to the side of the road and push it into a parking lot. I opened the hood and found oil had exploded everywhere so I had to have it towed to my home. A mechanic said the engine threw a rod that went through the block, so the whole engine would have to be replaced. I had the car serviced 2 months prior to the failure and they didn't advise of any issues. After contacting the dealership where I purchased the Kia Soul they confirmed Kia was already aware of this problem and should have told me there was a recall on my vehicle before the engine was damaged. When I contacted Kia they told me my vehicle didn't qualify for the recall, but since the failure of my vehicle is exactly what has happened on other vehicles I'm not sure why mine doesn't qualify. I'm currently without a vehicle because I don't have the funds to replace the engine. I need direction on what to do.

- Hutto, TX, USA

problem #97

Jun 112020

Soul

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that at start-up, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine of the vehicle with the oil warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware of an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). The contact called gossett Kia South (2680 mt moriah rd, memphis, tn 38115) and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed after 4 days that a cost would be assessed because the failure was caused by a rod and that replacing the rod bearing was not included in the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Horn Lake, MS, USA

problem #96

Jun 052020

Soul 4-cyl

  • 119,996 miles
The engine light keeps coming on and only ones after I accelerate. And then it goes away in a few days and comes back again. I get my oil change done regularly but I still kept noticing but it still kept happening. Happened my engine light key on did not go off in the car would start but makes a sound it will not accelerate. The mechanic said that the engine is messed up.

- Seymour, IN, USA

problem #95

May 072020

Soul 4-cyl

  • 157,000 miles
I was having issues with a prior recall, concerning the catalytic converters and overheating. (potentially leading to a stall / engine fire) I took my car to the shop and was told they had ran the upgrade and my car was mechanically sound. Throughout the following year, I had contacted Kia over my car acting strange and not allowing me to accelerate while going down the road on several occasions. The car maxed out between 25-35 mph on major highways 4 times to date. I kept taking it in and they done inspections, the car appeared in good mechanical shape. Exactly 2-3 days after picking my car up, it stalled on me again, resulting in 3 semi trucks almost colliding into me. My speed went from 75mpg down to 30mph on a 70mph interstate. After the upgrade, my engine would randomly start making a chirping sound / ticking sound. Several misfire codes presented themselves throughout this time and yet nothing was found stored in the cars computer. Kia stated it was recall related at one point and when the engine stalled the last round, the engine and car started shuddering down the interstate and now the engine has a loud knocking noise coming from it (threw piston / rod) and Kia will not assist in the inspection of this safety recall issue. Kia has had me pay several times for inspections and towing to date. Hundreds of other owners have experienced these problems after they received the ECU logic upgrade and also prior to receiving it. Kia stated they were not exactly sure about my issues and that they have not received any other reports from owners concerning these matters. However, BBB and several online sources can confirm that others have experienced these exact same problems. I almost lost my life on 4 different occasions due to these safety issues. I have forum screenshots and a video on my problems. They all exceed 5mb. Any other way to send?

- Talbott, TN, USA

problem #94

Apr 282020

Soul 4-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
My vehicle is located in puerto rico usa. There is an active recall under # Kia recall 19V120000 however the local dealer refuses to accept that it exists. I went thru everything that is described on the recall on my 2013 Kia Soul, but if you enter the VIN number directly on your page, it indicates that the VIN number can not be found. On the other hand, it refers you to Kia motors where you enter the VIN number and again it says it does not exist. However, when I decided to make complaint via your page it identifies the car perfectly. The question is: Why wont my VIN number appear on the normal search for recalls on your page nor on Kia's page but it clearly appeared once I started my complaint. I need the local dealer to recognize that there is a recall and act on it on my vehicle. Please search for the recall mentioned 19V120000 from Kia.

- Cayey, PR, USA

problem #93

May 152019

Soul

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. While driving at approximately 65 mph the vehicle began to smoke and the engine suddenly exploded. The motor and catalytic converter were faulty. The vehicle stalled and created a safety risk. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph the vehicle suddenly began to shake and smoke came from the air vent before the engine suddenly exploded. Flames were seen coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer martin Kia (2211 scottsville rd. Boiling green ky). Who diagnosed that the engine was faulty. The engine and catalytic converter were replaced under the NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine). Approximately four months later the vehicle began to exhibit problems while driving at speeds over 40 mph the vehicle would shake and stall with the check engine light illuminating. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failures but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Allensville, KY, USA

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