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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-KIA-SOUL
2013 · kia

kia Soul problems

1 safety recall. 653 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
226 reports · avg $3,100
severe
steering
149 reports · avg $700
moderate
brakes
87 reports · avg $450
severe
electrical
61 reports · avg $850
severe
airbags
17 reports · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
13 reports · avg $2,500
severe
visibility
12 reports · avg $350
severe
cruise control
9 reports · avg $600
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 Soul · steering
Has a thud while turning the steering wheel left and right at a stop. Steering wheel shakes and vibrates when droving over bumpy road or train tracks. Steering for now unaffected.
12/28/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11445194.0
2013 Soul · steering
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…
12/27/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11163660.0
2013 Soul · engine 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…
12/25/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11163325.0
2013 Soul · engine
2013 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLUMINATED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE IS SLUGGISH AND HAS BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM THE EXHAUST AND WON'T HOLD OIL FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
12/23/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11498628.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 14V822000 29/12/2014

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 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.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Kia Soul reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 653 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Kia Soul has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Kia Soul?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 226 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Soul has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Kia Soul?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 653 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 11 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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