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 HAPPEN…
2013 kia Soul engine problems
severe 226 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
226
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
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.
I believe my catalytic converter. My engine light came on and I took it to AutoZone and they put it on the tester and they said it was my catalytic converter.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A CLANKING NOISE WAS PRESENT UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. HIGH COUNTRY KIA (4004 E. MAIN ST, FARMINGTON, NM) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANKING NOISE UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. HIGH COUNTRY KIA (4004 E. MAIN ST, FARMINGTON, NM) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000.
BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER. ROD BROKE, PUNCTURED THE ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH CAUSED THE OIL LEAKED OUT AND IT CAUGHT FIRE WITH MY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIENDS IN THE CAR.
ENGINE BEGAN MAKING TICKING NOISES WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALER; DEALER CHANGED OIL & FILTER AND SAID PROBLEM WAS BAD OIL FILTER CAUSING LOW OIL PRESSURE. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER. RETURNED TO DEALER; TECHNICIAN HAS FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE OIL AND EXPECTS COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE IN THE FUTURE.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was making ticking and knocking sounds. Upon registering the vehicle on the manufacturer's website, the contact was made aware that the VIN was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, and both …
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2013 kia Soul?
It's a meaningful issue. 226 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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