2013 Kia Soul Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Kia Soul has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th-worst among 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 47% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 117,000 miles, plus three recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 Soul years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 662
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 22
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 45
- Injuries
- 25
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 24.5 city / 29.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 0
Top 2013 Kia Soul problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine312 (47%)
- Steering151 (23%)
- Brakes102 (15%)
- Electrical System78 (12%)
- Other64 (10%)
- Fuel System30 (5%)
- Airbags18 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (3%)
- Structure & Body16 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers15 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engines have blown or thrown a rod through the block, sometimes with flames coming from underneath the car.
- Owners report engine fires starting under the hood with no clear cause, in some cases destroying the vehicle.
- Steering has been described as veering left or right unexpectedly at various speeds, leading to loss of control.
- Airbags have failed to deploy in some crashes while deploying unevenly or violently in others, including a case with smoke and heat causing injury.
- Electrical wiring near the engine compartment has caused fires after owners noticed an unusual odor beforehand.
- A rollover was reported after the vehicle veered off the road, with the top crushed and windshield shattered.
2013 Kia Soul recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 19V120000Feb 22, 2019Engine378,967 vehicles
Engine
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 14V822000Dec 29, 2014Structure & Body95,314 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
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.
Remedy: 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.
2013 Kia Soul fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29.5 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Kia Soul reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Soul has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th-worst out of 16 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Soul years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Kia Soul?
- Engine problems make up 47% of complaints (312 of 662), with a median failure mileage of 117,000 miles. NHTSA also lists 45 fire reports tied to this model year.
- Does the 2013 Kia Soul have recalls?
- NHTSA lists three recall campaigns for the 2013 Soul, covering brakes (park-outside advisory), engine catalytic converter overheating protection, and a sunroof headliner plate issue.
- How does the 2013 Soul compare to other Soul years?
- The 2013 Soul's Complaint Index of 73 is lower than 2014 (93), 2015 (100), and 2016 (87), all rated Avoid, but higher than 2010, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024, and 2025, which rate Good or Best.