10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,763 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Kia Soul Owner Comments

problem #10

Apr 122023

Soul

  • miles

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

Unknown tbd

- Roaring Spring, PA, USA

problem #9

Feb 092023

Soul

  • miles
Check Engine Light Came on again after KIA BURLINGTON claim repairs was done and closed out repairs. Diagnostic Code is P0420. First Report was filed in 11/22, Service Manager at KIA BURLINGTON REFUSED TO ADDRESS RECALL ISSUES ON MY CAR AND STATES -€œNOT HER PROBLEM-€ and she can not help me. Second and Last Complaint was filled on 2/9/23. Service Manager AT KIA BURLINGTON REFUSED TO ADDRESS RECALL ON MY CAR OR GIVE DIAGNOSTIC ON MY CAR. HER COLLEAGUES STATES -€œSHE TRANSFERRED MY FILES TO GREESBORO KIA, For my home dealership-€. I am (zuria) is unclear why. In addition, her other colleague stated -€œshe doesn-€™t want to help me because I am African American-€. However, I did witness her on 2/9/23. Come out and speak to caucasian person, while telling her peer she did not have to speak to me regarding my recall on my KIA SOUL 2013. HER BEHAVIOR AS A SERVICE Manager IS UNACCEPTABLE. Had to drive two hours away to get help with my recall on 2/9/23. I-€™m disgusted with service at KIA BURLINGTON. Open Safety Recall Check February 22, 2019 19v120000 February 22, 2019 19v120000 December 29, 2014 14v822000 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. Engine and Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:catalytic Convertor 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. Structure:body:roof and Pillars KIA Motors America (Kia)

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #8

Sep 222021

Soul

  • miles
I took my 2013 Kia Soul into the dealership in Rockwall because it had a recall. The dealership states that the problem with my particular car is in fact due to the recall. The engine has seized. The dealership is refusing to do any of the necessary repairs and said that they are no longer responsible for the car as we didn't bring it in a more timely manner. The service department is horrible about returning phone calls and has had the Soul since 9/22/2021, they scheduled the repairs, I paid to have it towed to the dealership as they requested. Now they are refusing to pay or do any of the repairs.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

problem #7

Jan 212021

Soul

  • 159,832 miles

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

A complaint to Kia Consumer Affairs addressing concerns and issues with my 2013 Kia Soul in December 2020. The complaint was regarded to excessive oil consumption, low gas mileage, vehicle stalling and shutting down completely while in motion in the highway and faulty engine parts. I initiated a 2nd complaint about same issues in January 2021. Prior to all this in 2019 Kia had a recall for ECU in which I strongly think is the onset beginning how issues I currently have have resonated into current issues leading up till (present). This year 2021, I called Kia consumer addressing issues but rep. Stated, there were no engine campaigns or recalls issued at this time and insisted I call the dealership about issues with the vehicle. I called the Kia dealership explaining to the service rep. An incident had occurred as I'm driving to work while in motion in ongoing traffic up a highway my car begin to stall like in limp mode and losing powertrain in the engine and shut off completely. While this happened the check engine lights were illuminated as the battery light, oil light and the check engine light were on all at the same time. I tried to start the vehicle but would not start. I called for 911 assistance for immediate help due to car shutting off on me in ongoing traffic. The state agent did not come in time, so dot happened to drive passed and slowed down and come back to help push my vehicle to the right side of the highway to safety. Eventually, 911 agent came and I explained everything to him as I called for roadside asst. To come and tow my car to the nearest auto shop. I phone the Kia dealership the same day of this incident and explained everything, Kia rep. Said that's because you show a recall open on your vehicle and need to bring the vehicle in for repairs. ECU knock sensor was told by service mgr. This was the reason car shut down on me. Disappointed with Kia

- Toccoa, GA, USA

problem #6

Nov 252020

Soul

  • 190,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 55-60 mph, the vehicle was shaking and failed to accelerate. The check engine warning light was flashing. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed there were grooves in the engine block. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

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problem #5

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 #4

May 072020

Soul 4-cyl

  • 157,000 miles

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

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 #3

Apr 102017

Soul

  • 25,000 miles
My car hesitates when I round a corner or turn on to a highway one day a truck was behind a 18 wheeler scared me and my passenger. Now for the last few months this car is shaking all the time not only when I stop but even when I am drive Kia in athens ga say they can not do anything about it. They say this is natural to happen. No this is not natural it is embarrassing and scary. I do not want this car anymore and I really do not like putting other people lives in danger in a 3 year old car. I have tried talking to them -they are not listening they keep saying it up to the company in atlanta. If anything happen to me in this car I told my family to suite the socks off of Kia.

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #2

Jan 202017

Soul 4-cyl

  • 65,800 miles
Brake switch failed. My brake lights no longer worked and power steering was disabled, making the car impossible to drive. Could not get car out of "park" without using override button. Car needed to be towed to Kia dealer. This switch has been recalled on 1.6 million Kia's but my car was not included but should be added. Not sure how long I was driving without brake lights working. I'm glad I never use my cruise control as pressing the brake peddle would not disengage the cruise control function.

- New Providence, NJ, USA

problem #1

Nov 192014

Soul

  • 30,000 miles
Bought the Kia Soul new in August 2012. Since November 2014 at approximately 30K miles the car has developed a sudden pronounced hard downshift in the transmission when slowing down to a stop. It's as though the brake were abruptly applied. This has been a constant problem since then being worse in cold weather and made driving the car a safety concern. The car has been to the Kia westside dealer in katy Texas three times thus far. First time they dealership checked brakes only despite being told it was the transmission that was sudden hard downshifting; they did not test drive the car. We were told only the brakes were checked and are good. Second time the same service department test drove the car early in morning and experienced the sudden hard downshift and agreed there was a problem. The dealer stated the transmission was replaced; cannot confirm, will assume they did. The problem still remained absolutely no change. The car went back to the dealer for a third try a month later. The local dealership service department then contacted the Kia technical support department; the dealership was told there is no problem with the car as it is designed and manufactured. The dealership at the time had another 2023 Kia Soul in with same problem and checking internet found other owners of Kia's with same complaint. The safety in driving the car is a concern now with a mind that it will get worse and perhaps later cause an accident.

- Katy, TX, USA

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