2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,347 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

problem #12

Oct 192023

Soul

  • miles

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

Slow to accelerate abs light on Engine light

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #11

Sep 072022

Soul

  • 237,205 miles
Catalytic converter is going out. Although apparently there was no recall for MY car in particular but there has been a recall for the converter overheating and damaging the engine. Car no longer goes over 40 mph; meaning I can no longer use the freeway. Oil light comes on at least twice a month. Even after a oil change It comes right back on. Check engine light never goes off. Piston Rod is damaged which then contributes to a oil leak. This has been happening over a 6 month time span. I call myself fixing one thing then something else more detrimental breaks.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

Jul 192022

Soul

  • miles
Car wasn-??t always turning over right away. When it would, sluggish acceleration meaning gas pedal to floor and slow acceleration. Could have caused major accident when crossing traffic or joining traffic. Car turned off when at busy intersection twice when idling. Could have caused to be rear ended. Auto shop cleaned terminal 6. Stated if happens again, go to Kia to have board replaced

- Crystal Lake , IL, USA

problem #9

Jun 262022

Soul

  • miles

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

Speed Control may have misfunctioned. I do not really know. When driving, the car randomly drops down to 5 mph and continues on its own at 5mph. The only way to stop is to turn off the engine. The car is not safe to drive This defect puts me at risk and all the cars following me at risk. This defect has not been independently verified but it is easy to reproduce. Check Engine was on due to problems with a multitude of engine sensors.

- Smyrna, GA, USA

problem #8

Jan 212021

Soul

  • 159,832 miles
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 #7

Jan 262021

Soul

  • 81,000 miles
The acceleration drops out at any given point in time. It idles rough. The check engine light goes on and off regardless of issues occurring. Pedal to the floor I can't get more than 1400 rpms and about 7 mph. The dealership has had my car several times unable to find an issue and the engine has been replaced since it blew up a year and a half or so ago. Everything I've read seems like the catalytic convertor is failing

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #6

Oct 172020

Soul

  • 103,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal as the vehicle decreased in speed. The contact veered to the exit ramp in order to exit the highway. The contact then entered a gas station and waited for a couple of minutes before attempting to depress the accelerator pedal which failed to accelerate the vehicle past 50 mph. The vehicle then stalled as all warning lights illuminated. The contact mentioned that an odor appeared from the exhausted pipe. The vehicle was towed to the contact residents, then towed from her resident to the dealer evergreen Kia 9205 S western ave, Chicago, il 60643 (773) 779-4281 where it was diagnosed that the oil consumption damaged the piston rods and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact mentioned NHTSA campaign number: 19V120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that no recalls was under the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

- Dolton, IL, USA

problem #5

Jun 122018

Soul

  • miles
When I try to use my cruise control it does not work and a smell of wires burning.......concerned of the possibility of a fire.....please advise......thanks (xxxxx). 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Maxwell, TX, USA

problem #4

Apr 152015

Soul

  • 10,000 miles
My car would stall as I am driving or turning a corner. My jerks as I am driving

- Athens, GA, USA

problem #3

Aug 052018

Soul

  • miles
I went on a trip from orlando to keywest with two young children in the car and I broke down. Thankfully, I had through insurance free towing. Got towed to an automotive store and they said nothing was wrong they checked the battery and accelerator and multiple items I have proof of on paper. I began to drive again and my car wouldnt start when I stopped to get gas. Someone had to jump my car at the gas station and it happens on and off not everytime but I have to push my gas and turn my key at the same time to get my car to start. In addition, when I am driving I hear sounds and brought it to Kia in keywest. I bought an accelerator for $717.54 and still having issues! luckily, I just made it home tonight with my children and we are safe but this is still an issue and after paying all of that money I am livid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Apopka, FL, USA

problem #2

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 #1

Sep 132013

Soul

  • 125 miles
Cruise control has unintended acceleration. Also has random turn offs. Also the way it turns on in cannot slow down during turn on unless you press the slow (set - ) button a second time. Different than american. Dangerous. Sometimes cruise control engages with the resume button, sometimes not. Suspension: During a turn on highway at 45 mi hour car hops over when you hit even a small bump. Makes you feel like you will lose control of the car. Never had a car in 40 years that did this. Lighting: Automatic lights turn off, and change position function due to poor design on tip of blinker stick. Results in lights not coming on at dusk when expected. Steering: Does not hold a straight line on a windy day on flat highway roads. Same road 15 year old 100K mile car we traded in was fine no problem with that. Engine: Shakes terrible at at idle whether in park, neutral, drive or with or without A/C on. No matter. Transmission: Grinding noise turning left louder than right. Told dealr all these things, they denied it and wouldn't fix. Huge bang as car slows down when transmission downshifts. Lurches forward as you try to stop, making you pass your expected stop point. Gas mileage low: 26 or so, old car had 120 hp more and got 31mpg on highway and was 700 pounds heavier. Dealer had already removed sticker before we picked up car. Ongoing.

- Deland, FL, USA

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