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EnginePart report

2013 Kia Soul Engine Problems

Complaints
286about this part
Share
43%of 667 total for the year
Median mileage
117,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 286 complaints about the engine of the 2013 Kia Soul, 43% of the 667 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 30 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Took car to dealership for a safety recall. After picking up the car the engine light was on, I immediately called them and was told to take car back. after two weeks of checking my car , they call and tell me that it's the catalyctic converter was faulty. this same dealership had fixed that catalyctic converter recall previously. now they want me to pay to have it fixed.”

NHTSA complaint #11512877, filed 2023-03, 143,429 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”

NHTSA complaint #11338842, filed 2020-07, 150,000 miles

“Engine lite when on. Got a recall notice. Had recall performed. Recall state that if damage was done to catalytic converter it would also be replaced. A few months later after recall performed engine light comes on saying catalytic converter problem. They say I need to pay $2000 to get fixed. I believe it should have been replaced at time of recall.”

NHTSA complaint #11288131, filed 2019-12, 263,000 miles

“For the last 3 yrs the last piston has been misfiring causing a knocking sound. Every where I take it, including 2 Kia dealerships say it needs a new engine. I know other Kia SOUL owners with the same issue. This problem started in 2015. It's a known issue. Canada made Kia replace engines with this issue. The car knocks whether stationary or driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11270539, filed 2019-10, 48,000 miles

“The engine light keeps coming on and only ones after I accelerate. And then it goes away in a few days and comes back again. I get my oil change done regularly but I still kept noticing but it still kept happening. Happened my engine light key on did not go off in the car would start but makes a sound it will not accelerate. The mechanic said that the engine is messed up.”

NHTSA complaint #11327497, filed 2020-06, 119,996 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202518%
2024517%
20231426%
20225457%
202113958%
202024563%
20198864%
201814265%
201719170%
201656169%
201563170%
201455461%
201328643%
201221041%
20112412%
201097%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Soul

Steering
153 complaintsBrakes
99 complaintsElectrical system
71 complaintsOther or unknown
63 complaintsEngine cooling
45 complaintsFuel system
30 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology