2013 Kia Soul recalls and problems

The 2013 Kia Soul has 3 safety recalls and 672 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Urgent: recall 23V-652 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.

Recalls

Complaints

672

Crashes / fires

23 / 47

Injuries / deaths

25 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 Kia Soul vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 Kia Soul recalls

Recall 23V-652: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outsideReported Sep 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 19V-120: Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Feb 22, 2019 · 378,967 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 14V-822: Structure

Reported Dec 29, 2014 · 95,314 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Engine	287
Steering	155
Electrical System	73
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	68
Unknown or Other	62
Engine and Engine Cooling	47
Service Brakes	31
Fuel/Propulsion System	28
Air Bags	18
Vehicle Speed Control	17
Structure	15
Power Train	14

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 11
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor — 8
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 2
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear — 2
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 2
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 2
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift — 1
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 91,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 Kia Soul complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Engine · reported Nov 10, 2026

This is a recall for the fuel sensor, obviously. I contacted Kia immediately to inspect the car but they are very slow to take any action and now the tow lot is getting ready to take ownership of the car and it will not be available after next week. Kia was negligent in meeting the reasonable deadline initially provided to them. I parked at a gas pump at a busy gas station across the street from a fireworks store. The car started smoking and then fire engulfed the entire engine compartment. It took a few minutes for the fire department to get there, and my car burned at a gas pump presenting a…

Engine and Engine Cooling · at 152,000 miles · reported Nov 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vehicle was taken to an alternate dealer. where it was diagnosed that the knock sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that if DTC: P0420…

Electrical System · reported Nov 6, 2026

Steering Collumn Rod failed, mechanic said 2013 souls, all of them are affected, and break/go bad. Once repaired, after alignment and new tires, steering wheel rubs against column and no longer is auto steering. Paint came off of black and chrome rails and body at 50,000miles. Lastly, Electrical components stopped working at 65,000 miles. Electrical for rear side mirrors, front door locks no longer work or unlock while driving, drivers door no longer stays locked and remains open with door ajar light on.

Service Brakes · reported Nov 3, 2026

While parked at the top of our driveway on a portion that is only a mild slope and in first gear (a manual transmission) with the parking brake fully engaged, the car rolled backwards down the steep driveway and into a tree. The car had been parked with the key out of the ignition for 5-10 minutes. There were some leaves on the driveway but it was not wet. The parking break has acted iffy on this car before but not to this extent. If the car had not rolled the way it did, it could have hit someone!

Steering · reported Oct 28, 2026

There is play in the steering wheel. Mechanic advised me a small plastic o ring holds steering wheel steady but I canât just replace the o ring. Said I have to replace a lower a arm to get the o ring. He thinks it is a design flaw. It had no been fixed. I drive with the wiggle.

Other Kia Soul years

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 201420132012 2011 2010

Compare all Kia Soul years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Kia Soul have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Kia Soul: 23V-652 (service brakes, hydraulic), 19V-120 (engine, engine and engine cooling), 14V-822 (structure). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Kia Soul?

Owners report engine problems most often (287 reports), followed by steering (155). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 91,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.