Reliable Auto DB

2013 Kia Soul reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2013 Kia Soul has 662 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 18 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Soul years here — over the median of the other years, which is 14. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Engine, and Roof and pillars.

2012 Kia Soul
Photo by DieselFordMondeo, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

662

Per year

18

Recalls

3

Years on the road

14

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (283 of 662), then Steering (151) and Electrical system (71). Those filings include 22 that report a crash, 45 that report a fire, and 18 that report an injury.

Next to 2012 and 2014

The 2012 Soul has 514 complaints, 16 per year, and the 2014 has 902 complaints, 24 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2013 Kia Soul. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-25 · NHTSA campaign 23V652000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Engine 2019-02-22 · NHTSA campaign 19V120000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall structure, body, roof and pillars 2014-12-29 · NHTSA campaign 14V822000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (662 total)

Engine
283
Steering
151
Electrical system
71
Hydraulic brakes
67
Engine and engine cooling
44
Service brakes
30
Fuel and propulsion system
27
Air bags
18
Speed control
17
Structure
15
Powertrain
14
Visibility and wipers
12
Exterior lighting
10
Suspension
9
Seat belts
6
Wheels
6
Electronic stability control (ESC)
4
Tires
4
Fuel system, gasoline
3
Seats
3
Visibility
3
Air brakes
2
Equipment
2
Forward collision avoidance
2
Child seat
1
Interior lighting
1
Latches, locks, and linkages
1
Show 19 more Show less
Crash-flagged

22

Fire-flagged

45

Injury reports

18

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

14201322201418201513201612201738201811720197120205820215020228020231122024372025202026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while making a turn, there was an abnormal popping sound coming from the steering column. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel was moving…"
    Steering · filed 2026-09-11
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) and 19V120000 (ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). The contact stated that while driving 65…"
    Engine and engine cooling, Engine · filed 2026-09-09
  • "Car caught fire while sitting in my driveway with no one in it for about 12 hours."
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-08-06
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and attempting to start the vehicle, there was a popping and knocking sound coming from the steering wheel. No warning light was…"
    Steering · filed 2026-07-17
  • "The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was a misfire in the engine. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign…"
    Engine and engine cooling, Engine · filed 2026-07-16

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2013 Kia Soul SUV FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Soul 2L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 23 28 25 MPG $2600
Soul 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400
Soul 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 24 29 26 MPG $2500
Soul 1.6L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Front-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400
Soul Eco 2L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 24 29 26 MPG $2500
Soul Eco 1.6L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 26 31 28 MPG $2300

Specs and fitment

2nd generation (PS), 2012–2019
Body styles Hatchback
Oil 5W-20 or 0W-20 (1.6L and 2.0L) , 4 qt capacity
Tire size 205/60R16 to 215/45R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 19V120000. 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. 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. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2012 Kia Soul Next year 2014 Kia Soul See every Kia Soul model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 Kia Soul reliable?

The 2013 Kia Soul has 662 complaints with NHTSA after 14 years, or 18 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Soul years here — over the median of the other years, which is 14. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Engine, and Roof and pillars.

What are common problems with a 2013 Kia Soul?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (283 of 662), then Steering (151) and Electrical system (71). Those filings include 22 that report a crash, 45 that report a fire, and 18 that report an injury.

Is the 2013 Kia Soul more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2012 Soul has 514 complaints, 16 per year, and the 2014 has 902 complaints, 24 per year. The 2013 has more complaints per year than the 2012. The 2013 has fewer complaints per year than the 2014.

Has the 2013 Kia Soul been recalled?

The 2013 Kia Soul has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2013 Kia Soul?

Owners have filed 662 complaints about the 2013 Kia Soul with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2013 Kia Soul get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2013 Kia Soul is 26.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Soul take?

5W-20 or 0W-20 (1.6L and 2.0L)

What does NHTSA recall 19V-120 cover on the Kia Soul?

NHTSA campaign 19V120000.

What generation is the 2013 Kia Soul?

2nd generation (PS) (2012-2019).