2013 Kia Soul: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
660 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The second-generation Soul (2014–2019) carries the Gamma and Nu engines that were subject to Kia's engine-failure investigation and the 2019 recall for catalytic-converter damage leading to piston failure; the 2014–2016 years have the highest counts, with engine noise, stalling and fire cited. The 2017–2019 years are better, and the third generation from 2020 is quiet apart from a bump in 2020. Read the full note on the model page. 2013 specifically: 660 complaints on record, score 60/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used Kia Sorento, Sportage and Soul: the recall years and the good years after them, including 2013 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 660 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 50.77
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
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 illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The fai…
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 Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was opened. The fa…
My vehicle engine failed on the interstate after getting KDS update on my vehicle and it is covered Kia Corporate and the franchise dealer are actively claiming they 'cannot share or access' the vehicle's electronic diagnostic data, despite the mandatory use of the connected Kia KDS tool, in an apparent attempt to obscure a documented safety defect and deny a class-action lifetime engine warranty. They have kept my c…
Recalls: 3 campaigns (1 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 19V120000 | 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. |
| 23V652000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 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. |
| 14V822000 | Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars | 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. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 27 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,300
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Engine282 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Steering150 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Service Brakes99 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
- Electrical System71 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Hydraulic67 complaints · typical job: Brake master cylinder or ABS module replacement (3.5 h labour + parts)$680–$1,520
- Unknown Or Other61 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
Other Kia Soul years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Kia Soul?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Engine (282 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2013 Kia Soul a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 60/100, computed from 660 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2013 Kia Soul's most common problem?
282 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2013 Kia Soul sit in the Engine group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is cooling-system or timing-drive repair: about 6.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $1,040–$2,220 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2013 Kia Soul cost to run per year?
About $5,614 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $28,072 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2013 Kia Soul have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for the 2013 Kia Soul, 1 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 22/02/2019. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compact suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2013 Kia Soul really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 660 complaints, 3 recalls on record
- 660 NHTSA complaints on record (50.8/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (30.1/yr)
- 3 recall campaigns, 1 touching safety-critical systems