Problems · by component
2013 Kia Soul engine and engine cooling problems
45 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Soul cite engine and engine cooling, 7% of all 670 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
45
7% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the check engine and TPMS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where DTC: P0420 was retrieved. The contact was informed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall and that an engine inspection was required as part of a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, a case was filed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall in 2022. The contact stated that the recall repair failed to prevent the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.”
“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 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the check engine warning light was illuminated; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that additional diagnostic tests were needed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 127,000.”
“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 failure mileage was approximately 151,000.”
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the check engine light began to flash as the vehicle entered limp mode. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they discovered that oil had leaked onto the engine which caused her to lose over a quart of oil. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle would not be covered under warranty and was given an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000(Engine, Engine and Cooling) and that they could not offer any additional assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.”
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle spontaneously caught fire while parked unattended at 3 am. All the warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure, and the vehicle was undrivable. The contact had received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). There were no reported injuries, police report, or crash. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the scrap yard. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 265,000.”
“The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled and experienced a loss of automotive power, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the catalytic converter and the engine were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.”
Showing 6 of 45 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.