CarBrief

The 2013 Kia Soul has 667 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and the engine group is the biggest at 306[1][2]. Three recalls cover the car, including one for engine damage on 1.6L engines and one for a fire risk in the brake control unit[3][4][5].

667owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
25–28MPG combined (EPA)[7]
4★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 667 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 22 mention a crash, 46 a fire and 25 an injury, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. Complaint counts are also not adjusted for sales.

Here are the largest component groups:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[2] 306 120,000
Steering[9] 153 70,000
Brakes[10] 99 72,000
Electrical system[11] 71 60,750
Unknown or other[12] 62 98,500
Fuel/propulsion system[13] 27 93,289
Air bags[14] 18 48,900
Speed control[15] 17 25,000

Engine. The engine group has 33 fire mentions[2]. In the sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe knocking or ticking, low oil or oil loss, and engine failure. Some of the engine complaints we read also describe disagreements with Kia over warranty coverage, and a couple describe a fire[2].

Steering. In the steering sample, owners describe lost or heavy power steering, often with a warning light, and noises from the steering column or wheel. A few describe a loose feel in the wheel[9].

Brakes. In the brake sample, owners describe a car that is slow to stop, a pedal that sinks or feels hard, and squealing or scraping. A few mention rotors or pads that wore or rusted early[10]. The brake group has 11 fire mentions[10].

Electrical system. In the electrical sample, owners describe a car that will not start or shuts down while driving, and radio or display faults[11].

Air bags. There are only 18 air bag complaints, but 14 mention a crash and all 18 mention an injury[14].

These themes come from a small sample of complaint texts, so they show what owners describe and not how common each problem is.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this car, newest first.

You can contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 about any of these recalls[3][4][5].

Fuel economy

EPA lists six versions of the 2013 Soul, all front-wheel drive and all on regular gas. Combined ratings run from 25 to 28 MPG[7][16][17][18][19][20].

Version City / Highway / Combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Optional: Soul Eco, 1.6L, Automatic 6-spd.[7] 26 / 31 / 28 $2,400
Soul, 1.6L, automatic 6-speed[16] 25 / 30 / 27 $2,500
Soul, 1.6L, manual 6-speed[17] 25 / 30 / 27 $2,500
Soul Eco, 2.0L, automatic 6-speed[18] 24 / 29 / 26 $2,600
Soul, 2.0L, automatic 6-speed[19] 23 / 28 / 25 $2,700
Soul, 2.0L, manual 6-speed[20] 24 / 29 / 26 $2,600

EPA's annual fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2013 Soul 4 stars overall[8]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, side crash is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 15.1%[8]. NHTSA lists these under the category "SUV FWD"[8].

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for this model year. The 1.6L 4-cylinder is rated 138 hp[21]. The 2.0L 4-cylinder is rated 164 hp[22].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

1.6L 2.0L
Length[23][24] 162 in 162 in
Width[23][24] 70 in 70 in
Height[23][24] 63 in 63 in
Wheelbase[23][24] 100 in 100 in
Curb weight[23][24] 2,690 lb 2,778 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

2010: 135 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 194 complaints, 3 recalls2012: 514 complaints, 3 recalls20122013: 667 complaints, 3 recalls66720132014: 904 complaints, 5 recalls20142015: 908 complaints, 7 recalls2016: 823 complaints, 5 recalls20162017: 290 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 222 complaints, 3 recalls20182019: 140 complaints, 3 recalls2020: 387 complaints, 1 recalls20202021: 238 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 94 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 54 complaints, 4 recalls2024: 30 complaints, 0 recalls20242025: 12 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Soul model year. The 2013 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20101353
20111943
20125143
20136673
20149045
20159087
20168235
20172903
20182223
20191403
20203871
20212382
2022941
2023544
2024300
2025120

NHTSA has complaints and recalls on file for every Soul model year from 2010 to 2025[6]. With 667 complaints, 2013 ranks fourth, behind 2015 (908), 2014 (904) and 2016 (823)[6]. It has more complaints than 2012 (514) and than every year from 2017 on[6].

For recalls, 2013 has 3[6]. That is fewer than 2014 (5), 2015 (7), 2016 (5) and 2023 (4), and the same as 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018 and 2019[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat these as a rough guide to how much owners reported.

Should you buy a used 2013 Soul?

This model year ranks fourth of the 16 Soul years for complaints, and the engine group stands out with 306 of the 667[1][2]. The 1.6L engine recall is the item to check first, because it covers possible engine damage and a fire risk[4]. Ask for proof that the recall work was done, and check the brake control unit and sunroof recalls too[3][5]. Crash ratings are 4 stars overall and Crash ratings are 4 stars overall[8] and fuel economy is 25 to 28 MPG combined, depending on version[7][19].. We cannot say from our data how reliable one particular car is, so a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN recall check are sensible.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Kia Soul?
In NHTSA's file the engine group has the most complaints at 306, followed by steering at 153 and brakes at 99[2][9][10]. These are unverified owner reports.
Does the 2013 Kia Soul have recalls?
Yes, three. They cover brake control unit fire risk (23V652), engine piston damage on 1.6L engines (19V120) and sunroof headliner plates (14V822)[3][4][5].
What MPG does a 2013 Kia Soul get?
EPA combined ratings run from 25 to 28 MPG depending on engine and transmission[7][19]. The Soul Eco 1.6L automatic is rated 28 combined[7].
Is the 2013 Kia Soul safe?
NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall, 4 frontal, 5 side and 4 rollover[8].
Is 2013 a good year for the Kia Soul?
It has 667 complaints, fewer than 2014, 2015 and 2016 but more than most other years, and 3 recalls[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 667 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Kia Soul (22 mention a crash, 46 a fire, 25 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 306 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 33 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 120,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 23V652, filed September 25, 2023: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V120, filed February 22, 2019: Engine. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 14V822, filed December 29, 2014: Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars. NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Kia Soul model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Soul Eco, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 15.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 153 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 99 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 11 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 71 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 62 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 8 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 27 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 93,289). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 18 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 17 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA rating for Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Soul, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Soul Eco, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 28 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Soul, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 29 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Kia Soul with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 138 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Kia Soul with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 164 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SOUL 1.6L: length 162 in, width 70 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,690 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SOUL 2.0L 2U/4U/4U LUXURY: length 162 in, width 70 in, height 63 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,778 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.