Model year record

2013 Kia Soul

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 948 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 23V652000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Vehicles affected
1,730,192
Reported to NHTSA
2023-09-25
Owners notified
2024-03-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 19V120000

Engine

Component
Engine
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
378,967
Reported to NHTSA
2019-02-22
Owners notified
2019-04-17

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 14V822000

Structure: body: roof and pillars

Component
Structure: body: roof and pillars
Manufacturer
Kia Motors America
Vehicles affected
95,314
Reported to NHTSA
2014-12-29
Owners notified
2015-01-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine307117,000 mi
Steering16870,000 mi
Electrical system7257,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic72110,000 mi
Unknown or other6698,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling45140,000 mi
Service brakes3312,800 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3087,578 mi
Air bags1940,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1881,000 mi
Power train13150,000 mi
Structure: body1218,000 mi
Visibility/wiper125,000 mi
Exterior lighting1080,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor9136,000 mi
Suspension943,000 mi
Wheels726,616 mi
Seat belts634,400 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)495,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline4150,000 mi
Seats3150,000 mi
Structure31,000 mi
Tires326,616 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings2
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal28,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear223,195 mi
Child seat1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1185,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer1110,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring145,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: oil/lubrication1
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)157,800 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.164,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages16,400 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift125,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1160,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module1
Steering: column1120,000 mi
Structure: interior panels: door1150,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1
Tires: tread/belt122,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1214,000 mi

The 2012 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2014 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

AQ23002Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.