Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 661 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Kia Soul, and it carries 3 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 187 | 28% |
| Steering | 130 | 20% |
| Service brakes | 52 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 28 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 12 | 2% |
| Air bags | 12 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 M
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
Car caught fire while sitting in my driveway with no one in it for about 12 hours.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 illu
NHTSA complaint: Steering
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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 diag
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Vehicle is experiencing rod-knock and engine performance issues along with a P0420 code for the catalytic converter. After using a diagnostic tool to retrieve code, a recall was present for the existing code, that expla
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Engine failure while driving . A bolt broke off the Rod end cap and was freely moving in the engine causing a rod knock sound and seized the engine. Almost causing an accident on the heavily populated road. Metal debris
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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 disco
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 Kia Soul. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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 exha
Fix: 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
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.
Risk: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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 c
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
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 60 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 74 | good |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other wagons in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 661 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine is the most reported area with 187 of them (28%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 60/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.