general problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Soul - part 1

Problem. Engine control unit, ecu allowed catalytic converter overheat. Engine knocking and stalling. Engine monitor light came on while driving the car when it began to knock and stall while driving it. Can cause piston to break and. Puncture the engine block, leaking oil into the hot exhaust and start a fire.

I was on vacation driving the vehicle when the engine caught fire. . There was kids in the car there was nothing wrong with the vehicle all of a sudden it just went boom and caught fire we were slowing down to get off the exit. I have no idea what all was effected I don't know much about cars to know what did or did not catch fire. .

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.

Rod went through the the back of the engine causing smoke and vehicle locked up.

On Feb. 11, 2026, while driving, the vehicle displayed a flashing check engine light and entered limp mode with major loss of power. A code reader recorded p1326. The vehicle was taken to an authorized kia dealership for diagnosis and repair. After the dealership returned the vehicle to me, the same problem happened again within about 30 miles. The last repair order listed 142,352 miles, and the vehicle re-entered limp mode by 142,382 miles. I captured video of the flashing check engine light and a code-reader screenshot showing p1326 as the last trouble code. The malfunction appears related to the engine/engine management system and the vehicle is available for inspection. The safety risk is sudden reduced power and limp-mode operation while driving, which can make it difficult to maintain normal traffic speed or safely continue in traffic. This creates a safety concern if the event happens in traffic, during a turn, or while crossing an intersection. The problem has been reproduced more than once. A kia dealership previously inspected the vehicle and returned it to me, but the problem recurred almost immediately after pickup. Kia corporate was notified in writing. The warning symptom was a flashing check engine light with limp mode. I am not continuing to drive the vehicle in this condition.

Engine knocking.

Put gas in it and out the blue would go pass 30 rpm we never had any issues with it I work on cars for a living I have spend over 3000 in new parts now I got it tow to firestone they telling me it’s something wrong with my engine cylinder two and four not getting any power they told me it was bad bargin or piston I don’t know how it happens because we kept the car up to maintenance.

I was driving home from work and got about 5 miles and I see smoke and pulled over. I had it towed to repair shop and they said they found a hole in my engine block and a broken connecting rod. They told me I should take it to kia as I only have 132,179 miles and that repair should be under warranty. I took it to kia and they denied the repair due to a class action lawsuit and I did not qualify for that as a recall was missed ksds update. I bought the car used in late 2019 and the last ower has since died. I was never notified of these updates.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 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.

I bought a kia Soul at 130k miles and by 140k or so it was dead. The engine started knocking and will no longer turn over. I did regular oil changes and usual maintenance. Within 2 days after knocking the engine refused to turn over. I was driving when it stopped working so at any time someone could have rear ended me and caused a traffic jam. The car was toed to a mechanic who said it was done for and if they needed the specifics they would have to tear down the engine. Not going to pay 600 to find out my engine is gone when I already know the engine is gone. No warnings light or messages prior to failure. My vehicle experienced catastrophic engine failure consistent with well-documented defects in kia gdi engines. Kia has acknowledged these defects through recalls, settlements, and extended warranties covering later model years. However, kia has refused repair or good-faith assistance for my vehicle solely because my VIN is excluded, despite the engine design being materially identical to covered models. I contacted kia corporate directly, provided my VIN, and was assigned a case number. Kia informed me that: - my VIN is not eligible for recall or settlement relief - no good-faith repair would be offered - denial was based on model year/VIN classification, not engine design or failure mode - I am not the original owner, which kia cited as an additional reason for denial why this is concerning: - the 2013 kia Soul was equipped with the same gdi engine architecture later acknowledged as defective - consumers are being denied relief based on administrative cutoffs rather than engineering reality - kia continues to avoid responsibility for early-year vehicles that suffer identical failures - the cost of engine replacement far exceeds the vehicle’s value, leaving consumers with unrecoverable losses I am requesting - review kia’s handling of known gdi engine defects - assess whether kia’s exclusion of certain vins constitutes an unfair.

On [xxx] jim ellis kia of kennesaw performed recall sc284 on my 2013 kia Soul (VIN: [xxx] ), replacing the hecu fuse. The next day, [xxx], the vehicle lost acceleration while driving, produced a muffled engine sound, and became barely able to move forward, creating an unsafe driving condition. At no point did the check engine light illuminate, even though the vehicle was experiencing severe drivability issues. Prior to the recall, kia’s own diagnostic (July 19, 2025) showed no catalytic converter or battery issues. An independent aaa diagnostic performed after the failure (July 21, 2025) ruled out pre-existing converter damage and linked the problem to the recall work. Despite this, the dealership denied responsibility and issued an unsupported estimate of $4,951. 41 for catalytic converter replacement. The absence of a check engine light raises concerns that the recall work may have compromised the vehicle’s obd-ii diagnostic system, preventing detection of a safety defect. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that damage occurred to the catalytic converter while the vehicle was in kia’s possession or as a direct result of the faulty installation of the recall fuse. This incident involves a safety risk, improper recall repair, and potential violation of federal recall law. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the adequacy of recall sc284 installation procedures and kia’s handling of this case. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

First, my engine and oil light went on. Second, there began a loud prominent engine knock. I had it serviced for an oil change and after the oil change, the knock persisted and my car began to stall. Third, I took it to midas for a diagnostic and they told me my engine is about to fail, that this is typical of kia Soul engines, they said there are metal pieces of broken pistons in my engine and that my car will soon break down and to "pray" it doesn't happen on the road. I then drove my kia Soul to secure a rental vehicle, but on the way my engine died in the middle of a busy intersection and I had just enough time to pull it to the bike path on the side of the road, passenger side still in the road. I then had it towed to a repair shop and paid for a second diagnostic, which aligned with the first diagnostic from midas. I then received a recall letter from kia manufacturer that my specific vehicle had a safety recall from the nhsta and to bring my car to the nearest kia dealership for immediate repair, free of cost to me, upto engine replacement. I had my kia Soul towed to kia of new port richey, florida and explained the recall letter. They have since done nothing in a week and said that I needed to have the first recall addressed to have this recall repair complete. Then, they said I needed to have my car registered to complete the repair. Then, they said I need to provide a maintenance record to complete this recall repair, and failure to do so will result in kia refusing to complete my engine repair, in accordance with their recall letter I received. Therefore, I contacted the nhsta.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer made the contact aware of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

Honor catalytic converter failure under manufacturer warranty which they refuse to honor after 90 days at the kia service center , and fail to replace the defective part.

My 2013 kia Soul 1. 6l is currently displaying a check engine light. My vehicle has very strong smelling exhaust, engine knocking, sluggish acceleration, and reduced fuel mileage. This has been going on for about a year. I have a diagnostic code reader and it returns the error code p0420, which indicates a faulty catalytic converter, which could cause engine damage. There is a recall for the catalytic converter for my year and engine type. I received a letter in the mail regarding this recall. The link to the letter: https://static. Nhtsa. Gov/odi/rcl/2019/rcrn-19v120-5117. Pdf however, when I enter my VIN at the kia owners portal this recall does not come up. I have contacted my local kia dealership (johnson city kia) and they act like they have no idea what I am talking about. I have called kia customer care center and they refused to help, saying that the recalls are "VIN specific". That's ridiculous. If the recall covers my year make and model then the VIN shouldn't mean crap.

The contact owns 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle started making abnormal loud sounds and lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact resumed driving; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to drive to the nearby residence; where the contact noticed that the oil level was low. The contact added oil to the vehicle and turned on the vehicle. The contact stated upon checking the oil level again, there was no oil left in the vehicle. The contact then inspected the ground, but there was no oil on the ground. The contact researched the failure online. The contact then inspected the exhaust pipe and noticed that the oil had leaked into the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under NHTSA campaign number: 19v120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling) because the failure was not related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and NHTSA campaign number: 19v120000 (engine and engine and engine cooling) however, the dealer was not going to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that when driving at approximately 30 mph the vehicle was vibrating and stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and had it towed to her residence. The contact had called her local dealer who advised her that she would need to pay for diagnostic tests run on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 188,028. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact's daughter owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine and the low oil pressure warning light were illuminated. The contact's daughter was able to drive to the contact's residence. Additionally, the contact stated while his daughter was driving 40-50 mph, the vehicle started shuddering, and the driver noticed smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The vehicle stalled. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had seized and needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA campaign number: 19v120000(engine, engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

Recall for catalic converter under manufactor warranty , they continue not to honor the recall on my vechile and the recall was on the catalic converter.

The contact owned a 2013 kia Soul. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 19v120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling) and NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The contact stated that while her son was driving at 60 mph, an abnormal sound was heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact's son was able to pull over to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated her son exited the vehicle and noticed flames were emitting from underneath the vehicle. A passerby pulled over and helped the contact's son move the vehicle. The vehicle extinguished itself. No injuries were reported. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that her son called her, and she and the contact's brother went to the site of the accident. The contact's brother checked underneath the vehicle and picked off the pieces that were on the ground. The contact's brother noticed that a rod had detached and gone through the motor, which created a hole in the motor. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the bearing rod detached and damaged the engine. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and tried to order a new engine. However, kia declined and advised the dealer not to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. Two months later, the contact sold the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The insurance company was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated that after driving the vehicle, thirty minutes later, the vehicle was parked in the driveway unattended and caught fire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was burned from the engine to the door panel. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or police report. The fire department extinguished the fire. The contact stated that the failure was due to NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000  (service brakes, hydraulic,). The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Gas peddle gets very touchy before incident. Rpms spike to 3-4k, unable to stop car. Brakes do not work. Brakes get very hard and high brake peddle. Have to put the car in neutral, pull over, turn car off, put in park. Let car sit for a few minutes. Start car, something must reset because car is back to normal. My regular mechanic was unable to resolve, therefore took to dealer. $3500 later, the car is currently at the dealer for the 4th time trying to resolve. Very dangerous due to the car acceleration and inability to stop!! has been happening for approx. 4 years. Started out happening once or twice per year, then increased to 4 times in one day. Did not happen for 5 months after brake booster was replaced in January 2024. Most recent incident 7-3-24.

I recently serviced my kia Soul 2013 in may and March 2024. Completing oil service, air filter replacement and new brakes and rotors. End of June, the car's engine light went on and there was a jump when idle. Took it to kia service center and they reported there is an internal failure in the top assembly with an unknown cause. The car is currently unsafe to drive and needs further diagnosis, which kia is refusing to complete. I was not notified of the recent recall issue with engire fire safety concern until the end of June 24.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was serviced for routine maintenance, the independent mechanic became aware of excessive oil consumption. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was not diagnosed since the contact refused to pay for the diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and was not under a recall for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

There is a history of engine failure. The check engine light does not remain on for a diagnostic to be completed. This has been going on for about a year. One day it would run then the next day the engine would fail. It is happening more frequently such as after filling up with gas, waiting at stop lights, reversing, and during driving. The vehicle now will not restart when the engine fails. After investigating the failure, I related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 19v120000 (engine, engine and engine cooling). Kia's number for this recall is sc176. The manufacturer was notified of the failure due to the local dealership not replacing the catalytic converter due to being “out of warranty”. A case was opened and I am awaiting a response from a caseworker. I have a code in the history: p0172 code, which stands for "fuel system too rich (bank 1)". What this means in plain language is that there's too much fuel being delivered to combustion chambers on bank 1, or not enough air. Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or in rare cases repurchasing the vehicle. However, that is not what I’m experiencing rather I am being dismissed and neglected even after the engine failed on the highway going 70mph with a semi-truck behind me nearly running over me. I then had to be towed to the dealership, which was expensive. I have spent thousands of dollars in attempts to repair/remedy this problem to only recently find out that there is a related recall. Kia's number for this recall is sc176. I refuse to drive this car as it is unreliable and unsafe. Also, the recall below has still not been repaired since the notice was received in 2023. Manufacturer recall number: sc284am NHTSA recall number: 23v652 recall status:”recall incomplete, remedy not yet available”.

The engine caught on fire. The car cut off while I was driving. It began to smoke and then I saw the flames. My safety was put at risk because I was driving the car. The car is burned from the front bumper to the backseat. The car has not been inspected because of how bad it is burned. There were not any warnings of the failure before it happened.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on another occasion, the vehicle started shuddering and jerking and almost stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a misfire and a failure in cylinder #4. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 23v652000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 142,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The car stared to lose all power and sputtering. Then the check engine light started coming on then it would go off. This has been going on for about 4 months. One day it would run on then next day not good at all. I changed the plugs and coils and it ran a lil better for about 2 days. Not every time I put it in reverse I started cutting out and now I don't the it can idle at all. It's a 4 cylinder feeling like a beefed up v8 trying to ideal. I looked at my coils and it looked like it had been on fire I have put every bit of money I could to try to fix it. I just had tires put on too. I pay for full coverage and a car payment. I pay aot for this car every month yet I can't drive it. I take care of my father that is terminal and on hospice, plus I'm disabled myself on a fixed income. This car is all I have and it my only car for my father as well. Help pleas.

The recall that was put out in September 2023 still has not been remedied as of March 28, 2024. I believe the remedy has not been fixed in a timely manner considering the direct dangers posed as a result of the hecu default. Six months without remedy, when the danger has existed since before then, is an egregious inaction on the part of kia to myself, the customer.

Check engine light threw a code for catalytic converter overheating. Kas dealer says not to worry unless light is flashing, which it's not. Engines have been known to be destroyed by the excessive heat from the converter.

The contact owns a 2013 kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the catalytic converters. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.

My complaint has to do with the current recall on my vehicle. It's not driveable as it's safety hazard - engine quits at stops no rpm's panel lights (abs, battery (brand new as mechanic I went to put on diagnostic machine and that's only thing that showed) oil light and malfunction indicator illuminate and then everything goes off including my headlights (I was driving early evening). Called local dealer (I never received notice but by chance looked up to see if any recalls and saw it on your website. They rudely said "you know as much as we do about when we'll get parts to repair recall". Clearly it's shorting out and I'm not going to endanger myself or others but what do I do? I've have a number of medical issues and am missing necessary appointments. How much longer is it expected before recall repairs can be made? I do thank you for all you do. I am grateful an entity exists that look out for us. Least I don't feel totally lost.

I'm already aware of the recalls on alot of vehicles including my 2013 kia Soul and am aware of a judges ruling on this. How can kia Soul play god with peoples lives? I already filed a claim but still not not getting any help until the end of April. I'm a single 63 year old woman who is at risk of getting hurt not to mention other people/and or other people close to my vehicle. This is just beyond wrong. I saved for 2 years to get a more dependable vehicles and now have to worry about an explosion. I already filed a claim but I'm scared. The radio has been funky since I got it last year. It's a used vehicle buy to me it looked new to me. I love it bur now afraid to even get in it but really don't have a choice since I'm 63 yrs and don't have anyone else to get help or have another vehicle to use. I depend solely on myself. I need help with getting another vehicle until all of this mess is taken care of. I have gas gauge issues, revinng up randomly, caution light staying on now and yesterday I had smoke coming out under the dash and then it just stopped while I was trying to pull off and call for help but it stopped so I came back home. The oil was changed right after I got it last year and I put new tires on it with the money I got from a junk yard in johnson city that came to get my 98 Ford escort that my church family helped for me after a very traumatic accident that killed my little senior rescue pommy, totaled my vehicle and I spent several days in icu. I live on a very strict monthly income and this has caused more anxiety and panic issues that I can't even get under control with breathing exercises, journaling and taking my fur baby for walks and am back on my regular meds. Please someone needs to help me or I'm just going to give up. Thank you trudy yates 423-930-5864 yates_trudy@comcast. Net 362 14th street NW norton va 24273.

Engine light is flashing rapidly on my car, I am unable to drive the vehicle due to safety reasons and the vehicle started slowing down then the wheel locked up and the car cut off while driving a short distance. There is a knocking and ticking sound coming from the engine. Took the car to kia dealership they said they couldnt fix the issue with the engine and gave me no solution. I had to pay for a rental car and do ride shares (lyft and uber) to get around because I was told by the dealership adviser that doesnt supply loaner cars or put you in a rental until you car is serviced for the recall. My car was at the kia dealership for two weeks. When I picked up my car I was told by the dealership adviser that the engine is going bad and it will not last very much longer in need to purchase a new one soon.