A well-kept Kia Soul typically has 200,000 kilometers or more on it. The most recent models should last longer. In terms of longevity, the Kia Soul now competes with Honda and Toyota models.
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What issues do 2013 Kia Soul models have?
Kia Soul Recalls from 2013 The catalytic converter may become damaged by high exhaust gas temperatures, which could lead to irregular engine combustion, damage to one or more engine pistons, and even piston connecting rod failure. Consequence: Piston damage may cause an engine to stall, raising the likelihood of a collision.
Is the 2013 Kia Soul being recalled?
Certain Kia Soul vehicles with the model years 20102013 and the production dates of January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, are being recalled by Kia Motors America (Kia). During the curtain air bag’s deployment, a headliner plate can come off. Tip: Not all vehicles from the same year, make, and model are subject to recalls.
Do Kia Souls have many issues?
The Kia Soul dominated the market for more than ten years with its boxy appearance, which people either love or detest, good safety ratings, and a long list of standard amenities. Today, the Soul is among Kia’s best-selling vehicles and is still a serious competitor in the subcompact crossover SUV market.
Despite being a reliable small SUV, there have been several problems, complaints, and recalls across a number of model years. There are some Kia Soul years to stay away from when purchasing used.
The worst Kia Soul years to steer clear of due to reliability difficulties are listed below, along with the safest years for used purchasing.
Which Kia Soul Years to Avoid?
If at all possible, stay away from buying a secondhand Kia Soul from one of the following model years:
- Kia Soul 2012
- Kia Soul (2013)
- Kia Soul (2014)
- Kia Soul 2015
- Kia Soul 2016
Kia Soul
The 2012 Kia Soul should be avoided at all costs, according to the people from Car Reports, who cite 470 NHTSA complaints. Body integrity issues and flawed safety features were its principal shortcomings.
Clunking noises when turning are this Soul year’s most prevalent problem. Owners have mentioned hearing a clunking or popping sound when rotating the steering wheel. Additionally, some owners have heard loud rattles when driving on roads or hitting small bumps. Owners are perplexed that there hasn’t been a recall because this body integrity issue is so prevalent.
The 2012 Soul’s unlatched hood while driving is another potential issue. Although this is a rare problem, it poses a serious safety risk, particularly on roads or freeways.
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Kia Soul
Several owners of the 2013 Soul have suffered engine failure, which has been known to occur at roughly 85,000 miles or more. Some users reported hearing a banging sound emanating from the engine, while others just experienced an engine failure. The expected fix for this issue is to replace the engine, which will set you back a whooping $5,000.
A few owners reported that their Soul’s engine had started to make a ticking noise, which is less serious. The ticking noise, which may be anywhere from mildly bothersome to frighteningly loud, compels owners to visit their nearby Kia dealership. With an average repair cost of $4,100, we cannot recommend the Soul model year.
Kia Soul
The 2014 Kia Soul is the greatest loser in terms of complaints. The 2014 Soul is unquestionably one of the worst Kia Soul years to stay away from, receiving more than 900 complaints. Similar to the 2013 Kia Soul, the 2014 model similarly receives a pitiful 1 out of 5 stars from Consumer Reports.
One of the 2014 Soul’s most serious problems, according to a number of Consumer Reports owners, is engine failure. This issue appears to be connected to the oil pump in the Soul, which results in higher-than-normal oil consumption by the engine. One owner said that the car began requiring a quart of oil every 300 miles.
The 2014 Soul has a terrible comeback of the engine’s annoying ticking/knocking noise. The initial diagnosis by technicians is that this occurs at about 105k miles and is caused by low oil. However, the owners who are meticulous and keep up with their oil changes are the ones who complain the most.
Kia Soul
The 2015 Kia Soul is another vehicle you ought to stay away from, with more than 700 NHTSA complaints and four recalls to its name. The 2015 model of the Soul has numerous engine problems, just like the other problematic Souls on our list.
Engine failure is the issue that needs to be addressed first. Around 80k miles is the typical mileage at which this problem appears. Many customers have noted that the engine initially made knocking or ticking noises or began to burn more oil. The Soul’s engine finally just stopped working. You will be responsible for paying the estimated $4,620 cost of the engine rebuild or replacement if this occurs.
Excessive oil use is another area of concern. It seems that the engine guzzles oil like it’s nobody’s business when it’s not breaking down.
Check out our list of the top 10 most dependable used sedans available if you’re ready to start looking for a used automobile and reliability is important to you.
Kia Soul
The number one issue with the 2016 Soul, as measured by the severity scale, is a blown engine. According to several accounts, the 2016 Soul’s engine is prone to blowing up, particularly after 90k miles. This is not only dangerous, but an engine replacement will cost you almost $7,000 as well.
Additionally, Kia Soul owners complained that their car simply won’t start. Although there are indications that there may be a battery issue, most concerns are unrelated to this.
Common Kia Soul Problems
Although the Kia Soul is extremely reliable in every way, there are a few persistent issues that impact cars from a few years ago. Here are a few examples:
- spike in cruise control There are rumors that some Soul models have a surgey cruise control technology. Owners reported that when the SUV was in cruise control mode, it would suddenly accelerate and then slow down to a crawl. As of the time of writing, Kia has not yet addressed this potentially deadly problem.
- a ticking clock
- Although it’s not the most typical of Soul models, 2013 Soul owners find it extremely annoying. Hearing loud knocking or ticking noises emanating from the engine is not enjoyable. The Kia Soul has yet another problem with its engine.
- spinning while clicking
- The 2012 Soul’s clunking sounds when turning were a problem for owners. This is unquestionably a body integrity issue that Kia overlooked.
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Kia Soul
One of the most dependable Kia Soul generations was the second one ever produced. A adaptable, reasonably priced, and all-around useful compact SUV is the 2011 Soul. Car Complaints awarded the 2011 Soul a “Pretty Good” Seal of Approval for dependability, stating that it is “pleasant to drive, roomy, and trustworthy.”
Kia Soul
The 2018 Soul features a huge luggage area, a roomy interior, a nimble turbocharged engine, and top-notch reliability ratings. In fact, the 2018 Soul received a fantastic Quality & Reliability score from J.D. Power of 84 out of 100.
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul made a victorious comeback the following year with its 2019 year model. The 2019 Kia Soul received praise for its smooth ride, great utility, and respectable fuel efficiency. You may put your reliability concerns to rest because the 2019 Kia Soul received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
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Are Kia Souls a good investment?
Are Kia Soul SUVs Good? Yes, the Kia Soul is an excellent small SUV. Although it lacks the athleticism of competitors like the Mazda CX-30, the Soul’s small turning radius makes it simple to drive about town. Despite having a respectable base four-cylinder engine, this spirited SUV will accelerate more quickly with the upgraded turbo-four.
What are the most typical Kia Soul issues?
Principal Kia Soul issues
- Engine won’t turn on.
- Engine malfunction
- engine rattling
- Ticking sounds
- Turning With a Click.
When was the Kia Soul manufactured?
- 253,281 models from 2017 to 2019 Kia Souls built between July 25, 2016, and December 24, 2018
- 953 Model Years 2017 to 2019 Kia Soul EVs made between May 18, 2017, and September 28, 2018,
- From March 2, 2017, 108,693 Kia Fortes for the model years 2017 to 2018 were built.
- up to July 27, 2018
- 47,690 models from 2017 to 2019 Kia Sedonas built between July 12, 2016 and January 10, 2019
- On October 4, 2016, 2 (two!) 2017 Kia Forte Koups were produced.
Kia Recall Contact Information
Instructions on how and when to bring their Kia into a dealership should be sent to the owners of these vehicles by first class mail at the address on file. On March 21, 2022, letters are anticipated to be mailed. Call 1-800-333-4542 to reach Kia customer support. SC226 is the Kia recall number.
The ACU will be examined by dealers. A dealer will swap out the Airbag Control Unit for a “better” one if the airbag warning light is already on. If the light is not on, a software update will be applied that, according to Kia, will guarantee proper airbag deployment in the case of a collision.
Recall Reimbursement and Unaffected Cars
Kia asserts Sedonas produced in 2019 after January 10 come standard with an upgraded airbag control unit. Kia Fortes for the 2019 model year and new-generation Kia Souls for the 2020 model year both received a different component. According to the Defect Notice Report on the NHTSA website, “Kia will reimburse owners for repair charges previously paid pursuant to Kia’s General Reimbursement Plan submitted May 11, 2020.”
According to Kia and NHTSA, there have been no crashes that have been associated with problems with the airbag systems on the impacted Kia models to far. However, 947 warranty claims and 13 customer complaints have been made in relation to the flaw.
Why do Kia engines malfunction?
Nearly 485,000 Hyundai and Kia owners in the United States are being advised to park their vehicles outside because they still risk catching fire even when the engines are off.
The two Korean automakers’ recalls are the latest in a lengthy line of fire and engine failure issues that have plagued the businesses for the last six years.
This time, contamination in the antilock brake control module is the issue, which may result in an electrical short. This raises the possibility of a fire occurring while the cars are being driven or parked.
Affected models include some Kia Sportage SUVs from 2014 to 2016 as well as the K900 sedan from 2016 to 2018. Certain Santa Fe SUVs from 2016 to 2018, Santa Fe Sports from 2017 to 2018, the 2019 Santa Fe XL, and Tucson SUVs from 2014 and 2015 are among the Hyundai models that have been recalled.
According to documents published on Tuesday by American safety officials, owners should park the cars outside and away from buildings while repairs are being completed.
The safety of Kia Souls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also performed its own collision tests on the Kia Soul for Carson buyers. See the NHTSA’s safety ratings for the Kia Soul below, which place it once again at the top of its category: The overall rating is 4. Four stars for a frontal crash.
Is a Kia Soul a good vehicle for older drivers?
The impartial review magazine chose the elements it considered were most important for senior drivers when determining its ranking.
These qualities comprised:
- Front Seat Entry
- Visibility
- Controls
- Headlights
Consumer Reports also believed that these vehicles needed to have more sophisticated capabilities to make it easier for elderly drivers to maneuver around securely.
Standard and optional features taken into account:
- Reverse Camera
- Emergency braking on demand
- Warning for Imminent Collision
- Blind Spot Information
How do Kia Souls handle the winter weather?
When fitted with snow tires, the Kia Soul can manage snow pretty well. The Soul has front-wheel drive, which, when combined with the engine’s weight distributed over the wheels, results in good traction. The Soul is a good option for winter driving thanks to a number of comfort and safety features.