BRAKE SWITCH FAILED. MY BRAKE LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKED AND POWER STEERING WAS DISABLED, MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE. COULD NOT GET CAR OUT OF "PARK" WITHOUT USING OVERRIDE BUTTON. CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO KIA DEALER. THIS SWITCH HAS BEEN RECALLED ON 1.6 MILLION KIA'S BUT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED BUT SHOULD BE ADDED. NOT SURE HOW LONG I WAS DRIVING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS WORKING. I'M GLAD I NEVER USE MY CRUISE CONTROL AS PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDDLE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION. *TR
2013 Kia Soul complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2013 record →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT MALFUNCTIONED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
I HAVE OWNED 2 KIA SOULS (A 2011 AND NOW A 2013 EACH BOUGHT NEW) AND HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY UNTIL RECENTLY, JUNE THIS YEAR 2016, WHEN CHECKING THE LOW AIR PRESSURE IN REAR TIRES. THE TIRE STORE INFORMED ME THAT BOTH TIRES WERE "EXTREMELY OLD," "UNSAFE" "2007 TIRES!" BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE DANGER TO ME OR OTHERS, WHILE CONTINUING TO DRIVE ON THESE TIRES WHICH WERE SOLD TO ME ON MY 2013 BY THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE BOTH WITH NEW TIRES BY THE TIRE STORE, WHICH I DID IMMEDIATELY. GIVEN MY REGULAR TUNE UPS AT THE DEALER WHERE THEY NOTED THEY "ROTATED TIRES" EACH TIME, I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE AGE OF THE TIRES. I AM FORTUNATE THAT NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE UNADVISABLE AND POSSIBLE FRAUDULENT PRACTICES ON THE PART OF ED VOYLES KIA ON COBB PKWY IN SMYRNA GA. I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS TO INVESTIGATE AND COME TO SOME RESOLUTION. I APPRECIATE THE PRODUCT, HOPE TO HEAR THIS MATTER IS RESOLVED TO MY SATISFACTION SO THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO DRIVE AND RECOMMEND KIA WITH GREAT CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE. (THE LOW AIR PRESSURE WAS NOTED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK ON A REGULAR BASIS, 45 MILES EACH WAY IN HEAVY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC)
MY STEERING WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON TWICE AND I HAVE COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER STEERING. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT'S NOT A COVERED REPAIR BUT IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND MAKES THE CAR A DANGER TO DRIVE
CRUISE CONTROL HAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. ALSO HAS RANDOM TURN OFFS. ALSO THE WAY IT TURNS ON IN CANNOT SLOW DOWN DURING TURN ON UNLESS YOU PRESS THE SLOW (SET - ) BUTTON A SECOND TIME. DIFFERENT THAN AMERICAN. DANGEROUS. SOMETIMES CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES WITH THE RESUME BUTTON, SOMETIMES NOT. SUSPENSION: DURING A TURN ON HIGHWAY AT 45 MI HOUR CAR HOPS OVER WHEN YOU HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP. MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. NEVER HAD A CAR IN 40 YEARS THAT DID THIS. LIGHTING: AUTOMATIC LIGHTS TURN OFF, AND CHANGE POSITION FUNCTION DUE TO POOR DESIGN ON TIP OF BLINKER STICK. RESULTS IN LIGHTS NOT COMING ON AT DUSK WHEN EXPECTED. STEERING: DOES NOT HOLD A STRAIGHT LINE ON A WINDY DAY ON FLAT HIGHWAY ROADS. SAME ROAD 15 YEAR OLD 100K MILE CAR WE TRADED IN WAS FINE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. ENGINE: SHAKES TERRIBLE AT AT IDLE WHETHER IN PARK, NEUTRAL, DRIVE OR WITH OR WITHOUT A/C ON. NO MATTER. TRANSMISSION: GRINDING NOISE TURNING LEFT LOUDER THAN RIGHT. TOLD DEALR ALL THESE THINGS, THEY DENIED IT AND WOULDN'T FIX. HUGE BANG AS CAR SLOWS DOWN WHEN TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS. LURCHES FORWARD AS YOU TRY TO STOP, MAKING YOU PASS YOUR EXPECTED STOP POINT. GAS MILEAGE LOW: 26 OR SO, OLD CAR HAD 120 HP MORE AND GOT 31MPG ON HIGHWAY AND WAS 700 POUNDS HEAVIER. DEALER HAD ALREADY REMOVED STICKER BEFORE WE PICKED UP CAR. ONGOING.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS TOO SLOW ON FASTEST SPEED. OLD CAR HAD FASTER WIPERS. SEAT BELTS HARD TO CLICK AND UNCLICK, VERY AWKWARD ACCESS TO SEATBELT BUCKLE. BRAKES: USER FORCE TOO HARD, VERY FATIGUING. WHEN ENGINE STARTS INITIAL IDLE SPEED CONTROL NOT SMOOTH GOES UP AND DOWN YET COMPUTER DOES NOT LOG AN ERROR. THIS IS MORE THAN 50 RPM. AMERICAN CAR WOULD PROBABLY LOG ERROR IF CAR DID THAT. CAUSES CAR TO LURCH UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN CP662 TIRES, SIZE: P195/65R15. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE; HOWEVER, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT A WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE BELT FAILED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
I HAD 3 PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT BUT THE CENTER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED FROM THE START. THIS DIDNT CHANGE REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY TIMES IT WAS ATTEMPTED. IT HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER BECAUSE I COMPLAINED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN I HAVE 3 PEOPLE IN THE BACK SEAT. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD A SMALL GRADUAL DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. DEALER DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. LATER I HAD THE ALIGNMENT DONE BY SOMEONE ELSE. THEY SHOWED ME BOTH FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES COULD NOT BE ALIGNED TO TRUE. THEY SAID THE FRONT WILL BE FIXED BY NEW STRUT BUT BACK IS A STRAIGHT AXLE THAT CANT BE ALIGNED. THE CAR ALWAYS DRIFTED RIGHT AND STILL DOES. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM THE DEALER WITH 10 MILES ON IT
THE CAR CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT CAUSE AND EXPLODED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN A CAR COMING THE OTHER DIRECTION FLAGGED US DOWN BECAUSE FLAMES WERE SHOOTING OUT FROM UNDER THE CAR. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CAR OVER FLAMES WERE ENTERING IN THE CABIN AND IT WAS FILLED WITH BLACK SMOKE. THE BRAKES AND ELECTRICAL HAD FAILED SO IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP THE CAR. IT EXPLODED 2 MINUTES AFTER WE WERE ABLE TO VACATE THE VEHICLE.
VERY SOON AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, WE DROVE TO CA. DURING THE DRIVE, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I WOULD SLOW TO TURN (LIKE INTO A DRIVE OR PARKING LOT) THE CAR WOULD ACT LIKE IT HAD A VAPOR LOCK- STARVED FOR FUEL. I WOULD PUMP THE GAS A COUPLE OF TIMES AND THE CAR WOULD RESPOND (SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY). THIS WAS AT LESS THAN 6K MILES. AFTER TRIPS TO THE DEALER, WHO RODE ALONG WITH ME AND KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT FOR THE MANAGER TO DRIVE, THEY RETURNED IT SAYING THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE MY ISSUE. SO, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. TWO SUCH COMPLAINTS AND I'M 30K MILES FURTHER ALONG WITH THE ISSUE STILL PRESENT. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. IN ADDITION, THE NAVIGATION FUNCTIONED IMPROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,800.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES AND EACH TIME, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK MORE THAN ONCE AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANEUVER THE PEDAL AGGRESSIVELY TO GET THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO RELEASE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
MY 2013 SOUL PLUS GETS EXHAUST INTO CABIN ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. THE REAR MUFFLER OR CONVERTER DIRECTS THE EXHAUST STRAIGHT DOWN, NO TAIL PIPE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW.
THE POWER STEERING GEAR LOCKS UP RANDOMLY. IT MAKES A CLUCKING SOUND AND CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. KIA DEALERSHIP WORKED ON THE STEERING GEAR WITH ONLY 8000 MILES ON IT. IT APPEARED THAT THE GLAND NUT BACKED ITS WAY OFF THE SHAFT WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL CONNECTS TO THE GEAR. THE CAR NOW HAS 12,000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. WHEN THIS FAILS THE STEERING CAN DETACH FROM THE STEERING GEAR LOOSING ALL ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR. I NOTICED THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED CASE AND THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALL 2013 KIA SOULS ON THE INTERNET. BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. IF THE STEERING HAD LOCKED UP ON A LANE CHANGE IT MAY HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT.....UPDATED 12/07/15 *BF; 4/27/18*JB *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH DURING SNOW WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE AND SHUTTING THE DRIVER DOOR, THE REAR GLASS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR GLASS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,195.
FOR 5 MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A THUMPING NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING 2 COMPLETE REVOLUTIONS IE: WHEN PARKING OR TRUNING INTO A DRIVE THRU LANE AND JUST 3 DAYS AGO MY STEERING WHEEL SEEMS LIKE IT JUMPED A NOTCH AND ALTHOUGH ITS STILL DRIVING STRAIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL HAS CHANGED POSITION ABOUT 5 TO 7 DEGREES TO THE LEFT...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BY ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING NORTH AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH. DRIVER VEERED RIGHT ACCIDENTLY AND WENT OFF ASPHALT SURFACE INTO DITCH. VEHICLE ROLLED END OVER END TWICE AND LANDED UPRIGHT FACING SOUTH ON THIRD ROLLOVER. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS. VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED ON BOTH SIDES OF FRONT, TOP WAS CRUSHED IN, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BENT INTO WHEEL WELL, WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED AND CAVED IN. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HOOD. DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL. THE MAJOR COMPLAINT WAS THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY TO PROTECT DRIVER. VEHICLE ENGINEERS FROM KIA MOTORS NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED IN A ROLLOVER BECAUSE CAR WAS NOT EQUIPPED THAT WAY. HE REPORTED THAT THE AIR BAGS IN FRONT WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN A FRONT IMPACT, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IN A SIDE IMPACT. THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS AND NOT REPAIRABLE.
BOUGHT THE KIA SOUL NEW IN AUGUST 2012. SINCE NOVEMBER 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 30K MILES THE CAR HAS DEVELOPED A SUDDEN PRONOUNCED HARD DOWNSHIFT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. IT'S AS THOUGH THE BRAKE WERE ABRUPTLY APPLIED. THIS HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROBLEM SINCE THEN BEING WORSE IN COLD WEATHER AND MADE DRIVING THE CAR A SAFETY CONCERN. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE KIA WESTSIDE DEALER IN KATY TEXAS THREE TIMES THUS FAR. FIRST TIME THEY DEALERSHIP CHECKED BRAKES ONLY DESPITE BEING TOLD IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS SUDDEN HARD DOWNSHIFTING; THEY DID NOT TEST DRIVE THE CAR. WE WERE TOLD ONLY THE BRAKES WERE CHECKED AND ARE GOOD. SECOND TIME THE SAME SERVICE DEPARTMENT TEST DROVE THE CAR EARLY IN MORNING AND EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN HARD DOWNSHIFT AND AGREED THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED; CANNOT CONFIRM, WILL ASSUME THEY DID. THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINED ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGE. THE CAR WENT BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A THIRD TRY A MONTH LATER. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THEN CONTACTED THE KIA TECHNICAL SUPPORT DEPARTMENT; THE DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AS IT IS DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED. THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME HAD ANOTHER 2023 KIA SOUL IN WITH SAME PROBLEM AND CHECKING INTERNET FOUND OTHER OWNERS OF KIA'S WITH SAME COMPLAINT. THE SAFETY IN DRIVING THE CAR IS A CONCERN NOW WITH A MIND THAT IT WILL GET WORSE AND PERHAPS LATER CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
VEHICLE SKITTERS AND FISHTAILS WHEN GOING OVER 40 MPH ON BUMPY ROADS, ESPECIALLY CURVES. THE ESC SEEMS TO CORRECT THE SKITTERING IMMEDIATELY, BUT IT IS QUITE SCARY. SO FAR, THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY ON DRY PAVEMENT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN ON WET OR ICY PAVEMENT.
THE CAR WENT IN FOR IT'S FIRST YEARLY INSPECTION AND THE KIA DEALER SAID THE BACK ROTORS WERE RUSTY AND WANTED TO CHARGE 110 DOLLARS TO CLEAN THEM. THEY EVENTUALLY CLEANED THEM UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE BACK ROTORS WERE RUSTY BECAUSE THE BACK BRAKES NEVER WORKED SINCE IT WAS NEW. NOW SINCE THE BACK BRAKES NEVER WORKED THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES NEED REPLACED AT 26,000 MILES AND KIA WON'T ASSUME ANY OF THE COST AS THEY ARE SAYING THAT IS NORMAL. THE CAR HAS BEEN VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE SINCE IT WAS NEW WITHOUT BACK BRAKES AND THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THAT DURING THE FIRST INSPECTION.
AFTER BUCKLING THE SEAT BELT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND GOING DOWN THE ROAD IF YOU TRY TO LEAN FORWARD ONE FINDS THAT THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT PERMIT ANY MOVEMENT YOU HAVE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT AND THEN RETURN IT TO ITS PARKED POSITION AND THEN PULL IT BACK OUT AGAIN. ONCE THAT HAS BEEN DONE YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD OR PULL ON THE BELT ONLY ONCE BEFORE IT LOCKS UP AGAIN. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE WHEN THE SEAT BELT DOES THIS BECAUSE I FEEL THAT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ONE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT IF THERE WAS A LOT OF TENSION ON THE BELT FROM ITS OWN TIGHTENING. ONE SHOULD BE FREE TO LEAN FORWARD TO OPEN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT OR TURN TO ATTEND TO MATTERS IN THE BACK SEATS. I HAVE ACTUALLY SIMULATED A SCENARIO WHERE THERE WAS EXTREME TENSION ON THE BELT FROM PUSHING BACK IN MY SEAT AND TIGHTENING THE BELT BY PUSHING THE BELT BACK UP OVER MY SHOULDER AND WHEN I TRIED TO RELEASE THE BELT IT WAS SO HARD TO PRESS THE RELEASE BUTTON THAT I HAD TO ASK MY WIFE TO GET A RUBBER MALLET AND A LONG SCREWDRIVER SO THAT I COULD HIT THE RELEASE BUTTON WITH THE SCREW DRIVER AGAINST THE RELEASE BUTTON. IT FINALLY DI DISENGAGE. I TOLD MY WIFE TO GO TO THE DEALER AND TELL THEM TO FIX IT AND SHE WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE NOW HAVE A2015 KIA SOUL AND THE SEAT BELTS DO THE SAME THING. THE ONLY ADVANTAGE WITH THE 2015 IS THAT THE SEATS ARE WIDER AND AS SUCH ITS NOT TO HARD TO GET THE SCREWDRIVER AGAINST THE RELEASE BUTTON TO DISENGAGE THE SEAT BELT. I FIND
AS I STARTED THE VEHICLE IN THE MORNING I HEARD WHAT SEEM TO BE BELT NOISES. AS I DROVE TO WORK, THE NOISES INCREASED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CAR WAS SHAKING AND DECELERATED. WHEN I ARRIVED AT MY WORKPLACE 5 MILES LATER, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE PAST 2-5 MPH. I CALLED THE KIA SERVICE AND CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER STATED ENGINE IS NO LONGER USABLE, BUT SO FAR REFUSED TO FIX BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE PROOF OF OIL CHANGES BY A DEALER. *TR
IN THE FRONT RANGE OF COLORADO WE FREQUENTLY GET SEVERAL INCHES OF WET, HEAVY SNOW IN THE FALL, WINTER AND SPRING. WE HAVE TO PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE A GARAGE AT HOME AND AT WORK. WE ALWAYS COMPLETELY CLEAR SNOW FROM ALL GLASS SURFACES AND CHECK THE OPERATION OF THE WIPERS BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR. WE BOUGHT AN EXPENSIVE TELESCOPING COMBINATION SCRAPER, BRUSH AND SQUEEGEE DESIGNED FOR CMVS TO CLEAR AS MUCH SNOW AS WE CAN REACH AND SEE FROM THE WHITE PAINTED ROOF OF THE CAR BEFORE DRIVING IT. AFTER THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WARMS UP IT APPEARS TO LOOSEN THE BOND BETWEEN THE ROOF OF THE CAR AND ANY RESIDUAL OR NEWLY ACCUMULATED SNOW. NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN UNDER NORMAL BRAKING SNOW HAS SLID FORWARD OFF THE ROOF ON TO THE WINDSHIELD OBSCURING ALL FORWARD VISIBILITY AND INSTANTLY CREATING A SEVERE COLLISION SAFETY HAZARD. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ACTIVATED TO CLEAR THE SNOW THE WIPER MOTORS ARE TOO WEAK TO MOVE THE SNOW REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO BLINDLY BRAKE TO A STOP UNABLE TO SEE WELL ENOUGH EVEN TO STEER THE CAR OUT OF THE LANE OF TRAFFIC TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. THIS HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AGO AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A BUSY INTERSECTION IN SLICK SNOWY ROAD CONDITIONS DURING EVENING RUSH HOUR. AFTER COMING TO A STOP WITHOUT HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER MY FIVE FOOT, TWO INCH TALL 68 YEAR OLD WIFE HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AND MANUALLY REMOVE(FOR THE SECOND TIME) SNOW FROM THE WINDSHIELD WHILE BEING SUBJECTED TO HONKING HORNS AND ONE-FINGERED SALUT
I TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR STATE EMISSION & INSPECTION. UPON TESTING, THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS, THEY WERE MISSING PCS. I WAS TOLD THAT I "FAILED TESTING" BECAUSE OF THIS AND WAS NOT ABLE TO TAKE POSSESSION OF MY VEHICLE OR DRIVE AWAY FROM THE SHOP, IN THE CURRENT CONDITION, AS IT WAS UNSAFE AND AGAINST THE STATE LAW. I HAD TO COMPLETE ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS AT THAT TIME. I HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER WITH KIA) AS I HAD NO CHOICE TO DRIVE IT TO THE KIA DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I ASKED THE MECHANIC IF HE HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF DEFECTS ON OTHER SOUL VEHICLES AND HIS REPLY WAS YES, ALL THE TIME. *TR
WHEN I STOP SUDDENLY THERE IS A TERRIBLE SOUND IN MY FRONT RIGHT BRAKE, AND THE PEDAL GOT STUCK AND HARD, CANNOT STOP THE CAR COMPLETELY. I FEEL MINE AND OTHERS LIFE ARE ON RISK DRIVING THIS SPECIFIC CAR, SOMETHING IT'S TERRIBLE WRONG FOR THE FIST TIME THAT I START DRIVING THIS KIA SOUL 2013, BRAND NEW. PLEASE, I REALLY NEED YOUR HELP, I DO NOT FEEL SAFETY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE BATTERY WAS CHARGED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. UPDATED 5/4/15*CN UPDATED 11/10/2015*JS
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR KIA SOUL ON JAN.29. TO DATE (2/22/15) I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REACH THEM BY PHONE OR E-MAIL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE CALLED EVERY DAY. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE WHATSOEVER TO ANY OF MY CALLS OR E-MAILS. WHAT DO I DO TO GET SERVICE FOR THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION IN MY CAR?. I HAVE SEVERAL LONG TRIPS PLANNED IN THE NEAR FUTURE & WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS FIXED BEFORE I LEAVE. PLEASE RESPOND WITH SOME HELPFUL INFO AS I AM AT MY WITS END. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V822000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR YOU TURN THE KEY AND IT DOES NOT TURN OVER. YOU HEAR A CLICK, ALL LIGHTS ON DASH LIGHT AND RADIO PLAYS BUT THE CAR DOESN'T START. SOMETIMES YOU CAN TURN THE KEY UP TO 10 TIMES BEFORE IT STARTS. HAPPENS 2-3 TIMES A WEEK SPORADICALLY. THE CAR DOES EVENTUALLY START. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR ALSO LOCKS BY ITSELF AT TIMES WHEN YOU SHUT THE DOOR. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND FOR 17 DAYS, THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND VIDEOED IT ON JAN 5 AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO THEN KEPT CAR FOR 14 DAYS AND SAID THEY HAD OVER 150 STARTS AND THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR AGAIN AND AN TECH WILL BRING PORTABLE EQUIPMENT TO THE CAR AND TEST IT THEN. DEALER HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD IN TRYING TO FIND CAUSE. *TR
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A 2001 JEEP CHEROKEE WHICH TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME AS I TRAVELED IN THE STRAIGHT LANE. MY SPEED WAS APPROXIMATELY 40MPH. THE ENTIRE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE IS CAVED IN, BUT NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. BOTH OF THE AIRBAGS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE DEPLOYED. *TR
VEHICLE WAS HIT IN RIGHT REAR CORNER BY ANOTHER CAR. SENT VEHICLE INTO A SPIN WHERE IT WAS HIT IN THE FRONT RIGHT BY MILITARY TRUCK, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPIN UNTIL IT CAME TO A REST ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY...UPDATED 12/03/14 *BF UPDATED 5/11/2015 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN. AS A RESULT, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AS THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,336.
SUBMISSION FROM RE NHTSA SAFETY COMPLAINT ON KIA SOUL 2013 *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT. THE WHEEL AND RIM WERE BENT. THE DEALER STATED, THE CONSUMER MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER DISPUTED THAT NOTION, STATING THERE WAS A RECALL ON CADENZA WHEELS, AS THEY WERE PRONE TO CRACKING, IF A POTHOLE WAS HIT. *JB
I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE WITH THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED, THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP FOR A HANDFUL OF SECONDS UNTIL IF FINALLY STOPPED JUST IN BACK OF BUT NOT TOUCHING A BMW IN FRONT OF US. WE BOTH HEARD A SCRAPING/PULSING SOUND COMING FROM THE BRAKES AS THE PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED BUT THE CAR WAS STILL GOING FORWARD. HAD THE CAR NOT STOPPED JUST SHORT OF THE CAR AHEAD I FEAR ME AND MY SON WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I SAW A SIMILAR COMPLAINT ON CARCOMPLAINTS.COM WHICH INDICATED THIS WAS ALSO A NHTSA COMPLAINT. THIS CAR HAS SIMILAR MILEAGE (12800) AND WAS A 2013 KIA SOUL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELTS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, HEAD, BACK AND LEGS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST, BACK AND LEGS. THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.
SUDDEN DECELERATION QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY LOSS OF ALL ELECTRICAL POWER INCLUDING STEERING, BRAKES, COMPLETE ENGINE SHUT-OFF AND DASH INSTRUMENTATION. DEALER FOUND "NO PROBLEM" AND DID NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE IGNITION SWITCH OR ANYTHING ELSE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WENT INTO MY TURN I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING FUNCTION WAS HARD. THE STEERING WHEEL AND STABILITY/ TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON MY PLANNED ROUTE TO WORK. DUE TO THE HOLIDAY THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT OPEN TODAY AND THE VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED TO BE DEPENDABLE IS PROVING TO BE NO LONGER THAT. *TR
2013 KIA SOUL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO PROBLEMS ON THE DASH BOARD INVOLVING THE LIGHT INDICATOR FOR THE HEAD LIGHTS AND PARKING LIGHTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW, HIS HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ON. HE DISCOVERED THE INDICATOR DISPLAYED THE SAME PICTURE FOR THE PARKING LIGHTS AND THE HEADLIGHTS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND TIME, AS HE ENTERED HIS PARKING SPOT, IT BECAME OBVIOUS THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ON, YET THE DASH BOARD INDICATED THERE WERE.
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING SCRAPING NOISES WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. MY MECHANIC ASSUMED IT WAS THE FRONT BRAKES ALTHOUGH IT ONLY HAS 14K MILES ON IT. THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE FINE BUT THE BACK ROTORS HAVE GROOVES THROUGH THEM AND THE BRAKES THEMSELVES ARE MOTTLED LOOKING. CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MECHANICAL PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE DEALER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO SAID #1-HE COULD NOT HEAR THE SCRAPING AND #2-THE BRAKES ARE FINE WITH PLENTY OF WEAR LEFT ON THEM. WHEN I QUESTIONED WHY THE BACK ROTORS WOULD WEAR BEFORE THE FRONT AND WHY THEY WOULD BE WORN AT ALL WITH ONLY 14K HE HAD NO ANSWER. SINCE THERE WAS ENOUGH WEAR REMAINING ON THE REAR ROTORS THERE WAS NO ACTION REQUIRED BY THEM. MASTER CYLINDER? E-BRAKE? *TR
I BOUGHT A KIA SOUL 2013 USED WITH 12,400 MILES ON IT SATURDAY MAY 31, 2014. WEDNESDAY JUNE 4, 2014 I WAS TAPPING ON MY BRAKES TO STOP FOR A LIGHT WHEN I HEARD A CLICKING SOUND NOT VERY LOUD BUT A CLICK. THE KIA SOUL DID NOT STOP. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES A LITTLE HARDER MY CAR DID NOT STOP FOR ANOTHER FOOT OR TWO. THANK GOD THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR I WOULD HAVE HIT THE OTHER CAR FOR CERTAIN. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. THE KIA SOUL IS ALSO PULLING TO THE RIGHT I TOOK THE CAR IN TUESDAY JUNE 3, 2014 HAD THE CHECK OUT WAS TOLD THE ALIGNMENT WAS GOOD THE REASON FOR PULLING WAS BECAUSE EACH TIRE HAD DIFFERENT PRESSURE, WAS TOLD THAT ALL TIRES WERE THE NOW THE SAME PRESSURE. DRIVING THE CAR TO WORK TODAY THE KIA SOUL AGAIN STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. I AM ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM FINDING OUT TO REGISTER THAT I BOUGHT A USED KIA SOUL 2013 THAT STILL IS UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. I DID NOT BUT THE KIA SOUL FROM A KIA DEALERSHIP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED CREATING AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND THE BRAKES APPEARED TO BE SKIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED ON. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK WITHOUT THE CONTACT PUSHING THE GEAR RELEASE BUTTON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY VEERED LEFT AND RIGHT AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GUIDE RAIL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, AND WRIST INJURIES, A BROKEN FINGER, AND MINOR BRUISING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN, WITHOUT ANY PROVACATION, THE TWO TIRES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BLEW OUT THE SIDEWALL. HOLE WAS THE SIZE OF A 50 CENT PIECE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON MARCH 26, 2014. WE WERE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BLEW OUT THE SIDEWALL AGAIN. MILEAGE WAS 36,646. *TR
I WAS SECOND IN LINE AT A STOP SIGN AND WAS HIT BY 2006 FORD F150 TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH IN THE DRIVERS FRONT QUARTER PANEL. THE ONLY 2 AIRBAGS THAT DEPLOYED WERE THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE 2 IN THE PILLARS COMING DOWN ALONG THE WINDSHIELD DID NOT DEPLOY, NEITHER DID THE ONES ON THE DOOR. *TR
OUR 2013 KIA SOUL ONLY HAS ONE MANUAL DOOR LOCK WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER DOOR. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING, THE KEY BECOMES EXTREMELY HARD TO TURN OR WON'T TURN AT ALL. IF THE KEY BREAKS WHILE SOMEONE IS ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR, THERE IS NO OTHER LOCK TO ALLOW THE PERSON TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WITH A SECOND KEY. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR WHICH I HAVE KNOWN TO ONLY HAVE ONE MEANS OF UNLOCKING THE DOORS TO THE VEHICLE, THAT IS, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK. THE CAR SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE AT LEAST TWO LOCKS SO THAT IF ONE PERSON BREAKS THE KEY WHILE TRYING TO OPEN THE LOCK IN FREEZING CONDITIONS A RELATIVE CAN USE A SECOND LOCK AND SPARE KEY TO OPEN THE OTHER LOCK. *TR
CAR HAS PROBLEMS PLAYING MP3S IN WHICH I HAVE USED AUDACITY TO SPLIT UP INTO MULTIPLE TRACKS. THERE IS FREQUENTLY CRACKING/POPPING SOUNDS FROM THE AUDIO, AND WHEN TURNING ON THE CAR (AFTER HAVING LISTENED TO SAID MP3S ON THE PREVIOUS TRIP), SOMETIMES THE RADIO DISPLAY SCREEN IS BLACK. NO BUTTONS WILL TURN IT ON. IT'S COMPLETELY DEAD. I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS ONLY HAPPENS WITH FILES THAT I'VE HAD RUN THROUGH AUDACITY AND SPLIT UP INTO SEPARATE TRACKS. *TR
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2013 Kia Soul → · Every Soul year → · How the figures are calculated →