2013 Kia Soul: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · TX

While driving my 2013 Kia Soul 1.6L GDI on the highway, the vehicle suddenly lost significant engine power and the Check Engine Light began flashing. The sudden loss of power at highway speed created a safety concern because I could no longer maintain normal highway speed with surrounding traffic. I exited the highway and drove home at reduced speed while the Check Engine Light continued flashing. Christian Brothers Automotive inspected the vehicle. Their diagnostic scan identified a pending P1326 code. The technician rechecked the knock sensor that had previously been replaced in July 2026 and confirmed that the sensor was functioning properly. After the engine reached operating temperature, the technician heard an abnormal internal engine knocking noise. Further testing determined that the noise was originating inside the engine, and Christian Brothers concluded that the engine requires replacement. The vehicle was subsequently taken to an authorized Kia dealership in Rosenberg, Texas and has been available for inspection. Kia declined engine replacement because the vehicle exceeds the mileage limit of its extended engine warranty. Kia also denied my request for goodwill assistance. Prior to this failure, the vehicle had experienced a knock-sensor-related issue that was repaired in July 2026. At the time of the highway incident, the significant symptoms were sudden loss of power and a continuously flashing Check Engine Light. I am concerned that the P1326 code, internal engine knock, flashing Check Engine Light and sudden loss of power may be associated with a connecting-rod-bearing/KSDS-related engine failure. I am reporting this because the sudden loss of engine power occurred while traveling at highway speed and could have resulted in a collision.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Steering · 80,000 miles · CA

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 illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

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 explained the exact symptoms my car is experiencing. I have had the car since 2021 and have not received any notification regarding a recall for the engine; it was only after I ran a diagnostic check where I found out there was a past recall for the engine and catalytic converter (SC176). I called KIA customer service, and they explained that the vehicle did not receive the recall, however they could still not uphold the recall work because the vehicle is outside the warranty for the recall (Vehicle Odometer reads 150088), approximately 90 miles over warranty. Only indicator light that illuminated was the check engine light. The recall says the vehicle could overheat and is at risk of a fire hazard. I was not notified of any engine recall for the vehicle since I have owned the vehicle, and I am worried that my daily commuter will present a fire risk.

Filed May 31, 2026 · Engine · CA

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 is present in oil pan . Piston is damaged as well.

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Engine · FL

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

Filed Feb 2, 2026 · Engine · UT

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

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Engine · VA

Engine knocking

Filed Sep 18, 2025 · Steering · GA

The steering wheel has a knocking in it. KIA has issued TSB CHA074 for the problem, the deterioration of the MDPS Flexible Steering Coupler. The bulletin covers my 2013 KIA Soul. It's annoying and sounds dangerous.

Filed Jul 21, 2025 · Engine · 180,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from under the hood before the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was previously taken to a local independent mechanic, and it was determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel injector needed to be replaced due to a misfire in cylinder #2. The vehicle was repaired out of pocket. The vehicle was also taken to a local AutoZone, where it was determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2025 · Engine · FL

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.

Filed May 21, 2025 · Engine · 125,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound coming from the engine while driving at various speeds and while the vehicle was idling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer refused to replace the engine because the previous owner had not received an undisclosed service related to the KSDS completed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that if the catalytic converter was damaged, the engine should be replaced. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 8, 2025 · Steering · PA

Steering wheel is making a knocking sound when I turn left or right.