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.
2013 Kia Soul fuel system problems
30 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 105,000.
- owner complaints
- 30
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 105,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia Soul fuel system problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2013 Kia Soul owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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
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 owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Advance Auto, where it was diagnosed with EVAP system and gas cap failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that there could be an oil leak, but no oil leak was found. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost drive power and failed to drive uphill. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the catalytic converter was clogged up and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the mechanic performed an internal cleaning of the catalytic convertor. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced an increased oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
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: [XXX] 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 [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 contact owned a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. An odor of smoke began to emit into the cabin of the vehicle then smoke entered into the cabin of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact vision of the roadway was impaired due to the excessive smoke. As a result, the contact crashed into a curb where the vehicle came to a stop and she was able to exit the vehicle. The vehicle then caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a fire report. The origin of the fire was unknown. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. There were warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine rod bearings loose torque and piston break make a hole into block, I fix the engine but my cat converter failed
The first issue took place in September 2022 when someone tried to steal the catalytic converter off of my car, I took it in to be replaced. Shortly after I started having engine issues, the engine light start flashing numerous times over a few week span and I had taken it into the Waikem (now Diehl) dealership in Massillon, and first they thought it was the spark plugs and replaced those, then had the same issue less than a week later, and then said the engine seized up and needed replaced. I was without my car for a total of over two months altogether, because then after I had it replaced, I had the same issue again, a week later and it was the ignition coils that needed replaced. This was right before Christmas in December 2022. After about two months. I began having issues again. It was one EVAP issue after another with the check engine light on again many times. I took it in, had the purge valve replaced, then a month later, had another issue, and had the filters replaced, then a month later, another issue, this time the purge valve again. Then we thought we fixed it last week, but now same issue again. I have had NOTHING but issues with this vehicle since last year and I am very upset, because I have LOST all confidence in my vehicle. It is one issue after another. Now the fuel gauge is flashing that it is empty, even though I filled up my tank yesterday, this has been the same ongoing issue for three weeks now and no resolution, with the check engine light on. I just want a working vehicle. I have children. I NEED it to be safe and reliable.
Smoke from exhaust, randomly losing power, randomly struggling to start and accelerate
Questions about the 2013 Kia Soul fuel system
Does the 2013 Kia Soul have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 30 complaints about the fuel system of the 2013 Kia Soul, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2013 Kia Soul fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 105,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2013 Kia Soul fuel system?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Kia Soul have the most fuel system problems?
The Kia Soul model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2016 (85 complaints), 2015 (79 complaints) and 2014 (57 complaints).
Other 2013 Kia Soul problems
Engine 307Steering 155Brakes 100Electrical 73Airbags 18Acceleration 17Body 15Visibility 15Transmission 14Lights 10Suspension 9Driver assistance 6Seat belts 6Wheels 6Tires 5Seats 3Locks 1
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2013 Kia Soul?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history