Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2013 Kia Soul
NHTSA data on file today
The 2013 Kia Soul has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 668 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #23V652000 HECU May Cause Engine Compartment Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V120000 Overheated Catalytic Converter May Damage Engine NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V822000 Headliner Plate Detachment NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 286 complaints
- Steering 154 complaints
- Electrical System 71 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 68 complaints
- Unknown or Other 62 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 45 complaints
Of the 668 complaints on file, 22 report a crash and 46 a fire; across all 668 complaints, owners report 25 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $9,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2013 Kia Soul shows a below-average reliability profile due to multiple complaints about the engine, steering, and electrical systems. The vehicle has three recall campaigns, highlighting serious issues such as engine and brake problems. Despite the high number of engine-related complaints, limited evidence on other components means some issues may be less widespread.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 70,000–110,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | very common |
| steering system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $400–$1,500 | common |
| electrical system | 50,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter changes
- tire rotation
- brake fluid replacement
- coolant flush
- transmission fluid change
- battery inspection and replacement
- spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- engine misfires or knocking
- steering wheel looseness
- unusual electrical issues
- excessive brake noise
- unresponsive acceleration
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2013 Kia Soul at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.