2013 Kia Soul Service and Repair Manual
Kia offered the 2013 Soul with two engine displacements and six trim levels, and this factory service and repair manual is matched to that exact year, engine and trim combination — every specification and tightening sequence in it is the one Kia published for this vehicle, not a near-enough figure carried over from an earlier or later Soul.
Engines covered
- 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door hatchback
Trims covered
- Base
- 2u
- 4u
- 4u Luxury
- Exclaim
- Plus
Known issues on the 2013 Soul. One recall is on federal record for this model year, part of a Kia campaign covering a range of models with the Soul among them. It is filed under service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control, and the consequence on record is that an engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Owners have filed 856 complaints for the year and 116 technical service bulletins have been issued.
The 1.6L and the 2.0L Soul do not share the same torque values, clearances and diagnostic routines, and what is here is what Kia published for the 2013 car.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with 1.6L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines. High exhaust gas temperatures may damage the catalytic converter, possibly resulting in abnormal engine combustion and damage to one or more of the engine's pistons and possible piston connecting rod failure.
Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A broken connecting rod may puncture the engine block allowing engine oil to escape. The leaking oil may contact the exhaust, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit logic to prevent overheating of the catalytic converter. In addition, the catalytic converter will also be replaced if it has been damaged. Depending on the extent of any damage, the engine may also be replaced, free of charge. The recall began April 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC176.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install industrial adhesive strips to secure the headliner plates, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION: CYLINDER PROTECTOR & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2311) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indi
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AND ENGINE INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (SC176Y) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are i
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: POSTCARD OWNER RENOTIFICATION (CS2311) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. Kia has developed a new zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder pro
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provid
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. Th
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. Th
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P1326 (PI2002Y/Z) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a
Showing the 8 most recent of 133 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
AIRBAG EXPLODED ON IMPACT WITH GAPING HOLES WITH HEAVY SMOKE COMING OUT WITH HOT HEAT CAUSING REDNESS TO MY CHEST AND REDNESS TO MY HANDS AND A BLOW TO MY WRIST THAT CAUSED FRACTURE TO MY LEFT WRIST. *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 I
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
AS I WAS DRIVING ACROSS, WITH A GREEN LIGHT, A SIX LANE (PLUS ADDITIONAL TURN LANES) CITY STREET AT PERHAPS 25 MPH, A DRIVER RUNNING HER RED LIGHT STRUCK MY VEHICLE BROAD SIDE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I DO NOT KNOW HER SPEED BUT CAN SAY THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE ROAD SHE WAS TRAVELING IS 40 MPH. THE REASON FOR THIS REPORT IS THAT THE IMPACT CAUSED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO SNAP OFF AND BECOME AN AIRBORNE MENACE. THE MIRROR GAVE ME A
I was involved in a car accident where a truck pulled out in front of me causing me to hit him in his side with the front passenger side of my car resulting in the car to roll two times. As a result of the airbags not deploying the windshield came into the car causing lacerations to the face of the passenger and as the car was rolling his right arm was out of the window causing him to have to have staples put in his arm and the skin on his hand was gone both driver and passenger had concussions
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES FROM THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, CAUSING METAL FRAGMENTS TO STRIKE THE CONTACT IN THE FACE AND ARM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER
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
I was driving doing about 30 mph and hit a boulder and came to complete stop and my air bags did not deploy. And there is another feature vogue or on star that is spouse to call for help did not go off either.
I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ABOUT 20 MPH. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER, I RECEIVED A HEAVY PUNCH IN MY CHEST AND STOMACH AREA. I YELLED, "WHAT IS GOING ON". I THEN NOTICED THE AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED AND EXPLODED CAUSING MULTIPLE BURNS AND BRUISES TO MY ARMS, CHEST, CLAVICLE AND STOMACH AREAS. I WAS A LITTLE DISORIENTED AFTER THIS BUT MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR. ONCE OUT OF THE CAR, I NOTICED I HAD REAR-ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AND THE DR
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 HOSPI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO AN INTERSECTION. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES TO THE HEAD, BRAIN, AND BODY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE V
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. 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.
On 1-16-25 I was involved in a vehicle crash in which the airbags "did not" deploy. The vehicle is at my home, the brakes locked also. I have photos. No inspection to my knowledge. Yet. Insurance claim was filed. I do not have a police report yet. No warning lights or sensors.
Showing the 15 most serious of 660 complaints filed with NHTSA.
