Quirky, cute, and a whole lot of fun, the 2013 Kia Soul offers big value in a reasonably-sized package. This subcompact crossover SUV comfortable seats up to five people, including the driver, and reliably gets everyone to their destination in style.
Although this little KIA is known for being dependable, recall notices and technical service bulletins, or TSBs, do crop up from time to time. Before adding this vehicle to your lineup, it is best to check out those notices to see what you can expect. Then, you can buy this model knowing which repairs you might need to handle in the future.
Recalls for the 2013 Soul
When major issues arise with any vehicle model, the carmaker must promptly send out notices to owners and technicians alike. These notices let the car owner know to take the vehicle down to the dealership for repairs right away. The technicians use the alerts to learn how to perform the right fix that keeps the vehicles safe and operational.
Kia only had to issue two recall alerts for the 2013 Soul since it rolled out onto the showroom floor. Here’s a look at what they entail.
Headliner Plate Detachment Risk
The Plus and Exclaim 2013 Soul trim levels both came with the option to put in a power sunroof with tilt. This awesome feature improves the airflow through the car and just plain looks good, too.
It just came with one little problem. The headliner plate was not firmly attached to the roof in all sunroof-equipped cars, often leading to disaster during a crash. As the side curtain airbag deploys, the loose headliner can break away and hit the occupants, potentially causing injury.
Thankfully, it does not take much to remedy the issue. Technicians just have to apply a few industrial-strength adhesive strips between the headliner plate and the roof. These strips keep it from budging, even when hit by the airbags in a moderate to severe collision.
Potential for Catalytic Converter Damage
The base model Kia Soul for 2013 came with the 1.6L four-cylinder engine that had plenty enough power for tooling around town. In fact, when paired with the manual transmission, it often feels downright spirited. For all that get up and go, this engine uses a relatively new direct injection system that feeds fuel straight into the combustion chamber.
At the end of the combustion cycle, the exhaust stroke sends hot air through the manifold and straight down into the catalytic converter. In this model, those gases make the catalytic converter much too hot, resulting in damage to the engine’s internal parts.
Everything from the pistons to the connecting rods could fail and cause the engine to seize. If that happens while driving, it could cause a collision and result in serious injuries. In addition, if the connecting rod punches through the engine block, it could leak oil onto the exhaust and start a fire.
Techs can prevent catastrophic failure of the engine by simply upgrading the Catalytic Overheating Protection Engine Control Unit. They also need to fully inspect the catalytic converter for damage and replace it if there is even a hint of a problem. During the visit, if techs note that the engine has suffered damage, it may qualify for replacement as well. The extent of the repairs will remain unclear until the tech can fully inspect the vehicle for faults.
Although the 2013 Kia Soul has been out for seven years as of 2020, recalls could occur at any time that the manufacturer notes defects in their build. For that reason, it is important to check back often to see if any have been added. Although you should receive a notice in the mail, the recall alerts do not always go out to the right person, especially if you bought the vehicle from a third party.
Technical Service Bulletins
Technical service bulletins address issues that commonly occur in that particular make and model. They often do not receive the attention that recalls receive since the problems do not pose immediate danger to the occupants.
Most vehicle owners do not even take notice of the TSBs unless those issues arise, and they are notified by their technician. You can stay on top of the notices, however, by looking them up at your convenience. This is especially important before buying a car, so you can see if its repair needs align with your expectations and budget.
The 2013 Kia Soul has a variety of TSBs regarding many of its systems, including the powertrain and electronics. Take a peek at the following to see the most notable ones for this model year.
Structure
Three structure-related issues came out in the years following the release of the 2013 Soul. The first discussed the development of a new tool designed to remove the hood release lever. This tool could pop the lever right out without causing damage to the pivot point, a common problem prior to its release. Each dealership received one of these tools for free, while many more were available through Snap-On. In addition to the announcement, the TSB covers how to use the tool as intended.
The next TSB for the structure of the Soul addressed its vulnerability to corrosion along the underbody. Without proper care, the corroded areas could eventually result in holes through the metal parts. The majority of vehicles affected were sold in the Salt Belt states, though it could happen anywhere.
Technicians across all states were instructed to perform a full inspection to assess the damage, then decide if the car needed cleaning and repairs. They could then move through the steps, starting with the removal of the splash shield. After that, they could begin cleaning the control arms and other underbody parts. While cleaning, they have to watch for signs of corrosion damage and suggest replacement of the affected parts.
Once all the rust scales and damaged parts are handled, techs must fully dry the underbody, then apply the cavity wax as instructed using the injection gun. After that, they can reinstall the splash shield and other parts removed at the beginning of the process.
The final structure TSB referred to the chrome finish on the interior door handles, which was prone to peeling away. Techs just had to inspect the handles, confirm the chrome finish was coming off, and replace them with new handles to remedy this simple issue.
Software Updates
Software update notices dominate the TSBs for the 2013 Kia Soul. When software-related issues come up, it is often easiest to fix the programming and roll out an update. Since dealerships cannot send out the updates remotely, they require you to bring the car back for its reflash.
Some of the most common updates on this model pertain to:
- Improperly functioning indicator lamps
- Installation of the knock sensor detection system
- Bluetooth connectivity issues
Technicians also received a notice about a new update tool that could make their jobs easier and prevent damage to the audio system during repairs. This tool, dubbed the audio update module, ended the use of vehicle-specific USB flash drives, which could get mixed up and brick the head unit. Instead, they can simply perform the updates through the tool, making sure the vehicle always receives the right programming for its build.
Engine
The majority of engine TSBs for the 2013 Soul educate techs as to what to expect from the direct injection engine. The fuel injectors, for example, are prone to developing deposits on their tips, as is common in indirect injection engines as well. The difference is that the deposits on the new style injectors do not change their spray pattern nor impede fuel delivery in any way. So, unlike those used for indirect injection, the fuel injectors should never be cleaned manually or with an ultrasonic device.
Another TSB lets techs know that many external engine parts should be swapped over when performing extensive repairs or replacing the powerplant altogether. The notice includes a list of parts that are easily cleaned and reused without worrying about faults, such as the injector retaining clips and O-rings.
Yet another TSB points out the potential to damage the oil control valve with downward pressure. The notice warns techs to avoid putting any weight on that area to keep the valve in good condition. Engine-related alerts continue in this manner, helping technicians understand how to keep the Soul’s powerplants in good working order.
Visibility
The 2013 Kia Soul has a neat defogging feature that uses machine logic to pick the perfect settings for the current conditions. The system automatically changes its climate control settings based on the temperature and humidity levels to keep the windows from fogging up. Drivers and passengers can change the setting on the fly if they want, but the climate control reverts back to its prior logic within 5 minutes afterward.
Since car owners were not always happy with that arrangement, Kia released a TSB to fix it if requested. Technicians could only disable the automatic system if requested by the customer since the windows fog up more often than not without it.
After performing the fix, techs are required to let the owners know that they need to keep the windows clean to prevent them from fogging up too much while driving. They must also inform them that the best way to defog windows is by using the air conditioner and setting it to use fresh air only for the time-being.
The Soul has a variety of other TSBs for everything from its steering system to camera equipment. When you bring your car into the shop, technicians will let you know if your complaint matches any TSBs and inform you of the suggested fixes.
You can also look up these notices on occasion since carmakers are required to make them public as they are released. This approach will keep you well-informed about any potential issues on the horizon. It’s also a good way to decide if you even want to buy a vehicle you are considering.
How to Find Out if Your Kia Soul Has Pending Recalls
Kia maintains a Safety Recall lookup tool on their site that allows you to see all notices posted since July 1, 1994. All you have to do is type in the complete vehicle identification number, or VIN, and press submit. The system will return any recalls the vehicle still needs plus provide a description as to what the repairs entail. You will need to schedule a visit to an authorized dealership to get the repairs done for free.
Dealerships handle technical service bulletins quite differently, however. They are not often addressed until the vehicle in question starts having the described issues. Only then can the technicians use the service info in the TSB to resolve the issue. Unlike recall repairs, you may need to pay out of pocket for the TSB service, especially if your car is not under warranty.
When looking to buy a 2013 Kia Soul or any other car, looking up recalls and TSBs can save you big time down the road. You can also check out the vehicle by performing a VIN or license plate search through Vehicle History. Your search will tell you the types of service to expect, if the car was involved in any accidents, and much more. With that, you can make a truly informed decision as to whether or not it makes sense to complete the purchase.
