2011 Kia Soul
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 193
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 3
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2011
Opened by NHTSA
23% of complaints
Complaints per year
2011: 193 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 135 |
| 2011 | 193 |
| 2012 | 516 |
| 2013 | 665 |
| 2014 | 901 |
| 2015 | 901 |
| 2016 | 817 |
| 2017 | 272 |
| 2018 | 220 |
| 2019 | 139 |
| 2020 | 385 |
| 2021 | 239 |
| 2022 | 93 |
| 2023 | 54 |
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2025 | 12 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
23% · 45 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked overnight on his driveway, caught on fire, and exploded in the early morning. The fire started from the engine bay. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-11-27
Electrical system
17% · 32 reportsMost commonly citing horn.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the driver was driving 5 MPH when she crashed into another vehicle. The driver exited the vehicle and the vehicle engulfed in flames.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-15
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and allowing the engine to warm, she heard a loud noise and noticed that the vehicle was on fire. The police and fire department arrived and a report was filed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2011-11-28
Air bags
13% · 25 reportsShow complaint excerpts
The contact owned a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 63 MPH, an object hit the vehicle's front, driver-side tire which caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-26
Driving 36 mph and got hit in drive side and the airbags didn't deploy
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-25
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Kia Soul. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-23
Engine
12% · 24 reportsShow complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. While the contact was exiting the vehicle in the driveway, there was an explosion and the vehicle caught on fire without warning. There were no injuries. The contact used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-18
Also filed under Fuel/propulsion system
Power train
7% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing driveline.
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2013-04-19Exterior lighting13V114000 Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year…
Remedy: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge.…
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2015-01-29Structure14V822000 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.
Remedy: 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.
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2018-08-21Defect petitionClosed 2019-05-10 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
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2019-03-29Preliminary evaluationClosed 2021-12-22 Non-crash Vehicle Fires
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2023-11-17Audit queryOpen Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
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2024-03-29Service brakes, hydraulic23V652000 Kia America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2011 Kia Soul — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 45 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 32 reports on file for this year.
- Air bags: 25 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13V114000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 14V822000 · Structure
- Recall 23V652000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2011 Kia Soul reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Kia Soul is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Soul?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Soul have?
- 3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.