MYRModel Year Report

2011 Kia Soul

● Typical for this model
2011 Kia Soul
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:46:04.589Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Kia Soul Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 2010: 135 complaints 2010 2011: 193 complaints 2011 2012: 514 complaints 2012 2013: 661 complaints 2014: 895 complaints 2014 2015: 897 complaints 2016: 807 complaints 2016 2017: 271 complaints 2018: 218 complaints 2018 2019: 135 complaints 2020: 376 complaints 2020 2021: 231 complaints 2022: 88 complaints 2022 2023: 50 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2024 2025: 12 complaints 2025
2011: 193 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2010135
2011193
2012514
2013661
2014895
2015897
2016807
2017271
2018218
2019135
2020376
2021231
202288
202350
202429
202512

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 23%

23% of complaints: service brakes — 45 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20241127

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn.

CRASH FIRE
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, 20120515

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, 20111128

AIR BAGS 13%

13% of complaints: air bags — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show 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, 20240826

Driving 36 mph and got hit in drive side and the airbags didn't deploy

NHTSA ODI report, 20231225

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, 20180323

ENGINE 12%

12% of complaints: engine — 24 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show 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, 20180618

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

POWER TRAIN 7%

7% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing driveline.

INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20130419 — exterior lighting

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 2010

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. Owners

Campaign 13V114000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150129 — structure

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.

Campaign 14V822000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20180821 — DP (closed 20190510)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20190329 — PE (closed 20211222)

Non-crash Vehicle Fires

I 20231117 — AQ (open)

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

R 20240329 — service brakes, hydraulic

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.

Campaign 23V652000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Kia Soul — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V114000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V822000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2019

WORST YEARS

■ 2015 ■ 2014 ■ 2016

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.