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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 134 |
| 2011 | 193 |
| 2012 | 512 |
| 2013 | 657 |
| 2014 | 888 |
| 2015 | 891 |
| 2016 | 793 |
| 2017 | 268 |
| 2018 | 209 |
| 2019 | 131 |
| 2020 | 357 |
| 2021 | 220 |
| 2022 | 87 |
| 2023 | 48 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
17% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 32 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE, CAR ACCELERATED AND BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WENT OVER THE PARKING CURB ON TO WALKWAY, THE CORNER OF THE STORE STOPPED ME NO DAMAGE TO THE WALL, DAMAGE TO THE MY CAR. KIA SOUL, 2011 *TT
NHTSA ODI report, 20111025
15% of complaints: electrical system — 28 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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
13% of complaints: air bags — 25 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow 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
12% of complaints: engine — 24 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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
7% of complaints: service brakes — 13 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Non-crash Vehicle Fires
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
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, hydraulic issues (32 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (28 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.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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, hydraulic, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Soul have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.