2011 Kia Soul Problems, Recalls & Reliability
270 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2011 Kia Soul, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 29/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 79,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2011 sits among all Soul years
What owners report
“My problem is that the brake lights do not go out when the car is off, and they are constantly on while driving.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Soul
“The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Soul
“Speed control - the speed control did not disengage on numerous occaisions, when the brake was gently applied or tapped, speed control did not disengage and the speed actually increased. The vehicle is currently with the dealer. We were able to demonstrate replicate the problem with the service…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Soul
“I have had this recall(SC284) since September 25, 2023 of this year. Also I have called multiple places to have it repaired and I’ve gotten the run around. They have been so rude! Also now the check engine light has come on the dash so now I’m getting even more worried about the recall situation.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Soul
“Air bags did not deploy during collision. Seat belt tensioner front passenger side did not engage.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Soul
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 179 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 55,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 20,000 and 108,500 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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…
Fix: 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…
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.
Fix: 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…
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 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009…
Fix: 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.…
Federal defect investigations
Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units…
Led to recall campaign 20V088000.
Led to recall campaign 18V907000.
Technical service bulletins
66 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and steering — are on file for the 2011 Kia Soul. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2011 Kia Soul reliable?
The 2011 Kia Soul drew 270 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 29/100, scored against the model's worst year (2015).
What are the most common 2011 Kia Soul problems?
The top reported problems for the 2011 Kia Soul are electrical (45 complaints), brakes & stability (45), and other (33).
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Soul problems show up?
Owners most often report 2011 Kia Soul problems around 55,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 20,000 and 108,500 miles.
Does the 2011 Kia Soul have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2011 Kia Soul. At least one carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning — check your VIN before driving.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.