2011 Kia Soul
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 194 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 16 Soul model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 27 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 29 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideSep 25, 2023
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 Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Campaign 23V652000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsDec 29, 2014
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.
A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
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. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
Campaign 14V822000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchApr 1, 2013
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 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 Rondo and Sportage, model year 2007-2011 Sorento, model year 2007 Sedona, model year 2010-2011 Soul, and model year 2011 Optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
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 may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Campaign 13V114000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
28 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 1, 2012
AIR CONDITIONER I ACTUALLY FOUND THIS OUT BY ACCIDENT. I BOUGHT A PORTABLE EXPLOSIVE GAS DETECTOR FROM MENARDS (MODEL NUMBER: 240PGD) MAINLY FOR MY SISTER WHO LIVES IN A TRAILER PARK AND HAS BECOME SEVERELY ILL FROM A SEWER GAS SMELL IN THE COURT. JUST BEFORE I LEFT FOR MY SISTER'S PLACE, I THOUGHT I WOULD TRY OUT THIS GAS DETECTOR IN THE CABIN OF MY CAR NEAR THE A/C VENT. I LOOKED AT THE SPECS FOR THIS EXPLOSIVE GAS DETECTOR AND THE TEMPERATURES WERE WITHIN TESTING RANGE. THE EXPLOSIVE GAS DETECTOR SHOWED HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF EXPLOSIVE GAS BY BEEPING AND SHOWING A RED LED. I TESTED SEVERAL TIMES AT DIFFERENT TEMPS WITH THE A/C ON AND RECEIVED RED LED LIGHTS AND WARNING BEEPS. WHILE IT DID NOT SPECIFY WHICH EXPLOSIVE GAS,THIS DETECTOR DETECTS ACETYLENE, BUTANE, METHANE (NATURAL GAS) AND PROPANE. I DID LOOK UP AIR CONDITIONER REFRIGERANT AND FOUND THAT CARS IN THE US MAY USE A BUTANE/PROPANE MIXTURE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN GETTING HEADACHES WITH INCREASING INTENSITY AND WONDER IF THIS IS WHY. I'M GLAD THAT WE ARE NOT SMOKERS OR WE WOULD HAVE BLOWN UP OR BEEN BLOW TORCHED BY THE A/C. THE DETECTOR DID NOT DETECT EXPLOSIVE GAS WHEN I TOOK IT BACK INTO MY HOUSE AS A REFERENCE. *TR
Engine, May 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTER IN THE ENGINE CAUSED A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE POORLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 9, 2012, fire
THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE WIND SHIELD EXPLODED. EVERYTHING MELTED DOWN AND CAR IS TOTALED. THIS INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY AN INTERIOR MALFUNCTION WITH THE CAR. WOULD LIKE KIA TO REPLACE THIS CAR WITH A NEW CAR BECAUSE THIS WAS A NEW CAR THAT I PURCHASED THROUGH KIA. *TR