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: other or unspecified
21 reports, newest first. Show all
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 7, 2024
While driving my car just started accelerating in traffic and I couldn’t get it to stop even while hitting brakes trying not to hit another vehicle. Fortunately found a way to pull to side of road and throw in park and it was still revving up and didn’t stop til I turned off car completely. So terrifying. Now I’m [XXX] trying figure out how I’m going to get back home in this dangerous vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Other or unspecified, Apr 28, 2024
Got their recall letter, parked the car. It came up for inspection last December 2023. No inspection station would inspect it due to the fire hazard. It has sat since, not on the road. It runs and drives fine in my driveway. Now I've had no vehicle since December. I'd like it fixed. Or have them just buy it back off me.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2024
Even though Kia recalled my vehicle because of possible fire risk, they do not arrange the remedy in a timely manner. The recall is open since September and I have to park my car outside, and have to drive it with fire risk. My complaint is for “delay of remedy”
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, May 14, 2023
Brake lamps and park light issues. Wiring harness seems to be overheating causing lamps to keep blowing. No park lights working at all so it seems to be a electrical issue.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 15, 2023
After getting fuel, the car stalls immediately. I have to push the gas petal and give it several pushes to get it to go. Sometimes it stalls while driving. It will turn off randomly especially after pressing the break pedal. It turns off, and all the warning lights turn on. Then it totally turns off all sources of power to it. Bluetooth microphone has not worked since I got it with 30 miles on it. Now it has 136,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2020
CAR WAS IDLE FOR ONLY 3 DAYS BATTERY WAS ONLY 12 30 DAYS OLD CAR WONT START NOT MATTER LIGHT WERE ON, RADIO WOULD PLAY AIR WOULD COME ON. CAR COULD BLOW HORN AND ALL, CAR JUST WOULD GET GAS OR ANYTHING AT ALL. CALL MY TOW HE JUMP HER AND BOOM SHE START RIGHT AWAY. WENT TO JOHNSON AUTOMATIVE ON CALDER AND HE DID HER RUN SHE WAS FINE SAID WAS BATTERY BUT I DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING ON IN VECHIL ALL SHE WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY PER HURRICANE LAURA NO FILTER NOITHING SHOWED UP AT ALL BUT BATTERY BUT SHE ONLY JUST BOUGHT BATTERY LAST YEAR SO HMM
Other or unspecified, May 11, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT JUST CUT OFF ON ME. NO WARNING SIGNS, NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH, ALL GUAGES WERE FINE. I TOWED IT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY I EXAMINED IT TO SEE WHY IT DID THAT. I NOTICED THE WATER PUMP LEAKING SO I CHANGED THAT WITH THE TIMING BELT AND THERMOSTAT BUT IT KEPT OVER HEATING. I HAD A PRESSURE CHECK AND AIR POCKET CHECK AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK FINE. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE AND NOTHING IS SHOWING UP. WHAT IF I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND IT DID THIS?
Other or unspecified, May 7, 2019
MY HORN INTERMITTENTLY WORKS - THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ON BLOGS MANY OTHERS REPORT THE SAME ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2019
SO I PARKED MY VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE SHUT MY CAR OFF. I GOT OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND SHUT MY GARAGE DOOR. I TOOK GARBAGE BAGS OUT TO MY SHED AND RETURNED TO THE GARAGE SAT DOWN ON CHAIR TO TAKE OFF MY BOOTS AND I HEARD LOUD GLASS SHATTER SOUND. I LOOKED AROUND AND NOTICED MY REAR WINDOW WAS BLOWN OUT! I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. NO CAUSE OTHER THEN POSSIBLE REAR DEFROST ISSUE. WHICH I HAD THEM ON PRIOR TO PARKING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2019
INTERMITTENT HORN. SOMETIMES IT WORKS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. IN DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED? THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE! DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS SITTING, DRIVING, TURNING, ANYTHING. THE HORN ONLY SEEMS TO WORK WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. VERY DANGEROUS!
Other or unspecified, Mar 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE AT ABOUT 70 MILES AN HOUR SHE. IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLANKING NOISE. THEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THE CAR IMMEDIACY MADE A LOUD POP, LIKE A GUN SHOT AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I WAS STRANDED FOR AWHILE. I DID GET A TOW TO A MECHANIC WHO LOOKED AT THE CAR AND SAID THE MOTOR WAS BLOWN. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET MY CAR FIXED IN FLORIDA SO I BROUGHT IT BACK TO GEORGIA WHERE I RESIDE. A MECHANIC IN VWRGIA CURRENTLY HAS THE CAR AND AGREES THE MOTOR IS BLOWN. HE REMOVED THE OIL PAN AND THE CAR DOES HAVE OIL. BELIEF IS THAT THE OIL PUMP FAILED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS HAD NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AT ALL AND I HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS CAR SINCE PURCHASE IN 2011. AWFULLY STRANGE THAT THE 2012 MODELS ARE UNDER RECALL WITH THE SAME ENGINE SIZE BUT NOT THE 2011. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON FEBRUARY 21. 2019.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2018
A COUPLE YEARS AGO, THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HAD ISSUES OPENING AFTER BEING UNLOCKED. THIS WAS FRUSTRATING, BUT NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, THE DOOR HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING A COUPLE TIMES. THIS SAME ISSUE WAS RECALLED IN THE KIA SORENTO AT THE END OF 2017 FOR THE SAME REPORTED ISSUE AND THE SAME PART REPLACEMENT. KIA HAS TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO FIX THE ISSUE AS MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SORENTO RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. THIS WAS NOT A MAJOR ISSUE UNTIL THE DOOR STARTED OPENEING WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY KIA AND FIXED IN ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2018
SUNROOF IS NOT USABLE AS IT COMES OFF OF THE TRACKS. UNABLE TO CLOSE TIGHT ENOUGH DUE TO DAMAGE WHICH PROMOTES LEAKING.
Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2018
I WAS CHECKING MY VIN AND IT SAYS IT HAS BEEN RECALLED BUT WE HAVE NO INFORMATION FROM THE KIA DEALER ABOUT IT WE HAVE THIS CAR FOR OVER 2 YEARS NOW AND STILL WE HAVE NO NEWS ABOUT THIS RECALL FROM KIA DEALER
Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 9, 2017
THE CAR WON'T START AFTER PUTTING GAS IN SEVERAL TIMES . AFTER 3 TRIES AND AROUND 10-14 MINUTES IT WILL START. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE REGARDING THIS HAOOENEDIJF TO KIA SOULS .
Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2017
HELP! THE HORN IN MY KIA SOUL DOESN'T WORK, BUT IT IS INTERMITTENT. SOMETIMES IT WORKS AND SOME TIMES IT DOESN'T. I NOTICED THE PROBLEM JUST RECENTLY, BUT I THINK ITS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR LONGER. WHEN I USE THE KEYLESS ENTRY FOB TO LOCK THE VEHICLE, THE FIRST CLICK LOCKS IT, AND THE 2ND CLICK SOUNDS THE HORN. SOMETIMES THE 2ND CLICK DOESN'T CAUSE THE HORN TO BEEP AND THIS IS WHEN I'VE NOTICED THE HORN NOT WORKING WHEN I USE IT MANUALLY IN THE VEHICLE. BUT OVER TIME, IT STARTS WORKING AGAIN. ITS MAKING ME NERVOUS THAT THE HORN COULD NOT WORK WHEN I NEED IT THE MOST. I'VE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY'VE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT IF ONE GOOGLES THE INTERNET THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF FORUMS AND VIDEOS OF KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2016
I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 KIA SOUL ON A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN, AT ABOUT 8:30 AM, THE SUNROOF SUDDENLY SHATTERED. I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND FELT AND SAW GLASS COMING DOWN ON AND AROUND ME. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY. I FELT VERY STARTLED AND SHAKY, BUT WAS PHYSICALLY UNHARMED. I GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND FOUND THAT SUNROOF BOWED UPWARD AT THE CRACK. NOTHING STRUCK MY VEHICLE, ON THE SUNROOF, OR ANYWHERE ELSE. DRIVING AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD. IT WAS A CLEAR AND MILD MORNING WITH A TEMPERATURE OF 56 DEGREES. UPON RESEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS DOCUMENTED FROM OTHER DRIVERS OF KIA SOULS, OTHER KIA MODELS, AND OTHER CARMAKERS WITH SPONTANEOUSLY "EXPLODING SUNROOFS."
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2016
WHEN IT RAINS THE FLOORBOARDS FILL WITH WATER (LITERAL PUDDLE) FRONT AND BACK, MAINLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER, I DID NOT NOTICE THE ISSUE UNTIL AFTER THE MILEAGE WARRANTY HAD SLIGHTLY EXPIRED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER ONCE I NOTICED THE ISSUE AND THEY OF COURSE WANTED $$$ TO EVEN LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. IN RESEARCHING FOR A RESOLUTION ON THE INTERNET THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE MAIN CONCERN IS HEALTH SAFETY AND POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT CAN RESULT FROM SO MUCH INTERIOR WETTING. I HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN (BILL BYRD KIA PANAMA CITY FL) TO ASK IF THERE WAS ANY NEW INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND SPOKE WITH AND ALLAN AND A CHRIS AT THE SITE AND WAS HUNG UP ON BY BOTH INDIVIDUALS.
Power train, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Sep 18, 2015
A BAD BEARING, CAUSED AIR PRESSURE IN LEFT TIRE TO INFLATE TO A DANGEROUS PSI, THAT COULD BLOW TIRE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT HIGH SPEED AND DEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING USED TO DRIVE 525 MILES, FROM DALLAS TO KANSAS CITY, MO. DRIVING CONDITIONS WERE DRY, WITH 85 DEG OUTSIDE TEMP. AFTER DRIVING 200 MILES, THE LEFT TIRE HEATED UP TO A DANGEROUS 45PSI, CAUSING THE TIRE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. WE STOPPED TO CHECK TIRE AND AIR PRESSURE, FOUND DANGEROUS PSI AND RELEASED AIR TO SAFE 32PSI. AFTER 150 MILES, THE LEFT TIRE AGAIN RE-INFLATED TO DANGEROUS 44PSI AGAIN. WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO WALMART, REPLACED TWO FRONT TIRES, THINKING IT WAS A WORN LEFT TIRE, BUT TIRE WAS GRADED AT A #4, HALF WEAR. BOTH NEW TIRES WERE AT PROPER INFLATION. AFTER 175 MILES, LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, DRIVING ON TURNPIKE, AT 65MPH. AIR PSI WAS 46PSI ON THE LEFT TIRE, AGAIN. WE REMOVED 14 PDS OF AIR AND DROVE 50 MILES HOME. AFTER TAKING IT TO A CERTIFIED KIA SERVICE GARAGE, THEY SAID IT WAS THE BEARING AND REPLACED THE LEFT BEARING, AT NO CHARGE, SAYING IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT NOR WAS THE BEARING DAMAGED IN ANY SERVICE REPAIR PROCESS, INDICATING ONLY REASON FOR FAILURE OF BEARING AS POOR MANUFACTURING AND/OR INSTALLATION. BEARING IS EITHER MADE WITH INFERIOR MATERIAL OR NOT PROPERLY LUBED/PACKED.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 16, 2012
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 TECHNICIAN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HORN - DOES NOT ACTIVATE SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE WARMED UP. WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE TO DEALER STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ACTIVATES AND DOES NOT TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY
Equipment, Other or unspecified, May 10, 2011
SINCE PURCHASING MY KIA SOUL ON FEB.28, 2011 I HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD TWICE! YES, IT WAS HIT BUT SMALL STONES BOTH TIMES, BUT ONE WOULD THINK THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD WITHSTAND SUCH IMPACT. ANY MINOR THING THAT HITS THE WINDSHIELD APPEARS TO BE LEAVING BIG PATHS OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING DAMAGE. TO ME, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR