2011 Kia Soul Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Kia Soul carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 47, ranked 9th worst out of 16 model years. Its verdict is capped by a park-outside brake recall despite a mid-range complaint index. Brakes lead reported problems at 27% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 47/100
- #9 of 16 Soul years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 194
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 27
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 29
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 24.5 city / 30 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 29 / 1
Top 2011 Kia Soul problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes53 (27%)
- Electrical System42 (22%)
- Engine36 (19%)
- Airbags26 (13%)
- Other22 (11%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires17 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers17 (9%)
- Structure & Body14 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain13 (7%)
- Fuel System9 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report electrical fires starting from defective wiring, sometimes shortly after a minor crash or right after starting the engine.
- Some describe brakes going to the floor with no stopping power, even at low speed in parking lots.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in moderate-speed side and front collisions, including cases with reported injuries.
- One owner described a front tire sidewall blowing out on a turn, pulling the steering wheel sharply and causing a curb impact.
- Structural complaints include side-door impacts where side airbags did not activate despite visible body damage.
2011 Kia Soul recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
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. 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.
- NHTSA 14V822000Dec 29, 2014Structure & Body95,314 vehicles
Structure:body:roof and pillars
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.
Risk: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
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. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.
- NHTSA 13V114000Apr 1, 2013Electrical System980,377 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
Risk: 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.
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 may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
2011 Kia Soul fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 24.5 MPG
- Highway
- 30 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Kia Soul reliable?
- NHTSA lists 194 complaints for the 2011 Soul with a complaint index of 47, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 9th worst among 16 model years of the Soul.
- Why is the 2011 Kia Soul rated Caution instead of a lower verdict based on complaints?
- Its complaint index of 47 is mid-range, but the verdict is capped to Caution because the car is subject to a park-outside recall for brakes.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2011 Kia Soul?
- Brakes account for 27% of complaints (53 of 194), with a median failure mileage of 82,000 miles. Electrical system issues follow at 22%.
- Does the 2011 Kia Soul have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Soul, covering brakes (park outside), a headliner plate detachment issue, and an electrical system campaign.
- What year Kia Soul should I avoid instead of 2011?
- Among Soul model years, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2020 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 93, 100, 87, and 80, all higher than the 2011 model's 47.