2011 KIA SOUL Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Kia Soul. This model year has 193 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Brake System.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2011 Kia Soul Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Brake System
Hydraulic
Electrical Faults
Considering a 2011 Kia Soul?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Kia Soul. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake System | 45 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 32 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 30 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 28 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 25 | 22 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 21 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 12 | 3 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 9 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 7 | 4 | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 6 | 3 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Firerelated | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Kia Soul. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 193 most recent complaints
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her husband was at a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was successfully jump-started; however, after driving approximately one mile, the vehicle began jerking and lost power again and was pushed t…
This vehicle had just passed a inspection for me to get it licensed and Kentucky. There was no light showing that the airbags would not work. Unfortunately, this vehicle is not available.I had reached out to kia multiple times. My fears I have another Kia the same year.
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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for th…
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. The fire originated from the front eng…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the MIL warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated w…
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 …
Engine is going excessive through oil .
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. Due to the failure, the contact crashed into a highway sand barrel as the vehicle flipp…
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 …
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 f…
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 …
Recall #23V652000-Faulty fuse can cause fire while parked or driving. I was advised by letter from KIA in November 2023 that due to this defect, the vehicle should be parked outside and not driven until a replacement part was available. I issued a complaint in January 2024 tha…
Solo. NO quiso correr
Failure to fix the engine repair causing fires
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 …
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a right turn, the contact veered to the side of the road, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the hood. The contact opened the hood and noticed smoke and …
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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceed…
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact observed that there was a leak of oil due to spotting on the driveway. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the leak was from the ABS system. The independent mechanic stated that the failure was …
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 local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Peak Kia (…
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 local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had ex…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2011 Kia Soul.
Recalls for 2011 Kia Soul
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2011 Kia Soul. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2011 Kia Soul — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2011 Kia Soul reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2011 Kia Soul has 193 NHTSA owner complaints, 27 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Brake System (45 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Kia Soul?▾
#1: Brake System (45 complaints). #2: Hydraulic (32 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (30 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Kia Soul?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2011 Kia Soul?▾
The 2011 Kia Soul has 27 crash-related complaints and 5 fire reports out of 193 total NHTSA complaints. 29 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2011 Kia Soul have any recalls?▾
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2011 Kia Soul. The largest issue: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 Kia Soul?▾
The 2011 Kia Soul has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Brake System issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Kia Soul reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2011 Kia Soul
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.