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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-KIA-SOUL
2011 · kia

kia Soul problems

1 safety recall. 193 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
37 reports · avg $450
severe
electrical
28 reports · avg $850
severe
airbags
23 reports · avg $1,100
severe
visibility
15 reports · avg $350
moderate
engine
13 reports · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
13 reports · avg $2,500
severe
lighting
12 reports · avg $250
moderate
suspension
8 reports · avg $900
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 Soul · powertrain
THE CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT TWICE . THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 54029 AND DATE OF 1/17/17. LESS THAN SIX MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS SLIPPING ON TAKEOFF. THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THIS TIME IT 72735 AND DATE OF 12/28/18 . THE BILL FOR…
12/29/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11163945.0
2011 Soul · brakes
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received…
12/28/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562295.0
2011 Soul · electrical
My car has been recalled due to electronic control system fire danger. I am afraid to drive hiway 299 to Redding because my car might catch on fire. All of my services are are in or near Redding. I can't get a response from Kia, other than a pending recall notice. They claim…
12/28/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11562373.0
2011 Soul · electrical
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…
12/18/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11560666.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 13V114000 01/04/2013

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

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.

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. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Kia Soul reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 193 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Kia Soul is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Kia Soul?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 37 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Soul has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Kia Soul?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 193 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 9 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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