2011 Kia Soul: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle	2011 / kia / soul
known issues	7 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-08)
complaints	194 on file (2011-02-10 → 2026-08-27)
recalls	3
investigations	3
fars	113 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexed	yes
license	CC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Spontaneous rear window and glass shatteringVISIBILITY10 complaints2011-04 → 2019-11kia-soul-2011-spontaneous-glass-shatter

10680481 THE REAR WINDOW ON MY 2011 KIA SOUL SHATTERED AFTER CLOSING THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE DOOR WAS NOT SLAMMED OR CLOSED WITH ANY FORCE AND THE CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF AT THE TIME. IT WAS LIGHTLY SNOWING AND AROUND 20 DEGREES F WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED
10914367 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
11194300 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

Intermittent horn failureELECTRICAL SYSTEM11 complaints2011-06 → 2020-01kia-soul-2011-intermittent-horn-failure

10836997 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE
11192166 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
11005072 BAD WIRE IN STEERING WHEEL, WHICH MAKES HORN MALFUNCTION FREQUENTLY(IF I REPEATEDLY TURN WHEEL, HORN WILL WORK). THIS STARTED THREE YEARS AGO. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, AND I SEE NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE

Rear trailing arm bushing clunk noiseSUSPENSION6 complaints2014-02 → 2019-01kia-soul-2011-rear-suspension-clunk

10736109 AFTER A ROUGH WINTER IN PA. STARTED HEARING A LOUD THUNKING NOISE IN REAR OF CAR. NEVER COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THIS YEAR 2015 WHEN GOING FOR A INSPECTION, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE REAR TRAILING ARM BUSHING WAS COMPLETELY WORN AWAY
11171529 LOUD CLUNK IN RIGHT REAR OF CAR PROBABLY THE TRAILING ARM BUSHINGS LOUD CLUNK WHILE DRIVING AND HATTING ANY BUMP IN THE ROAD
10565895 TOOK CAR TO KIA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A CLUNKING NOISE IN REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR WHEN CAR HIT BUMPS IN ROAD. TECHNICIAN WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. THEY RETORQUED THE REAR CONTROL ARM BOLTS

Transmission and clutch failurePOWER TRAIN9 complaints2013-03 → 2021-01kia-soul-2011-transmission-clutch-failure

11163945 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
10502334 THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL WORE OUT ON THE CAR AT 22K MILES. THIS IS EXTREMELY EARLY FOR A CLUTCH TO FAIL. THE CLUTCH FAILED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY (I-81) AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION
11389985 MY 2011 KIA SOUL I BOUGHT OFF OF A FRIEND. IT DROVE GREAT ONLY HAD 80000 MILES. HOWEVER WHEN I GOT IT 3RD GEAR WOULD SOMETIMES BE HARD TO GET IN GEAR AND GRIND. I JUST REACHED 100000 MILES AND I GOT UP FOR WORK TODAY AND IT WONT GO INTO GEAR IN FIRST OR REVERSE

HECU recall delay with fire riskSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC43 complaints2023-03 → 2026-03kia-soul-2011-hecu-recall-fire-risk

11627799 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
11594637 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
11585488 The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact's daughter stated that the battery was drained, and while the contact was going to jumpstart the vehicle, the contact observed that the ABS module was running while the vehicle was turned off

Air bags failing to deploy in crashesAIR BAGS21 complaints2011-12 → 2024-08kia-soul-2011-airbag-non-deployment

10786436 TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES AND CRASHED IN AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY
10536480 I WAS THROWN AGAINST THE DRIVERS DOOR (YES SEAT BELT WAS PROPERLY ON) AND SUFFERED A TBI AS WELL AS EXTREME BRUISING ALONG THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF MY BODY WHY DIDN'T THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOY?
10745568 MY SOUL WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMOACT ROLL OVER CRASH IM WHICH THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNLATCHED AND THEEE WAS NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT O WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND THE TRUCK THAT STRUCK THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH

Brake light and headlight failureEXTERIOR LIGHTING9 complaints2014-04 → 2020-11kia-soul-2011-brake-headlight-failure

11376647 IN THE 9 YEARS SINCE PURCHASE I'VE REPLACED MY HEADLIGHTS 13 TIMES. THEY GENERALLY BURN OUT WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER SO NOW I JUST REPLACE BOTH WHEN ONE GOES OUT. I HAVE TO KEEP SPARES IN THE GLOVE BOX BECAUSE ON ONE OCCASION THEY BOTH WENT OUT ON THE SAME DAY
11232831 MY PROBLEM IS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT GO OUT WHEN THE CAR IS OFF, AND THEY ARE CONSTANTLY ON WHILE DRIVING
10761178 2011 KIA SOUL BRAKE LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN ENGAGED BY PEDAL. TESTING LIGHTS SHOWS THAT ALL OTHER LIGHTS ARE IN WORKING ORDER. VEHICLE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE STOP LAMP SWITCH RECALL ISSUED BY KIA IN 2013; HOWEVER, THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

count	earliest_date	latest_date	crash_flagged	fire_flagged	top_components
194	2011-02-10	2026-08-27	27	5	SERVICE BRAKES:45; HYDRAULIC:32; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:30; AIR BAGS:26; ENGINE:24

Recalls all years →

campaign_number	report_received_date	component	summary	consequence	remedy
14V822000	29/12/2014	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.	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.
13V114000	01/04/2013	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.	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.
23V652000	25/09/2023	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.	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.

Investigations all years →

action_number	status	subject	components	opened	closed	recall_campaign	summary
AQ23002	open	Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE	2023-11-17	·	·	The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
DP18003	closed	Non-crash Vehicle Fires	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES	2018-08-21	2019-05-10	18V907000	In a letter dated June 11, 2018, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a safety defect investigation into non-collision related fires on model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima and Sorento, and Hyundai Sonata and Santa Fe vehicles. In a letter dated July 24, 2018, CAS requested that MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles be added to the petition. CAS stated that there is a higher number of complaints to NHTSA regarding non-crash fires on these vehicles compared to other similar vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)
PE19004	closed	Non-crash Vehicle Fires	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES	2019-03-29	2021-12-22	20V088000	During this Preliminary Evaluation (PE), the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) assessed the scope, frequency and potential safety-related consequences of non-crash vehicle fires caused by both engine failures and failures of other vehicle systems/components in model year (MY) 2011-2014 Kia Optima, MY 2011-2014 Kia Sorento and MY 2010-2015 Kia Soul vehicles equipped with Theta II, Gamma, Nu and Lambda II engines (approximately 1.7 million vehicles). ODI also reviewed field and other data on other Kia vehicles (approximately 3.6 million additional vehicles) equipped with the same engines use

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_years	occupant_deaths	match_type	vpic_recovered
2010-2024	113	legacy-code	0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2011 Kia Soul vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2011/kia/soul

@misc{wrenchpro_2011_kia_soul_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2011 Kia Soul},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2011/kia/soul}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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