2011 Kia Soul: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 270 complaints
270
Total Complaints
50,000mi
Median Mileage
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Top Issue
43
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
16,602
25th Percentile
50,000
Median Mileage
106,500
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
32
Electrical System
28
Air Bags
25
Engine
24
Unknown Or Other
21
Service Brakes
13
Power Train
12
Exterior Lighting
11
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
10
Body
9
Severity Assessment
43
Crashes
7
Fires
43
Injuries
2
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"TL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL WITH NEXXEN TIRES, SIZE 225/45 R18. THE DOT WAS NOT AVTHE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TREAD ON THE TIRE. THE CONTACT CALL..."
"PARKED IN FRONT OF COFFEE SHOP ABOUT 3PM. WINDY BUT WARM (NOT HOT OR COLD WEATHER). CAME OUT TO FIND BACK WINDOW SHATTERED. INSURANCE CO. CALLED, WILL REPLACE WINDOW W/ $250 DEDUCTIBLE FEE. NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY INVOLVED. *TR"
"VIOLENT SHUTTER VIBRATION, FELT LIKE BLOWN PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AFTER 30 MILES(DROVE OFF LOT) PULLED OVER TO INSPECT TIRES EVERYTHING LOOKED OK AND DROVE OFF WITH NO SHUTTER OR VIBRATION VEHICLE HAS DONE IT 4 TIMES NOW AT 1,000 MILES, HAS DONE IT AT 40 MPH-70 MPH, AT HIGHER SPEEDS VEHICLE IS DIFFICU..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
32 complaints
25th: 92,675 mi
Median: 120,000 mi
75th: 140,000 mi
Electrical System
28 complaints
25th: 20,000 mi
Median: 83,000 mi
75th: 118,000 mi
Air Bags
25 complaints
25th: 31,500 mi
Median: 56,000 mi
75th: 84,963 mi
Engine
24 complaints
25th: 28,701 mi
Median: 107,000 mi
75th: 120,876 mi
Unknown Or Other
21 complaints
25th: 40,000 mi
Median: 60,000 mi
75th: 112,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
FL: 32
TX: 25
OH: 20
CA: 15
IL: 14
NY: 14
MO: 14
KY: 12
PA: 10
AZ: 9
Who Files Complaints?
1.5%
Original Owners
98.5%
Second+ Owners
Kia Soul — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (3)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Roof And Pillars
Campaign 14V822000 | 29/12/2014
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.
Switch
Campaign 13V114000 | 01/04/2013
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
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.
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 23V652000 | 25/09/2023
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, 2
Extend Your Brake Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Replace brake pads before they wear to the metal — rotors cost 3x more
- Flush brake fluid every 2-3 years regardless of mileage
- Don't ride the brakes downhill — use engine braking
- Address any grinding, pulsing, or pulling immediately
- Have brakes inspected during every tire rotation
Vehicle Rankings
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28