2011 Kia Soul Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2011 Kia Soul report a wide spread of issues rather than one dominant failure, with brakes and ABS modules drawing the most attention in recent years, alongside air bag concerns and electrical faults. Complaints range from low-mileage problems such as fragile glass and persistent stability-control warning lights to higher-mileage reports of stalling, oil consumption and transmission trouble. Many recent brake complaints reference recall 23V652000, with owners saying parts or VIN coverage were unavailable.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS module leak, running-on or warning lights

   • 39 complaints (20%)
   • median 121,169 mi at 13.5 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe fluid leaking from the ABS hydraulic unit, spotting on the driveway, and in some cases the ABS module continuing to run with the ignition off and draining the battery. Others report the ABS, ESC, traction-control or TPMS warning lights coming on together, sometimes with a burning smell or smoke odor near the engine compartment. Complaints frequently mention that a dealer declined a repair under recall 23V652000 because the VIN was not included or parts were not available. Mostly reported between roughly 80,000 and 170,000 miles, often on vehicles several years old.

   Recall 23V6520001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether recall 23V652000 has been completed and whether the ABS module has been checked for leaks or staying powered after shutdown. Look for fluid spotting under the front of the car and listen for the ABS pump running with the key off.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the vehicle had not been repaired. Shortly after the electronic stability control, ABS, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle began to emit an abnormal smoke odor from inside near the engine compartment. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11514364, filed 2023-03, 120,000 miles

   “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 the recall repair. The contact stated that the check engine warning light intermittently illuminated. Additionally, there was an abnormal burning odor coming into the cabin of the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11556314, filed 2023-11, 110,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light and air bags not deploying

   • 26 complaints (13%)
   • median 61,500 mi at 5.2 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 22 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2012–2026

   Complaints describe the air bag warning light staying lit and, in several cases, air bags not inflating in a collision. Some owners were told by a dealer or independent shop that the clock spring or a side air bag needed replacement, while others report no diagnosis or no recall coverage. A few complaints pair the warning light with an inoperative horn or cruise control. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 30,000 to over 160,000 miles.

   Recall 14V822000

   What to check: Confirm the air bag warning light comes on briefly at startup and then goes out. Ask whether the clock spring or any air bag components have been replaced, and whether the sunroof headliner plate recall 14V822000 has been completed if the car has a sunroof.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was traveling south bound on az sr 95 at 45 MPH. Other vehicle was north bound and made a u turn in front of me. I could not avoid hitting him broadside at approximately 20 MPH. Air bags did not inflate.”

   NHTSA complaint #11309755, filed 2020-02, 81,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2011 Kia SOUL. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the seat belt unlatched and struck the contact in the face. The air bag light illuminated. The contact called a local dealer and was informed that there was no recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact sustained a minor cut that did not require medical attention. The failure mileage was 86,285.”

   NHTSA complaint #10825683, filed 2016-02, 86,285 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Stability control light and unintended braking or power loss

   • 12 complaints (6%)
   • median 40,899 mi at 4.2 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2024

   Owners report the ESC or traction-control light illuminating on dry pavement and staying on, sometimes for days, with the switch having no effect. In several complaints the vehicle braked on its own, lost power or stalled shortly after the light appeared, and dealers were reported to have replaced the brake switch or ABS module without resolving it. Others describe intermittent illumination with no drivability change. Reported from very low mileage, in some cases under 10,000 miles, up to around 130,000 miles.

   Recall 13V1140001 related service bulletin

   What to check: During a test drive, check that the ESC and traction-control lights behave normally and that the brake lights work when the pedal is pressed. Ask whether the stop lamp switch has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1. The electronic stability control warning light comes on and goes off intermittently and unpredictably. 2. I replaced the map light. It just stopped working and I replaced it with a new one I ordered myself. A local garage did the work, not a dealer.”

   NHTSA complaint #11372791, filed 2020-11, 130,000 miles

   “Driving the vehicle down the road in good weather conditions when the brakes initiated for no reason and no gas seemed to be going to the throttle. The ESC light came on. I attempted to turn the traction control light off but there was still no change. The vehicle slowed down to about 5 miles an hour and stalled out a couple of times because lack of gas going to the vehicle. Fortunately I was in a congested area and was only traveling about 20 MPH when this happened. Could have been extremely dangerous had I been on a highway.”

   NHTSA complaint #10402498, filed 2011-05, 15,000 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Rear window and windshield glass cracking

   • 15 complaints (8%)
   • median 14,000 mi at 1.9 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 2011–2019

   Owners report windshields chipping and cracking from small road debris more easily than expected, and rear windows shattering outward without impact, often after a door was closed in cold conditions. Complaints describe paint chipping as well and note that dealers or glass shops offered no coverage. Often reported at low mileage, frequently under 15,000 miles, and several rear-window breaks in near-freezing weather.

   What to check: Inspect the windshield and rear glass for chips, cracks or repaired areas, and check paint edges on the hood and doors for stone chips. Ask whether any glass has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. The window was broken from the center, but the glass bowed outward and the edges of the window had crumbled and fallen out as well. The glass is very thin and looks to be of poor quality and I should not have to worry about my car windows breaking every time I exit the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10680481, filed 2015-02, 67,000 miles

   “Vehicle had been parked in driveway overnight. Temperature had been at or slightly above freezing overnight. When driver entered vehicle and shut driver's side door the rear window exploded outward from the center of the window down to the point of the rear wiper. Outside edges of window also shattered/disintegrated along the outside edge of the seal.”

   NHTSA complaint #10810472, filed 2015-12, 40,000 miles
5. 5
   Engine

   Stalling, oil consumption and engine failure

   • 28 complaints (14%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 8.3 yrs old (21 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2024

   Owners describe the engine quitting while driving, sometimes with a check engine light, smoke or coolant in the engine bay, and in some cases a loud noise followed by the engine shutting off and being diagnosed as needing replacement. Others report the oil level dropping without the oil light coming on until the dipstick is dry. Complaints also mention rough running or the engine revving unexpectedly at a standstill. Mostly reported above 100,000 miles, with some reports of oil consumption in the 70,000-mile range.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and condition on the dipstick and ask for oil change records. Ask whether the check engine light has been on and whether any related diagnostic codes were read.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving my car on the florida turnpike at about 70 miles an hour she. It started making a loud clanking noise. Then the oil light came on, the car immediacy made a loud pop, like a gun shot and then the engine shut off while driving. I coasted to the side of the road where I was stranded for awhile. I did get a tow to a mechanic who looked at the car and said the motor was blown. I was not able to get my car fixed in florida so I brought it back to georgia where I reside. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11183526, filed 2019-03, 110,850 miles

   “The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence and parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,169.”

   NHTSA complaint #11587508, filed 2024-05, 121,169 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection check the ABS module and recall status, the air bag warning light and the engine's oil level and service history before buying. Records showing recall work completed and regular maintenance make a 2011 Soul easier to assess.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.