2011 Kia Soul Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 13%of 194 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Kia Soul, 13% of the 194 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,000 miles. 22 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Myself and 13 yoa daughter were on cr0151 when we were struck by a 1996 chevy s-10 on the right side of our 2011 SOUL hitting the passenger side front fender doors and pillar between the right side doors. No air bags went off with this impact and with all the air bags why didn't any go off? ...updated 09/12/12 updated 09/18/2012”
NHTSA complaint #10473541, filed 2012-08, 12,402 miles“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?. I was rear-ended and the right rear tire was where the passenger seat used to be.. Also the drivers seat broke in the prone position on impact as I was spinning across two opposing lanes of traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10536480, filed 2013-08, 24,500 miles“I was involved in a front end collision at about 40 MPH and the airbags did not deploy. A car failed to yield came across the intersection and I impacted the passager side of her vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11203152, filed 2019-04, 57,000 miles“My son and I were in a severe crash. We were hit from behind at about 50 MPH by two cars. We were knocked off the road and down a drop off. We landed and went over large boulders. Car was totaled. Front end and rear end gone. Two wheels came off. No air bags deployed. This is a great concern for people that may want to purchase the SOUL. All other vehicles in the crash had air bags that did deploy. I think if our air bags were working properly then my son and I may of not had such severe injuries to our heads, backs and necks.”
NHTSA complaint #10637405, filed 2014-09, 94,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 5 | 9% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 | 4 | 2% |
| 2020 | 3 | 1% |
| 2019 | 15 | 11% |
| 2018 | 11 | 5% |
| 2017 | 16 | 6% |
| 2016 | 17 | 2% |
| 2015 | 20 | 2% |
| 2014 | 26 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 3% |
| 2012 | 17 | 3% |
| 2011 | 26 | 13% |
| 2010 | 21 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2011 Kia Soul
45 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Kia Soul
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology