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Electrical systemPart report

2011 Kia Soul Electrical system Problems

Complaints
30about this part
Share
15%of 194 total for the year
Median mileage
75,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 Kia Soul, 15% of the 194 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The horn only works when it wants to, I can not find a reason for this. Does not mater if car is running or not, weither it is turning or not. It is very dangerous, since there have been times that I wish it would have worked in some serious driving situations and it did not.”

NHTSA complaint #11298308, filed 2020-01, 75,000 miles

“107000 miles on the car. Started car in the morning and it made a whining noise. Didn't think much of it because it was colder than it had been. After warming up a few minutes drove down my road about a mile and the battery light came on. Turned around at went back home. Popped the hood and smelled strong burning smell. Problem was found to be the alernator. When I pulled it to replace it noticed that the windings inside the alternator were burt and chared/melted.”

NHTSA complaint #11132834, filed 2018-10, 107,000 miles

“A couple years ago, the driver side door had issues opening after being unlocked. This was frustrating, but not a safety issue. In the past several months, the door has opened while driving a couple times. This same issue was recalled in the Kia sorento at the end of 2017 for the same reported issue and the same part replacement. Kia has told me that there is nothing they can do to fix the issue as my car was not included in the sorento recall, even though it is the same exact issue. This was not a major issue until the door started openeing while driving. …”

NHTSA complaint #11154839, filed 2018-11, 151,000 miles

“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. The horn only seems to work when it feels like it. Very dangerous!”

NHTSA complaint #11192166, filed 2019-03, 160,000 miles

“Brake light will not illuminate when depressed. Break light switch not functioning properly. Esc/stability control light stays on continuous while car is in motion or stopped. Tail lights burn out every 6-12 month, as well as head lamps burning out often.”

NHTSA complaint #11351882, filed 2020-08, 118,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024929%
20231426%
20221011%
2021156%
2020287%
20191410%
2018209%
2017197%
2016567%
2015758%
20149811%
20137111%
2012387%
20113015%
20102418%

Other parts of the 2011 Kia Soul

Brakes
45 complaintsAir bags
26 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 29, 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