2011 Kia Soul Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 5%of 194 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,782miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2011 Kia Soul, 5% of the 194 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,782 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“The ESC on two separate occasions came on while driving on dry road between 30 and 55 MPH. Tried turning pushing the on/off ecs switch, but light would not go off. With vehicle stopped, shifting transmission while pushing on brake pedal, ESC light would not go off. Turned off engine, waited a few minutes then restarted, light came back on. Light went off after driving a few feet and stopping at traffic light. I do not know what damage or problems this may cause to the operational capabilities of the vehicle. If it happens one more time, as I suspect it will, I will contact the dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10609442, filed 2014-07, 26,565 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“Electronic stability control comes on when traveling on dry roads going in straight line and stays on for indeterminate periods (sometimes days at a time) unrelated to driving conditions. Will not turn off even when vehicle is stopped and key is taken out of ignition - when you put the key back into ignition and turn the traction control is still engaged. When the traction control is engaged the gas mileage is negatively impacted. Dealer has no fix for problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10505279, filed 2013-04, 3,000 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
Other parts of the 2011 Kia Soul
45 complaintsElectrical system
30 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 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