2011 Kia Soul: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 Kia Soul: 3 recalls, 194 owner complaints and up to 28 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #13V114000 · 2013 · 980,377 vehicles
What's wrong: Originally, in April 2013, Kia recalled 623,658 model year 2007-2010 rondo and sportage, model year 2007-2011 sorento, model year 2007 sedona, model year 2010-2011 soul, and model year 2011 optima vehicles. In September 2013, Kia informed the agency that it was adding an additional 356,719 vehicles to this campaign. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 980,377. In the affected vehicles, the stop lamp…
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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.
Body & structure Vehicle recall #14V822000 · 2014 · 95,314 vehicles
What's wrong: A headliner plate May detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
Why it matters: A detached headliner plate May increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #23V652000 · 2023 · 1,730,192 vehicles
What's wrong: Kia america, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 borrego, 2014-2016 cadenza, 2010-2013 forte, forte koup, sportage, 2015-2018 k900, 2011-2015 optima, 2011-2013 optima hybrid, soul, 2012-2017 rio, 2011-2014 sorento, and 2010-2011 rondo vehicles. The hydraulic electronic control unit (hecu) May experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Why it matters: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: 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,…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 29 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (32): the most common themes are warning light on (7).
- Electrical (30): the most common themes are fire / smoke (10), electrical failure (6), warning light on (4).
- Airbags (26): the most common themes are fails to deploy (14), warning light on (4).
- Engine (24): the most common themes are warning light on (6), noise or vibration (4), fire / smoke (4).
The 2011 Kia Soul has 194 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 16 Soul model years for complaints (well below the 347 average). Complaints peaked in 2024 (37 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 52,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (135 complaints, 3 recalls), 2012 (514 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 31 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 29 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 Kia Soul.
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FAQ
Does the 2011 Kia Soul have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2011 Kia Soul. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 Kia Soul problems?
Owners have filed 194 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (32), electrical (30), airbags (26).
What gas mileage does the 2011 Kia Soul get?
EPA ratings run up to 28 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2011 Kia Soul repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.