The Lemon Index2011 Kia Soul.
The 2011 Kia Soul is better than average by owner complaints: 59 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 50, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about visibility, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 26 to 28 mpg combined. The best Kia Soul year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 194 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Kia Soul year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 15K to 104K miles on the car (132 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 9K–118K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 30K–94K miles
Recalls 3
- brakes 2023
The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- body structure 2014
A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.
- lights 2013
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 66 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- CYLINDER HEAD STEEL BALL INSPECTION AND INSTALLATION - This Pitstop provides information…
- Technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition cylinder protector…
- Technical service bulletin: customer satisfaction: theft deterrent ignition: cylinder…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHyundai and kia abs module fires2023
- ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires2019–2021
- ClosedNon-crash vehicle fires2018–2019
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Soul SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
I have a crack in my windshield that is getting bigger- do not recall a rock hitting it...
2011 Kia Soul owner · NHTSA complaint 10426753
More owner reports
Traveling down highway 35 the front driver side window shattered. No apparent foreign object appears to have hit the glass, it just exploded into a thousand pieces.
NHTSA complaint 10418823
Parked in front of coffee shop about 3pm. Windy but warm (not hot or cold weather). Came out to find back window shattered. Insurance co. Called, will replace window w/ $250 deductible fee. No evidence of foul play involved.
NHTSA complaint 10394418
Quick answers
Is the 2011 Kia Soul reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 50; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Soul year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2011 Kia Soul problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (17%), airbags (15%) and body structure (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Kia Soul have?
3 safety recalls (latest: brakes). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Kia Soul get?
26 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2011 Kia Soul safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Soul problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 15,800 and 104,500 miles. The middle report was at 52,500 miles, from 132 complaints.
Does the 2011 Kia Soul have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2011 Kia Soul cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Kia Soul have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Kia Soul year is better than the 2011?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2013 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works