Is the 2011 Kia SOUL reliable?

The 2011 Kia SOUL has 270 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Kia SOUL?

Top problems: BRAKES (45 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (32 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (28 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Kia SOUL?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Kia SOUL?

The 2011 Kia SOUL gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Is the 2011 Kia SOUL often stolen?

The Kia SOUL was the #10 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 9,700 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: very-high. Pre-2022 models are affected by the Kia Boys challenge — verify your VIN has the manufacturer security update.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Kia SOUL?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Kia SOUL is approximately $1,696/year (wagon class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Kia SOUL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Kia SOUL has 270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 292. The most common issue is brakes problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: pulled into parking space, car accelerated and brakes went to floor went over the parking curb on to walkway, the corner of the store stopped me no damage to the wall, damage to the my car. kia soul, 2011 *tt. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 26 crash reports 29 injuries

270

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

45 complaints

17%

• PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE, CAR ACCELERATED AND BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WENT OVER THE PARKING CURB ON TO WALKWAY, THE CORNER OF THE STORE STOPPED ME NO DAMAGE TO THE WALL, DAMAGE TO THE MY CAR. KIA SOUL, 2011 *TT
• WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED & NEED TO SUDDENLY STOP, THE VEHICLE BRAKES LOCK UP & DO NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. BASICALLY, THE TIRES LOCK UP & THE CAR CONTINUES TO SKID & SCREECH. THIS IS ESPECIALLY AGGRAVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE DRIVES OVER A POTHOLE OR OTHER DEFECT IN THE ROADWAY WHILE BRAKING OR IN
• SECOND INCIDENT OF BRAKE (DEALER SAYS EMERGENCY BRAKE) CAUSING VEHICLE VIBRATION. THIS EXITING PARKING LOT. ON HARD SURFACE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EXPERIENCE VIBRATION WHICH RAMPS UP IN FREQUENCY THEN RAMPS DOWN. HAVE REPLACED EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOE. DEALER SAYS BRAKE PAD WAS DELAMINATING AND PIECE OF SHOE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE, CAR ACCELERATED AND BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WENT OVER THE PARKING CURB ON TO WALKWAY, THE CORNER OF THE STORE STOPPED ME NO DAMAGE TO THE WALL, DAMAGE TO THE MY CAR. KIA SOUL, 2011 *TT”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Kia SOUL

Based on 183 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 50K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 62K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 14K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 43K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 87K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS29/12/2014

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Kia Soul vehicles manufactured January 8, 2009, to October 2, 2013, equipped with a sun roof. A headliner plate may detach during deployment of the curtain air bag.

Risk: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.

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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC112.

Very high theft risk

#10 most stolen in 2025

The Kia SOUL was the #10 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 9,700 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Kia Boys / TikTok theft vulnerabilityModel years 2010-2021 Hyundai and Kia vehicles without engine immobilizers were widely targeted starting in 2022 after a viral TikTok exploit. If you own this vehicle, verify it has an ignition immobilizer or install a security upgrade. Hyundai and Kia both offered free software updates and steering-wheel-lock programs for affected models.

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Kia SOUL

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,778

Per month

$148

Per mile

14.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Kia SOUL

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,696

Full coverage / month

$141

Liability only / year

$595

vs US avg

+1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (wagon)0.95x

× theft risk1.28x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1696

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SOUL Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2011 SOUL, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 270 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE, CAR ACCELERATED AND BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WENT OVER THE PARKING CURB ON TO WALKWAY, THE CORNER OF THE STORE STOPPED ME NO DAMAGE TO THE WALL, DAMAGE TO THE MY CAR. KIA SOUL, 2011 *TT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BUT NONE WERE SUCCESSFUL.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE WIND SHIELD EXPLODED. EVERYTHING MELTED DOWN AND CAR IS TOTALED. THIS INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY AN INTERIOR MALFUNCTION WITH THE CAR. WOULD LIKE KIA TO REPLACE THIS CAR WITH A NEW CAR BECAUSE THIS WAS A NEW CAR THAT I PURCHASED THROUGH KIA. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: ON THE ABOVE DATE THE REFERENCED KIA SOUL WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN A FORD 350 PICK UP TRUCK RAN INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AREA. THE PICKUP TRUCK WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE COLLISION CAVED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR'S EXTERIOR SKIN AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR SKIN WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)