RoadVitals

2011 Kia Soul Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Sep 10, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
15%
of 193 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 Kia Soul submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 28 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 28, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Sep 10, 2024

Engine is going excessive through oil .

NHTSA ID
11613900
Incident
Sep 10, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 10, 2024

Solo. NO quiso correr

NHTSA ID
11593446
Incident
Jan 10, 2023
Engine
Filed Jun 9, 2024

Failure to fix the engine repair causing fires

NHTSA ID
11593282
Incident
Jun 9, 2024
Engine
Filed May 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and making a right turn, the contact veered to the side of the road, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the hood. The contact opened the hood and noticed smoke and coolant in the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the engine. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

NHTSA ID
11590381
Incident
Apr 19, 2024
Mileage
157,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed May 7, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence and parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,169.

NHTSA ID
11587508
Incident
Apr 4, 2024
Mileage
121,169 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 6, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed and stalled. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that on one occasion, the vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the contact was informed that the ECM was not reading and the cause of the failure could not be determined. The mechanic replaced the camshaft and crankshaft sensors and the spark plugs; however, the failure persisted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11575795
Incident
Mar 6, 2023
Mileage
200,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Feb 5, 2024

recalled number 23V652 Manufacturer recall SC284AM HECU car can set on fire while driving its been months that a recall was said and we consumers where told to park our cars, yet we need them to utilize daily our families are at risk because Kia wont release the remedy. Last year I received the recall.

NHTSA ID
11569951
Incident
Oct 1, 2023
BrakesEngine
Filed Dec 28, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while reversing and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle temporarily jerked. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving and depressing the brake pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who test-drove the vehicle and informed the contact that no failure was found. The independent mechanic reset the check engine warning light. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11562295
Incident
Dec 28, 2021
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 18, 2023

I have had this recall(SC284) since September 25, 2023 of this year. Also I have called multiple places to have it repaired and I’ve gotten the run around. They have been so rude! Also now the check engine light has come on the dash so now I’m getting even more worried about the recall situation.

NHTSA ID
11560666
Incident
Sep 25, 2023
Engine
Filed Nov 22, 2023

The engine can’t be fixed

NHTSA ID
11556515
Incident
Sep 1, 2022
BrakesEngine
Filed Mar 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer however, the vehicle had not been repaired. Shortly after the electronic stability control, ABS, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle began to emit an abnormal smoke odor from inside near the engine compartment. The contact called the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V137000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and that the HECU had failed and needed to be repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer to turn off and not drive the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11514364
Incident
Mar 24, 2023
Mileage
120,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 19, 2021

MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN GOING OFF AND ONE NO PROBLEM DRIVING THE PROBLEM IS WHEN I PUT GAS IN CAR THE CAR WANT START UNTIL I GIVE IT GAS A LITTLE. I DON'T HAVE PROBLEM TO CRANK CAR. AND AFTER I CRANK MY CAR AFTER I PUMP THE GAS TO START IT. THERE IS NO PROBLEM ONLY WHEN I GET GAS. IT GOES OFF MAYBE AFTER A LONG WHILE BUT THEN COME BACK ON WHEN GAS GET TO LOW AND THEN PROBLEM STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. I HAVE ASK KIA DEALER ABOUT RECALLS ALL THE TIME THEY SAY ALL RECALLS ON VEHICLE ARE DONE. I HAVE READ SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT FUEL PROBLEM OR PIPE THAT CAUSE FIRES ON VECHICLE. I READ AS RECENT AS JAN 18 THERE WAS RECALL IN ANOTHER COUNTRY ON THIS .THE LIGHT WENT OFF JAN 15 BUT CAME BACK ON JAN18

NHTSA ID
11388785
Incident
Dec 2, 2020
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 27, 2020

THERES SOMETHING REALLY WRONG WITH MY ENGINE AND OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUE. I'VE BEEN TO KIA DEALERSHIP AND THEY WONT FIX IT BECAUSE THERES NO RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED. THE SENSOR LIGHTS KEEP TURNING ON AND ONCE I CHECK IT IT SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG, BUT THE LIGHT IS STILL ON AND IT WILL TURN OFF WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT, ALSO THE SMELL OF THE ENGINE SMELLS LIKE ITS BURNING AND THE CAR GET REALLY HOT AS IF THE HEATER WAS ON.

NHTSA ID
11376761
Incident
Mar 13, 2017
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 28, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AT NIGHT TIME, HER NEIGHBOR INFORMED HER THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VAN GRIFFITH KIA (4301 E US HWY 377, GRANBURY, TX 76049; (817) 573-0400) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V114000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE STOP LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 9/16/2020 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000. *LN*JB

NHTSA ID
11366851
Incident
Aug 20, 2020
Mileage
190,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2019

ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2019, I WAS DRIVING FROM KATY, TX TO NEW ORLEANS, LA TRAVELING WITH MY 2-YEAR-OLD SON ON I-10. APPROXIMATELY 51 MILES OUTSIDE OF LAFAYETTE, 2011 KIA SOUL LOSES ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED IN THE PASSING LANE. RPM AND MPH GOES TO 0 AND ALL LIGHTS APPEAR ON DASHBOARD. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IN CAR. THANKFULLY NO ACCIDENT. COASTS ONTO SHOULD AND TURNS CAR OFF. RESTARTS CAR AND IT STARTS FINE. CAR CONTINUES WITH THIS ISSUE PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE AND HAPPENING MORE OFTEN WITH AT ONE POINT STATE TROOPERS WERE CALLED OUT. AFTER SEEING A TOTAL OF 3 DEALERSHIPS, ONE OF WHICH I WENT TO FOR A SECOND TIME, AND ONE FIRESTONE (MIKE AT FIRESTONE ACTUALLY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD) IT'S DETERMINED TO BE BOTH CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2019...NO WORD ON WHAT ELSE IS AT ISSUE AS IT'S A LETS SEE IF THE PROBLEM IS FIXED GAME WITH KIA...IT'S NOW WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9 AND AFTER REPLACING ONE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 7...I AM TOLD THAT THE SECOND IS BAD TWO DAYS LATER. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ID
11267527
Incident
Sep 27, 2019
Mileage
114,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 6, 2019

HEAD-GASKETS AND/OR THERMOSTATS FAILING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND LOW MILES. I AM ON 2ND HEAD-GASKET AND 4TH THERMOSTAT AND ONLY AT 109000 MI. TWICE THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND TWICE WHILE AROUND TOWN. FLUID LEVELS WERE GOOD AND OTHER MAINTENANCE DONE REGULARLY. I HAVE TALKED WITH MULTIPLE KIA DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY START BY SAYING THAT IS NOT NORMAL THEN AFTER LOOKING OVER THE CAR SAYING ITS A NORMAL THING FOR SOULS. THESE FAILURES HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT EACH TIME ONCE THE THERMOSTAT STICKS CLOSED. NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS AND TEMP GAUGE ONLY SHOWED THE OVERHEAT 2 OUT OF FOUR TIMES. THEY SEEM TO BE FAILING FAIRLY REGULARLY AROUND 20000 MI.

NHTSA ID
11174866
Incident
Jan 4, 2019
Mileage
108,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 29, 2018

THE CLUTCH HAS GONE OUT TWICE . THE FIRST TIME WAS AT 54029 AND DATE OF 1/17/17. LESS THAN SIX MONTHS LATER I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT IT WAS SLIPPING ON TAKEOFF. THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THIS TIME IT 72735 AND DATE OF 12/28/18 . THE BILL FOR THE FIRST TIME WAS 1445.79 . IT IS REDICULOUS THAT IT GOES OUT SO SOON. I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT KIA USES A VALVE ON THE SLAVE CYLINDER THAT CAUSES SLIPPING.

NHTSA ID
11163945
Incident
Dec 27, 2018
Mileage
72,735 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 16, 2018

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A NOISE , I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AS I WAS PULLING OFF THE HIWAY AND THE MOTOR QUIT RUNNING. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE.I FOUND OUT THE NEXT DAY THAT THE MOTOR HAD LOCKED UP. THE MOTOR HAD OIL IN IT AND THE WATER WAS NOT LOW. THE MECHANIC SAID THE OIL PUMP WAS PROBLEY BAD. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE.SO NOW THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH A BLOWN MOTOR AND I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR FOR ANOTHER 18 MONTHS.

NHTSA ID
11161808
Incident
Aug 16, 2016
Mileage
124,026 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Nov 15, 2018

WHEN TURNING CAR ON IT THE ENGINE MAKES A KNOCKING SOUND. CAR IS LOSING ACCELERATION ON ROADS ESPECIALLY EXPRESSWAY. ALSO, THE ENGINE PINGS OR KNOCKS WHEN TURNING THE CAR OFF. I HAVE EVEN HEARD THE ENGINE KNOCK WHILE IN MOTION. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD MOLDING GARNISH LH LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLEW OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND HIT ANOTHER CAR! LOSING THIS MOLDING GARNISH CAUSES AIR TO LEAK INTO THE WINDSHIELD.

NHTSA ID
11151646
Incident
Jun 7, 2018
Mileage
105,500 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 18, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT USED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE EXACT ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ID
11102349
Incident
Jun 13, 2018
Mileage
12,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 9, 2017

THE CAR WON'T START AFTER PUTTING GAS IN SEVERAL TIMES . AFTER 3 TRIES AND AROUND 10-14 MINUTES IT WILL START. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE REGARDING THIS HAOOENEDIJF TO KIA SOULS .

NHTSA ID
11053696
Incident
Dec 8, 2017
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS GEARED INTO THE PARK POSITION, THE RPMS INCREASED TO OVER 2,000 RPMS. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT TO RESET THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MENTOR KIA IN MENTOR, OHIO, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500.

NHTSA ID
11022702
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Mileage
2,500 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed May 4, 2017

REPLACED BOTH BALL JOINTS. HEAT SHIELD IS VIBRATING WHILE ACCELERATING. ALSO HAVE OIL PAN LEAK, CAUSING A PUDDLE IN THE DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID
10983604
Incident
Feb 1, 2017
Mileage
65,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 16, 2014

I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM MAZDA IN HILO, HAWAII. AFTER THREE MONTHS THE A/C WHEN IT IS TURNED ON, WOULD WORK FOR 5 MINUTES OR SO, THEN IT WILL BLOW WARM AIR. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN HILO, HAWAII TRIED TO REPAIR THE A/C PROBLEM ONCE, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED, THEN MAZDA SENT ME TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP WHICH TRIED TO FIX THE A/C PROBLEM TWICE, WITH NO SUCCESS. I SINCE MOVED TO OAHU IN APRIL 9TH, 2014. THE A/C PROBLEM IS STILL ON GOING. MY NIECE BOUGHT KIA SOUL 2011 HERE ON OAHU AND HER CAR HAS THE SAME A/C PROBLEM, I HAVE. IS THERE OTHER KIA SOUL 2011 OWNERS WITH THE SAME A/C PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ID
10610872
Incident
Jul 2, 2013
Body & structureEngineFuel system
Filed Jun 18, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
10520395
Incident
May 30, 2013
Mileage
16,602 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .