2011 Kia Soul problems
The Kia Soul is a subcompact crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Kia since 2008. Often described and marketed as a crossover since its introduction, the Soul is a hatchback with a box proportion and tall roof, which are designed to maximize its interior space. Despite its SUV-like styling, the Soul was never available with all-wheel drive, instead it is exclusively a front-wheel drive vehicle.
The Soul first appeared in 2006 in the form of a concept model displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The production model made its debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2008. During its introduction, Kia stated that the Soul is aimed at the North American market, and targeted towards buyers in the 18 to 35-year old range.
The second-generation model was introduced in 2013 for the 2014 model year, which featured a larger exterior and interior dimensions along with a reworked chassis, while keeping its boxy styling. The Soul is currently in its third generation, which was introduced in 2018 for the 2019 model year. Since 2014, Kia has also marketed a battery electric variant as the Soul EV.
The name "Soul" comes from the homophone of Seoul, the city that hosts Kia's headquarters.
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Common 2011 Kia Soul problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2011 Kia Soul, several common problems have been reported:
- Engine Failure: Engine failure has been a prevalent issue with the 2011 Kia Soul, occurring around 85,000+ miles. Owners have reported engine failure, which can be costly to fix and poses a serious reliability issue for this model year.
- Unlatched Hood While Driving: Some owners have experienced the hood becoming unlatched while driving the 2011 Kia Soul. This poses a considerable safety hazard, especially at high speeds on highways or freeways, and requires immediate attention to prevent accidents.
- Loud Rattling Noises: Owners have also reported loud rattling noises when driving on roads or encountering minor bumps in the 2011 Kia Soul. This issue affects the comfort and overall driving experience of the vehicle.
- Body Integrity Issues: The 2011 Kia Soul has faced complaints related to body integrity issues, including faulty safety features. These issues can impact the structural integrity of the vehicle and compromise its overall safety on the road.
- Defective Catalytic Converter: Many owners have complained about defective catalytic converters in the 2011 Kia Soul. Symptoms include erratic idling, engine stalls, O2 sensor issues, and poor emission results. A faulty catalytic converter can also pose a fire hazard, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue promptly.
These common problems reported by owners of the 2011 Kia Soul highlight various reliability and safety concerns associated with this particular model year. Addressing these issues promptly and ensuring proper maintenance can help mitigate potential risks and enhance the overall ownership experience of the vehicle.
Is the 2011 Kia Soul a reliable car?
Very reliable and well-designed car
Car is great for city driving. good gas mileage. huge cargo area.
What is the most common problem for a Kia Soul?
The most common engine problems with the Kia Soul are the following:
- excessive oil consumption.
- engine knocking.
- cruise control surge.
- engine failure.
Are there any recalls on a 2011 Kia Soul?
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.
How many miles does a Kia Soul 2011 get?
2011 Kia Soul
| Vehicle | EPA Fuel Economy | Driver MPG |
|---|---|---|
| 29 MPG 25 35 combined city/hwy city hwy 3.4 gal/100 mi | 29.5 | |
| 397 miles Total Range | ||
| 2011 Kia Soul 1.6 L, 4 cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular Gasoline | ||
| 28 MPG 26 31 combined city/hwy city hwy 3.6 gal/100 mi | 34.2 |
2011 Kia Soul car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Kia Soul problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2011 Kia Soul vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2011 Kia Soul
The NHTSA has received 189 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Kia Soul. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2011 Kia Soul vehicles.
2024-10-24
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-05
- VIN: KNDJT2A27B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the MIL warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated while the vehicle was idling, the contact noticed abnormal burning odor. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a fee would be charged for additionally repairs. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.
2024-10-07
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-07
- VIN: KNDJT2A28B7
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: While driving my car just started accelerating in traffic and I couldn’t get it to stop even while hitting brakes trying not to hit another vehicle. Fortunately found a way to pull to side of road and throw in park and it was still revving up and didn’t stop til I turned off car completely. So terrifying. Now I’m [XXX] trying figure out how I’m going to get back home in this dangerous vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-09-10
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-10
- VIN: KNDJT2A28B7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine is going excessive through oil .
2024-08-26
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-10
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNDJT2A26B7
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owned a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 63 MPH, an object hit the vehicle's front, driver-side tire which caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact crashed into a highway sand barrel as the vehicle flipped forward and rolled over onto the driver's side. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The contact exited the vehicle through the front passenger door with the assistance of a fellow motorist. The contact was taken by ambulance to the emergency room and was treated for head trauma, pain to both shoulders, neck, and back; as well as, scratches to the left elbow and right hand. A police report was filed. A couple of sand barrels were damaged which left sand scattered across the highway. The vehicle was towed from the scene to an independent tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2024-07-05
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-05
- VIN: KNDJT2A22B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2024-06-21
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-25
- VIN: KNDJT2A23B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2024-06-20
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-20
- VIN: KNDJT2A19B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2024-06-16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-14
- VIN: KNDJT2A2XB7
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Recall #23V652000-Faulty fuse can cause fire while parked or driving. I was advised by letter from KIA in November 2023 that due to this defect, the vehicle should be parked outside and not driven until a replacement part was available. I issued a complaint in January 2024 that no resolution was determined by KIA, and I was then rendered without transportation. It is now June 2024, and still no resolution. I find this totally unacceptable, and since you are the regulatory agency managing the Auto Manufacturers, I would expect some pressure would be exerted to push KIA to resolution. This is a serious defect...FIRE!! I can't drive it or sell it (responsibly).
2024-06-10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-10
- VIN: KNDJT2A22B7
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: Solo. NO quiso correr
2024-06-09
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-09
- VIN: KNDJT2A28B7
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Failure to fix the engine repair causing fires
2024-06-05
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-14
- VIN: KNDJT2A20B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-05-23
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-19
- VIN: KNDJT2A2XB7
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 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.
2024-05-22
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-23
- VIN: KNDJT2A2XB7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 local dealer was contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-05-21
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- VIN: KNDJT2A20B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact observed that there was a leak of oil due to spotting on the driveway. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the leak was from the ABS system. The independent mechanic stated that the failure was related to a recall and informed the contact of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and referred the contact to the dealer. The contact contacted a dealer, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
2024-05-20
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-23
- VIN: KNDJT2A22B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 local dealer was contacted. The contact called another local dealer, Peak Kia (5077 S Wadsworth Wy, Denver, CO 80123). 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-05-14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-14
- VIN: KNDJT2A29B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 local dealer was not contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-05-07
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-07
- VIN: KNDJT2A21B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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. An unknown dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-05-07
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-04
- VIN: KNDJT2A28B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE
- Summary: 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.
2024-05-06
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-06
- VIN: KNDJT2A27B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-05-02
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-02
- VIN: KNDJT2A23B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not yet available. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-04-28
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-21
- VIN: KNDJT2A2XB7
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Got their recall letter, parked the car. It came up for inspection last December 2023. No inspection station would inspect it due to the fire hazard. It has sat since, not on the road. It runs and drives fine in my driveway. Now I've had no vehicle since December. I'd like it fixed. Or have them just buy it back off me.
2024-04-26
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-19
- VIN: KNDJT2A28B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact's daughter stated that the battery was drained, and while the contact was going to jumpstart the vehicle, the contact observed that the ABS module was running while the vehicle was turned off. The contact discovered how to disconnect the ABS module and disconnected it. The contact was concerned that the ABS module would cause a fire. The contact was notified of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a hydraulic module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,350.
2024-04-16
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-16
- VIN: KNDJT2A2XB7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-04-04
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-04
- VIN: KNDJT2A25B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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 that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was independently braking. The contact stated that she was able to pull over, the vehicle stopped, and the engine was still running. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated; however, the vehicle would not move forward while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that she pulled over, turned off the vehicle, and then attempted to restart the vehicle, but had to wait for over 20 minutes until the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but occurred at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that she smelled a burning plastic odor after another failure. The contact had spoken to a dealer but was informed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2024-03-28
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-28
- VIN: KNDJT2A29B7
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brake, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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 issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
2011 Kia Soul recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2011 Kia Soul.
2023-09-25
- Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
- Park Out Side: 1
- Park Out Side: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy: 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, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
2014-12-29
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors America
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
- Remedy: 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.
2013-04-01
- Manufacturer: Kia Motors Corporation
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. 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 switch may malfunction. A malfunctioning stop lamp switch may cause the brake lights to not illuminate when the brake pedal is depressed or may cause an inability to deactivate the cruise control by depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, a malfunctioning stop lamp switch may also result in intermittent operation of the push-button start feature, affect the operation of the brake-transmission shift interlock feature preventing the shifter from being moved out of the PARK position and cause the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) malfunction light to illuminate.
- Consequence: 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 to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's recall campaign number is SC098.
Negative 2011 Kia Soul car reviews
Positive 2011 Kia Soul car reviews
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Hi there! I read your story about your car search and I must say, I'm impressed with your choice! The 2011 Kia Soul sounds like the perfect fit for you with its spacious cargo room and easy accessibility. It's great to hear that you're also getting better gas mileage than expected. Plus, the extra height provides better visibility and control on the road. Overall, it sounds like you made a great choice with the Soul and I hope it continues to serve you well!
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I've had the car for just a week now and I absolutely love it! The handling in town is great and the freeway ride isn't too bad either. Although it has a slight nervous feeling in the wind, it's nothing to be scared of. This little car has plenty of zip when needed and it kind of makes you want to drive easier and challenge yourself to get the most MPG when you have ECO mode on. Watching the estimated MPG figure climb is such a relief when gas prices are so high. I'm very impressed with how well made the car feels so far.
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Road noise is something to consider, but overall this car has a great ride. It's comfortable, fast, and has great heating and cooling. There are virtually no blind spots while driving and the seat adjustment and mirrors provide great coverage. It's also very peppy, which is why I named the car Bambi after my grandmother. After having this car for over a year, I couldn't have asked for a better used car. It's very versatile!
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Just get the car, you'll fall in love!
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We absolutely adore the Kia Soul! We recently traded in our Kia Sportage and were worried we would miss the extra space, but the Soul is surprisingly roomy for a small car. The gas mileage is excellent, averaging 29-31 mpg, which means it costs less to fill up and we can go more miles between fills compared to our Sportage. We loved our Sportage, but the leather and upgrades in our Soul are unbeatable. Our Soul has leather seats, a sunroof, Bluetooth, and satellite radio - we love all the extras that come with it. The only issue we had were the factory decals, which we found to be a bit tacky. As a couple in our 40s, the
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2011 Kia Soul problems:
How reliable is 2011 kia soul? I found one with 45k miles… does ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/KiaSoulClub/comments/zbadky/how_reliable_is_2011_kia_soul_i_found_one_with/
Dec 3, 2022 ... Other than those two colossal problems, it has been perfectly reliable. I'm about to drop a new engine in mine in a few weeks. Upvote 6
2011 Kia Soul Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life Expectancy ...
https://www.vehiclehistory.com/report/kia/soul/2011
Mar 16, 2022 ... The Kia soul is a reliable vehicle and very gas efficient. Good commuter car. The downside is the vehicle is cheaply built and sustains damage ...
2011 Kia Soul Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/kia/soul/2011/reliability/
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Exhaust · Body Hardware · Brakes · Paint And Trim · Electrical Accessories · Fuel System/Emissions · Transmission Major.
2011 Kia Soul Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/kia/soul/2011/common-problems/
How reliable is the 2011 Kia Soul? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Engine problems as bad as they sound? | Kia Soul Forums :: Kia ...
https://www.kiasoulforums.com/threads/engine-problems-as-bad-as-they-sound.120467/
Mar 18, 2022 ... GDI engines tend be be hard on oil. My 2019 GDI Souls oil is coal black after 3k miles where my 2011 MPI Soul isn't nearly as bad looking after ...
Other years of Kia Soul
Are you having problems with your 2011 Kia Soul?
Avery Blick 2024-11-25
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with this car. While it's a great grocery-getter with good ride, handling, and power, I did find that the driver's seat was a bit too narrow for all-day comfort, especially since I wear 42-waist pants. My wife and I have been using it as a rental replacement for our usual delivery vehicle for a week now, and it's been a good fit for light loads. However, when we loaded it up with 115, 25-count bundles of 90-page magazines, we did notice that the suspension bottoms out and the engine sounds strained. We were glad we didn't need the added load of AC. Overall, I would rate its performance and fun-to-drive factor at 3.5 when unloaded and 2 when loaded. Thanks for listening!
Dameon Purdy 2024-11-20
Congratulations on your new 2011 Kia Soul + AT! It sounds like you got a great deal, especially considering your trade-in. I'm glad to hear that your first Kia experience was a positive one and that the dealership provided excellent service. As for the car itself, while the powertrain may be low-tech, it still gets the job done and provides good mileage. The manual mode also adds to the driving fun. Although the interior may look somewhat cheap, it's still a vast improvement over past models. Overall, it sounds like you made a smart choice with your purchase. Enjoy your new ride!
Nathen O'Reilly 2024-09-24
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my 11' Kia Soul Plus with a manual transmission that I bought back in June of 2011. At first, I really loved the car, but as I started driving it more, I began to notice a few things that bothered me. The door panels were easily scratched and stained by water, which required a bit of elbow grease to clean. Unfortunately, I learned this the hard way when I opened the door in the rain and ended up with water marks on the seat. The car is also quite noisy, especially on the highway or at speeds over 40mph. However, despite these issues, I still enjoyed driving it. Ultimately, I decided to trade it in for an 11' Optima or something similar that better fits my needs for comfort, style, and fun. Thanks for listening!
Abe Schuppe 2024-07-15
I purchased this car in October 2011 and have driven it for 60,000 miles without any reliability issues. However, I would not make the same choice again due to some drawbacks. The seats stain easily and the interior scratches easily. There is also not enough space behind the rear seat, making it difficult to fit even two average suitcases. The car only gets 25 mpg and has a lot of road and engine noise. Additionally, it can be difficult to control on rough roads and in rainy conditions. The resale value is also not ideal, with Kia offering only $10,000 on trade-in for a car with 60,000 miles. While Kia has made improvements, I believe that the car is overpriced for what it offers. At a purchase price of nearly $18,000, there are better quality cars available for the same price.
Boyd Corwin 2024-06-20
The window columns are designed for one-time use only, so they will need to be replaced with new ones if the windshield is ever replaced. Otherwise, they may come off while driving on the highway. Additionally, I had an issue with the door locks, but it turned out that the actuator was not the problem, which cost me an extra $1,000. Most recently, I have been experiencing some trouble with the sway bar. Despite these issues, I did enjoy the great mileage this car provides.