CarComplaints.com Notes: Look past the horrible hamster advertising campaign and you'll find a vehicle that is comfortable to drive, roomy and reliable. Just don't expect to set any MPG records on the highway (a side effect of driving a car shaped like a lunchbox).

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,582 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Kia Soul electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #27

Nov 142023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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).

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #26

Jan 102023

Soul

  • miles
Solo. NO quiso correr

- White City , OR, USA

problem #25

Nov 142023

Soul

  • miles
KIA AmericaFebruary 6, 2024 P.O. Box 52410 Irvine, CA 92619-2410 Attn: Customer Relations Good afternoon, I received a Safety Recall letter dated November 14, 2023 concerning the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) for my 2011 KIA Soul, (NHTSA Recall# 23V652). I want to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the lack of response to this issue. I-??ve never owned any vehicle subject to a recall that took over two months to address. There has been no follow up information from KIA with any details of progress or timeline to resolve this issue. As a result, I-??ve initiated phone calls to a KIA Dealership as well as the KIA Customer department to try and get information and no one seems to have any idea on a resolution to the problem. Since this issue can result in an engine compartment fire, I cannot safely transport any child requiring a secured Child Safety Seat with any degree of confidence. I-??m requesting a response on this matter that provides an informed resolution that includes parts and a timeline to fix this problem.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

problem #24

Oct 012023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #23

Jan 242024

Soul

  • miles
Even though Kia recalled my vehicle because of possible fire risk, they do not arrange the remedy in a timely manner. The recall is open since September and I have to park my car outside, and have to drive it with fire risk. My complaint is for -??delay of remedy-??

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #22

Jan 092024

Soul

  • miles
This complaint is in reference to existing recall 23v652 for various KIAs including my 2011 Soul. This defective fuse could cause a fire, and owners advised to park outside and not drive vehicle. Advised in November letter, I have called KIA Customer Care and local dealer today (Jan 9 2024), and still no repair solution. I find this delay in remedy unacceptable as I am without transportation. Would appreciate your using your influence to move this to resolution. Thank you.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #21

Sep 272023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car has been recalled due to electronic control system fire danger. I am afraid to drive hiway 299 to Redding because my car might catch on fire. All of my services are are in or near Redding. I can't get a response from Kia, other than a pending recall notice. They claim to not know anything.

- Burney, CA, USA

problem #20

Sep 252023

Soul

  • miles
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.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #19

Nov 202023

Soul

  • miles
I have the recall for my 2011 Kia Soul. HECU that states to park outside and away from vehicles due to potential engine fire. Park until recall is fixed. I have contacted the Manufacturer, Dealership, my insurance company and the NHTSA as this is my only vehicle and means of transportation. There is no remedy for the fix nor an ETA of the Fix. I was told there was nothing that could be done. I am so angry as MY car can catch fire while driving which puts my life at risk along with others. WHAT am I supposed to do" Walk everywhere? The manufacturer will not provide a loaner or reimbursement for a rental, the dealership will not provide a loaner and my insurance will not provide a rental due to I don't have a claim. Who takes responsibility for an unsafe vehicle that cannot be driven or driven and put everyone at risk" This needs to be rectified!

- Gouldsboro , PA, USA

problem #18

May 142023

Soul

  • miles
Brake lamps and park light issues. Wiring harness seems to be overheating causing lamps to keep blowing. No park lights working at all so it seems to be a electrical issue.

- Harrells, NC, USA

problem #17

Apr 142023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After getting fuel, the car stalls immediately. I have to push the gas petal and give it several pushes to get it to go. Sometimes it stalls while driving. It will turn off randomly especially after pressing the break pedal. It turns off, and all the warning lights turn on. Then it totally turns off all sources of power to it. Bluetooth microphone has not worked since I got it with 30 miles on it. Now it has 136,000.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #16

Mar 132017

Soul

  • miles
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.

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #15

Aug 282020

Soul

  • 0 miles
Car was idle for only 3 days battery was only 12 30 days old car wont start not matter light were on, radio would play air would come on. Car could blow horn and all, car just would get gas or anything at all. Call my tow he jump her and boom she start right away. Went to johnson automative on calder and he did her run she was fine said was battery but I did not have anything on in vechil all she was in my driveway per hurricane laura no filter noithing showed up at all but battery but she only just bought battery last year so hmm

- Beaumont, TX, USA

problem #14

Aug 202020

Soul

  • 118,000 miles
Brake light will not illuminate when depressed. Break light switch not functioning properly. ESC/stability control light stays on continuous while car is in motion or stopped. Tail lights burn out every 6-12 month, as well as head lamps burning out often.

- Upper Arlington, OH, USA

problem #13

Nov 042015

Soul

  • 75,000 miles
The horn only works when it wants to, I can not find a reason for this. Does not mater if car is running or not, weither it is turning or not. It is very dangerous, since there have been times that I wish it would have worked in some serious driving situations and it did not.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #12

Mar 272019

Soul

  • 160,000 miles
Intermittent horn. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. in doing research, I have noticed a lot of complaints for the same thing. Why has this not been recalled? this is clearly a safety issue! doesn't matter if the car is sitting, driving, turning, anything. The horn only seems to work when it feels like it. Very dangerous!

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #11

Jan 012015

Soul

  • 151,000 miles
A couple years ago, the driver side door had issues opening after being unlocked. This was frustrating, but not a safety issue. In the past several months, the door has opened while driving a couple times. This same issue was recalled in the Kia sorento at the end of 2017 for the same reported issue and the same part replacement. Kia has told me that there is nothing they can do to fix the issue as my car was not included in the sorento recall, even though it is the same exact issue. This was not a major issue until the door started openeing while driving. This is something that needs to be recalled by Kia and fixed in all affected vehicles.

- Ravenna, OH, USA

problem #10

Sep 012018

Soul

  • 107,000 miles
107000 miles on the car. Started car in the morning and it made a whining noise. Didn't think much of it because it was colder than it had been. After warming up a few minutes drove down my road about a mile and the battery light came on. Turned around at went back home. Popped the hood and smelled strong burning smell. Problem was found to be the alernator. When I pulled it to replace it noticed that the windings inside the alternator were burt and chared/melted.

- Apalachin, NY, USA

problem #9

Mar 282018

Soul

  • miles
I was unaware that my car was under a recall. I am active duty air force and did not receive an email stating my car needed to be fixed. I found out through my pcs website.

- Apo, AP, USA

problem #8

Jan 012015

Soul

  • miles
Bad wire in steering wheel, which makes horn malfunction frequently(if I repeatedly turn wheel, horn will work). This started three years ago. Car has been well maintained, and I see no recall for this issue. I also have a bad sensor under the passenger seat, which allows airbag to be on or off when passenger is in seat(doesn't seem to work).

- Bingham, ME, USA

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