Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Kia Soul owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated, indicating that the airbag system was inoperative. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the clock spring needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. A certified letter was sent to the manufacturer, requesting a goodwill refund; however, the request was denied due to the lack of recall coverage for the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 167,492.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. Additionally, the cruise control was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driver's side air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
This vehicle had just passed a inspection for me to get it licensed and Kentucky. There was no light showing that the airbags would not work. Unfortunately, this vehicle is not available.I had reached out to kia multiple times. My fears I have another Kia the same year.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Kia Soul. While at a complete stop, the contact's vehicle was rear ended by another vehicle going 75 MPH. The contact while trying to get out the way was struck a second time, which caused her to crash into a different vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a broken neck that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's insurance company where the contact was informed that the vehicle was totaled. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the air bag failure. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH during icy road conditions, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact and the passenger sustained unknown injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over three times and crashed in an embankment. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained a minor cut that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not provided.
I was traveling south bound on az sr 95 at 45 MPH. Other vehicle was north bound and made a "u" turn in front of me. I could not avoid hitting him broadside at approximately 20 MPH. Air bags did not inflate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the brake lights failed to illuminate. In addition, the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact also stated that the ECM warning light illuminated and the head lights failed to illuminate. The failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced for a stop lamp switch and the under body corrosion recall. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 160,000.
My son and I were in a severe crash. We were hit from behind at about 50 MPH by two cars. We were knocked off the road and down a drop off. We landed and went over large boulders. Car was totaled. Front end and rear end gone. Two wheels came off. No air bags deployed. This is a great concern for people that May want to purchase the Soul. All other vehicles in the crash had air bags that did deploy. I think if our air bags were working properly then my son and I May of not had such severe injuries to our heads, backs and necks.
Airbag complaints in other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Kia Soul, 13% of the model year's 194 complaints. The component named most often is frontal › driver clockspring/spiral cassette (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Kia Soul airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2011 Kia Soul, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Kia Soul airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 22 crashes, 0 fires and 26 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.