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 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 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.
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.
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.
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. …
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.
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.
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.
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. …
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; [phone]) 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. …
Engine complaints in other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2011 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2011 Kia Soul, 14% of the model year's 194 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Kia Soul engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.