32 of the
270 complaints about the 2011 KIA Soul are about the
electrical system — 12% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
62,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while her husband was at a stop sign, the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was successfully jump-started; however, after driving approximately one mile, the vehicle began jerking and lost power again and was pushed to a residence. The contact referenced NHTSA ID Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); as a possible cause for the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,655.
NHTSA complaint #11722193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vero Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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).
NHTSA complaint #11594637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
White City, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Solo. NO quiso correr
NHTSA complaint #11593446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glen Allen, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11570320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11569951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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”
NHTSA complaint #11567553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vero Beach, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11564400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burney, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11562373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nashville, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11560666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gouldsboro, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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!
NHTSA complaint #11557244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrells, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11521952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chandler, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11517163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 complaint #11376761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beaumont, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #11352683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesUpper Arlington, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11351882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesOmaha, NE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11298308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesLittle Rock, AR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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!
NHTSA complaint #11192166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesRavenna, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11154839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesApalachin, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11132834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO, AP
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11081744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bingham, ME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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).
NHTSA complaint #11005072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesMorrison, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BRAKE LIGHTS QUITS WORKING , CRUSE DOESN'T WORK , RADIO IS AFFECTED
NHTSA complaint #10950241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 03/30/16.*JB UPDATED 04/14/16.
NHTSA complaint #10836997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 03/30/16.*JB UPDATED 04/14/16.
NHTSA complaint #10836997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesColumbus, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
OCASSIONALY THE HORN WILL NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10694248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesTullahoma, TN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA complaint #10622514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesST Louis, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10515529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesST Louis, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN MALFUNCTIONED SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA complaint #10515529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesWest Haven, CTCrashFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY LOT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THAT THE FIRE WAS NOT A RESULT OF THE CRASH, BUT RATHER THE RESULT OF DEFECTIVE WIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10458560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesEagle River, AKFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO WARM, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,000.
NHTSA complaint #10437522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.