Makes›Kia›Soul›2011

2011 Kia Soul

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Kia Soul
Pictured: 2023 Kia Soul GT-Line (facelift), front 12.11.22. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Station Wagons
Body styles
1.6l, 2.0l
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
28 combined · 26 city / 31 hwy
Length
161.8 in
Curb weight
2,624–2,899 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 28 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2011 small station wagon (24.4 MPG).

Watch out for

  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2011 Kia Soul is a small station wagon offered with 2 engines (1.6L 4-cyl and 2.0L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 162 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 100-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,624 lb (1.6l).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (26 city / 31 highway), 15% better than the 2011 small station wagon average of 24.4 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 135 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2011

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 Soul — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Soul →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
1.6l161.8 in70.5 in63.4 in100.4 in61.4 / 61.4 in2,624 lb61/39
2.0l161.8 in70.5 in63.4 in100.4 in61.4 / 61.4 in2,899 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Soul1.6L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 31 / 28+15%$2,400317
Soul1.6L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 30 / 27+11%$2,500329
Soul2.0L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 29 / 26+7%$2,600342
Soul2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 30 / 26+7%$2,600342
Spend $500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
24.4 MPG2011 Small Station Wagons average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Kia Soul.

Similar 2011 small station wagons

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Kia Soul (this car)28 MPGNot rated3
2011 Honda Fit31 MPGNot rated11
2011 Nissan Juke29 MPGNot rated3
2011 Scion xB24 MPGNot rated5
2011 Nissan Cube28 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (3)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module · Sep 25, 2023 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Structure › Body › Roof And Pillars · Dec 29, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V822000 · 95,314 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A detached headliner plate may increase the risk of injury to the occupant during a vehicle crash.
Fix
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.
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch · Apr 1, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V114000 · 980,377 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Kia Soul is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

135Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
14Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
18Injuries reported
86,285 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes, Hydraulic31
Electrical System24
Engine22
Unknown Or Other19
Air Bags16
Exterior Lighting10
Service Brakes9
Power Train8
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/03: 121/06: 121/12: 122/06: 123/03: 123/04: 123/05: 123/11: 623/12: 624/01: 424/02: 224/03: 524/04: 424/05: 924/06: 624/07: 124/08: 124/09: 124/10: 224/11: 124/12: 125/06: 126/03: 126/08: 121/0322/0623/0524/0124/0424/0724/1025/06max 9

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 Kia Soul buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Service Brakes, Hydraulic — 31 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Electrical System — 24 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Engine — 22 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 86,285 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Kia Soul. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Soul years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★012
2024 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★030
2023 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★454
2022 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★195
2021 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★2239
2020 Soul31165.4 in★★★★★1388
2019 Soul28163 in★★★★★3141
2018 Soul28163 in★★★★★3223
2017 Soul28163 in★★★★★3290
2016 Soul27163 in★★★★★5824
2015 Soul26163 in★★★★★7907
2014 Soul26163 in★★★★★5878

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →