NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Kia Soul. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
1. MY KIA SOUL WINDSHIELD WAS HIT BY A ROCK WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. MY WINDSHIELD NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WHICH WILL COST ME $250.00 INSURANCE DEDUCTIBLE .COULD THIS HAVE BEEN DUE TO CHEAP KIA GLASS OR POOR BOXY DESIGN AS I READ FROM OTHER KIA SOUL OWNERS ON THE KIA FORUM? IF SO, PLEASE CONSIDER THIS MY OFFICIAL COMPLAINT. 2. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO STATE MY COMPLAINT THAT THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AS IT HAS THE ABSOLUTE WORST BLIND SPOTS OF ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN AND I AM ALWAYS AFRAID THAT I WILL HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN CHANGING LANES. *TR
SECOND INCIDENT OF BRAKE (DEALER SAYS EMERGENCY BRAKE) CAUSING VEHICLE VIBRATION. THIS EXITING PARKING LOT. ON HARD SURFACE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS EXPERIENCE VIBRATION WHICH RAMPS UP IN FREQUENCY THEN RAMPS DOWN. HAVE REPLACED EMERGENCY BRAKE SHOE. DEALER SAYS BRAKE PAD WAS DELAMINATING AND PIECE OF SHOE WAS PROBABLY CAUSING VIBRATION BY INVOLVING OTHER PARTS DURING WHEEL REVOLUTION. NOTICE PARKING BRAKE LEVER SEEMS TO EXCEED TOP RANGE AND SLIP SLIGHTLY TO LEFT. AFTER FIRST REPAIR NOTICED LOUD KNOCKING/RATTLE FROM RIGHT REAR QUADRANT, VERIFIED BY PASSENGER. DISCOVERED APPLICATION OF NORMAL BRAKE WHILE MOVING AT SLOW SPEED STOPPED MOST OF RATTLE/KNOCKING; THIS 2 DAYS AGO, THEN TODAY'S INCIDENT BEGAN AGAIN. *TR
THE CLUTCH AND FLY WHEEL WORE OUT ON THE CAR AT 22K MILES. THIS IS EXTREMELY EARLY FOR A CLUTCH TO FAIL. THE CLUTCH FAILED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY (I-81) AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER IN AN UNSAFE LOCATION. I HAVE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR MANY YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH FAIL AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION ONCE THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION WAS DISENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE DRAINED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, MAKING A LEFT TURN INTO THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW. THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT AND I WAS PULLED INTO A CURB. THIS CAUSED OVER $1600 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR. THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE AND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY METAL OR ANYTHING IN THE TIRE. ALSO, THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR LIGHT HAS NEVER COME ON, SO I KNOW THEY WERE AT THE PROPER PSI. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED, AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRES. THEY ACTUALLY LOOKED AT THE CAR AND ALL THEY SAID WAS "THIS IS JUST BAD DRIVING." I THEN CALLED THE KIA COMPANY AND TALKED TO THREE DIFFERENT PEOPLE. THEIR CONCLUSION WAS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TIRES. ONE PERSON EVEN ASKED HOW MUCH I WEIGHED! THIS VEHICLE IS A 2011 AND ONLY HAS 8,200 MILES ON IT. I HAD TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE TO GET IT FIXED. I BELIEVE THAT KIA SHOULD STAND BY THESE TIRES, BECAUSE NEXXEN COME STANDARD ON THEIR VEHICLES. SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED, I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES ON KIA VEHICLES. *TR
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. *TR
GOT IN CAR 7:30 AM, WHEN I CLOSED DRIVER DOOR, HEARD GLASS FALLING. REAR HATCH WINDOW WAS SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES. CAR WAS PARKED UNDER A CARPORT, NO INDICATION FOUND OF ANYTHING THAT MIGHT HAVE HIT THE WINDOW. CAR IS PARKED QUITE A DISTANCE FROM THE STREET. REAR DRIVER DOOR WINDOW WAS OPEN ABOUT 1", SO NO PRESSURE BUILDUP. NO GRASS CUTTING IN THE AREA, TEMPERATURE 70'S - 80'S. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER IMPACTING THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES AND CONTUSIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500.
SAFETY ISSUE - PASSENGER FRONT SIDE GLASS BLEW OUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. THIS WAS A GLASS DEFECT THAT WOULD OF HAD GREATER CONSEQUENCES IF THIS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AND A PASSENGER WAS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. KIA (CASE NUMBER [XXX]) REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM AND INSURANCE STEPPED IN. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
MYSELF AND 13 YOA DAUGHTER WERE ON CR0151 WHEN WE WERE STRUCK BY A 1996 CHEVY S-10 ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF OUR 2011 SOUL HITTING THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FENDER DOORS AND PILLAR BETWEEN THE RIGHT SIDE DOORS. NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF WITH THIS IMPACT AND WITH ALL THE AIR BAGS WHY DIDN'T ANY GO OFF? ...UPDATED 09/12/12 *BF UPDATED 09/18/2012 *JS
AIR CONDITIONER I ACTUALLY FOUND THIS OUT BY ACCIDENT. I BOUGHT A PORTABLE EXPLOSIVE GAS DETECTOR FROM MENARDS (MODEL NUMBER: 240PGD) MAINLY FOR MY SISTER WHO LIVES IN A TRAILER PARK AND HAS BECOME SEVERELY ILL FROM A SEWER GAS SMELL IN THE COURT. JUST BEFORE I LEFT FOR MY SISTER'S PLACE, I THOUGHT I WOULD TRY OUT THIS GAS DETECTOR IN THE CABIN OF MY CAR NEAR THE A/C VENT. I LOOKED AT THE SPECS FOR THIS EXPLOSIVE GAS DETECTOR AND THE TEMPERATURES WERE WITHIN TESTING RANGE. THE EXPLOSIVE GAS DETECTOR SHOWED HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF EXPLOSIVE GAS BY BEEPING AND SHOWING A RED LED. I TESTED SEVERAL TIMES AT DIFFERENT TEMPS WITH THE A/C ON AND RECEIVED RED LED LIGHTS AND WARNING BEEPS. WHILE IT DID NOT SPECIFY WHICH EXPLOSIVE GAS,THIS DETECTOR DETECTS ACETYLENE, BUTANE, METHANE (NATURAL GAS) AND PROPANE. I DID LOOK UP AIR CONDITIONER REFRIGERANT AND FOUND THAT CARS IN THE US MAY USE A BUTANE/PROPANE MIXTURE. MY WIFE AND I HAVE BEEN GETTING HEADACHES WITH INCREASING INTENSITY AND WONDER IF THIS IS WHY. I'M GLAD THAT WE ARE NOT SMOKERS OR WE WOULD HAVE BLOWN UP OR BEEN BLOW TORCHED BY THE A/C. THE DETECTOR DID NOT DETECT EXPLOSIVE GAS WHEN I TOOK IT BACK INTO MY HOUSE AS A REFERENCE. *TR
ON JULY 2, 2012 WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSPENSION SYSTEM FAILED RESULTING IN THE FRONT WHEEL GOING UNDER THE CAR. THIS RESULTED IN THE ENTIRE COLLAPSE OF THE SUSPENSION, FAILURE OF STEERING CAPABILITIES AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE RESULTING DAMAGE AFFECTED THE BODY AND VEHICLE STRUCTURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SIDESWIPED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRAIN INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS RESET AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER ACCIDENT WHERE THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WHEELS WERE NOT THE STANDARD WHEEL SIZE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE TPMS VALVE STEM HAD BROKEN OFF INSIDE THE WHEELS, CAUSING THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
SPEED CONTROL - THE SPEED CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE ON NUMEROUS OCCAISIONS, WHEN THE BRAKE WAS GENTLY APPLIED OR TAPPED, SPEED CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE AND THE SPEED ACTUALLY INCREASED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER. WE WERE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE REPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HORN - DOES NOT ACTIVATE SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN VEHICLE WARMED UP. WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE TO DEALER STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT ACTIVATES AND DOES NOT TURN OFF INTERMITTENTLY
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.
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS (APPROX 10 DURING LAST 2.5 ) AFTER MY 2011 KIA SOUL PASSED 1-YR MARK, RPMS WILL SUDDENLY INCREASE W/NO PRESSURE ON ACCELERATOR. USUALLY OCCURS DURING REPEATED LIGHT INTERMITTENT BRAKING/LIGHT ACCELERATION DURING SLOW & GO RUSH HR TRAFFIC, SPEED RANGE APPROX 8-15MPH. WHILE JUST CREEPING FOR A COUPLE MILES AT 8-10MPH, RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASE & STICK AT ALMOST 2000RPM - MUCH LIKE A "STUCK THROTTLE" IN THE OLD DAYS WHEN A TAP ON ACCELERATOR WOULD RELEASE IT. TAP ON SOUL ACCELERATOR DOES NOT "KICK DOWN" THE RPMS, REMAIN STUCK AT HIGHER RPMS. THIS PULLS CAR FORWARD WITH NO ACCELERATOR APPLIED & BRAKE FIRMLY DEPRESSED. CAN ONLY BE REMEDIED BY TURNING CAR OFF. OK WHEN START UP AGAIN. REPORTED 2-3 TIMES TO DEALERSHIP SERVICE, THEY FIND NOTHING. VERY UNNERVING, FEELS LIKE TOYOTA UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION PROBLEM THAT WAS BLAMED ON FLOOR MATS. KIA FLOOR MAT NOT OUT OF POSITION WHEN THIS OCCURS. I NOW DREAD/TRY TO AVOID SLOW&GO RUSH HR DRIVING FOR FEAR THE PROBLEM WILL RECUR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTER IN THE ENGINE CAUSED A LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND A DEFECT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE POORLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
THE DIM HEADLIGHTS ON MY KIA SOUL WERE BLOWING EVERY 3 MONTHS. I BOUGHT BULBS FROM THE AUTO PARTS STORE FROM THE CHEAP TO SUPER EXPENSIVE BULBS. NOTHING HELPED. I CALLED KIA AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED THERE BULBS. SO, I BOUGHT THOSE BULBS TOO. MY HEADLIGHTS WERE STILL BLOWING. I CHECKED THE SOCKET AND IT WAS BROWN LIKE IT HAD BEEN OVERHEATED. I REPLACED THOSE SOCKETS AND PUT ANOTHER SET OF KIA BULBS IN THE CAR. THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND THEY ARE BACK TO GOING OUT ON ME. THEY BOTH WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHICH IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS!!!!
THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ON FIRE AND THE WIND SHIELD EXPLODED. EVERYTHING MELTED DOWN AND CAR IS TOTALED. THIS INCIDENT WAS CAUSED BY AN INTERIOR MALFUNCTION WITH THE CAR. WOULD LIKE KIA TO REPLACE THIS CAR WITH A NEW CAR BECAUSE THIS WAS A NEW CAR THAT I PURCHASED THROUGH KIA. *TR
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.
ON THE ABOVE DATE THE REFERENCED KIA SOUL WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN A FORD 350 PICK UP TRUCK RAN INTO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AREA. THE PICKUP TRUCK WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE COLLISION CAVED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR'S EXTERIOR SKIN AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR SKIN WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE SIDE AIRBAGS ON THE KIA SOUL. *TR
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR 18 MONTHS, AND THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS WAY TOO EASILY. I'VE OWNED 23 CARS AND NEVER HAD TO REPLACE ONE BEFORE. THIS KIA IS GETTING ITS 2ND WINDSHIELD TODAY. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING ACTUALLY HIT IT, BUT HAVE HEARD A 'POP' SOUND EACH TIME, AND THE WINDSHIELD SPLITS ACROSS. BOTH TIMES IT HAS ORIGINATED ALONG THE EDGE OF THE RH SIDE. THERE ARE CHIPS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CRACK LIKE A ROCK *MAY* HAVE IMPACTED THERE, BUT IT SEEMS TO CRACK WAY TOO EASILY AND NEEDS TO BE THICKER OR STRONGER IN MY OPINION. *TR
PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE, CAR ACCELERATED AND BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WENT OVER THE PARKING CURB ON TO WALKWAY, THE CORNER OF THE STORE STOPPED ME NO DAMAGE TO THE WALL, DAMAGE TO THE MY CAR. KIA SOUL, 2011 *TT
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL COMES ON WHEN TRAVELING ON DRY ROADS GOING IN STRAIGHT LINE AND STAYS ON FOR INDETERMINATE PERIODS (SOMETIMES DAYS AT A TIME) UNRELATED TO DRIVING CONDITIONS. WILL NOT TURN OFF EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND KEY IS TAKEN OUT OF IGNITION - WHEN YOU PUT THE KEY BACK INTO IGNITION AND TURN THE TRACTION CONTROL IS STILL ENGAGED. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL IS ENGAGED THE GAS MILEAGE IS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED. DEALER HAS NO FIX FOR PROBLEM. *TR
WHEN IT RAINS THE FLOORBOARDS FILL WITH WATER (LITERAL PUDDLE) FRONT AND BACK, MAINLY ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE BEEN THE ONLY OWNER, I DID NOT NOTICE THE ISSUE UNTIL AFTER THE MILEAGE WARRANTY HAD SLIGHTLY EXPIRED. I CONTACTED THE DEALER ONCE I NOTICED THE ISSUE AND THEY OF COURSE WANTED $$$ TO EVEN LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. IN RESEARCHING FOR A RESOLUTION ON THE INTERNET THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE MAIN CONCERN IS HEALTH SAFETY AND POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL ISSUES THAT CAN RESULT FROM SO MUCH INTERIOR WETTING. I HAD CONTACTED THE DEALER AGAIN (BILL BYRD KIA PANAMA CITY FL) TO ASK IF THERE WAS ANY NEW INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND SPOKE WITH AND ALLAN AND A CHRIS AT THE SITE AND WAS HUNG UP ON BY BOTH INDIVIDUALS.
I HAVE A CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD THAT IS GETTING BIGGER- DO NOT RECALL A ROCK HITTING IT... *TR
I WAS DRIVING AND A PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING A CHIP WHICH TURNED INTO A CRACK. I GOT IT FILLED AT SAFE LITE. 3 DAYS LATER ANOTHER PEBBLE HIT MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING A CRACK. IN THE PAST 3 YEARS MY WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN HIT & CRACKED AT LEAST 10 TIMES. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 18 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A CHIP OR CRACK IN MY WINDSHIELD.OBVIOUSLY KIA SOUL WINDSHIELDS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY POCKET THE COST OF A NEW WINDSHIELD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK NEXEN P225/45/R13 TIRES, DOT 8EJ7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE BUBBLE ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE DRIVING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OWNER. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER ON THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON STRAIGHT ROAD WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD. BRAKES WORKED BUT MADE A HORRIBLE GRINDING-LIKE VIBRATION UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY ANALOGY THAT COMES CLOSE TO DESCRIBING IT IS IT SOUNDED AS IF THERE WERE HARD ROCKS/GRAVEL ON TOP OF THE BRAKE PADS. HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME SINCE WHEN ENGAGING BRAKES FOR AN EMERGENCY-LIKE STOP. *TR
THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK LAST WEEK, ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. TODAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, SAME THING. I WAS NOT TAILGATING, I WAS NOT FOLLOWING ANY BIG TRUCKS...NOTHING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 13 YEARS AND HAVE NOT HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME BEFORE. COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT. I THINK THERE IS A DEFAULT WITH THE GLASS. I WAS DRIVING THE SPEED LIMIT AND DRIVING AS I ALWAYS DO, AND TWICE IN A WEEK? UNACCEPTABLE.
TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY 35 THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. NO APPARENT FOREIGN OBJECT APPEARS TO HAVE HIT THE GLASS, IT JUST EXPLODED INTO A THOUSAND PIECES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, HIS KNEE SLIGHTLY BUMPED INTO THE IGNITION KEY. AS A RESULT, THE KEY TURNED INTO THE OFF POSITION AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 725.
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED & NEED TO SUDDENLY STOP, THE VEHICLE BRAKES LOCK UP & DO NOT STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME. BASICALLY, THE TIRES LOCK UP & THE CAR CONTINUES TO SKID & SCREECH. THIS IS ESPECIALLY AGGRAVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE DRIVES OVER A POTHOLE OR OTHER DEFECT IN THE ROADWAY WHILE BRAKING OR IN CONSTANT STOP-&-GO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE HAS NARROWLY MISSED CRASHING INTO OTHER VEHICLES OR STRUCTURES NUMEROUS TIMES. I NOTICED THE PROBLEMS WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF PURCHASING THE NEW 2011 CAR. IT FEELS VERY DANGEROUS & SCARY & I'M VERY UNEASY ABOUT DRIVING IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE IF THE CAR WILL RESPOND PROPERLY IN AN EMERGENCY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH REAR SEATS FAILED TO LATCH PROPERLY IN A SECURE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE LATCH WOULD FUNCTION CORRECTLY WHEN INTENSE FORCE WAS APPLIED BY USING AN OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS WHEN THE BRAKES INITIATED FOR NO REASON AND NO GAS SEEMED TO BE GOING TO THE THROTTLE. THE ESC LIGHT CAME ON. I ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT OFF BUT THERE WAS STILL NO CHANGE. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR AND STALLED OUT A COUPLE OF TIMES BECAUSE LACK OF GAS GOING TO THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS IN A CONGESTED AREA AND WAS ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HAD I BEEN ON A HIGHWAY. *TR
2011 KIA SOUL WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES HAD PEBBLE HIT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW AND CHIPPED IT IN SEVERAL SPOTS. AT 6,000 MILES, PEBBLE HITS WINDSHEILD THAT CHIPS AND CRACKS WINDSHEILD. SAFETYLITE COULD NOT REPAIR AND CRACK IS GROWING. ALSO, FRONT AND SIDES OF CAR PAINT IS CHIPPING AT AN ALARMING RATE. PAINT CHIPING IS A GROSS QUALITY ISSUE. HOWEVER, THE SUBSTANDARD GLASS IS A REALLY GROSS SAFETY ISSUE AND CAN RESULT IN INJURY AND OR DEATH. THERE APPEARS TO BE A PATTERN OF THESE DEFECTS AND SHOULD BE THROUGHLY INVESTIGATED. *TR
SINCE PURCHASING MY KIA SOUL ON FEB.28, 2011 I HAVE REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD TWICE! YES, IT WAS HIT BUT SMALL STONES BOTH TIMES, BUT ONE WOULD THINK THE WINDSHIELD SHOULD WITHSTAND SUCH IMPACT. ANY MINOR THING THAT HITS THE WINDSHIELD APPEARS TO BE LEAVING BIG PATHS OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING DAMAGE. TO ME, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
VIOLENT SHUTTER VIBRATION, FELT LIKE BLOWN PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AFTER 30 MILES(DROVE OFF LOT) PULLED OVER TO INSPECT TIRES EVERYTHING LOOKED OK AND DROVE OFF WITH NO SHUTTER OR VIBRATION VEHICLE HAS DONE IT 4 TIMES NOW AT 1,000 MILES, HAS DONE IT AT 40 MPH-70 MPH, AT HIGHER SPEEDS VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. *TR
PARKED IN FRONT OF COFFEE SHOP ABOUT 3PM. WINDY BUT WARM (NOT HOT OR COLD WEATHER). CAME OUT TO FIND BACK WINDOW SHATTERED. INSURANCE CO. CALLED, WILL REPLACE WINDOW W/ $250 DEDUCTIBLE FEE. NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY INVOLVED. *TR
WE PURCHASED A MOLTEN 2011 KIA SOUL. 3 MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE CAR WE NOTICED MULTIPLE PAINT CHIPS ALL OVER THE CAR AND WINDSHIELD CHIPS. I HAVE LESS THAN 4500 MILES AND I DO NOT DRIVE ON GRAVEL OR FOLLOW SALT TRUCKS. I AM CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR IT. ALSO, A SPEAKER RUMBLES, IT DID NOT START ONE TIME (ONLY HAD IT FOR A FEW DAYS), AND SOMETIMES YOU CAN SMELL ANTIFREEZE. THE DEALERSHIP IS STILL DECIDING IF THEY WILL HELP ME IN REGARDS TO THE PAINT AND WINDSHIELD. THEY HAVE ORDERED A REPLACEMENT SPEAKER. THEY SAID THAT THE STARTING SYSTEM IS FINE AND THE ANTIFREEZE SMELL IS "THE ENGINE BREAKING IN". I HAVE READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT PAIN AND WINDSHIELD CHIPS. PLEASE HELP US! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HORN WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BUT NONE WERE SUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH THE HORN WHEN THE USING THE AUTO LOCK FEATURE ON THE REMOTE. THE HORN ONLY CONFIRMED LOCKING 1/2 OF THE TIME BY A CONFIRMED BEEP. THEN HE NOTICED THE HORN WOULD NOT WORK IN THE MORNINGS WHEN HE PRESSED IT THE BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE HORN RELAY WAS REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME, THE HORN STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE HORN SOUNDER BOARD. UPDATED 07/29/11
TL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SOUL WITH NEXXEN TIRES, SIZE 225/45 R18. THE DOT WAS NOT AVTHE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TREAD ON THE TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER GAVE THE CONTACT THE PHONE NUMBER TO THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT THE TIRE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED TO THE CONTACT TO SEND PICTURE OF THE TIRES TO THEIR HEADQUARTERS. THE CONTACT SENT THE PICTURES TO THE MANUFACTURER AND HAS NOT HEARD FROM THE MANUFACTURER AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT STATED THESE TIRE DO NOT MEET FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS AND WILL CAUSE A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. JO
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026