2011 Kia Soul power train problems
13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2011 Kia Soul — 7% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“My 2011 kia soul I bought off of a friend. It drove great only had 80000 miles. However when I got it 3rd gear would sometimes be hard to get in gear and grind. I just reached 100000 miles and I got up for work today and it wont go into gear in first or reverse. I did some research and seems its a…”
filed Jan 26, 2021
“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…”
filed Nov 27, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area…
TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 17, 2025This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
TSB_TRA046_R4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 16, 2024
Power Train problems in other Soul years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Soul | 2 | 7% |
| 2023 Soul | 4 | 8% |
| 2022 Soul | 12 | 14% |
| 2021 Soul | 26 | 12% |
| 2020 Soul | 88 | 24% |
| 2019 Soul | 5 | 4% |
| 2018 Soul | 31 | 15% |
| 2017 Soul | 19 | 7% |
| 2016 Soul | 61 | 8% |
| 2015 Soul | 60 | 7% |
| 2014 Soul | 56 | 6% |
| 2013 Soul | 14 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2011 Kia Soul
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.