KIA Soul Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 154 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the KIA Soul across 11 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (68). The words owners use most often: “hydraulic contacted” (24% of reports).
- 154service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 25%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Hydraulic contacted: mentioned in 37 of 154 complaints (24%)
- Fire department: mentioned in 9 of 154 complaints (6%)
- Engine compartment: mentioned in 9 of 154 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 55 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 154 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 2 an injury.
KIA Soul service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/modulePark outside
Model years: 2011, 2012, 2013
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the contact heard a noise outside and discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire near the engine compartment. The contact extinguished the fire using water and salt. The contact…
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The contactâs husband, who is an independent mechanic, inspected the vehicle and became aware that the brake fluid lines were rusted and ruptured underneath the middle of the…
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and inspected the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was no oil in the engine; however, the vehicle previously had an oil…
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle spontaneously caught fire while parked unattended at 3 am. All the warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure, and the vehicle was undrivable. The contact had received the recall notification letter for NHTSA Campaign…
See attached document for complaint.
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Souls have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 154 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the KIA Soul. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Soul service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 1 safety recall list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the KIA Soul?
The most frequent phrase is “hydraulic contacted”, in 37 of 154 complaints, followed by “fire department” (9).
Other KIA Soul problems
- Engine problems (3,145)
- Electrical System problems (520)
- Steering problems (519)
- Power Train problems (432)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (407)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (346)
- Exterior Lighting problems (252)
- Air Bags problems (203)
See all KIA Soul problems.