2013 Kia Soul brakes problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

82 owners have reported brakes problems with the 2013 Kia Soul, 19% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 142,000 mi.

Brakes complaints
82
Crashes
1
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
142,000 mi

Specific components reported

Brakes covers: Service brakes (hydraulic, electric, air), ABS and parking brake.

ComponentComplaints
Service brakes, hydraulic67
Service brakes14
Service brakes, air:antilock:abs warning light1
Service brakes, air:antilock:control unit/module1

Brakes complaints across Kia Soul years

2201038201139201282201325201420201516201610201752018520199202010202132022820232202422025
Brakes complaints by model year. The 2013 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k130k–60k360k–100k6100k–150k7150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 23V652000Sep 25, 20231,730,192 vehiclesPark outside
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

    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.

    Remedy: 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 say

  1. Filed Apr 24, 2026265,000 miGAFireTowedBrakesEngine
    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 Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). There were no reported injuries, police report, or crash. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was…
    NHTSA complaint #11733591 · source
  2. Filed Nov 24, 2025200,000 miARFireBrakes
    The contact owned a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at night, the neighbor knocked on the door approximately 4:00 AM in the morning to alert the contact that the vehicle was on fire in the driveway. The contact went outside and saw that the front of the vehicle was on fire. The contact believed that the fire had started in the engine compartment. The contact stated that the neighbor was already attempting to put out the fire with a…
    NHTSA complaint #11701256 · source
  3. Filed Oct 13, 2025LABody & StructureBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control
    Brake petal sensor broke keeping the tail light on. Has trouble accelerating and throws the traction light on burnt up battery, both front door locks have broke with no reason. Wipers broke does not give water.
    NHTSA complaint #11693140 · source
  4. Filed Sep 22, 2025PABrakesWheels & Tires
    The rims and the rotor have rusted together causing you to use excessive force to remove the lug nut holding on the tire and the nut snaps off.
    NHTSA complaint #11688787 · source
  5. Filed Aug 13, 2025RIFireTowedBrakesEngine
    The contact owned a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) and NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while her son was driving at 60 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact's son was able to pull over to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated her son exited the…
    NHTSA complaint #11680410 · source
  6. Filed Apr 4, 2025TXTowedBrakesEngine
    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's daughter was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact stated that there was a fuel burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it…
    NHTSA complaint #11652860 · source
  7. Filed Jan 23, 2025FLBrakes
    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
    NHTSA complaint #11637923 · source
  8. Filed Dec 17, 202400Brakes
    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer informed the contact that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution…
    NHTSA complaint #11631258 · source
  9. Filed Dec 6, 2024FLBrakes
    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the contact should schedule an appointment for the vehicle to be…
    NHTSA complaint #11629286 · source
  10. Filed Nov 29, 2024FLBrakes
    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool shows no open recall.
    NHTSA complaint #11627925 · source
  11. Filed Nov 4, 2024188,028 miNCTowedBrakesEngine
    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the dealer declined to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the dealer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and then…
    NHTSA complaint #11623409 · source
  12. Filed Oct 30, 2024110,000 miINFireTowedBrakesElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and unoccupied in a carport when it suddenly caught fire near the engine compartment. The fire had expanded and caused damage to the entire garage near the carport and 2 other vehicles and a motorcycle inside the garage. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed and the origin was an electrical issue. The vehicle was towed and identified as totaled. There…
    NHTSA complaint #11622661 · source

Other 2013 Kia Soul problem areas

Back to all 2013 Kia Soul problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology