Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2014 Kia Soul submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 35 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 35, in the owner's own words
Driving and sudden brake to avoid someone coming out of there drive way to come on the road we were driving on. The rake pedal went down. We carefully Drove home and when got home my husband saw a long leak on our drive way. . Brake line gave out . . Leaking brake fluid. We have many vehicles and we never experienced this .was scary at the time.
Calipers were froze from the salt
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while accelerating, the accelerator pedal was depressed to the floorboard, and the vehicle was sluggish and slow to accelerate before responding as needed. There was an abnormal, rotten odor coming from the vehicle. The ABS, engine, and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was contacted and suggested a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
I was driving my 2014 Kia Soul on Friday 12/12 when without any warning the brakes went out. Thankfully I was able to get it to a parking lot without incident and requested a tow. After having it repaired, the mechanics stated the brake lines completely popped due to brake line corrosion. After researching this issue, I found that my Kia Soul had a Voluntary Service Campaign recall regarding the exact corrosion on the brake lines that would likely be responsible for this catastrophic failure. I was never notified of this possibility despite having my car routinely serviced in NJ and VA. This is a huge oversight on Kia’s behalf – other people with this make and model need to be notified that there could be unseen corrosion happening. Fortunately, I wasn’t on the highway when the brakes went out and thanks to my careful navigation I was able to avoid getting into an accident with others on the road at the time my brakes suddenly failed. Afterwards, I called Kia and requested reimbursement as this was a recall that I was never notified for but they refused as my VIN was not listed under the VSC. Due to the catastrophic nature of the failure and the potential for damage to property, severe injury, or loss of life, I am notifying NHTSA in hopes of escalating this issue and to raise awareness for other Kia Soul drivers. Prior to this incident, NO lights, NO audible warning, OR other signs of impending failure occurred. Had I been notified of this issue through the inclusion in the VSC, I would have been able to take steps to preemptively address this issue and avoid the associated risk of operating such a potentially compromised vehicle.
Brakes failed my husband (primary driver of the KIA vehicle) came home from work on 8/19/2024. He pulled off at the local mechanic. Brakes were rusty and there was rust in the brake line so we had to replace. Rusty brakeline became a voluntary recall because it was not just our car that had this problem. We have been going back and forth with Kia since June notice (their case #XXX) and they are blaming the criteria of their voluntary recall with the NHTSA that says that you can only get reimbursed if you can return the parts and document that they were the original manufacturer's parts that were replaced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Upon backing the Kia out of my driveway the brakes failed completly. Upon removing the brake line shield I found extensive corrosion of the brake line resulting in a massive fluid loss. There is a Voluntary Service Campaign by Kia Motors for this issue. But, it only pertains to automobiles driven in high road salt usage states. I live on the coast of Alabama where the air is laden with salt. In fact our building codes here require the utilization of only stainless steel fastners due to this effect. In my opinion this recall should include the coast of Alabama. I did speak with Kia (Case number 25706168) but they could offer no remedy as my car was not operated in a high road salt state.
Went to back out of driveway noticed puddle of water substance near right passenger door grd. Thought possibly from AC unit, I had been previously out and about. Few days later went to leave no brakes! Had it towed, currently at dealership, so far report crack in brake line not sure yet why. Scary this could have been tragic.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the ESC warning light illuminated and turned off and on. The contact was concerned that the vehicle might catch on fire while parked or while driving. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the hydraulic electronic control unit needed to be replaced. The part was ordered, but the vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 96,806.
When I was at work and driving in the parking lot the brake pedal went to the floor. I realized that I didn't have any brakes so I used my emergency brakes to stop. I checked and looked to find the problem: the pressure brake line was leaking under the car before the gas tank. I got my vehicle towed home by AAA. The next day I called the local dealership for the part and they didn't have one and said they could not get one. I waited for the snow to clear here in NC and for the weather to warm up before attempting to replace the line, my next option was the vehicle recycling center (Junk Yard). When I went to look at same-year models and vehicles, they were all rusted in the same place. Please look into this problem before someone gets killed.
Brakes are loud been changed to new ones, engine makes a small sound
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and slowing for a traffic signal, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle made an abnormal clunking noise and failed to slow as needed. The contact started tapping the brake pedal and eventually the vehicle slowed down and stopped. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. The contact stated that the turn signals and unknown warning lights failed to function properly. The contact stated that when the electrical failures occurred, the area of the dashboard surrounding the instrument cluster would be very hot to the touch. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
While driving, the ABS system turns on but the light on the dash doesn't turn on. The brake pedal is solid with the ground glass feeling while braking. The ABS doesn't disengage when I take my foot off the brake. My vehicle doesn't stop or slow down. I went through an intersection and red light because I was unable to stop. This has happened three times while I have driven the vehicle. I have since learned to shift into neutral to slow the vehicle but each time it has happened, the brake pedal is solid-firm with no slowing. No errors or lights turn on to indicate the ABS is engaged. When I took the car to the Longmont CO dealership, they couldn't reproduce the problem and told me I had air in the brake line. An independent mechanic was able to reproduce this while driving my car. When the vehicle is plugged into the computer diagnostic tool, it doesn't show a problem because the computer disengages the ABS system. The mechanic replaced the ABS sensor and was unable to reproduce the issue again. I picked up my vehicle and drove it several times without incident then going downhill it happened again. I shifted into neutral and was able to stop my vehicle before hitting another car. First time this happened was 12/25/23 most recently it happened 1/14/24.
While driving the brake warning light came on and immediately lost all braking. My safety and the safety of other vehicles around me were put at risk. Vehicle was towed to a repair facility and upon inspection the brake master cylinder was leaking and had leaked into the brake booster. Brake master cylinder and brake booster had to be replaced.
I was driving the speed limit of 60 mph and all of a sudden it sputtered and hesitated; stalling out while attempting to accelerate going lower speed. My vehicle luckily got a parking spot at an automotive repair shop. No warning signal illuminated during my driving incident. The next morning the engine wouldn't start, but eventually they get it to start. They got the "Check Engine Message Center Warning" showing during Road Test. The automotive repair shop did a diagnostic test on it saying that the technician diagnosed the problems to a bad fuel injector fouling out the spark plug #4 cylinder recommending to replace all 4 fuel injectors and spark plugs, my transmission has no dipstick, OE Factory Maintenance due and is required, tires were getting weather cracked and recommending tires soon, technician noted that the car had some oil leaks and needed to be diagnosed further, cabin air filter missing and need to install a new filter; recommend cabin filter replacement service: includes anti-bacterial duct service, Tune Up Items: Fuel induction service recommending tune up labor 3-part fuel induction system service to where tune up is due/overdue by mileage if not already done so, Engine Oil was Over Filled Dark/Contaminated with Fuel in Oil and recommended oil change after changing Fuel Injectors and Plugs (BUT, I had my oil changed about a week before all of this occurred), Air Filter: OE Maintenance Interval Dirty and recommended installing new engine air filter, Brake Fluid: OEM recommended service interval/Brake Fluid Exchange service recommended due by mileage if not already done so. I purchased this vehicle December 10, 2022 and then this all occurred after just 4 month of purchasing this vehicle. It took 3 weeks to fix this vehicle. I had this fixed and still I have to wonder how safe is it really? I'm concerned so much so that I plan on taking this vehicle to a Kia Dealership appointment tomorrow June 17, 2023 to have a Multi-Point Inspection.
ABS light and traction light
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated unintendedly. The contact immediately shifted into neutral (N). There was no warning light illuminated. The contact then shifted into drive (D) and the vehicle responded as needed. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The dealer diagnosed that no issues were found; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
Friday January 20th, 2023 while on the freeway my 2014 Kia Soul with less than 75,000 miles spontaneously caught on fire. While merging over to the side of the road the breaks and throttle were inoperable. I was very fortunate that I did not suffer any injuries though it was a very close call. My safety was put at risk as I was unable to maneuver the car over to the side of the road while maintaining the flow of traffic due to the accelerator failure. Once near the shoulder of the road I was unable to stop the car due to the breaks failure which increased the amount of time I was exposed to the burning car and smoke. The problem has not been reproduced or inspected by the dealer, police, and insurance. There were no warning light before or after the fire was identified. The car was professionally maintained and was in great condition prior to this event.
On or about 10/11/22 while driving I completely lost control of the vehicle suddenly. I was unable to break or use my steering wheel. The vehicle rolled over twice and the front airbags failed to deploy.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated she noticed that the driver’s side brake light bulb was inoperable. The bulb was replaced; however, the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, no failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
When braking, the car tends to push forward resulting in a hard brake. I’m unable to use Apps like “DRIVEWISE “. It records as a “ HARD BRAKE “, I have to start braking way in advance to prevent such incident. This happens all the time.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost braking functionality, and the brake pedal depressed to the floorboard. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound coming from the dashboard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, a cause for the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Brakes completely failed. It turned out that the brake line for the rear wheels rusted through where it bends near the rear wheels and all of the brake fluid was lost. I had just completed a 400 mile trip (New Hope, PA to Wash DC and back) and it was just my good fortune that the failure occurred in my driveway and not on I95
SINCE FIRST OIL CHANGE DONE WITH DELRAY FLORIDA KIA I COMPLAUOF KICKING SOUNDS IN ENGINE LOSS OF POWER OIL BURNING SMELLS OCCASIONALLY. I WAS TOLD EACH TIME THEY PUT ON COMPUTER N NOTHING WRONG. I BOUGHT NEW AT 11/2014 NOW OIL LIGHTS ENGINE LIGHTS FLASHING ON IRRATIONALLY CAR CONSUMING OIL NO LEAKS JUST EATING IOL NOW 2-3 QTS IN 2 MONTHS KNOCKING GETTING LOUDER BUT QUIETS SOME AFTER OIL CHANGE BUT LOSS OF POWER AND KNOCKING PERSISTS. OIL IS SCARY HOW MUCH IT'S CONSUMES I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINS OF THIS ISSUE FOR FIRST OIL CHANGE. WAS TOLD BY DEALER NO NEED TO CHANGE OIL MORE THAN 2X PER YEAR BUT I STILL DO REGULARLY 3-4,000 OR 3 MONTHS. I FEEL DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE TO CAR AND I AM SEEKING NEW ENGINE REPLACEMENT. DEALERS NEVER DID IDENTIFY ISSUE SAID NO CODES GOING OFF. BUT I NOTICED IT FROM BEGINNING. ONCE THIS YEAR OIL WAS CHANGED I TOOK TO GET OIL DONE AND THEY SAID OIL WAS ALMOST EMPTY. I NEVER GOT OIL LIGHT. THEN NOR ENGINE LIGHT. THE ENGINE LIGHT WHEN ON THE DAY I TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE. THEY SAID THE ENGINE COULD HAVE CEASED. I STRONGLY FEEL I HAVE KEPT UP W MAINTENANCE BUT I FEEL I GOT A BAD CAR FROM THE START ONLY TO BE DISMISSED EACH TIME I COMPLAINED TO DEALER. ALSO THERE SEEMS TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BLOWS LIGHT BULBS CONSTANTLY AND HAD MOTOR IN WINDOW REPLACE W STATER UNDER WARRANTY MOST DRIVING IS LOCAL BUT MANY HWY
INTERMITTENT LOSS OF BRAKES (NO PRESSURE, STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, PUMPING DOES NOT HELP), EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO REPLICATE ON COMMAND. AFTER LOSS OF BRAKES IN A PARKING LOT, THEN AT AN INTERSECTION, REPLACED ALL ROTORS/PADS, MASTER CYLINDER AND NO LEAKS OR OTHER WARNING SIGNS. GIVEN ISSUE WITH REPLICATION, NEVER RECEIVED A DIAGNOSTIC CODE AFTER 4 WEEKS OF TRYING. REPLACED ABS SYSTEM, AS ONLY OPTION LEFT TO FIX A BRAKING ISSUE, AND ISSUE APPEARS TO BE RESOLVED. KIA HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH ABS MODULES BUT ONLY RECALLED FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH FIRE HAZARD. SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND COULD NOT DRIVE DUE TO SAFETY HAZARD FOR OVER 1 MONTH WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM.
I WAS DRIVING. I CAME TO A RED LIGHT. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WENT. I PUSHED ON GAS. THE PERSON N FRONT OF ME HIT BRAKES. I HIT MY BRAKES, FELT A HUGE JOLT. CAR ACCELERATED AND WAS NOT BRAKING. I SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF VEHICLE. I WAS WEARING A SELTBELT, BUT MY KNEES SLAMMED INTO DASHBOARD. AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF WHICH EVERYONE WAS SURPRISED BY THIS. I ENDED AT HOSPITAL WITH A CONCUSSION, INJURIES TO MY KNEES, RIGHT ANKLE..ETC MY 2014 KIA SOUL HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE TOTALLED. I HAVE CONTACTED YOU PREVIOUSLY STATING MY VEHICLE HAD ISSUES THAT WERE A SAFETY HAZARD. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP CHECKING FOR MY VIN TO GET ADDED TO A RECALL LIST. NOW THIS HAS HAPPENED. I WAS ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL AS WELL.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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