RoadVitals

2017 Kia Soul Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Aug 2, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 270 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

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 2017 Kia Soul submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 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.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Aug 2, 2025
Crash reported2 injuries reported

2017,Kia soul plus brakes failed with no warning and we crashed into an intersection and hit a dump truck. I suffered severe broken bones including a compound femur fracture and broken arm. I was trapped in the car for over a hour. Both my arm and leg have rods and pins now. I also suffer from severe ptsd and nightmares. I hospitalized from 6/25-7/4, and in a nursing home until 7/4-8/1, learning to walk again. I received the voluntary recall letter on 7/11when I was in the nursing home. It was sent too little too late. I’m contacting an attorney and Kia deserves to pay. Kozlowski towing took the care away. I do not know if they still have it

NHTSA ID
11677994
Incident
Jul 25, 2025
BrakesEngine
Filed May 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that there was a continual clicking sound coming from the front of the vehicle while making a left or right turn. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, there was a clicking sound coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, when the brake pedal was depressed, the oil light illuminated. The contact stated that after the brake pedal was released, the warning light disappeared. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ID
11521109
Incident
May 9, 2023
Mileage
74,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Feb 17, 2023

While sitting in line with brake applied the idle speed suddenly jumped up and car accelerated forward despite application of brakes. Without any change from me the RPMs suddenly dropped and car stopped again. The car moved a total of a quarter car length, which had I not been angled away from car in front of me would have caused a collision, and had I been at an intersection could have caused an accident or struck a pedestrian.

NHTSA ID
11507744
Incident
Feb 16, 2023
BrakesSuspension
Filed Sep 21, 2022

My struts we’re going through my dash board and I had it repaired and my engine light is just constantly on.

NHTSA ID
11485618
Incident
Jul 20, 2022
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 10, 2022
Crash reported

I was in the right lane, of two lanes, proceeding north. I had waited at a red light, the second car back from the cross street. The light turned green and I was slowly proceeding, maybe going about 15-20 mph. Suddenly, the car engine raced and the front of the car veered left. There were cars in front of me, in the lane to the left of me, and behind me. I had both of my hands on the steering wheel the entire time. I, of course, took my foot off the gas pedal and applied the brakes. The brakes were not stopping the car. The car took off and was uncontrollable. I hit the car in the lane to my left, traveled across the same lane, then luckily ran up a curb and onto a median that had grass on it. The car was out of control and moving swiftly. I steered it to the right and off the median (which avoided hitting oncoming traffic head-on). The brakes were not stopping the car. I heard and felt that the car was hitting things: the car to my left, the median, etc.) I think the car may have spun 360 degrees, one complete revolution, and then jumped the curb and went up onto the median again. Again, I steered to the right to avoid crossing the median. The car then spun 180 degrees, and stopped perfectly facing south in the left northbound lane. (I thought I had gone up the median two times; however, maybe it was only once, as my passenger thought. I don't know if it was once or two times up the curb and onto the median. It all happened so fast.) Car was towed away. What failed: the car wildly took off, veering to the left; the brakes didn't stop the car Risk: the car was uncontrollable (except steering somewhat) and moving; if not for the curb and wide median, I would have traveled head-on into oncoming traffic; the car spun as if spinning on ice Reproduced: the car has not been touched; there is a consumer affairs case open with its manufacturer Inspected: by my insurance appraiser, at the dealership Warning: none, was a shocking surprise

NHTSA ID
11468560
Incident
May 16, 2022
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 26, 2022

My air bag, ABS and Brake Lights all gave warnings at about the same time, as well as my speedometer going "haywire" on a cold start. I got a recall notice about my airbag (electrical problems) and took it in to Parkway Kia, and was told that the airbag was not part of the recall, and that it would cost $1000 to repair the lights, as several different sensors had gone out at the same time. Included was 5 or 6 repairs that had already been verified that I didn't need. If the dealership is using recall opportunities to push $1000s of unnecessary "maintenance" repairs on their vehicles, no one is going to trust those recalls and this is creating an unsafe driving environment for everyone. I contacted Kia corporate and they stated each shop is "independently owned and operated" and "repairs can be declined." Kia is making a farce of this process and using your agency to perpetuate fraud.

NHTSA ID
11462240
Incident
Apr 14, 2022
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Apr 8, 2022

Despite 22V031000 being repaired, the car randomly displays the following warnings, tire pressure, traction control, abs brake failure, check engine, power steering. The speedometer and tachometer cease to function at this point and power steering assistance becomes disabled. Balise Kia service manager Gary Lindsay states the car is safe to drive in this condition and has sent me home twice while waiting for parts. After the second attempt the issue remains.

NHTSA ID
11460161
Incident
Mar 1, 2022
Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 2021

The contact owns a 2017 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact mentioned that her foot was taken off the brake pedal and that she had to repeatedly pump on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. In addition, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and there was a delay with stopping the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,133.

NHTSA ID
11427879
Incident
Jul 31, 2021
Mileage
50,133 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 23, 2021

This is the second time I have had to have the traction and ABS sensors go bad. The first time it was fixed under warranty, this time I'm being told I have to pay $400 for a $37 part. This is a safety issue as I do not have ABS and traction control at all. You need that in Florida when it rains...every day. This needs to be fixed under warranty, no excuses. This is a safety hazard, and if something like this doesn't get fixed, it opens lawsuits for Kia. I suggest that this be corrected under warranty or I will seek legal counsel.

NHTSA ID
11426087
Incident
Jun 25, 2021
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 6, 2020

MY CAR FEELS LIKE IT STEERS SIDEWAYS DOWN THE ROAD,IT BOUNCES,HARD TO CONTROL,IT LOSES POWER IN 3RD GEAR,THE BRAKES DON'T WORK WELL AT ALL,ENGINE PINGS LOUDLY CONSTANTLY.I TOOK MY CAR TO CARFAX IN MODESTO CALIFORNIA WHOM I PURCHASED FROM AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG,TH S IR LIEING,LIVING, CAR WAS WRECKED AND PAINTED OVER ,ITS FULL OF OVER SPRAY,THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE,I WANT IT REPLACED WITH A NEW KIASOUL

NHTSA ID
11362960
Incident
Oct 5, 2020
Mileage
19,990 mi
AirbagsBrakesSeat belts
Filed Aug 9, 2019
Crash reported1 injury reported

TAKATA RECALL MY AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED, THE BRAKES NEVER TOOK EFFECT TO MAKE ME SLIDE SKID OR STOP. SEATBEAT NEVER HELD ME BACK FROM SLAMMING INTO STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA ID
11242840
Incident
Jul 30, 2019
Mileage
53,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 2018
Crash reported

ON FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2018, ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC BEGAN TO SLOW AND AS I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THEY FELT AS THOUGH THEY TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, AND EVEN THOUGH I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP, I WAS UNABLE TO AND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY A NON-KIA DEALER VIA MY INSURANCE. WITHIN TWO DAYS OF ME HAVING THE VEHICLE BACK IN MY POSSESSION, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME WHILE COMING TO A SLOW GRADUAL STOP AT A LIGHT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, PRICE KIA, TO REPORT THE CONCERN. AFTER MULTIPLE TEST DRIVES, THEY FELT THE BRAKES TRAVELING TOO FAR AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, WITH THE CLAIM THAT THIS COULD BE THE "ONLY POSSIBLE CAUSE." OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME ISSUE; IT HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. PRICE KIA NOW CLAIMS THE ISSUE ISN'T RELOCATABLE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SHOULD FURTHER DOCUMENTATION BE NEEDED THE WORK ORDERS, ACCIDENT REPORT, AND OTHER DOCUMENTATION CAN BE PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
11121001
Incident
Apr 20, 2018
Mileage
9,100 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 5, 2018

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE BRAKE'S WILL RELEASE AND THEN GRAB ONTO THE ROTORS AGAIN. ALSO HAVE A SOFT PETAL AND HISSING WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKE. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED STATES THAT NOTHING IS WRONG; HOWEVER, I AM EXPERIENCING GRINDING, MY CAR SHAKING AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, OR RANDOMLY FAILURE TO STOP, RESULTING IN HAVING TO GO OFF THE ROAD.

NHTSA ID
11083435
Incident
Apr 3, 2018
Mileage
17,890 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 27, 2017

THE MANUAL DOES NOT SHOW INSTRUCTIONS ON A KIA SOUL MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE KIA SOUL BASE MODEL SEEMS TO BE PURCHASED AS A KIA SOUL AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITHOUT THE UPGRADE. THE MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE KIA SOUL MODEL HAS FEATURES AND UPGRADES AND DOES NOT EVEN TOUCH ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID
11048730
Incident
Nov 14, 2017

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .