10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,453 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Kia Soul brakes problems

brakes problem

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2015 Kia Soul Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Feb 232024

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car just started jerking and turning off while driving showing the engine light and oil light

- Mishawaka, IN, USA

problem #25

Nov 102023

Soul

  • miles
Catastrophic failure of rear brake line. Rusted through. Started noticing changes to braking on my way home from the dealer after an oil change. There were no warning lights. Thankfully I was at home in the driveway when ALL of the brake fluid leaked out. I had to have the car towed to the dealer. Both rear brake lines were replaced. Had I been driving I would have lost brakes. Not only did no warning light come on, but the dealer also gave me a green on my brake inspection about 15 minutes prior to this happening. Total bill- just over $1000.

- Island Lake, IL, USA

problem #24

Sep 042023

Soul

  • miles
Abs and airbags not working!

- Seminole , FL, USA

problem #23

Jul 072023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is a supplement to the earlier filed report. The brakes on this Kia Soul did not appear to be working, no matter how hard I pressed on it. Further, I flew forward in this accident, causing me to hit my head. It was like the seatbelt was not working at all. I had to be checked for a potential concussion at the local hospital.

- London, KY, USA

problem #22

Jul 072023

Soul

  • miles
This vehicle is currently at Lunsford's towing, and will be moved to another location. Potentially this could be my new residence at [XXX], but I would like to have contact/see if this has any issues first. There were two components of this accident: 1) a multi-vehicle collision, and a single vehicle collision between the Kia and a tree. I do not believe that these potential issues had much to do with the first component. However, I kept going after this accident, and had a large mark on my head. I am unsure about what my head hit, but my seatbelt may have failed to restrain me. Further, there was little braking before the first component of this, but there seemed to be little significant slowdown after the first part. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- London, KY, USA

problem #21

Mar 082023

Soul 4-cyl

  • miles
2015 KIA SOUL- Email and complaint forwarded from the division of consumer protection of the state of New York on behalf of consumer. Consumer states: "The brake lines rotted away and failed. Kia has already recalled a different model vehicle for the same problem. Dealer had another Kia Soul in the shop for the same problem. KIA SOUL has a severe brake line rot problem in upstate New York. We could have been killed because of this catastrophic brake failure. I asked KIA if they were going to recall this model for this problem and they failed to answer." Consumer is requesting recall on this model vehicle for defective brake lines and reimbursed for the repair expense.

- Lake Luzerne, NY, USA

problem #20

May 302023

Soul

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have TWO 2015 Kia Soul's with advanced corrosion on the rear brake lines. One vehicle has already been repaired after a line failed while driving the vehicle on the highway. Luckily I was able to get it to a shop without incident and get them repaired. There was a large pool of brake fluid left where it was parked for a short time and the brake pressure was almost zero when arriving at the shop. I did retain the old brake lines which can be available for inspection if necessary. The other vehicle has not been repaired yet but will need to be done soon. I would like to see some action taken against Kia on these vehicles. Other models have had service campaigns issued for similar issues but not the Soul.

- Joliet, IL, USA

problem #19

Apr 212022

Soul

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the off position, the engine was still running. Additionally, the contact stated that while inside her residence with the key, the vehicle erroneously started and move forward with no key in the ignition. The contact also stated that the brake pedal became stiff while depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Miamisburg, OH, USA

problem #18

Feb 072023

Soul

  • miles
Engine light stays on, it-??s says on the instrument that I used that it-??s the catalyst converter but when you take it to the shop they can-??t find anything wrong. Also my car shakes when pressing on the brakes.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #17

Jun 152022

Soul

  • miles
Last summer I began to experience issues with the Right Rear Caliper. I was told that it was the pin and the caliper needed replaced. I went through no less than 3 mechanics and was told it was a NON-STOCK item and they didn't know when it would be available. This is my only vehicle so they tried whatever they could to keep it drivable. A replacement still hasn't been found as I have been continuously told that the replacement has to made of steel, not aluminum and it is still a non-stocked item and the ones that are available are of aluminum and that they will not work on my vehicle. I was just told yesterday that the Kia is NON-REPAIRABLE just because of the right rear caliper and that my car is basically junk! How is this possible" Not one person can explain to me WHY the aluminum caliper will not work. My family's safety has been at risk since last summer by not having a complete braking system, We have lost time at work due to this issue. How can a repair be made if the necessary part is unavailable due to a manufacturing issue" I have called 3 Kia dealerships and still cannot get an answer as they want me to pay $500 for a caliper then "see if it fits". No. I honestly cannot afford ANY repair by a dealer, as they are ridiculous. This isn't right, to make a car and then not have the parts available.

- Newry, ME, USA

problem #16

Jan 012023

Soul

  • 32,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the braking system was erroneously activated, causing the brakes to engage without the brake pedal being depressed. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would drift to the right. The contact stated that there was also an abnormal odor of fuel present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and referred the contact to the local dealer. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 32,000.

- Mundelein, IL, USA

problem #15

Dec 172022

Soul

  • miles
Traveling at approximately 75 mph on interstate and check engine light began to flash, car lost power directly in front of tractor trailer, car was pulled over onto an exit ramp, car was rattling/knocking, brakes would not stop the car when applied. The car was moving slowly enough up the exit ramp that once it came to a stop it began to roll backwards. Unable to stop the car from rolling by applying the brakes, had to shift the car to park to stop it. Car was towed approximately 30 miles to the nearest dealership. Dealership diagnosed as needing a new engine.

- Smyrna , GA, USA

problem #14

Mar 192022

Soul

  • miles
The vehicle was taken to highway and after an uphill ramp (from Stringfellow to I-66E), the vehicle lost power, started to smoke, brake system lost power (foot brake did not work, so side brake was used to stop the vehicle), then caught on fire at Mile Marker 56.6. Yes, it is available for an inspection. I had to evacuate the vehicle in the middle of interstate highway that did not have an emergency lane. 3 out of 4 lanes had been blocked, so, yes, it did put others at safety risk as well. Problem cannot be reproduced as the vehicle will be deemed total loss (pending insurance company's inspection). However, please note that the engine was replaced at the dealer, under the warranty, 2 weeks prior to the incident. Insurance company is inspecting the vehicle and the captain of the fire brigade has stated that he will be filing a report in Fairfax County, VA. Excessive smoke and smell. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer the next day after the vehicle was picked up 2 weeks ago due to loss of power, transmission shift lags, blinking engine light, excessive vibration, etc. At the time of the incident, the dashboard did not indicate any engine lights nor the thermostat indicated overheating.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #13

Jan 112022

Soul

  • miles
The brake hosed per the dealer rusted out at the connection to the brakes and leaked all the brake fluid. Clearly in my mind this is a safety hazard as the car could not be safely driven. I am uncertain as to any other details

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #12

Nov 052020

Soul

  • 830,000 miles
I have a 2015 Kia Soul that is less than 5 years old with 83000. Mills on it and the breaks lines rusted out witch caused a complete break frailer. I was exiting off a freeway off ramp and went to use the breaks on the vehicle and they went completely out. I was fortinet that there were no cars in front of me or in the intersection as I went thru it. I filed a complaint with Kia, case # 13860668.I feel a car that is less than 5 years should not have this problem

- Chardon, OH, USA

problem #11

Jul 222019

Soul

  • 40,000 miles
On the evening of July 22,2019 I was leaving targets parking lot put my vehicle in reverse and when I put in drive my 2015 Kia Soul took off. The rpms were the highest it could go going 40 miles P hour in a busy lot all I could was honk my horn. I tried the breaks putting in park and turning the key off. My wife and I were in shock. We hit the curb fly across 3 lanes of traffic the median and hit two cars. My wife was pinned there was white smoke in the cabin. People got her out fire dept came. My wife was transported to uci trama and I went back the next day to concerned for my wife rather than myself. Wife had 8 broken ribs separated and a broken back myself 7 broken ribs and bleeding of the brain. One hour prior approx to this accident we were next store eating and when leaving to go to target the engine started making a loud clicking noise I tuned it off and waited a few mins tried again and still the same noise. Then the 3rd time it was fine proceeded to target. All maintenance has been done and on time prior to this terrible accident. Our lives have change dramatically

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 272019

Soul

  • 30 miles
When driving speedometer drops from. 65 to 20 was told catalytic converter is clogged needs replaced only has 66,000 the year is 2015

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #9

Jun 032019

Soul

  • 90,250 miles
Drove up a hill for a delivery. Car stalled half way up the hill. Tried to restart car, when doing so & put the gears into drive the car rolled back some. With this, the engine & battery lights came on. Tried to restart the car three or four more times. On the last attempt, the car started rolling backwards. Put the car in park & turned off the ignition but the car wasn't stopping. In panic mode, didn't try to apply the emergency brakes. Ended up hitting another vehicle with the rear of my vehicle. On top of the damage done to the rear of my vehicle & the other person's, the two passenger tires of my vehicle blew out.

- Rome, GA, USA

problem #8

Aug 032018

Soul

  • 0 miles
A couple of months ago the car said we have a problem with the engine and with the cooling system Kia had check it out and said nothing was wrong but it keeps going on it has a gas smell low push to do 70 on highway won't let me put on cruise control for long I can feel car ready to shake and stop needs oil all the time when I drive for 1 hr to work car starts to shake at a red light after I'm almost at work I changed battery on 3/10/19 I also changed the catalytic converters also brakes always have to change before there do on 3/15/19 have an appointment to change the flex on the car also because the oil was leaking on the engine it needed a seal and the top part I forgot what it's called replaced that's all I now for now

- Franklin, NJ, USA

problem #7

Sep 132018

Soul

  • 21,000 miles
Attempting to park: Vehicle accelerated rapidly, brake failed to stop or do anything. Vehicle jumped over tire stop then 8" mall walkway hitting building and store window.

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

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