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BrakesPart report

2013 Kia Soul Brakes Problems

Complaints
99about this part
Share
15%of 668 total for the year
Median mileage
72,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 99 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Kia Soul, 15% of the 668 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 11 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Starting in 2018, on 6 occasions and at least 3 times in 2019, when I try to brake the car actually accelerates. It has happened while driving on streets and in parking lots. I have taken it to 2 dealers and both have been unable to assist me, as they say they can't duplicate the problem. I have read that several different kias in different years have had this same problem.”

NHTSA complaint #11185989, filed 2019-03, 55,000 miles

“When I stop suddenly there is a terrible sound in my front right brake, and the pedal got stuck and hard, cannot stop the car completely. I feel mine and others life are on risk driving this specific car, something it's terrible wrong for the fist time that I start driving this Kia SOUL 2013, brand new. Please, I really need your help, I do not feel safety.”

NHTSA complaint #10700822, filed 2015-03, 300 miles

“My car died while driving on highway going 75mph with 70k miles thats about when a vehicle should be breaking in not breaking down. My steering wheel is loose, gas play. The radio sometimes doesnt come on and my engine just sounds clogged”

NHTSA complaint #11361388, filed 2020-09, 67,000 miles

“When in motion the car would sputter and struggle to reach speeds over 30 MPH. Multiple times the check engine light would come on and read as a knock sensor. Replaced the knock sensor but the car continued to struggle to accelerate and would sputter. Took it to Kia and they discovered it was the hydraulic module. They fixed it costing me $1500. I discovered the other day that my car has a recall for another issue but saw the car has an investigation on going about this issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11202670, filed 2019-04, 74,634 miles

“I bought a Kia SOUL 2013 used with 12,400 miles on it saturday may 31, 2014. Wednesday june 4, 2014 I was tapping on my brakes to stop for a light when I heard a clicking sound not very loud but a click. The Kia SOUL did not stop. I pressed on the brakes a little harder my car did not stop for another foot or two. Thank god there was not another car in front of me or I would have hit the other car for certain. I am scared to drive my car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10596227, filed 2014-06, 12,500 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025217%
202426%
2023815%
202233%
2021104%
2020113%
201986%
201873%
2017145%
2016202%
2015324%
2014354%
20139915%
2012469%
20114523%
20101612%

Other parts of the 2013 Kia Soul

Engine
286 complaints
Steering
154 complaints
Electrical system
71 complaints
Other or unknown
63 complaints
Engine cooling
45 complaints
Fuel system
30 complaints
Air bags
18 complaints
Vehicle speed control
17 complaints
Body and structure
15 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
14 complaints
Exterior lighting
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2013 Kia Soul

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology