2018 Kia Soul Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 220 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Kia Soul, 3% of the 220 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1st occurrence - driver entered vehicle and drove the vehicle forward down a graded driveway. As vehicle came to the roadway, driver applied brakes. Brakes were pressed to floor with no response from the brake. After the vehicle rolled to a stop in the roadway, driver put the vehicle transmission into reverse, and pressed on gas - vehicle moved forward - not backwards as expected. Driver then turned vehicle off, and re-started vehicle. Vehicle then performed normally after. …”
NHTSA complaint #11265252, filed 2019-09, 11,000 miles“The ABS/traction warning lights came on. On April 29,2026, I took it to Beck and Masten Group 1 Kia inTomball, Texas and they diagnosed as HECU failure. The repair cost $2377.16. KIA corporate denied reimbursement. Lights were resolved after HECU replacement. There was no accident/injury/fire. mileage was 60400. I wanted to note and document as a potential safety trend.”
NHTSA complaint #11739077, filed 2026-05“My vehicle recall is to do with electrical issue that not only may have affected the air bag, but the electrical system shorting that’s burning the bulb holders that holds all of the brake and tail lights bulbs on this vehicle. These brand new bulbs consistently burn or short out within 1 to 2 weeks. This expense has grown expeditiously over the years of ownership, and because there is nothing in the information center to warn us, we are constantly due to no fault of our own, unknowingly driving with no brake light. …”
NHTSA complaint #11612062, filed 2024-09“The contact owns a 2018 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to maintain oil pressure, causing engine failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to maintain power and would stall after being started. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN nor the model vehicle was included. …”
NHTSA complaint #11574787, filed 2024-02, 66,000 miles“a.e.b. ,autonomous braking system has been a defect since the day it was delivered in 2018. the company and the dealership have attempted to fix this problem 13 times in five years, and it keeps coming back. they kept throwing parts at it until the warranty expired on 12/31/2023 and they refuse to fix it again. they will not extend the warranty or buy it back as requested. the factory tech that the company sent to look at it stated he did not know what was wrong with it back in 2019 but he will start with the forward camera. …”
NHTSA complaint #11588743, filed 2024-05Related service bulletins
- 11036313Aug 25, 2026VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC334 Flight 201) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to…
- 11022353Aug 20, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional…
- 11019786Jun 26, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) - This bulletin provides information to apply additional anti-corrosion material to…
- 11019717Jun 23, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC334) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if…
- 11019658Jun 21, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC334) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service…
- 11019720Jun 20, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC334) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary…
- 11019716Jun 20, 2025VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC334) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is…
- 10179255Aug 25, 2020PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess…
- 10179256Aug 7, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBAU SYSTEM REPAIR FOR NOISE AND AIR BLEEDING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 17% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2023 | 8 | 15% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 | 10 | 4% |
| 2020 | 11 | 3% |
| 2019 | 8 | 6% |
| 2018 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 14 | 5% |
| 2016 | 20 | 2% |
| 2015 | 32 | 4% |
| 2014 | 35 | 4% |
| 2013 | 99 | 15% |
| 2012 | 46 | 9% |
| 2011 | 45 | 23% |
| 2010 | 16 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Soul
142 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
31 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 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