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BrakesPart report

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 2024-05

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 2018 Kia Soul

Engine
142 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
31 complaints
Other or unknown
30 complaints
Electrical system
20 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Engine cooling
9 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Visibility (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