2021 Kia Soul Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 4%of 240 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,005miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Kia Soul, 4% of the 240 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,005 miles. 6 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.
“I was going to get my mail attempting to park where I always park. I hit the brake and the car sped up and hit two mailboxes. I couldn't get it to stop. I do not know how fast it was going when I hit the mailboxes”
NHTSA complaint #11387530, filed 2021-01, 10 miles“Description of Incident: On February 9, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul on Calvine Road and Winterberry in Elk Grove, CA. A vehicle suddenly merged into my path. I immediately attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal failed to depress or engage normally. Despite the imminent collision, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) failed to provide any alert, and the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system did not activate. …”
NHTSA complaint #11717950, filed 2026-02“I am filing this complaint to report a serious safety failure involving the service braking system and the failure of Forward Collision‑Avoidance Assist (FCA) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) on my 2021 Kia Soul. During an imminent collision event, the vehicle failed to brake as expected, and FCA/AEB did not activate, despite conditions that should have triggered emergency braking. This created an extremely dangerous situation and placed me and other motorists at risk of serious injury or death. …”
NHTSA complaint #11724786, filed 2026-03“At my last six month servicing the service person neglected to notice my annual inspection was due. He did, however, tell me my brake pads needed replacing. I asked how that was possible since the car had less than 10,000 miles on it. He went to check with the manager after which he came back and said my brakes were fine. I got a ticket two weeks ago for not having a current inspection. I tried to contact the dealer a half dozen times via phone and their chat feature. They did not get back to me as promised. …”
NHTSA complaint #11575133, filed 2024-03“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the vehicle stalled. Additionally, the contact stated that after activating the air conditioning the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Also, the contact stated while depressing the brake pedal to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal extended to the floor causing the braking distance to be extended. …”
NHTSA complaint #11543795, filed 2023-09, 12,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10239752Jul 13, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: BRAKE AIR BLEEDING PROCEDURE FOR ESC HONKING NOISE AND SOFT/SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information…
- 10230484Jan 5, 2023TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: BRAKE AIR BLEEDING PROCEDURE FOR ESC HONKING NOISE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
- 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…
- 10176071May 22, 2020TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: BRAKE AIR BLEEDING PROCEDURE FOR ESC HONKING NOISE - This bulletin provides information regarding the brake air bleeding procedure for 2020MY~ Soul…
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 2021 Kia Soul
140 complaintsEngine cooling
47 complaintsOther or unknown
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Kia Soul
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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