2023 Kia Soul Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 15%of 54 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the brakes of the 2023 Kia Soul, 15% of the 54 complaints for this model year. 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.
“When driving my vehicle under normal conditions, the car will unexpectedly slow down on its own, and the system brake lights and hazard lights will activate as if I am about to be in a collision, even though no accident is occurring. I have noticed this issue most frequently when I am stopped at a traffic light and begin to accelerate again. Once I turn the car off and restart it, the warning lights go away, but the issue continues to reoccur.”
NHTSA complaint #11690015, filed 2025-09“I had my vehicle in PARK in my driveway. I was standing outside the vehicle & after I pulled the keys out of the ignition, the vehicle started rolling backward. My feet were on the ground the whole time, the vehicle was in park. I pulled the emergency brake as it was rolling with my legs stuck between the car and the door. I was finally able to push myself into the car to hit the brake with my foot & the car stopped right as it hit the curb of the other side of the street. …”
NHTSA complaint #11592773, filed 2024-06“Purchased this 2023 Kia Soul on 12/9/2022 from Gateway Kia of North Brunswick, the incident occurred on 12/30/2022 and subsequently occurred a second time after that, I don't have the exact date for the second occurrence. Both occurrences happened with less than 1000 miles on the vehicle. After driving I put the transmission into PARK, with my foot still on the brake pedal, I applied the parking brake (this model has a manual brake you pull not the electric brake) this brake is also known as the emergency brake or hand brake. …”
NHTSA complaint #11501026, filed 2023-01“I have had my car to the dealership 3 times and scheduled for a4th time for this same issue. It is intermittent which I realize makes it hard to diagnose however the dealership kept it overnight in 2nd visit to try to reproduce it and they did. When driving, the car will randomly start beeping and errors cycle thru in the dash. It tells me that my braking system needs to be checked then lighting system, airbag system failing etc. It goes thru about 5 or 6 system errors. Not always same sysyems and not going at same rate of speed when it happens. …”
NHTSA complaint #11547162, filed 2023-09“3/6/26 5:50 am unintended acceleration w such force pulling car toward right side n unable to stop, jumped over side walk, then stopped, it happened very fast, very scary accident, I was in shock and shaking so bad. Wknd disrupted, couldn't sleep n reliving bad experience over n over. Bringing it to the dealer 3/9/26. no damage to anybody or third party, unknown under car damage. Didn't file a report to the Police or DMV. no warning of any kind at all. Afraid to drive the car n how to proceed”
NHTSA complaint #11722861, filed 2026-03Related 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…
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 2023 Kia Soul
14 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsLane departure
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsForward collision avoidance
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2023 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