2013 Kia Soul brakes problems

Filed Nov 3, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TN · crash

While parked at the top of our driveway on a portion that is only a mild slope and in first gear (a manual transmission) with the parking brake fully engaged, the car rolled backwards down the steep driveway and into a tree. The car had been parked with the key out of the ignition for 5-10 minutes. There were some leaves on the driveway but it was not wet. The parking break has acted iffy on this car before but not to this extent. If the car had not rolled the way it did, it could have hit someone!

Filed Oct 9, 2026 · Brakes · 222,892 miles · FL · fire

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, turned off, and unoccupied, the contact heard a noise outside and discovered that the vehicle had caught on fire near the engine compartment. The contact extinguished the fire using water and salt. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the HECU fuse had failed and that the burning was coming from the ABS module. The contact was not informed of the necessary repairs or replacements. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 222,892.

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Brakes, Engine · 265,000 miles · GA · fire

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the vehicle spontaneously caught fire while parked unattended at 3 am. All the warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure, and the vehicle was undrivable. The contact had received the recall notification letter for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). There were no reported injuries, police report, or crash. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the scrap yard. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 265,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Brakes · 200,000 miles · AR · fire

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at night, the neighbor knocked on the door approximately 4:00 AM in the morning to alert the contact that the vehicle was on fire in the driveway. The contact went outside and saw that the front of the vehicle was on fire. The contact believed that the fire had started in the engine compartment. The contact stated that the neighbor was already attempting to put out the fire with a gardening hose. The contact and the neighbor attempted to extinguish the fire; however, the flames spread throughout the vehicle and destroyed the vehicle. The Fire Department was called and was able to extinguish the fire. The contact stated that the vehicle was considered totaled due to the extensive damages on the outside and inside the vehicle. The contact also stated that the fire caused damages to the front of another vehicle that was parked nearby. A Police report was filed but the report number was not provided to the contact. There were no injuries sustained, and no medical attention was needed. The contact stated that the vehicle remained in the driveway. The contact was notified by the insurance provider that there was possibly a recall listed on the vehicle for a similar failure and to report the failure to the federal safety agency Hotline. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Oct 23, 2025 · Brakes · AR · fire

On 10/23/25, my car caught fire due to the ABS module.

Filed Oct 13, 2025 · Acceleration, Body · LA

Brake petal sensor broke keeping the tail light on. Has trouble accelerating and throws the traction light on burnt up battery, both front door locks have broke with no reason. Wipers broke does not give water.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Brakes, Wheels · PA

The rims and the rotor have rusted together causing you to use excessive force to remove the lug nut holding on the tire and the nut snaps off.

Filed Aug 13, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · RI · fire

The contact owned a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 19V120000 (Engine, Engine and Engine Cooling) and the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while her son was driving at 60 MPH, an abnormal sound was heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact's son was able to pull over to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated her son exited the vehicle and noticed flames were emitting from underneath the vehicle. A passerby pulled over and helped the contact's son move the vehicle. The vehicle extinguished itself. No injuries were reported. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that her son called her, and she and the contact's brother went to the site of the accident. The contact's brother checked underneath the vehicle and picked off the pieces that were on the ground. The contact's brother noticed that a rod had detached and gone through the motor, which created a hole in the motor. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that the bearing rod detached and damaged the engine. The dealer contacted the manufacturer and tried to order a new engine. However, KIA declined and advised the dealer not to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. Two months later, the contact sold the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The insurance company was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 4, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · TX

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 50 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's daughter was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact stated that there was a fuel burning odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was no longer being driven. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jan 23, 2025 · Brakes · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.