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.
2013 Kia Soul: ABS light or ABS activating
8 of the 671 complaints about the 2013 Kia Soul describe ABS light or ABS activating.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
ABS light or ABS activating by model year
What owners say
On 10/23/25, my car caught fire due to the ABS module.
Was driving on the highway when my car started to smoke pulled over and it was a fire under my hood from the abs module
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle began to shake with an abnormal whining sound coming from the vehicle. The ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that the Hydraulic Electrical Control Unit (HECU) had caused the failure and the sound continued after the vehicle was turned off. The contact disconnected and reconnected the battery to drive the vehicle home. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer where the failure was confirmed and it was confirmed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the recall did not cover the replacement of HECU, just the HECU fuse. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,300.
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that the ABS, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a faulty wire and was replaced. However, the warning lights illuminated again later on and the vehicle was taken to a different independent mechanic where the failure was not determined or repaired. The warning lights remained illuminated for approximately 5 months. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and honked the horn, however, the brakes failed to engage. As a result, the contact crashed into a deer on the front passenger's side bumper. A police report was not filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the collision center where the front bumper, passenger side door, passenger side front fender, and hood were replaced. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulics) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
My complaint has to do with the current recall on my vehicle. It's not driveable as it's safety hazard - engine quits at stops no rpm's panel lights (ABS, battery (brand new as mechanic I went to put on diagnostic machine and that's only thing that showed) oil light and malfunction indicator illuminate and then everything goes off including my headlights (I was driving early evening). Called local dealer (I never received notice but by chance looked up to see if any recalls and saw it on your website. they rudely said "you know as much as we do about when we'll get parts to repair recall". Clearly it's shorting out and I'm not going to endanger myself or others but what do I do? I've have a number of medical issues and am missing necessary appointments. How much longer is it expected before recall repairs can be made? I do Thank you for all you do. I am grateful an entity exists that look out for us. Least I don't feel totally lost.
Slow to accelerate abs light on Engine light on
The contact owns a 2013 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the temperature gauge started to indicate that the engine was overheating. The ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The VIN was included but parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
- What is wrong
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
- Risk
- An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Recall number 23V652000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2013 Kia Soul abs
Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 2013 Kia Soul?
8 of 671 owner complaints about the 2013 Kia Soul (1%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 Kia Soul?
There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2013 Kia Soul
Check engine light 129Knocking 74Engine failure 65Fire or smoke 59Steering noise 59Stalling 56Oil consumption 30Harsh shifting 29Overheating 26Loss of power 25Won't start 16Misfire 15No deployment 9Headlights 9Hesitation 9Steering lock-up 9Jerking 8Warning lights 8Adaptive cruise 7Grinding brakes 6Power steering loss 6Shudder 5Won't shift 5Wipers 5
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