Kia Soul brake failure problems

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Brakes · AZ · crash

My brakes failed to stop my car I was driving down [XXX]. I went to brake because I was going to slow down cause I was just over the speed limit and my brakes went all the way to the floor and I I could not stop the car with the brakes , so I pulled over to the side and slowly came to a halt. I was so shook up. I do not know if I put it in neutral or put it in a lower gear or if I just coasted to a stop. I ended up hitting a guard rail and that slowed me down, but I still went down the guard rail it basically cut a lot of the right side of my car. See the photos below for damages. I’d been trying to start the car as I would have been able to drive to work. I tried to start the car, but it would not because the gas-pedal went all the way to the floor i found out that there is a break interlock system that prevents it from starting when there is no brakes,then got my cell phone, called the police and had them write out a report. I then called a tow truck and they tow it to caliber collision in [XXX]. They told me they moved it three times but they didn’t tell me how they moved it, but I can’t believe they could’ve started it so they must’ve had it pulled to a different area so they couldn’t work on it. I am still waiting to have the car working order. I hear that you’re gonna need the black box but I have no idea what that entails. I did talk to the police and they looked at it. They really couldn’t tell what happened but they knew I could not get it driven the tow truck driver had to pull it up on the tow truck to caliber collision said they did inspect it and couldn’t find anything wrong but I find it very hard to believe there were no warning signs or lights came on. My wife did drive it the night before and heard a loud sound windshield applied the brakes, but but made it into the garage and stop I then went to work and that’s when it all failed. I had driven about 2 miles and that’s when it all failed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Brakes · FL

I purchased Dorman part #74015 Brake Pedal Stopper from AutoZone Altamonte after an employee recommended it for my 2012 Kia Soul without checking system compatibility. I installed it that night. On, while driving on a busy road in Orlando, FL, my brake pedal locked completely solid and could not be depressed. I had complete loss of braking and could not shift out of park. I was stranded in live traffic with cars swerving around me. I discovered the Dorman part is ∼10mm thick. The correct OEM Kia part 32876-2H000 is 8.0mm. The 2mm extra thickness caused my brake light switch to jam, which physically blocked the brake pedal arm. I had to pry the part out on the roadside to regain pedal movement. This created an extremely dangerous situation. I am now anxious to drive due to fear of brake failure. The part is sold as compatible with 2010-2016 Kia Souls but is too thick and disables the braking system. Vehicle repaired with correct OEM 8.0mm part. Issue has not recurred. I have photos of the failed part and installation.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Brakes · NY

The brake lines on my car failed. I had to use the parking brake to get the car to stop. Typically, a brake failure leaves you with partial braking power, however, I had no brakes whatsoever. Upon inspection, it appears that all the brake lines failed in the same area, where the brakes are over the gas tank. For them all to fail at the same time in an area that is not accessible seems like the this must be prone to corrosion. Note that I regularly wash the car with undercarriage wash in the winters, as they salt extensively around here. I was going to sell the car, and the brakes failed on the test-drive. They had been working immediately before the test drive, as i had driven it around to make sure everything was in working order.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA · crash

Description of Incident: On February 13, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM, I was driving my 2021 Kia Soul (VIN: [XXX] ) on Calvine Road 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. To avoid a high-speed rear-end collision, I was forced to perform an emergency steering maneuver toward the curb and into roadside bushes to stop the vehicle. This maneuver resulted in severe mechanical failure, including a broken driver-side axle, damaged rims, and broken brake pads. The dealership (Elk Grove Kia) has provided an estimate of $9,461.67 for these repairs but has failed to explain why the primary safety systems and service brakes failed to function as designed during this emergency. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 13, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA · crash

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. To avoid a high-speed, rear-end collision, I was forced to perform an emergency steering maneuver toward the curb and into roadside bushes to stop the vehicle. This maneuver resulted in severe mechanical failure, including a broken driver-side axle, damaged rims, and broken brake pads. The dealership (Elk Grove Kia) has provided an estimate of $9,461.67 for these repairs but has failed to explain why the primary safety systems and service brakes failed to function as designed during this emergency.

Filed Feb 12, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · 126,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the local dealer for Service Campaign SC334 - Brake Line Corrosion. The vehicle was repaired after 35 days, but the failure recurred. While driving approximately 40-45 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The driver began pumping the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to respond. There was an exclamation symbol displayed on the instrument cluster, and the battery light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven through the parking lot. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Brakes · VA

I was driving my 2014 Kia Soul on Friday 12/12 when without any warning the brakes went out. Thankfully I was able to get it to a parking lot without incident and requested a tow. After having it repaired, the mechanics stated the brake lines completely popped due to brake line corrosion. After researching this issue, I found that my Kia Soul had a Voluntary Service Campaign recall regarding the exact corrosion on the brake lines that would likely be responsible for this catastrophic failure. I was never notified of this possibility despite having my car routinely serviced in NJ and VA. This is a huge oversight on Kia’s behalf – other people with this make and model need to be notified that there could be unseen corrosion happening. Fortunately, I wasn’t on the highway when the brakes went out and thanks to my careful navigation I was able to avoid getting into an accident with others on the road at the time my brakes suddenly failed. Afterwards, I called Kia and requested reimbursement as this was a recall that I was never notified for but they refused as my VIN was not listed under the VSC. Due to the catastrophic nature of the failure and the potential for damage to property, severe injury, or loss of life, I am notifying the federal safety agency in hopes of escalating this issue and to raise awareness for other Kia Soul drivers. Prior to this incident, NO lights, NO audible warning, OR other signs of impending failure occurred. Had I been notified of this issue through the inclusion in the VSC, I would have been able to take steps to preemptively address this issue and avoid the associated risk of operating such a potentially compromised vehicle.

Filed Dec 27, 2025 · Brakes · OH

My brakes went out completely while driving my 2015 kia soul with my daughter in the car. It was traumatic and stressful for us both. I had just received a recall notice for break lines/ undercarriage spray. I called Fairfield Kia and I had my car towed to the dealership. They inspected my car and said they would replace the rear brake lines under the recall. A couple weeks went by and I was told they couldn't find the parts to fix it and they are going to cover the front break lines as well under the recall. I didn't receive a loaner car and transportation was a daily struggle. Altogether my car was at the dealership for around 35 days. I received an invoice through email and didn't get a call or any notification that my car was ready for pickup. I called the dealership 2 days later and the person said it was ready. I get to my car and it was dead and I had to jump my car in the parking lot. The cover for the under carriage was not on my car where is goes it was in my back seat and it was dirty. My gas light was on and I had a quarter of a tank when I paid to tow it to the dealership. My receipt said my car was fixed and in working order and they completed a check point inspection and besides the battery they said it was all good. I drove my car to my house and by the time I got to my house I noticed my breaks were going all the way to the floor. My car still has no breaks just as it did when I had it towed to the dealership. It feels like no work has been done. I've already been without my car for over a month to fix this problem under a recall. The dealership was rude and not professional and I notified Kia America through email but because the Christmas holiday I haven't heard back yet. I'm scared to drive it now and it has created a fear I can't shake. Im not sure what to do next but I'm going to call Kia corporate in the morning.

Filed Dec 2, 2025 · Brakes · MN

Brakes failed my husband (primary driver of the KIA vehicle) came home from work on 8/19/2024. He pulled off at the local mechanic. Brakes were rusty and there was rust in the brake line so we had to replace. Rusty brakeline became a voluntary recall because it was not just our car that had this problem. We have been going back and forth with Kia since June notice (their case #XXX) and they are blaming the criteria of their voluntary recall with the federal safety agency that says that you can only get reimbursed if you can return the parts and document that they were the original manufacturer's parts that were replaced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 1, 2025 · Brakes · AL

Upon backing the Kia out of my driveway the brakes failed completly. Upon removing the brake line shield I found extensive corrosion of the brake line resulting in a massive fluid loss. There is a Voluntary Service Campaign by Kia Motors for this issue. But, it only pertains to automobiles driven in high road salt usage states. I live on the coast of Alabama where the air is laden with salt. In fact our building codes here require the utilization of only stainless steel fastners due to this effect. In my opinion this recall should include the coast of Alabama. I did speak with Kia (Case number 25706168) but they could offer no remedy as my car was not operated in a high road salt state.