Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Kia Soul owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH the vehicle began to slow and white smoke began to issue from under the hood. The contact stated she was not aware of any warning light being illuminated. The contact heard a loud ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact was able to safely pull off of the highway, however as soon as she had exited the vehicle the contact heard a loud explosion. The contact stated that the vehicle lifted up a few inches off of the roadway and was engulfed in flames from the hood to the trunk. The fire department was called as well as the police. The fire department used water to extinguish the fire. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V051000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. …
The vehicle was taken to highway and after an uphill ramp (from Stringfellow to I-66E), the vehicle lost power, started to smoke, brake system lost power (foot brake did not work, so side brake was used to stop the vehicle), then caught on fire at Mile Marker 56.6. Yes, it is available for an inspection. I had to evacuate the vehicle in the middle of interstate highway that did not have an emergency lane. 3 out of 4 lanes had been blocked, so, yes, it did put others at safety risk as well. Problem cannot be reproduced as the vehicle will be deemed total loss (pending insurance company's inspection). However, please note that the engine was replaced at the dealer, under the warranty, 2 weeks prior to the incident. Insurance company is inspecting the vehicle and the captain of the fire brigade has stated that he will be filing a report in Fairfax County, VA. Excessive smoke and smell. …
This vehicle is currently at Lunsford's towing, and will be moved to another location. Potentially this could be my new residence at [redacted] , but I would like to have contact/see if this has any issues first. There were two components of this accident: 1) a multi-vehicle collision, and a single vehicle collision between the Kia and a tree. I do not believe that these potential issues had much to do with the first component. However, I kept going after this accident, and had a large mark on my head. I am unsure about what my head hit, but my seatbelt may have failed to restrain me. Further, there was little braking before the first component of this, but there seemed to be little significant slowdown after the first part.
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.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the braking system was erroneously activated, causing the brakes to engage without the brake pedal being depressed. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would drift to the right. The contact stated that there was also an abnormal odor of fuel present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and referred the contact to the local dealer. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 32,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated while her spouse driver was driving approximately 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal functionality was inoperative. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter was faulty; however, the vehicle was then towed to the dealer who determined that the failure was caused by a faulty wheel speed sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Soul. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the off position, the engine was still running. Additionally, the contact stated that while inside her residence with the key, the vehicle erroneously started and move forward with no key in the ignition. The contact also stated that the brake pedal became stiff while depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
This is a supplement to the earlier filed report. The brakes on this Kia Soul did not appear to be working, no matter how hard I pressed on it. Further, I flew forward in this accident, causing me to hit my head. It was like the seatbelt was not working at all. I had to be checked for a potential concussion at the local hospital.
Last summer I began to experience issues with the Right Rear Caliper. I was told that it was the pin and the caliper needed replaced. I went through no less than 3 mechanics and was told it was a NON-STOCK item and they didn't know when it would be available. This is my only vehicle so they tried whatever they could to keep it drivable. A replacement still hasn't been found as I have been continuously told that the replacement has to made of steel, not aluminum and it is still a non-stocked item and the ones that are available are of aluminum and that they will not work on my vehicle. I was just told yesterday that the Kia is NON-REPAIRABLE just because of the right rear caliper and that my car is basically junk! How is this possible? Not one person can explain to me WHY the aluminum caliper will not work. …
I have TWO 2015 Kia Soul's with advanced corrosion on the rear brake lines. One vehicle has already been repaired after a line failed while driving the vehicle on the highway. Luckily I was able to get it to a shop without incident and get them repaired. There was a large pool of brake fluid left where it was parked for a short time and the brake pressure was almost zero when arriving at the shop. I did retain the old brake lines which can be available for inspection if necessary. The other vehicle has not been repaired yet but will need to be done soon. I would like to see some action taken against Kia on these vehicles. Other models have had service campaigns issued for similar issues but not the Soul.
Brake complaints in other Soul years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2015 Kia Soul?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2015 Kia Soul, 4% of the model year's 902 complaints. The component named most often is fluid (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Kia Soul brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2015 Kia Soul, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Kia Soul brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 32,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 2 fires and 6 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.