2014 Kia Soul · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 31owner reports
- 75,000median miles
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Sep 21, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
31 of the 874 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 31 reports
Brake wear on other Soul years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2014 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Soul
Hyundai and kia abs module fires. Open.
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 41,000 and 95,000 miles, from the 13 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2014 Kia Soul that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: UNDERBODY INSPECTION & ANTI-CORROSION MATERIAL APPLICATION (SC334) This bulletin provides information to apply additional anti-corrosion material to underbody components, including inspection/replacement of the brake line(s), on certain 2014-2019MY Soul (PS) vehicles produced from July 21, 2013 through December 24, 2018, and ...
What owners wrote
“Driving and sudden brake to avoid someone coming out of there drive way to come on the road we were driving on. The rake pedal went down. We carefully Drove home and when got home my husband saw a long leak on our drive way. . Brake line gave out . . Leaking brake fluid. We have many vehicles and we never experienced this .was scary at the time.”
Filed Jun 28, 2026
“Went to back out of driveway noticed puddle of water substance near right passenger door grd. Thought possibly from AC unit, I had been previously out and about. Few days later went to leave no brakes! Had it towed, currently at dealership, so far report crack in brake line not sure yet why. Scary this could have been tragic.”
Filed May 13, 2025
“While driving the brake warning light came on and immediately lost all braking. My safety and the safety of other vehicles around me were put at risk. Vehicle was towed to a repair facility and upon inspection the brake master cylinder was leaking and had leaked into the brake booster. Brake master cylinder and brake booster had to be replaced.”
Filed Jul 7, 2023
“On or about 10/11/22 while driving I completely lost control of the vehicle suddenly. I was unable to break or use my steering wheel. The vehicle rolled over twice and the front airbags failed to deploy.”
Filed Oct 17, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 31 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 245 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 188 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 187 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 114 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 87 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 75 reports
- Vehicle fire 57 reports
- Engine leaks oil 39 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 32 reports