VehicleVerdict

2012 Kia Soul brakes problems

The 2012 Kia Soul has 45 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

45

Brakes complaints

7%

Share of year

3

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

23V652000BrakesSeptember 25, 2023 · 1,730,192 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

I WAS SLOWING APPROACHING PARKING SPOT. VEHICLE STARTED SPEEDING RAPIDLY, I COULD NOT STOP VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK BUILDING. MY SON WAS YELLING TO STOP, I SAID I AM TRYING AND CANNOT. THE AIR BAGS CAME OUT, CAR WAS SMOKING, BADLY DENTED. WINDSHIELD BROKE. WE WERE BRUISED AND SCRATCHED.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 9, 2013 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2012 Kia Soul have?

NHTSA has 45 complaints about the 2012 Kia Soul brakes — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Kia Soul brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 23V652000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.