# Kia Soul aBS warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 14 - **Most complaints:** 2017 (3) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 14 owner complaints about the aBS warning light on the Kia Soul (2015-2026 models), most for the **2017** model year (3). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Drive to a shop this week: If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. ## Kia Soul aBS warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the abs light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 2 | 908 | 0% | | 2016 | 2 | 826 | 0% | | 2017 | 3 | 272 | 1% | | 2018 | 1 | 220 | 0% | | 2019 | 3 | 140 | 2% | | 2020 | 2 | 388 | 1% | | 2023 | 1 | 54 | 2% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Is there a recall for the Kia Soul aBS warning light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. The Kia Soul has 10 recalls for other parts in 2015-2026; see the [Kia Soul page](/vehicles/kia-soul) or check your VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). ## What Kia Soul owners report - "First I get a safety issue warning with the front camera then I get a safety issue warning with a back camera well those warnings go off and I'm left with an ABS signal on my dashboard orange triangle with a exclamation point in it skid something with the car it shows it's weaving and I'm not sure what the fourth..." -- owner of a 2023 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2025 - "...june 8th I turned on my car and a message about the tire pressure system needed to be checked and the auto shut off light was blinking the abs light the emergency break light engine light and others were flashing and the steering wheel felt loose and the speedometer was reading 0 while I was driving I left it..." -- owner of a 2020 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2020 - "The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the ABS and AED warning lights were occasionally illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Auto Zone and scanned. The contact was informed that the HECU Solenoid Voltage Relay needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was..." -- owner of a 2019 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2024 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the aBS warning light means The ABS light means the anti-lock brake system has found a fault and turned itself off. Your regular brakes should still work, but the wheels can lock up in a hard stop, especially on wet or icy roads. The most common cause is a failed wheel speed sensor. If the red brake warning light is also on, the problem may affect normal braking and you should stop driving. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Failed wheel speed sensor** (most common) 2. **Damaged sensor wiring or tone ring** (common) 3. **Low brake fluid** (less common) 4. **ABS module or pump failure** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [ABS warning light](/warning-lights/abs). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Soul abs light? Not for the parts behind this light, as of 2026-11-04. A repair is usually at the owner's cost unless the car is under warranty. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, since new recalls are added often. ### Which Kia Soul years have the most abs light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2017 and 2019 Soul model years have the most complaints mentioning the aBS warning light, with 3 for 2017. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Kia Soul with the abs light on? Drive to a shop this week. If only the ABS light is on and the brakes feel normal, you can drive carefully to a shop, leaving more stopping room. Stop driving and have it towed if the red brake light is on too, the pedal is soft or sinks, or the car pulls hard when braking. ### How do I check if my Kia Soul has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Kia dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Kia Soul warning lights - [Airbag (SRS) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/kia-soul): 13 complaints - [Battery (charging system) warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/battery/kia-soul): 34 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-soul): 18 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/kia-soul): 785 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/kia-soul): 110 complaints - [Oil pressure warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/oil-pressure/kia-soul): 230 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/kia-soul): 31 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/kia-soul): 17 complaints ## ABS warning light on other models - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/ram-1500): 280 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-wrangler): 180 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-silverado): 89 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/honda-accord): 72 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/jeep-grand-cherokee): 58 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/chevrolet-traverse): 53 complaints - [Hyundai Santa Fe](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-santa-fe): 45 complaints - [Hyundai Sonata](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/hyundai-sonata): 42 complaints - [Toyota Prius](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/toyota-prius): 40 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/gmc-sierra): 37 complaints ## Kia Soul - [Kia Soul specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-soul) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-soul Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.