# Kia Soul brake warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Stop driving - **Owner complaints:** 18 - **Most complaints:** 2016 (6) - **Related recalls:** 0 - **Verdict:** Stop now ## Quick answer NHTSA has 18 owner complaints about the brake warning light on the Kia Soul (2015-2026 models), most for the **2016** model year (6). No recall covers the parts behind this light, so a repair is usually at the owner's cost. Stop driving: If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. ## Kia Soul brake warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the brake light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 1 | 908 | 0% | | 2016 | 6 | 826 | 1% | | 2017 | 4 | 272 | 1% | | 2018 | 2 | 220 | 1% | | 2019 | 3 | 140 | 2% | | 2020 | 1 | 388 | 0% | | 2024 | 1 | 31 | 3% | 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 brake 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 - "About 2 weeks ago while I was stopped for a red light in a busy intersection and the "restart" feature was engaged as I had the brake pedal pressed but then as the light turns green and I move my foot from brake to gas (that step is supposed to restart the engine) it did not start immediatley as it should have,..." -- owner of a 2020 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2023 - "While in park or when driving and the brakes are pushed down for red lights and such the car will shake and 'skip' uncontrollably." -- owner of a 2019 Kia Soul, complaint filed 2020 - "My vehicle recall is to do with electrical issue that not only may have affected the air bag, but the electrical system shorting that's burning the bulb holders that holds all of the brake and tail lights bulbs on this vehicle. These brand new bulbs consistently burn or short out within 1 to 2 weeks. This expense..." -- owner of a 2018 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 brake warning light means The red brake warning light most often means the parking brake is still on. If it stays on after you fully release the parking brake, the brake fluid is likely low, which can mean worn pads or a leak in the brake system. A brake light that stays on while driving is a reason to pull over and check, because a fluid leak can lead to loss of braking. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Parking brake on or not fully released** (most common) 2. **Low brake fluid from worn pads** (common) 3. **Brake fluid leak** (less common) 4. **Faulty fluid level sensor or parking brake switch** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Brake warning light](/warning-lights/brake). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Kia Soul brake 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 brake light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Soul model years have the most complaints mentioning the brake warning light, with 6 for 2016. 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 brake light on? Stop driving. If the light goes out when you release the parking brake, you are fine. If it stays on, especially with a soft pedal, low fluid, or the ABS light also on, stop driving and have the car towed, because the brakes may fail. ### 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 - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/kia-soul): 14 complaints - [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 - [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 ## Brake warning light on other models - [Honda CR-V](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-cr-v): 561 complaints - [Chevrolet Silverado](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-silverado): 383 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-accord): 360 complaints - [Honda Pilot](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-pilot): 223 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-cherokee): 215 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/ram-1500): 208 complaints - [GMC Sierra](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/gmc-sierra): 206 complaints - [Honda Odyssey](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/honda-odyssey): 176 complaints - [Chevrolet Equinox](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/chevrolet-equinox): 154 complaints - [Jeep Grand Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/jeep-grand-cherokee): 142 complaints ## Kia Soul - [Kia Soul specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/kia-soul) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/kia-soul Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.