The 2010 Kia Soul is known to be a fairly headache-free vehicle, averaging just $466 in annual repair costs. But there are a few braking issues you’ll want to be on the lookout for, such as loose caliper bolts, as well as a recall about faulty brake lights.
Key Points
- The 2010 Kia Soul’s brake problems are covered in one recall, 11 service brakes complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and a handful of forum posts.
- Drivers have reported loose calipers in the front brakes, likely owing to improperly-torqued bolts.
- A major recall covered failing brake lights, but complaints continue to roll in years later.
- One driver reports that their electric service brakes simply failed to engage entirely.
- Braking issues for 2010 Kia Soul drivers are scarce, but not non-existent. Check your VIN and follow your service schedule to ensure you’re driving safe.
Loose Calipers May Result From 2010 Kia Soul’s Improperly-torqued Bolts
A handful of 2010 Kia Soul drivers have reported on the Kia Soul Forums of discovering some play, or wiggle-room, with the brake calipers in their vehicles. This usually starts with a rattling sound, and when they go to investigate, they find that the caliper isn’t holding as tight as it ought to.
These incidents usually happen at around 100,000 miles on the odometer. At that point, you expect to start making a few repairs now and then, but the calipers shouldn’t be falling apart just yet. As another forum user points out, this may be the result of hasty repairs.
That is, if the caliper is removed and then put back into place for any reason, you run the risk of cross-threading the bolts or over-tightening them. Caliper bolts typically require 25 to 35 lb.-ft. of torque to hold tight, and going past that puts too much pressure on them.
Replacing calipers isn’t the toughest job in the world, but if you don’t have a torque wrench, it’s better left to the professionals. You can DIY it, but you really need to make sure you have the right equipment.
Brake Lights Continue to Fail at Random Following Major Recall
The 2010 Kia Soul currently has 10 service brakes complaints on file with the NHTSA. One of the issues being reported: brake lights going out unexpectedly, usually owing to a faulty brake switch. If the brake lights fail, then your chances of getting rear-ended go up dramatically.
In one instance, the driver reports that they did not know their brake lights were out until another driver informed them. This happened after less than two years of driving the vehicle, and the cost of the repairs came out of the driver’s pocket.
There was a recall for the issue in 2013, for nearly one million units, including a number of Souls. Unfortunately, this recall might have left a few drivers uncovered.
Drivers have continued to register new complaints years following the recall. Incidence rate is thankfully fairly low, but the fact remains that the brake lights still might go out, and if you weren’t included in the recall, you’ll have to pay for the fix yourself.
2010 Kia Soul Owners Report Electric Brakes May Not Engage
A 2010 NHTSA complaint from a 2010 Kia Soul owner reports that the rear brakes are simply not engaging after changing a flat tire. According to the complaint, the electric brakes failed to kick in while they were driving at a low speed.
The driver wound up suffering $3,000 in damages to their own car, plus scratches to another vehicle. They report that their brakes were diagnosed as “defective.” Beyond that, there are no updates. It is worth noting that this occurred while the vehicle was brand-new, having taken place in early-2010.
If some years have passed, a low rate of incidence typically suggests that an issue may be the result of simple wear and tear. But, for it to happen to a brand-new car, it could point to a manufacturing defect.
2010 Kia Soul Owners Have a Few Issues to Watch Out For, but Incidence Rate is Very Low
Braking issues for the 2010 Kia Soul are few and far between, but potentially quite serious. Failing brake lights, loose calipers, or brakes simply failing to engage can up your chances of getting into a major accident.
The best way to stay safe: check your VIN to see if you are covered in the above-mentioned recall, listen for any rattling sounds coming from the front of the car, and don’t neglect your regularly scheduled maintenance checks.
Photos: Kia
