The dominant issue across these 38 complaints is NHTSA Campaign 23V652000, a hydraulic control unit defect tied to fire risk. Kia issued recall notices but has not sourced replacement parts, leaving owners stranded. Many report being told to wait months—one owner waited two months before learning parts still weren't available; another couldn't schedule a dealer appointment until September 2024. Several owners have parked their vehicles due to fire concern and watched batteries drain from non-use.
Beyond the parts shortage, owners describe stalling and loss of motive power at various speeds, sometimes while braking. Some vehicles experienced catastrophic engine failures: one threw a rod at 161,000 miles after stalling on the highway; another needed engine replacement at 143,449 miles with cylinder #2 misfire and blown dipstick; a third needed engine replacement at 172,000 miles. Kia denied warranty coverage on these failures, citing extended warranty expiration despite linking them to the brake recall.
Other reported brake failures include excessively sensitive brakes that engage hard with minimal pedal pressure, brake power loss when striking bumps while braking, unresolved warning lights for brakes and stability control after three dealer visits, inoperative side brake lights, and—critically—an electric parking brake that fails, allowing a manual-transmission vehicle to roll despite being in first gear with the e-brake engaged. One vehicle caught fire under the hood while parked, burning the entire car and damaging two residential structures.
Failure modes owners describe
Hydraulic Control Unit (HECU) Malfunction / Recall Part Unavailability
NHTSA Campaign 23V652000 targets a hydraulic control unit defect in 2012 Kia Souls that poses a fire risk. The critical issue is that Kia has been unable to source replacement parts for an extended period, leaving owners with recalled vehicles they cannot repair. Multiple owners report being notified of the recall but told parts are unavailable, with some waiting months for a remedy that never materializes.
When: Various mileages from 68,000 to 200,000 miles; some vehicles parked due to recall concern
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalling while driving or at complete stop; Loss of motive power while driving; Unintended acceleration followed by loss of power; Engine compartment fire (total loss); Smoke or burning plastic odor from engine compartment or cabin; Shuddering or jerking during acceleration/deceleration; HECU warning light illumination; Check engine light illumination; Electronic parking brake warning light
Codes mentioned: P0300 (misfire - inferred from cylinder-specific failures), Check engine codes (unspecified), HECU malfunction code
Repairs/costs cited: Hydraulic control unit replacement required per recall; parts distribution ongoing as of report dates. One owner had unit replaced by independent mechanic at 87,000 miles (before recall issued). No retail cost data provided; recall should be manufacturer-covered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). Kia issued recall notice but has not supplied parts. Manufacturer confirmed in multiple reports that parts remain unavailable. One owner received Class Action Lawsuit documentation instead of repair.
Engine Failure Secondary to Brake System Defect
Several owners report engine damage or failure after experiencing stalling or loss of power events. One owner's engine threw a rod at 161,000 miles; another had cylinder #2 misfire, blown dipstick, and oil leakage requiring engine replacement at 143,449 miles. A third owner needed complete engine replacement at 172,000 miles after unintended acceleration and power loss with cruise control engaged. These catastrophic failures appear correlated with brake system malfunctions but owners were denied warranty coverage.
When: 143,449 miles (cylinder misfire); 161,000 miles (thrown rod); 172,000 miles (engine failure)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalling while driving; Loss of motive power; Abnormal shaking at 35 MPH; Smoke from engine compartment; Abnormal grinding sounds; Oil leakage underneath vehicle and in engine compartment; Blown dipstick; Check engine light illumination
Codes mentioned: Misfire cylinder #2
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder #2 misfire required engine and battery replacement (estimated, not completed); engine replacement needed (172,000 mi); thrown rod at 161,000 mi. No costs cited. Vehicles were not repaired due to extended warranty expiration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None for engine failures. Kia denied warranty coverage citing extended warranty lapse, despite linking failures to recall Campaign 23V652000.
Brake Sensitivity / Over-Responsiveness
Owner reports all four wheels have excessively sensitive brakes requiring only slight pedal pressure to engage hard braking. Dealer dismissed concern as normal, but owner states this level of sensitivity compromises control during panic stops and makes it difficult to modulate correct stopping distance. This contradicts the stalling/loss-of-power complaints and may reflect a separate tuning or valve issue.
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes engage hard with minimal pedal pressure; Difficult to control light braking touch without over-braking; Excessive sensitivity on all four wheels
Repairs/costs cited: None; dealer stated behavior is normal.
Brake Loss on Bump / Speed Bump
Owner reports that when applying brakes while simultaneously striking a bump or speed bump, braking power is lost and the pedal sinks toward the floor. Owner describes the symptom as frightening and states dealer has been unable to diagnose the issue despite multiple visits.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake power loss when pedal applied during bump impact; Brake pedal sinks to floor during bump
Repairs/costs cited: Undiagnosed by dealer.
Brake and Stability Control Warning Lights / System Function Uncertainty
Owner reports illumination of operational warning lights for brakes, stability control, and anti-lock brakes. Dealer has made three repair attempts without resolution. Owner expresses concern that the presence of unresolved warning lights creates legitimate doubt about whether these safety systems will function as intended during actual driving hazards.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illumination; Stability control warning light illumination; Anti-lock brake warning light illumination; Warning lights persist after three dealer service attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Three dealer visits; issue unresolved.
Side Brake Lights Non-Functional
Owner reports that side brake lights (presumably brake lights on rear side markers or side-mounted position lamps) have failed without warning. Owner notes the third brake light (center high-mounted stop lamp) functions normally. Loss of side brake lights creates a visibility hazard for following traffic.
Symptoms owners cite: Side brake lights inoperative; Sudden failure with no warning signs; Center third brake light functions normally
Electric Parking Brake Failure / Vehicle Rolling When Parked
Manual transmission owner reports vehicle has repeatedly started rolling when parked in first gear with e-brake fully engaged. Owner states this has happened multiple times despite being certain brake was fully pulled and transmission in gear. One incident nearly struck owner's child, and owner confirms witnessing the failure firsthand. This represents a critical parking brake system failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls when parked in first gear with e-brake engaged; Failure occurs repeatedly despite confirmed e-brake engagement; No warning lights reported
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.