Kia Seltos Complaints (2023)

47 consumer complaints on file.

#11651108March 27, 2025
ENGINE
Bought my 2023 Kia seltos new, Been driving it and maintaining the maintaince myself. Vehical has 58,000 Miles still under the warranty. Did my normal oil change only to have it start blowing smoke out of the exhaust. Took it into the dealer for service only to be told that the Rings are failing. that i need a new engine. Now there is a recall out for the 2020-2023 Kia Souls and Seltos with the 2.0 engines for miss manufactured rings. Mine has the 1.6L turbo in it. Seems very odd to me that they are claiming exactly what they have the recall for on the 2.0 engines. They are denying warranty.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646115March 3, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I purchased my vehicle in mid June 2024 used from the dealership. I purchased extended warranty although my vehicle still had original warranty. On [XXX], my parents 50th anniversary party. I packed my car and left my house. Vehicle drove fine, but my husband called me worried stated that after I left our driveway that there was an oil puddle on the drive that concerned him. He took my vehicle down the road to a service place. They don’t want to touch my vehicle saying it was low on oil and needed towed. We were in Missouri and had to have it towed back to the dealership in Illinois. $400 or more tow bill. Anyway, no one could tell us why the oil leaked and said I must have hit a rock just right that cracked my oil filter. They replaced and said it was just that. This did not satisfy me nor when I spoke to multiple people who knew cars. Said that something was fishy. I had not even gotten to a first oil change. 2nd incident happened four months later. I was driving to work early morning, dark and raining. I pulled up behind a car leaving plenty of space between vehicles. I had my foot on the break when all of a sudden I noticed my car rolling forward despite my foot being down. I pressed harder and I almost rolled into the car in front of me. Finally my brakes caught and I was freaked out. I was fully stopped. I took my car immediately to the dealership the next day, missing half a day at work and had the car inspected. They told me everything looked great on my car and the brakes were fine. They could not replicate the issue. I know what happened. But I was told it was probably a mirage like experience where I felt the car rolling. I have never had another incident, but I just feel like that is too incidents too many for such a new car. I am not satisfied with the explanations to these experiences. An oil filter does not just crack and drain oil out randomly six weeks after buying my car. Please help INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635335January 10, 2025
ENGINE
Dear, I own a 2024 Kia Seltos and have experienced a recurring issue. While driving, I stopped at a red light, and the vehicle's automatic stop system activated as usual. However, when the light changed and I pressed the accelerator, the vehicle completely shut down. To restart it, I had to turn the key to the "Off" position, shift to "Parking," and then turn it back on. This issue has occurred four times now, and I’m concerned it may compromise driving safety. I would appreciate your guidance in resolving this matter. Looking forward to your response. Best regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624388November 9, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The vehicle acts like it is trying to change gears when I am driving. This is the third time I have noticed this on the last few weeks. Maybe power train ?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623269November 2, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The recall issue has not been resolved in a timely manner since first appointment was made on October 9, 2023 at Riverchase Kia Dealership located in Pelham, Alabama after being promised to communicate via phone when part came in. Customer of vehicle contacted dealership on 10/14/24 and was informed a the part was in under recall and was instructed to schedule an appointment. Customer scheduled an appointment for 10/17/24. On 10/17/24 when customer arrived for appointment at dealership, customer was informed the part was not for a Kia Seltos and the part would have to be ordered. Riverchase Kia dealership ordered part on 10/17/24 and informed customer the part would arrive between 10/19-10/22/24. Customer contacted dealership on 10/23/24 via text message and a representative of dealership messaged back "... It is still showing on order." Customer has been waiting over a year's time to get recall part fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618287October 6, 2024
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Went to stop at a red light and I had no breaks pushed break pedal all to the floor and nothing hit another car no air bags seat belt never tightened no collision warning nothing I was was at fault and charge wreck less driving and ticked. And Kia wants to charge me 200 for a diagnostic fee to figure out what happened I just had the oil changed 2 months ago
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617329September 30, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Unknown. Was told there was a recall when i took it in for my first oil change over a year ago, was told that they would call me when the part came in, then never heard from anyone. Just took it back in couple months ago and mentioned it again and nothing was ever said. They did confirm that it had a recall but werent too concern about it
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11615716September 21, 2024
WHEELS
I was driving the car & instantly started losing air on my left front tire. No explanation. The tires on have 16000 miles on them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608749August 15, 2024
POWER TRAIN
When I change gears the gears get stuck from drive to park. I have to give it a push to put vehicle on park.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595226June 19, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
"GLARE IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD" AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2023 KIA SELTOS EX AWD I NOTICED A HAZARDOUS GLARE IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IT'S COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD PORTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS INTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE LARGE GLARE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593331June 9, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
After purchasing my 2023 KIA SELTOS, I noticed a very distracting glare in the front windshield. A large portion of the dashboard reflects into the windshield which is especially risky when driving while facing in the direction of the sunlight. I contacted the dealership almost immediately and explained that there is a terrible glare in the windshield. I asked if it's because the little black dots around the rear view mirror are predominantly on one side and he said, "No, that's how they all are". I've never driven a vehicle before with such a bad reflection that I felt it is not safe. This reflection was not noted during the test drive because it was overcast that day. The dealer never mentioned any distracting reflection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580580April 2, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
The check engine light came on .. for a day then went off. Took it they said they couldn’t find anything.. 2 days later a symbol triangle with exclamation point. Not sure what it means but the orange warning lights wouldn’t come on if nothing is wrong 24 thousand miles on it . All factory warranty service has been done
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11567792January 25, 2024
SEAT BELTS
I was in a car crash [XXX]. My 8 year old child was buckled in the backseat on the driver's side. Her seat belt failed and let her be thrown across the car into the passenger side floorboard face down. She was unconscious and lifeless, I had to pull her from the vehicle. She was life flighted to Memorial Hermann Children's in Houston, TX. She has a concussion, fractured pelvis, had a bleeding/bruised spleen, knocked her lower teeth all loose, plus bleeding and bruised gums, sore neck from whiplash and just general body pains. The police officer came to the hospital and told me they tested all the seat belts and the two back seat belts in the Kia Seltos FAILED to engage. The pediatrician physicians said this could have killed her and I need to report this to prevent more tragedies from happening. There needs to be an immediate recall done to protect the backseat passengers in these cars. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11554519November 10, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Issues with idle stop and go. On 11/8/23 was at a light and stop and go was on. Light turned green took my foot off of the break and nothing happened then engine staled. Check engine light came on and then all other panel lights. Took two tries to get engine started again. I was in a busy intersection at rush hour. This is a huge safety issue. It has clitched at other times where took foot off break and engine took a moment to restart, but this is first stall. I now have a note in car to turn off every time I drive. I live in a high density area with lots of stop and go traffic and lights and cannot afford to get stuck or worse in an accident because of this. Kia needs to address this issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11536432August 4, 2023
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When the stop/ go is on .. it some times stalls and will not move when pressing petal.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524008May 26, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn in my 2023 Kia Seltos started glitching and then went out completely. After a google search this appears to be a very big problem with the Seltos, and here in Florida it is against the law to drive without one. They need to recall these in for a fix. I have had a few near misses with other vehicles because I couldn't alert them with my horn. Kia of Clermont is refusing to provide a loaner car while they diagnose and resolve the issue, and I cannot afford to be without transportation while they do so. Please look into this because it is very dangerous not having a horn while driving. This IS a safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521755May 12, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while parallel parking her vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated backward while in the reverse(R) position and crashed into a barrier. The contact did not sustain any injuries as a result of the failure. A police report was filed at the scene. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained in the dealer's possession. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521528May 11, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The analog speedometer stopped working on 5/10/2023.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11512259March 16, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When driving the 2023 Kia Seltos on several occasions, it lunges / jerks / lurching forward frequently. At times, when I’m at a stop the car seems as if it’s going to stop by jerking, or lunging or not getting enough gas. I took it to the Napleton Kia in Calumet City, IL on 2/4/2023 but they say they didn’t find anything. It has occurred: 2/9/2023; 2/16/2023; 2/22/2023; 2/27/2023; 3/3/2023; 3/7/2023; 3/13/2023. The lunges / jerking / not getting enough gas has occurred when the weather seems to be damp and or wet ( rain or snow).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11507650February 16, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle independently lunged forward without warning. The contact also stated that while the vehicle was parked, the engine revved uncontrollably without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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