Kia Seltos Complaints (2021)

380 consumer complaints on file.

#11585459April 26, 2024
ENGINE
The engine stalls and or dies when breaks are applied. Yes, it was confirmed by dealer. Engine light came on. Has been in shop. Car only has 97,000 miles. They are refusing to honor extended warranty even though other Kia Seltos engines have the exact same problem that are under recall. These are engine sensor problems ... they have nothing to do with "oil changes" that they claim were made late (One)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11582785April 13, 2024
ENGINE
My car is burning through oil.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11580469April 1, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VISIBILITY/WIPER
You are driving with all windows up in Florida with the temperature outside from 70's to 90's Degrees with AC on cold and running and suddenly car displays the temperature outside -39 Degrees and the car starts blowing very hot air that fogs all windows within seconds and daughter is unable to see. Car has been taken to Kia of Leesburg, FL more than 5 times. Dealer has changed the temperature sensor and checked the wiring, but the vehicle is still doing the same. Daughter almost had 3 major accidents because of this with 3 year old in the car. Need NHTSA to investigate this and push KIA of America for resolution. Has happened multiple times and we have it on video.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11577872March 17, 2024
AIR BAGS, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car initially had electrical and engine issues since may of 2022. The engine would fail mid drive and the car would turn of in the middle of driving and would lock up until engine would restart on its own. It stayed at the dealership for repairs until march of 2023. After many modifications and alterations and several new engines and transmission changes they returned the car to me on march of 2023 assuring me it was fixed and there would be no issues. Several weeks later while driving on the highway, the engine turned off mid drive, I lost control of the car entirely. Brakes wouldn’t brake. Car crashed into highway median. And upon impact none of the airbags deployed. The car continuously put myself and passengers at risk at the beginning of its failing. The car of April 2023 severely injured me. I was the only passenger at the times thankfully. Since the airbag never deployed my face, chest, ribs, arm, and neck were severely injured. It’s been almost a year and im still physically affected by the crash.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11576950March 12, 2024
ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
See attached document for complaint
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11576076March 7, 2024
ENGINE
The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his daughter was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that his daughter was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated during the failure. The contact stated that his daughter drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine piston oil rings had failed and damaged the engine. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,736.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572537February 17, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My Transmission Temp light goes on when I am in slow traffic going on an uphill road. I need to pull over and let it cool down, This has happen in Mountains in Colorado , So it is cold outside. Both times i need to get a tow due to the fact there are no places to pull over on single lane road. it takes approx. 1 hour to cool down and i can only drive 100 yards before light comes back on. I have brought to Dealership twice in last several months and they tell me there is nothing they can do about it. This is a Major safety hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569853February 4, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Car cannot operate in reverse. Error code P060194. Forward gears are questionable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568193January 27, 2024
ENGINE
Car is burning oil to the point the engine light comes on between oil changes. This is the second engine they have put in this car and still doing it. They did engine oil consumption test and say it's not burning over a quart every 1000 miles. I've never in my life had a car burn oil like this. They said Kia won't do anything about it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11567862January 25, 2024
POWER TRAIN
After about a hour and a half of driving the car began to surge between 2,000 and 3,000 RPM. This has happen and few times but the last time the transmission lost high gear. The car had to be towed to the dealerships. The dealership is stating there is nothing wrong. I feel this is a safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11564959January 11, 2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle was sputtering and then shut off and would not start. I called KIA and had it towed to Dealership. They called several days later stating there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Then several weeks later getting on the turnpike it sputter and shut off. I was able to get it started again and repeated the same sputter and shutting off an additonal 2 times on the turnpike. I was able to get the vehicle home to my drive way. The tow truck came and could not get it to start. He towed it back to the dealership. This time they replaced the fuel injector. The mechanic advised KIA that this issued caused scoring on the cylinders. KIA authorized replacing the fuel injector. KIA claimed scoring on the cylinders is normal. You don't have to be a mechanic to know this is. not normal and over time will lead to engine failure. KIA will not replace the engine. My case # is 15929784
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11563366January 3, 2024
ENGINE
My wife went to work 11/23/23 and the car died in the intersection, she would have been going 5 to 10 mph, the engine light came on. She was able to start it and return home. I made the appointment at Bob Lanpheres Beaverton Kia and the inspected the issue. It is reported to me that, “Boroscoped cylinders and found vertical scoring on the cylinders. Performed compression test and all cylinders are under spec” They replaced the engine, The total costs was 6486.65$. My research has shown me that a recall was issued for Seltos engines from this year and after talking to Kia and online my engine is not qualified for engine reimbursement because the manufacturer date was beyond the range of the recall. I feel this is wrong as the description from the repair shop and recall notice are identical and that the recall should be expanded. This page will not let me upload photos, I have a copy of the dealers findings.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11562127December 27, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
esta quemando aceite de motor muy rapido y antes de tiempo. mientras se utiliza esta lento y cuando sube cuestas muy pesado tiene que hacer mucha fuerza.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558806December 6, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Car stalled when at complete stop (at lights or stop signs) The auto restart feature seems to fail. Then it progressed to stuttering while driving and unable to drive above certain speeds (more than 40 mph). Service engine light on. Code by dealer P0017.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558321December 4, 2023
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 78-80 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated depressed the accelerator pedal to the floorboard however, the vehicle failed to respond. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine threw a rod through the oil pan, which drained the oil, and caused the engine to seize. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced under warranty; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 49,281.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11554594November 10, 2023
ENGINE
Engine began knocking and would stall on turns. Check oil light briefly flashed. No oil visible on dipstick about 2000 miles after oil change. Placed 4 quarts at home and was full. Stalling and knocking resolved. Brought to dealer and they said nothing wrong. Changed oil and did 1000 mile return to dealer to check oil consumption rate. The oil was about a quart or less low and they said this was normal, nothing to do. After 2000 miles oil level again checked and no oil visible on dipstick. Took photos of oil level each of these times. Called dealer and they towed it in. They confirmed that it is burning excessive oil and said it’s several quarts low. They say that they will now try to perhaps “soak” the engine? They have to check with Kia for approval. Not sure what this means. It is now with the dealer and we have no car to drive. They are not sure how long they will have it and have no loaner. We are obviously concerned about the safety of this engine/car which has just over 30000 miles and is running out of oil prior to recommended oil changes and was stalling intermittently when this was first discovered. Obviously concerned that engine will seize and be ruined at some point in essentially a brand new vehicle. The dealer (Preston Kia) denied any issue initially. I have read about ring issues in seltos engines requiring engine replacement. It seems that a similar problem is occurring here and I hope that Kia will do the right thing and repair/replace the faulty parts/engine. There are many similar complaints on line.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11553358November 3, 2023
ENGINE
My 2021 Kia Seltos EX is eating oil.......... 1/2 quart a week at least and I have read online that it can lead to the engine overheating, stalling, etc. So far my car is not listed on the piston recall or any other recall, but how can Kia state it can go 7,000 miles between oil changes when it only holds 4 1/2 quarts of oil and goes through it so fast? I change my oil every 3,500 miles because of it but am still afraid of something bad happening to my car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11553331November 3, 2023
POWER TRAIN
While driving I noticed my Seltos felt like it was shifting hard. I then attempted to put it in reverse. There was NO reverse. I had to get bystanders to push me off the road. This is a safety risk because there were no warning signs that reverse would fail to engage. Kia states there is no recall, but several of same instances were found in forums. My car is scheduled at dealership next week. No rental, no recall, no warranty. I will have to pay out of pocket for something that has been known to fail. Supposedly an actuator of some sort. This repair will be costly and I feel it is a manufacturer responsibility. This is not normal wear and tear item. I bought this used, it was practically new. Now I know why someone traded it in. Kia should disclose their warranty limitations when they advertise. The 10 year, 100,000 mile is not a true representation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549716October 13, 2023
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
2021 Kia Seltos possibly already had the recall work done in Florida before purchasing it used with only 18000 miles. It has stalled, once dying completely. Trouble gaining acceleration. Losing oil. Multiple oil consumption testing visits to dealership of 1000 miles each to continue showing Kia it loses over 1 quart per period. Now the glow relay engine and misfire engine codes are pulling which indicates engine damage after dealership has just last week replaced new spark plugs and oil change. It has been rough idle and ticking - knocking sound the entire time, which they denied the morning after purchase.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11544856September 16, 2023
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, ENGINE
bought as certified pre-owned from a very large dealership in Clearwater. Driving off the lot there was a bad wobble and shake from corner to corner of vehichle. Took in day 2 of ownership to dealer to have them reinspect it and they let me drive away home too come back the next day after service manager started the car was completely safe to drive because there was no loaner car for me the day they promised me one ..five days in service and not hearing a word from the service department I stopped in and asked about my car. to have the tech say it ended needing and entire front CV axle and bearing because the bearing and axle had a lot of play in it! I've emailed multiple times and no one yet has called or emailed me back! bought on 9/02/2023 serviced 09/03/2023 to 09/15/2023 .. . then on the ride home it still feels like there is a wobble from somewhere in the front of the car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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