Kia Seltos Complaints (2021)

380 consumer complaints on file.

#11641744February 10, 2025
ENGINE
My car has an issue holding oil. I have had to put quarts of oil in often and it makes my engine knock. It also makes my car lose power while I am driving. I know this is a common issue with these make and models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11640700February 4, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Horn stopped working. This puts me and passengers at a safety risk as I am unable to alert other drivers and/or pedestrians to potential dangers that could result in reducing the chance of a crash. I am also unable to use the horn to ensure proper security of my car. As the horn also works for my alarm systems to indicate the vehicles locked status. I also cannot utilize the horn as an emergency warning when the panic button is pressed on a key fob. The problem was inspected and determined at my local shop. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. The horn stopped working on Jan 29, 2025
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637423January 21, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When the auto engine start/stop button is on and I’m stopped at a light, the infotainment system will constantly restart as will the engine once I let go of the brakes. It usually happens when it is cold outside. This is a safety issue bc a lot of the time I am using the navigation and since the infotainment system just restarted I am waiting for the navigation to reboot and I am now driving without knowing where I am going. It doesn’t seem to happen when I turn off the auto engine start/stop button. Sometimes, I’ll be in an intersection, and the engine will restart bc the infotainment system restarted. Last time I almost got into an accident bc I was trying to accelerate but the car hesitated bc it restarted the engine and radio. There seems like there is a sudden loss of power. The dealer supposedly updated the software for the infotainment system but it did not correct the issue. There is no warning lamps or messages when this occurs
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11637311January 21, 2025
ENGINE
The Seltos started losing power driving on interstate, started smoking and then lost all power and would not start. We had the car towed to Brakes plus where we had an oil change as of recent, they confirmed it was piston ring failure and the engine was done for. The car has just over 28,000 miles on it. Kia dealership and warranty is avoiding to state that it was indeed the piston rings failing. They simply said it needs a new engine and are demanding maintenance records and receipts. My veteran father has performed most of my oil changes, he was a military mechanic and ASE certified mechanic for over 20 years. Since I didn’t personally purchase the oil used, I don’t have the hard copy receipts they are demanding. Kia refuses to acknowledge that the engine failure is that of the same issue with many other 2021 Seltos that had piston ring issues during manufacturing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11635210January 10, 2025
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
While driving at low speeds, the vehicle would stall, no engine lights or warnings would appear on the dashboard. After turning it off and back on, it would run but stall again shortly later. An unfamiliar foul odor appeared from the dipstick as I checked the oil. Car only has 60k miles on it. Engine is throwing codes for cylinder 1, cylinder 2 and crankshaft.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11633293December 31, 2024
ENGINE
My 2021 Kia seltos has a flashing engine light and when put on a code reader it indicates a misfire/ piston. This has been going for two weeks . My engine is a 2.0 and the recall for this vehicle has the same incident as mine. The engine keeps shutting off
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632535December 26, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Came to a stop at an intersection on a busy highway, went to accelerate and turn left when the transmission locked without warning. Vehicle would not shift into gear.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629652December 9, 2024
POWER TRAIN
Transmission unreliable. While crossing a 4 lane highway the engine revved but would not engage.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618844October 9, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard an audible pinging sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and an oil change was performed. The contact was informed that the oil level was low; however, there was no indication of an oil leak. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. In addition, the contact stated that the oil consumption was unusually high and again there was no indication of an oil leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617643October 2, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 65-70 MPH on the highway, the engine was revving but the vehicle failed to respond as needed before shutting down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, but provided no additional assistance. The contact called the SAG Office and was referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614917September 16, 2024
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
I was at a stop light and when the light turned green the car i took my foot off the brake and placed it on the gas pedal, but the car wouldn't move. Almost like it shut down. I had to restart it to make it go. It ran but not the same.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614602September 14, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hello, I received the anti theft software update on my Kia last year part of the nationwide recall. Today, I had to use my steel key to open the car door and when I did, it started ringing the alarm. The car was unable to start without pressing the open button in my key fob. I had to replace the key fob battery in order for me to get into my car and drive it. I have a steel key, not push to start.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610778August 26, 2024
ENGINE
Engine oil burning to quickly. Have replaced two quarts between oil changes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11603283July 18, 2024
ENGINE
The Engine. No? The engine blew up at night in the middle of a busy highway. Leaving the vehicle powerless and overheating. Yes. No, there was no immediate indication of an issue until it occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11602018July 14, 2024
ENGINE
The check engine light turned on and my 2021 Kia Seltos stalled as I exited the highway. With seconds, my vehicle turned off, and I was unable to restart it for a bit.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11599812July 7, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
This happens everyday while I’m driving. The vehicle hesitates and grinds when you try to accelerate and prevents you from going forward. It pulls the car back in yanking motion. Which is extremely dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11596300June 24, 2024
ENGINE
Two times in the last week, my engine shut off/stalled while driving in traffic. The check engine, battery and oil lights came on because the key was still turned. I had no other warning, I just couldn’t accelerate and had to coast to safety. Both times I was able to safely pull over and turn the key to restart the car and get home. I am currently at 63k miles and just got an oil change. My last oil change was in March 2024 at 58k miles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11594358June 14, 2024
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly jerked before returning to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact also stated that the transmission had been replaced 5 times; however, the failure had not been resolved. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 19,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593747June 11, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I’m not really sure what the problem was. I feel like the car may have lost power and I lost function of the car / brakes. I’m assuming it’s either an engine or electrical. Warning lights came on. Prior to losing function, the vehicle felt like it was sorta puttering. I’d give it the gas and there was a delayed, and then jerk forward. There’s a vibration sound that happens when I go around 15-30 miles an hour. Not sure if it’s related. It’s being looked at on June 24. I had to turn off the car and restart to gain control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11588415May 13, 2024
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle started shuddering. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing to replace a piston ring in a cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was told the engine needed to be repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,927.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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