Kia Seltos Complaints

532 consumer complaints on file.

#11608514August 14, 2024
AIR BAGS, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
This is a problem that has occurred in several Kia models. While driving all of a sudden all the warning lights from every safety related item come on and at the same time the power steering goes off as well as the air conditioner. Sometimes if you stop the car and restart the engine everything returns to normal other times it does not and occasionally the shifter locks itself in park. I have taken it to the Kia dealer twice and they "repaired" it one time and the problem continued. The second time no problem codes were shown in the OBD and they said there was nothing they could do. We have limited our driving this car because it is a ticking time bomb. A quick look at the Seltos forum shows that many owners have reported this problem. Please go to this link below. [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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#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
#11586993May 4, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION:SUMP/TANK:DRAIN PLUG
Daughter driving back to college from home in her new 2024 Kia Seltos. We leased this vehicle for her for reliability and dependability throughout her years at college. 9 months into lease, 10,000 miles her car started smoking from engine. She immediately pulled over to notice the car had completely dumped out oil everywhere. We have pics and video to prove this. She had to wait on side of highway for 3.5 hours waiting to be towed. 6 days have passed and we have gotten zero answers and no help from corporate Kia only to be told for us to call dealerships to work it out. Now I’m working with the Kia dealership that it was towed to AND the previous Kia dealership that performed last oil change. I’m getting conflicting comments on both ends from dealership and no help from corporate Kia. 1 week and no answers, my daughter has no car not to mention the mental stress this has put on her. This incident caused her to miss her D1 lacrosse practice due to a 6 hr unplanned and unexpected mechanical/ defective oil plug that came out from the oil pan. Dealership of towing has informed us that the engine of this new car needs to be replaced. Kia dealership that performed last oil change wants to see new oil put in it and run full diagnostic and if all checks out, call it good. We feel this car had a defective part and we should at the very least have a new engine put in it or we should be put into a new lease! My daughter’s safety was at jeopardy on the highway that morning and the concern for others that are driving a 2024 Kia seltos. It has come to our attention that this had been an ongoing issue of Kia’s cars that “fits” the description exactly as to what had happened to us. We need a car ASAP are looking for advise on how to move forward from here.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#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
#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
#11576563March 11, 2024
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, the vehicle shut off with several messages displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle despite the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure but initially offered no assistance. The contact recently stated that a "Low Oil" warning light was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained in dealer possession. The vehicle was not serviced or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300.
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
#11572538February 17, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Cruise control is messed up and is constantly and continuously surging on straightaway highways or on hills between 500 to 1000 rpms. A very uncomfortable ride that makes me nauseated. No dealership is acknowledging a problem or finding a diagnosis. Also, aa soon ans you turn on your cruise rpm’s will raise immediately even on a flat terrain negatively impacting fuel economy. Investing over $30,000 into a brand new vehicle that doesn’t work correctly is absolutely absurd!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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