2021 KIA SELTOS Unknown Or Other Problems
38 complaints about Unknown Or Other
High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
All Unknown Or Other Complaints (38)
my sensor does not work and does not detect the gas in tank car wont start or turn on
THE CAR WAS MAKING A GRINDING SOUND, VIBRATES, SLOWS DOWN. GRINDING SOUND IS LIKE GRINDING GEARS OR A SNOWPLOW SCRAPING PAVEMENT. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED IN APRIL BECAUSE OF RECALL. I ONLY HAVE 23765 MILES ON IT BUT ORIGINAL 5 YEAR WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 12/09/2025. THE SAME NOISE STARTED AGAIN ON 12/10/2025 AND IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER I BOUGHT FROM ON 12/10/25. The master warning light came on 12/10/25 incident and some text. There was traffic so unable to read it and light went off.
DEATH TRAP! Point blank~Engine will STILL Jerk, Skip, Not Do Anything Or even Shut Off Without Warning!!! The Driver's Screen will still Flash and go out but only once in a while now. Dealership didn't understand that. They told me Radio was Fine Now. I told them Screen Directly in Front of Driver's with Speedometer on it. IT'S HARD TO FIND GOOD HELP. EVEN HARDER, to FIND a SAFE RELIABLE VEHICLE that YOUR KIDS CAN BE IN!!! 💯% 🎯 RUST {definitely} up under Near the License Plate Bracket. ALSO, the Windshield WIPERS STOP WORKING WHENEVER THEY CHOOSE!!! The Best part is, the Dealership CAN'T DO ANYTHING about ANY OF THIS. Why? Pretty much because KIA REDID the TEST so that ALL the Vehicles PASS Now. It makes it LOOK like the Engines are OK, when in Reality they are 💩. I bought this Vehicle 12-30-24 with 44,068 miles on it. My Daughter and I thought we were going to Die in it on 4-26-25. We didn't even have it a full 4 months Before We Found Out WE HAVE A LEMON from KIA. There were 3,310 Miles put on it. Come on... I was told there was No Way to NOTE My Account at the Dealership for the Different Times {Everytime} this NEGLIGENT 💩 STUFF Kept and Still Does Happening. That's OK. I just Hope and Pray for KIA's sake, that Nothing Ever Seriously Happens to Anyone because of How THIS 2021 KIA SELTOS VEHICLE Operates DEFECTIVELY in So MANY DIFFERENT WAYS that ARE SAFETY HAZARDS. IF they were Smart, they would REPLACE ALL OF THEM with a Brand New Vehicle to AVOID A POSSIBLE SERIOUS FATALITY. I only say this because that's what WE experienced more than once. We fear this Daily. We ended up with this Vehicle after our Honda CRV-EXL was Totaled by Someone running a Red Light. It was the OTHER PERSON'S FAULT, but after paying off car... Kia was all in could afford. I had NO Choice but to get this KIA. Being a Single Mom on Low Social Security Disability Income, I did what I had to do! I have to have a GOOD RELIABLE AWD VEHICLE to get to Doctors Appointments. THIS ISN'T ONE.
Traveling WB on SR100 approximately 60mph after picking up dinner in [XXX] , Before reaching the turn for 302, a deer jumped from the southbound side of the road to the northbound side of the road. When it jumped, the right side of the deer impacted the front of my vehicle which in turn ripped the vehicles hood up from locked down position and slammed it into the windshield. I saw the deers midsection from under the raised hood as the impact happened. I immediately put on my hazards and began to decelerate and pull off the road. I dont understand how my airbags didnt deploy with the damage that was incurred from the deer. In that instant, the side and front collision warning indicators never alerted and the airbags never deployed. The vehicle is being towed to Classic Colision in Daytona Beach FL from Roger's Towing in Bunnell FL Had this been a vehicle impacting another vehicle, my mother and I would not be here as the recalled repaired airbags did not deploy upon impact. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My car has stop many times in highway running 55mph or 30 mph. It will completely stop my car has almost 15000 miles a 2021 kia seltos. I turned in my car to the kia dealershop to get check and they diagnosed a lot for so many things and have me pay to replaced the car’s battery. I had my 3year olf child when that happened The dealer just pushed it that it was the battery but its not. My car has only 15000 miles. they also ordered a pad crash main even whwn there was no accident happened. It is a critical safety of my component. For a very low milage car that has so many problem i think this is not good. The engine will stop when i pressed the brake and automatically refresed all warnings will show mainly engine light. it wont turn on when i pressed the button. It happen many times
In January my husband was driving the Kia and it broke down. We took it to the mechanic and they said it was completely out of oil. Spent $5,000 on getting it fixed in a couple weeks later find out there's a recall. Took the Kia to the dealership in Ocala. They and told us there was nothing wrong with it and that they fixed it. It also makes noises when you turn the car on. to this day we still have to put oil in it almost every day. And it still makes a weird farting noise when you turn it on. I even asked mechanic in Ocala if it made that noise. He looked at me like a was stupid haha. And then I asked him what would happen if we still had to keep putting oil in it. He said we shouldn't have to.
My car just stopped working while driving on the road. It wouldn’t crank up/ the engine wasn’t operating and the car wouldn’t accelerate. It’s been over a year since my car hasn’t been working. I took it to the dealer and they said the engine wasn’t consuming the oil or something of that sort. No lights came on before it’s like it just went out. It has been inoperable ever since. This was June 2024.
Vehicle having issues with A/C. Engine light comes on and gives code P0070 Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A". Replaced A/C sensor and issue persists. Took to local mechanic who determined it was a circuit in the control module. Repairs should be covered under manufacture warranty. Car is currently at local Kia dealership for inspection. Dealership stated they might not cover, even though it is under warranty.
I was going to park my car the second I went to change gears my car accelerated forward through a bakery I stepped on the brakes as fast as I could but it was too late
I have had this car for about two years. A year ago I was having issues with the car stalling, and the check engine light. I took the car in and it was "fixed". I have to get oil changes very frequently, and still have to top up my oil in between changes. I made my appointment for this current recall. While waiting for the recall, my check engine light came on. My car displays all of the symptoms of the issues in the recall. I took my car in for the appointment on April 28th. They told me they would update me the following day after the testing. Kia called to inform me that the next day that the recall is on "halt" and they have no further information. My car has been sitting at the dealership since 4/28 with no further information. They have not called to update again, I've had to call them. They also have not checked into the check engine light. My car is under warranty so I don't understand how they haven't checked into that regardless of the recall. When asked about a loaner car they state they don't have any, and provide no assistance with getting one.
Kia released safety recall letters on 4/4/25 (SC336). I requested the recall service from my local dealership immediately and was scheduled for 5/19/25, then called back to inform me that Kia has paused the recall without any estimate of when it can be remedied. I called Kia customer care and was told not to drive the vehicle if I was concerned, with no guarantee to cover a rental car if I needed it, and that my solution was to either be without a vehicle or continue to drive it with the risk of "loss of drive power and/or fire, increasing the risk of crash and injury." This is completely unacceptable.
I received a recall letter for my Kia 2021 Seltos EX 2.0 dated 4-4-25 for piston oil ring and engine inspection. I checked my car in with a local Kia dealership on Thursday the 24th. Approximately, thirty hours later I received a call it passed inspection. On Friday I picked my car up and did my normal Friday laundry and went home. I’m talking about for the laundromat and my home maybe a total of three miles, if that, within the dealership. The car ran perfect as usual. On [XXX] I drove 15 miles to shop and dine out. On the way back my check engine light came on (solid) and the power was extremely poor and reduced. Didn’t think I was going to make it. I had planned on doing another stop before getting home, but had to pass and try to make it. My car ran perfect before this inspection and I did not want this inspection for fear something would go wrong, but felt I had no choice. So, I’m waiting to hear Kia say the inspection had nothing to do with your check engine issues. I understand Kia started its investigation in February 2025. I’m wondering if some of these investigations were done remotely by Kia? Strange during February I experienced a couple of glitches going on with my car while I was driving. First, the car did not recognize my seat belt was fastened in the driver seat. The fastened your seat belt icon flashed and that annoying ding noise went on for the duration of my drive, approximately thirty minutes or so until I got home. After it sat overnight it seemed to reset itself. Then, during this same month, I was taking care of my normal morning errands as usual. My start engine light flashed while driving, and that annoying ding noise again. The power reduced like my car was going to cut off getting through a green light. That straightened out immediately and there were no more issues with my car. Until this recent inspection. Do anyone know if Kia remotely inspected cars for the piston oil ring issue? Strange how after these glitches I received the recall letter. I’m just coming to lea
Received a letter from KIA Headquarters stating a recall for piston oil rings and possibly engine failure. Inspection and software updates would take 1-2 hours, if replacing engine 8 or more hours. I made my appointment for today, arrived at Jone KIA in Bel Air, MD and am told that the letter is incorrect and I need to either leave my vehicle with them or reschedule. How many of the letters went out to owners and then we are told differently!
I was driving down the highway going 65mph when my car would not accelerate any more in the middle of the highway where the speed limit is 65. At one point I could not get it to go above 30mph. I pulled off to the side and when I tried driving off again my car would not accelerate. Towed to Kia, they did a software update thinking it was fixed. Picked my car up and drove 10 miles before it broke down on me again. Towed to a second Kia dealership, new transmission was put in. Picked it up 4 days ago, and it is stalling, and jolting when accelerating and the check engine light is on. It is at the 3rd Kia dealership, where I was just told I may need ANOTHER transmission replacement. I asked about the engine recall after getting an email from Kelly Blue Book about it. Kia said they did not know how to fix the recall yet and there was nothing they could do about it right now. I have been without my car for almost 2 months, and this is the 3rd Kia dealership trying to fix the issue at hand and not getting anywhere.
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
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.
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.
My vehicle appeared to restart itself (dashboard lights turned off and immediately turned back on as if the car had been started up) as I was a approaching a red stop light toward the end of a 1 hour/60 mile commute. This is the 3rd time since I've had my vehicle (purchased in October of 2020) that I've had an event like this occur while driving. Currently waiting service appointment, 2 weeks away 1st incident, within the 1st 6 months of ownership, cant remember the exact date: Vehicle appeared to restart as I turned left at a green light. 2nd incident: Vehicle appeared to restart itself whilst driving on highway (thankfully no traffic/other cars on the road at this time, but I was doing 70+mph at the time). Shortly after this incident, I called the local dealer to setup a service appointment about this issue. Service was unable to to replicate issue. They looked for whatever codes that might lead them to the source of the problem, but none found. Was told to monitor bring vehicle back in if it happened again. It's seems to look like some sort of electrical/computer glitch that causes the car to do this. It happens inconsistently (different driving conditons) and infrequently, but is a major safety issue.
MY VEHICLE HAS SHOUT OFF ON ME 4 TIMES EITHER WHILE STOPPED AT THE LIGHT/ STOP SIGN . APPROACHING A LIGHT AND OR STOP SIGN WHILE SLOWING TO STOP. IT APPEARS TO BE THAT PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT SHUTS DOWN OR OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO CONSERVE GAS IS MALFUNCTIONING THIS CLEARLY BECOMES A SAFETY RISK DEPENDING ON WHERE THE CAR IS POSITIONED AT THE TIME OF THE SHUT DOWN, SLOWING TO MAKE TURN OR STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. AT THIS TIME I WILL BE REPORTING THIS ISSUE TO THE DESALERSHIP, THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY ANYONE AT THE TIME OF THIS REPORT HERE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS ACTIVATED PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. At the time I did not think to copy the dates,times , mph or mileage of the vehicle but the information on the screen instructed me to put the vehicle in park to restart. this a very scary situation in traffic .
My car door flew open while I was driving. Car did not recognize that my door was open. The locking mechanism on the driver side of the vehicle seems to have given out. Cannot close driver side door.
When driving long distance, (over 5 hours) all of the emergency lights and collision warnings appear on the dashboard. The traction control begins to activate on its own. In dry, good conditions with no rain, I believe it’s the drivers side front wheel that’s engaging traction control while at high speeds of 60-70 miles per hour. The vehicle was dropped off at the dealership and they attempted to replicate the issues but could not, they mentioned that another customer had the same issue, we left it with the dealership for about a week. Our safety was at risk due to the fact that the brakes are engaging sporadically at high speeds.
This car was recalled for issues with oil piston rings receiving incorrect "coating" when made. Our car passed inspection to verify the recall issue didn't exist however the car was two quarts of oil LOW. After going through Kia's required oil consumption testing (no oil on ground by the way), we await Kia's decision on a full engine replacement on our 2021 car. Before bringing the car in it stalled unexpectedly in various scenarios, on freeway, going up hills, parking, and coming to a stop. Also the engine was making major noises, clicking, sounds like a diesel, and screeching noises when stopping. The safety issue of stopping was explained by service manager as due to lack of oil.
I pulled up to a busy intersection which had a stoplight that had just turned red. As I was waiting there, all of a sudden my car just died. The engine stopped and no electrical was working either. There were no warning lights or messages at all. I tried to start it, but to no avail. The cars shifter was also locked in the drive position. I turned the hazard lights on as I was trying to figure out what was going on. My safety and the safety of my children, who were in the car at the time, was put at risk as drivers behind me were growing impatient as light turned green and I couldn’t move.There were no warning lights that went on prior to the car failing, or after i got the car started again. On about my fifth try of trying to start it, the car slowly started up again and I was able to pull into a nearby parking lot.
Along with hundreds of others who have had their KIAS stolen, my 2021 Kia Seltos S was stolen on January 11th at approximately 3:30 p.m. from a busy Walgreens parking lot in Milwaukee Wisconsin. In under 5 minutes of being in the store, the back passenger small window was smashed and the car was accessed. My two kids backpacks and school laptops and my son's cell phone were in the vehicle as well when it was stolen.
I took my car 4 times to the dealer telling them it shut off. N they refused to do more work on the car due to they could not recreate the incident. Means they went ahead and put me in danger.
My car Cutts off while driving especially when I’m Turning happening more frequently now it’s shuts off all dash lights come on and I have to put it back in park and start it up agian
My car was stolen. No alarm sounded when window broken in front-passenger side. Car was locked and alarm set. It has come to my attention through various news outlets and via class-action lawsuit filed in Milwaukee, WI that there is a security flaw in Kia’s vehicles dating 2011-present.
21V-259 recall for inconsistent heat treating process for piston oil rings. The dates for use of the recalled piston rings Nov 20,1019 -Oct 15, 2020. My Seltos was in production at the time the damaged oil rings were used. I took my Seltos in for the repair, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT repaired. A vibration test was done and a program update was installed to detect vibration. The vehicle still has the recalled damaged oil rings. The vehicle stalls out, runs rough and continues to worsen. The first engine start up is the worst for engine noise and running rough. I expressed my concerns to the dealership, a vibration test with program software uploaded isn't a repair. Asked when will then piston rings be replaced? They stated they didn't know of that any such repair and my car is repaired. Yet it still stalls, continues to runs rough and worsening, oil check has grit feelin it. So I guess I wait till the engine stalls causing a wreck or the vehicle ignites into flames. I'm scared to drive the car and financially stuck with it because no one is willing to do anything more than what's been done. This is not fair and shouldn't be an acceptable outcome for a safety recall, as the issue of safety has not been addressed.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that the vehicle was okay to drive. The contact stated on 9/26/2021 while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The dealer informed the contact not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was unable to reach a representative with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 7,350.
Mileage: 7,350
My vehicle was stolen by the Milwaukee KiA Boyz. Found damaged and will take up to 3 months to get parts due to number of KIAs being stolen. My car was taken at 915 am in my employee parking lot which is an assisted living and memory care community. We have kids scoping our parking lot and targeting cars. This has become a bigger issue than just a car being stolen. This is a personal safety issue as well as a community safety and risk issue
I purchased the vehicle in March 2021. Within a week I heard a tapping or vibrating noise from rear seat. Most recently while driving less than 10 mph over a speed bump or moving in line at a gas station I hear a grinding crunching kind of sound from the front of the vehicle. While driving on the interstate there's a weird vibration feeling on the gas pedal.
Extreme design flaw, and security subpar security measures on this vehicle. My car was stolen last night because Kia's have been easy to steal. These design flaws are posing significant safety measures. Not to mention inconvenience to myself and others who have to deal with contacting insurance, getting a rental, and or finding a new car. This needs to be fixed asap. Vehicle theft for Kia and Hyundai have been up over 2500% since this time last year! Recall your cars and fix it!!!! Because of this I will never lease another Kia again.
Spontaneously Burst into flames. Was completely destroyed. I’ll have to send pics if car tomorrow when I can get into the impound.
I’m making a complaint because a Driver hit the front side of my vehicle on the drivers side, and gave me all there information. No police was called because the damage to my vehicle wasn’t bad. So the driver knew it was their fault and gave there information. When it was time to call there insurance company, the driver of the other vehicle change their story and said that my car hit there vehicle and now the insurance company is saying that they are not allowable for the damages. They also noted that since there were no witnesses and no cameras or police report, then it’s just “he” says “she” says kind of issue. If this driver knew it wasn’t their fault then why did they give all their private information to a total stranger if they didn’t cause the accident.
THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR IS DISTORTED. I DROVE IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP AFTER HAVING THE DEALER REPLACE THE MIRROR BEFORE WE LEFT THE LOT (WE NOTICED IT WHEN BEFORE DROVE OFF THE LOT) THEN JUST DROVE AND IT WAS STILL WARPED. I WAS SCARED TO SWITCH LANES. THE DISTORTION HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BOTH STATIONARY AND IN MOTION, ON HIGHWAY AND ON THE STREETS.
Mileage: 41
NO MATTER WHAT SPEED, CAR WILL RANDOMLY JERK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, FEELING LIKE DEATH WOBBLE. AT HIGHER SPEEDS MORE THAN 45MPH THE CAR WILL VIOLENTLY JERK FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, FEELING OUT OF CONTROL. KIA DEALERSHIP ON CENTRAL AVE IN ALBANY NY USA NOTIFIED, SAID THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF AND PASS REAR CAMBER BOLT IS BENT. STATED THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT FOR THE FRONT TWO AND THE LEFT REAR BUT NOT THE RIGHT REAR, PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ASSIST (FCA), RADAR SENSOR DO NOT WORK, NEVER GET ALARMS OR WARNING WHEN AN COLLISION IS EMINENT. CONTACTED KIAUSA AND DEALER, PROBLEM NOT SOLVED.
Mileage: 100
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ASSIST W/ PEDESTRIAN DETECT (FCA), SYSTEM DO NOT WORK, NEVER GET ALARMS, IN A NEAR COLLISION SITUATIONS OR A PERSON CROSSING IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED KIA USA CASE # 13716568), RETURN CAR TO DEALER AS INSTRUCTED, PROBLEM NEVER FIX. KIA NOT PROVIDING ANY INFORMATION OR TROUBLESHOOT, TEST OR REPLACE RADAR SENSOR TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN THE CAR OWNER MANUAL, IT LOOK LIKE THE SYSTEM HAS MORE LIMITATIONS THAN REAL INSTANCES THAT WILL WORK. SYSTEM NOT RELIABLE AT ALL.
Mileage: 100