10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 3,291 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My kia model is excluded from the piston ring recall but is exhibiting similar engine problems. The engine stutters nearly stalls and smells of oil frequently.
- Boston, MA, USA
transmission overheats in stop and go traffic as well as daily driving
- Lodi, NJ, USA
My kia seltos 2021 is 47k miles and all ready have a issues whit a misfire on piston at position 4 this is the 2.0 L version and I call the dealership for see what is the problem because I notice that when is time for oil change it comes only with 4 quarters of dirty oil. And also when star the vehicle in the morning for go to work, it make a strange sound. I hope is nothing bad but kia needs to fix this problem with the engines.
- Midlothian , IL, USA
Today 9/7/2022 I was driving down a hill going about 55mph, when all of a sudden the car started jerking all of the warning lights on the dashboard came on (ABS, ACC, AEB, BSW, FCW, LDW, and the LKA). So essentially all the cool features. The vehicle then popped up a warning decrease speed immediately. Ever since then the car is like in a limp mode thing where it will not allow me to drive over 35mph. It continually jerks, and shakes. It stutters. Absolutely ridiculous. I haven't even had this car long enough to make the first payment. It feels like the back wheels lock up while driving, I'm not sure if they are but it feels like it. If I weren't in debt 40k on a car that's worth about half that (yes the dealership screwed me over). The guy I purchased from (mind you this is at a kia dealership) he is no help he refuses to answer me. I even called the main store to get ahold of him, and he refuses to talk. The service department refuses to help. I will NEVER buy another kia. This is my first and definitely last. At this point I honestly don't even know where to take it to get it fixed because they're the only kia dealership within about 100mi.
- Mount Vernon, KY, USA
Car is burning oil at an unusal rate. I have taken it back to Kia dealer and they keep doing what Kia tells them to. Every time is is 1-2 auarts low just after 1000K miles. This car only has 38K miles on it and had under 36K when started taking it to the Kia dealer to get investigated. They have done oil consumption test; they have done intake cleaner service and it is still burning oil. Now, they are telling me that they are contacting Kia to see what is next step. The car is only 1 year old with 38K miles.
- Georgetown, IN, USA
I changed the oil of my Kia Seltos EX (not turbo) at 14,750 miles and was alarmed to discover it was 1.5 quarts low. I proceeded to check the oil level every few weeks. Here are the results: 16,307: Needed to add 1 quart 17,100: Needed to add 3/4 quart 18,632: Needed to add 3/4 quart 19,348: Down 3/4 quart - I changed the oil Kia states that burning 1 quart of oil per 1,000 miles is 'normal, ' and thus has no plan to address the issue. This was never the case with the Hondas and Toyotas we have owned. At that rate you would run out of oil between service intervals and the engine would seize. I have read of several such cases on this site. I am recording this oil burning issue here to warn others of this unusual oil burn rate. You need to check your oil regularly and top it off between oil changes. I am also recording this here since my Seltos is not included in the current recall, but it is clearly having similar issues. The NTSA needs to expand this recall and get to the bottom of this issue. Kia needs to address this unacceptable oil burning issue in their engines.
- Henderson, NV, USA
The vehicle when stoped at a red light or even a stop sign and you go to accelerate it putters out and we have to turn the vehicle off and then back on again before we can move. This has been happing multiple times in the past few weeks. This is the vehicle my wife uses for work and to haul our children in. To make things worse the engine last night looked like it was smoking when she got home. So I opened the hood and checked the oil level and realized there is no oil. I replaced the oil and drove it to work today to see if anything happens only once did it stall out and made a crazy clicking high scratching noise. But when I arrived at work I checked the oil level and again no oil. I called Kia and was informed it-€™s not listed on the recall and the earliest they can get me in is 8/18. Okay all good but this is dangerous to drive and the oil is disappearing it could catch fire. All I got was it not on the recall list. I don-€™t care about that I care about blowing up on the highway!! It-€™s only got 25k miles. So now I have to call around and see who can get me in asap before this vehicle breaks down and I-€™m really screwed.
- Columbia Station, OH, USA
When I start up my seltos after not driving it for hours the engine sputters to the point it almost dies. When I put it in reverse it will either stall or start bucking. And when in drive the transmission will get stuck in a specific gear until I manually shift it.
- Rochester, NH, USA
As I pulled into a busy road my car did not accelerate to speed. It got to approximately 20 mph and would not go any faster. The traffic I was pulling into was traveling at high rates of speed. There is a recall on this vehicle stating the same problem. I am being told my engine type is not listed. They are blaming lack of oil changes and low oil. There were no warning lights stating low oil. The car is equipped with such warnings.
- Bloomingdale, IL, USA
Engine Failure - Oil consumption - Piston issues - Scorched Engine At 24K miles noticed knocking from engine - called dealership took it in. Died in the parking lot of dealership. - Service tech said engine was super low on oil - but I was 500 miles away from oil change. Dealer started a consumption required by KIA - Had to drive vehicle in 1000 mile increments and bring it back each time. (Risking it dying on the road each time and risking my safety) 1st trip back oil 1 quart low - refilled and started 2nd round 2nd trip back oil 1 1/2 quarts low - kept car - cleaned pistons 3rd trip - almost did not make it back at 800 miles started acting up but dealer had no loaner cars and KIA said I would have to rent one and they may reimburse me. Get car into dealership - low again and this time they took the next step and engine was scorched. No warning lights ever went off the car just started making loud knocking noises and performance decreased. Now awaiting a new engine. Not only does a safety recall need to be issued for all KIA's (as this is evidently a known problem if you research) KIA needs to be required to re-evaluate their process of confirming the issue - 3 times they put my life at risk of the car stopping while driving. Unfortunately all of the paperwork from the dealer is the car which is in the shop awaiting the new engine on back order. Jones KIA - BelAir Maryland will have all service records.
- Aberdeen, MD, USA
Let's start off with the minor stuff 1st my passenger seatbelt does not work secondly my hands free my hands free connection on my radio disconnect automatically on its own and won't let me reconnect it I bought a connected about a new phone thinking that was a problem it's not it's the car lastly lastly I Was driven down the road lost all power to my car it was all the oil in it I refilled the oil while stopping her again this time with no brakes could have caused a serious accident I took it to Kia for repairs the engine has failed
- Amelia, OH, USA
2021 KIA SELTOS S - ISSUES 1. The engine was stalled in the road without notice. When I started the engine again, it is vibrating and shaking (05-04-2022) 2. Engine has strange knocking sounds. Car has struggle to move when pressing the pedal accelerator (05-05-2022). 3. Loss power on engine, brake was not working. Car run very slow 4. Engine light is blinking while driving from work to home. When I arrived home, car is not started (Laguardia Airport New York to Home in Hazlet NJ - 53miles) - (05-05-2022) 5. Car has only 19000miles. 6. Please note, the car has a recall on the piston ring that is not done. Vehicle Owner / Driver: [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Hazlet Township, NJ, USA
My 2021 Kia Seltos lost pick up pulling out of parking lot at work. Limped it to a parking lot and had it towed to Kia. Spoke to service guy at Kia dealership today. He claims that my oil was low and dirty and needs to be changed every 4000 miles (manual says 7500). I told him this and he said thats only if I use full synthetic...says it on the sticker in window and receipt. Full synthetic was used. They will change the oil but they feel its an engine issue and since the shop that did my oil change did something wrong (according to them), it wont be covered by warranty. This is a 2021 with about 11000 miles. Oil change was done about 4500 miles ago. He claims that my warranty would not cover this due to low oil. Oh and not one warning light came on. NO OIL LIGHT, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I was reading about a recall that I never got a recall letter on because according to VIN # my car isn't included regarding improperly heat treated piston oil rings that causes engine damage and excessive oil consumption. Sounds like exactly what is going on with my car. I certainly cant afford a new engine out of pocket and don't believe I did anything that my warranty should be voided over. I need help!
- Farmingville, NY, USA
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.
- Evanston, IL, USA
I was coming to a stop sign and I started hearing a knocking sound. My car flashed the check engine sign and then shut off with the battery and engine oil light flashing. It smelled like something was burning. I started drifting back so I had to pull the parking brake, put on my hazards and turn off my car. I tried to start it 2x without it turning over. On the third try, the car started and the lights on the dash resolved except the engine malfunction. I was unable to accelerate above 45 MPH on a busy highway and it eventually stalled out again for a second time in the middle of a highway. I was almost rear-ended twice. Same lights came on- engine oil, battery and check engine light. I turned it off and turned it back on- it reluctantly started and was shuttering the whole time. I was able to get it into a parking lot before calling KIA road side assistance. I had it towed to the nearest dealership who was supposed to look at it the next day, Di d not hear anything back until the 3rd day when I called. I was informed that they would not be able to look at it until the following week. I was able to get it towed to the dealership closest to home, where I purchased the vehicle. They looked at it and informed my that there was no oil in the engine and the the engine would need to be repaired. I never had an oil light come on until the vehicle stalled out. They are saying that because there was no oil in it, I was not keeping up with the maintenance and that it voids the warranty. So now I have to come up with $10,200 to replace the engine block. My car only had 25,516 miles on it and had 3 oil changes prior to it shutting down. The last oil change, I was informed that my car was using more oil than it should but that this was not cause for concern. I am beyond frustrated. I have been a loyal kia customer for years and am disheartened for being accused of not caring for my vehicle, despite having provided receipts from oil changes and no am without a car.
- Thurmont, MD, USA
Car was put into park and the car kept moving, turned car off to stop This has happened 2 times.
- Archbald, PA, USA
The contact leased a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the vehicle stalled with the engine oil warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that with each failure, the oil level was low before the next scheduled oil changed. When the first failure occurred, the contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and oil was added. After the second failure, the dealer informed that contact that oil was discovered on the spark plugs and that the engine needed to be replaced. The engine was replaced however, the failure occurred for a third time. After the third failure the contact took the vehicle to Gary Lang Kia (1121 State Route 31, Building 3, McHenry, IL 60050) and he was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact made multiple attempts to reach the manufacturer but had yet to be receive a response. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the last dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000. The VIN was not available.
- Poplar Grove, IL, USA
My 2021 Kia Seltos shut off while I was driving it. This happened once in July 2021, I was at a stop sign and I attributed it to not driving it in a while and the extreme summer heat. But on January 31st, I had turned my car on, I let it -€œwarm up-€ and then I started to drive. To my surprise, as I was driving my car shut off. It first felt like the gas pedal was hardly working then the car began to slow down and I had no control over the acceleration or breaks. Then, the check engine light, battery light, and oil light all appeared on my dashboard and the car came to a complete stop. And all functions on the car were not functioning. Fortunately, no other cars were around and I wasn-€™t injured. I was able to restart my car and drive back to a driveway with the engine sounding louder than normal and the only the check engine light on. From there, Kia towed my car to the dealership, ran a diagnostic check on the engine, checked the sparks plugs, drove it 25 miles. Since the problem didn-€™t occur while they had it, I have been informed -€œnothing is wrong with my car-€. I called Kia customer service and was informed that despite the similar claims on this website, no recall or issue had been formally filed for kia to take care of. I questioned what the next steps would be and as of now I am left to continue to drive a car that shut off on me.
- Rochester, NY, USA
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.
- Tonawanda, NY, USA
- Valrico, FL, USA