9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
8,850 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. Kia will replace transmission (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
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problem #3

Jun 162022

Seltos EX 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,003 miles

My 2021 Kia Seltos EX had 12,880 KM, which I bought brand new. I had to get it towed to the dealership as the engine was frantically revving up from 1000 RPMs to 4,000 RPMs then back to 1. I was barely stepping on the gas, and when it did go back to 1, it would suddenly gain gas and jolt forward. I barely made it home, and thank god I did. When the tow truck driver came, he backed it up onto the road to put on his flatdeck truck, and once he got back into it to reverse onto the flatdeck, nothing would work. Would not go into any gear, so needless to say, he needed to pull it up with chains. My safety was certainly in jeopardy coming home. 30 seconds more of me driving, who knows where I would have been stuck at?

Once the vehicle was at a dealership, it was confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced with a new one, and it would take 7-10 days, maybe. I requested a courtesy car as I needed to go to work everyday. The dealership contacted Kia Canada to authorize the courtesy vehicle, which they denied, as the part was NOT on backorder?? I was without a vehicle due to a major manufacturing defect and they cannot honor a courtesy vehicle? I will be contacting Kia Canada with a letter on my own, as the customer service was nil.

If people knew they would not be supported by a major company, I believe people will shop elsewhere and certainly get a different model and a different company. I hope I don't have this issue every 12,000 Km and have to go thru the same pain as I did. The dealership finally did give me a courtesy car from their lot, one they had for sale, which I certainly appreciated. Now I wait for at least 10 days, if not more, to get my vehicle back. I pray for now future large mishaps like this not to happen, to me or to any other Kia owners. It devastated me for sure.

- Petra K., Surrey, BC, Canada

problem #2

Mar 022021

Seltos ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

It's my daughter's car and she stopped as soon as it wasn't working. It's especially slipping first gear. Just found out from dealer that she needs a new transmission.

- troop1021tt, McHenry, US

problem #1

Nov 292020

Seltos S 2.0L 4

  • CVT transmission
  • 6,500 miles

My wife took the vehicle in for it's first oil change and was told that there was a recall. She let them perform the recall and told me a week later that the Seltos had not been right since. I took her and the grandkids for a test drive, the transmission quit and we had to have it towed to the dealership.

After waiting almost two weeks, I went to the dealership to check on the vehicle (on 12/11/2020) and was informed the new transmission should be there on 12/15/2020. Couldn't they call to keep us informed? This is actually my fourth Kia, but I sincerely doubt it will happen again! Three Sorentos and one Seltos.

- Michael B., Garrettsville, US