2021 Kia Seltos Problems & Owner Complaints

Engine 214 2 crash 4 fire 2 injury

“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 brak…”
NHTSA complaint #11577872, 2023 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I made a turn onto a highway. I got up to 45 mph after my turn and my car stalled. It felt like a was reared ended, my car came to just about a complete stop. It then began to shake and would not accelerate past 5mph to get me over to the side of the road. The check engine light came on. On 2/28/2026 my engine came on, I took it to Kia and they replaced my spark plugs, I got my vehicle back on 3/10/2026. At the beginning on 2026, Kia had my car for over a month for the same engine issues but said nothing is wrong with the vehicle. Back in December 2024 I had this exact issue of the car jolting…”
NHTSA complaint #11723933, 2026 · 1 injury(ies)

“Car cutoff. Started back up to get off interstate. Saw smoke under hood and got it. Within 5 min sparks under the frame and then 10-15 min later flames”
NHTSA complaint #11753443, 2026 · fire

Power Train 64 1 crash

“While driving normally at approximately 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and spontaneous structural failure of the rear driver-side suspension and drivetrain. Without striking any road debris, potholes, or other vehicles, the entire driver-side rear wheel, wheel assembly, and structural axle components completely fractured and ejected from the moving vehicle. An eyewitness at the scene explicitly confirmed the nature of the failure, stating on video that they observed the 'entire rear axle just come right out' while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle sust…”
NHTSA complaint #11754636, 2026 · crash

“My 2021 Kia Seltos 1.6L Turbo GDI is experiencing a severe safety hazard involving catastrophic internal engine failure. The vehicle aggressively consumes its oil supply, running critically low within 1 to 2 weeks. On July 6, 2026, a certified Kia dealership pressure-tested the engine and formally documented "NO EXTERNAL LEAKS," while confirming the spark plugs are entirely "OIL COATED" due to severe internal burning. The dealership noted on the invoice that the vehicle was "9,000 miles due" for service. I must explicitly clarify that this mileage gap occurred because the engine burns through…”
NHTSA complaint #11751424, 2026

“Multiple times the car has shut off while driving. It did receive the PNSS sensor thing from the dealership 2 years ago. It has done this while my wife and kids were in the car in a busy roundabout. There are known engine issues with this model. Kia dealership is dragging their feet and “can’t recreate the issue.” (because it happens randomly) They ran “tests” and they all came back with “no issues.” Dealer states that they are waiting to hear back from the tech line at Kia. Service advisor said to me that they may just give me the car back because they can’t find anything wrong. And the “we w…”
NHTSA complaint #11746505, 2026

Electrical System 46 1 crash 2 fire 1 injury

“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 brak…”
NHTSA complaint #11577872, 2023 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Car cutoff. Started back up to get off interstate. Saw smoke under hood and got it. Within 5 min sparks under the frame and then 10-15 min later flames”
NHTSA complaint #11753443, 2026 · fire

“ON 11/26/22 I was driving down the road my Kia Seltos showed error messages on the dashboard saying ERROR and then Power Train off, the car then shut off at 55 mph and smoke filled my cabin, I got the car pulled over and called the fire department, there was no flames just smoke and smelled like electrical. It was then after 2 weeks taken to a dealership where they inspected the car and stated the fire was in the engine and the engine needs to be replaced. After doing research on this car and the issue there were at least 4 other complaints filed with KIA AMERICA about this issue”
NHTSA complaint #11499859, 2022 · fire

Unknown Or Other 44 4 crash 1 fire 2 injury

“I am unsure what part of my car malfunctioned. I had my foot on the brake when my car began to surge forward and accelerate itself, crashing me into a tree because the steering completely stopped working as well. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because I was in the middle of the street. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. A couple days after the incident, the same exact malfunction happened to an employee at the independent service center. The vehicle was lightly inspected by the manufacturer but there…”
NHTSA complaint #11747313, 2026 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11660541, 2025 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Spontaneously Burst into flames. Was completely destroyed. I’ll have to send pics if car tomorrow when I can get into the impound.”
NHTSA complaint #11425355, 2021 · fire

Engine And Engine Cooling 41 2 fire

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the engine, before the engine caught on fire. After the failure, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over safely. The fire was extinguished independently. There were no reported injuries. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was scorched and needed to be replaced. The ve…”
NHTSA complaint #11724618, 2026 · fire

“The contact leased a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while his son was driving in traffic, he heard an abnormal banging noise and noticed smoke emerging from the engine compartment. The driver was able to pull off the road and exit the vehicle. The vehicle spontaneously caught fire and was engulfed in flames. The fire department was on the scene to extinguish the fire. The driver did not sustain any injuries. There were no police reports filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufactur…”
NHTSA complaint #11462402, 2022 · fire

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that while the technician was attempting to start the vehicle, the engine seized, and the contact was…”
NHTSA complaint #11753695, 2026

Fuel/Propulsion System 23

“After getting recall work done last year regarding SC336 my sensor went off and now my car needs a new engine due to defective heat-treated Piston oil rings causing Catastrophic failure. Kia is declining responsibly because of lack of enough oil changes. They have not proved this failure was from neglect.”
NHTSA complaint #11753056, 2026

“While in the middle of driving on the highway, the vehicle has powered off then back on. The vehicle “slips” when revving up.”
NHTSA complaint #11739855, 2026

“The engine seems to be failing/affected. The vehicle is currently available for inspection at Huffines Kia in [XXX] where it has been since Saturday, March 14, 2026 and they have yet to perform the SC336 Safety Recall while trying to charge a diagnostic fee for a multipoint inspection that I did not ask for. The vehicle would not start which now I know is due to total oil consumption, which appears to be a precursor to the recall. Having a vehicle that can catastrophically fail or stall without warning due to defective piston rings creates extreme risk of a crash or fire while my family is…”
NHTSA complaint #11725321, 2026

Vehicle Speed Control 10 2 crash 2 injury

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a tree, where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal remained depressed during the failure. While being placed on the tow truck, the vehicle violently jerked. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the collision center for repair, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated while being moved. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed during the failure, with both fee…”
NHTSA complaint #11746782, 2026 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while switching gears from reverse to drive, the vehicle had inadvertently accelerated and crashed into an unoccupied parked vehicle before coming to a stop. Both vehicles had damage to the front bumper. No warning light illuminated. The contact sustained minor injuries to both her knees; however, she did not seek medical attention. The air bags did not deploy, and the vehicle was not deemed a total loss. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local independent service shop, and the contact was asked to take the vehicle…”
NHTSA complaint #11650214, 2025 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“Shuddered into limp mode at a stop sign. Has a sever shudder that throws it into limp mode, loses ability to drive in reverse and then loses ability to drive at all. Has issues shifting gears while driving causing the engine to rev itself while driving. Vehicle has left me stranded on multiple occasions. Has nearly 75,000 miles and I've put just over 4,000 of those on it since acquiring it at the end of October/Beginning of November.”
NHTSA complaint #11720054, 2026

Air Bags 6 6 crash 3 injury

“I was traveling at approximately 50mph straight through an intersection. The opposing car made a left turn directly in front of me and I T-boned the other vehicle (gray Kia Optima). There was sufficient front end damage that my car was totaled. The airbags on my vehicle failed to deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #11693253, 2025 · crash · 2 injury(ies)

“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 brak…”
NHTSA complaint #11577872, 2023 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“The Kia was traveling approximately 45 - 50 mph and struck another vehicle that had pulled out from a stop sign. I had my hand on the horn and the airbags did not deploy on impact.”
NHTSA complaint #11716619, 2025 · crash

Forward Collision Avoidance 6 2 crash 1 injury

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11660541, 2025 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“A deer was hit at 60mph with frontal impact. The collision warning did not alarm, however after the collision, the light was illuminated. The airbags did not deploy. The front end damage was estimated at nearly $11,000 but no airbags deployed with this high rate of speed and impact.”
NHTSA complaint #11521315, 2023 · crash

“Was driving about 25 30 miles an hour coming to a stop and it stalled out all break power and everything cut out managed to get the car stopped and started again but looking it up not on nation recall list but it’s giving me the same problems on the recall list have replaced the battery starter they said flywheel and alternator are okey I haven’t made but one payment on the vehicle also chef oil and all that currently fine”
NHTSA complaint #11690905, 2025

Service Brakes 6

“The vehicle in question has been experiencing multiple ongoing mechanical issues, including engine stalling, frequent brake replacements, frequent oil changes, a camshaft issue, and intermittent horn functionality. These issues have raised serious safety concerns. Despite multiple repairs and maintenance attempts at the dealership, the problems persist, affecting both my safety and confidence in the vehicle. I have incurred substantial costs for repairs and rental cars while trying to address the issues. However, the problems remain unresolved, and I am not receiving adequate support. I contac…”
NHTSA complaint #11654884, 2025

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11593747, 2024

“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 th…”
NHTSA complaint #11463698, 2022

Seat Belts 5

“There is a defect in the passenger seat belt buckles, its extremely hard to get it to fasten and it doesn't properly lock, you have to consistently put the buckle in to get it to lock and sometimes it may just unbuckle without touching it.”
NHTSA complaint #11689810, 2024

“My 2021 Kia Seltos S was not a part of the original recall on Seltos & Soul vehicles. My check engine light came on and now my car has been at the dealership for 3 weeks waiting for a new engine. The front collision will randomly activate when there are NO other cars around. It applies the brakes when you are driving at speed on the highway. Luckily no cars were behind me. My seat belt has also malfunctioned. I connect it and the warning light keeps beeping & flashing even after I try repeating the process. This KIA is a keyed Kia. And although Kia has recently created an Anti-theft so…”
NHTSA complaint #11524812, 2023

“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”
NHTSA complaint #11463884, 2022

Steering 4

“This has happened 3 other times. It just stalls out when stopped. Not to do its SMART thing but it clunks-like and turns completely off. Its a bit scarey. And now heat issues just like the last 2 summers. It has issues!”
NHTSA complaint #11731740, 2026

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11685796, 2025

“Safety System Failure. MY CAR WAS STOLEN TODAY. Even with a Club on the steering wheel. it was gone in minutes. Why do thieves look for Kia's? Because they know they can steal them fast. Shame on you for not putting better practices in place to help prevent this, or deter them at least or slow down the process at minimal. My car is a 2021 with less than 5000 mi on it. How am I going to replace this with the money I will need down and the deductible if I need repaired? you should be held somewhtat repsonsible for your lack of theft precautions put in place.”
NHTSA complaint #11446209, 2022

Suspension 4 1 crash

“While driving normally at approximately 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and spontaneous structural failure of the rear driver-side suspension and drivetrain. Without striking any road debris, potholes, or other vehicles, the entire driver-side rear wheel, wheel assembly, and structural axle components completely fractured and ejected from the moving vehicle. An eyewitness at the scene explicitly confirmed the nature of the failure, stating on video that they observed the 'entire rear axle just come right out' while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle sust…”
NHTSA complaint #11754636, 2026 · crash

“bought as certified pre-owned from a very large dealership in Clearwater. Driving off the lot there was a bad wobble and shake from corner to corner of vehichle. Took in day 2 of ownership to dealer to have them reinspect it and they let me drive away home too come back the next day after service manager started the car was completely safe to drive because there was no loaner car for me the day they promised me one ..five days in service and not hearing a word from the service department I stopped in and asked about my car. to have the tech say it ended needing and entire front CV axle and bea…”
NHTSA complaint #11544856, 2023

“The car constantly thumps or bangs. Since 15,000 miles. I have had Kia dealer investigate but nothing. The suspension is horrible.”
NHTSA complaint #11646003, 2022

Visibility/Wiper 4

“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 Ame…”
NHTSA complaint #11580469, 2024

“THE FIRST TIME I TOOK MY CAR OUT A ROCK HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND CHIPPED IT. BEFORE I COULD MAKE IT HOME THE CHIP HAD CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD AND SPREAD TO BEYOND REPAIR. THE CAR HAS UNDER 100 MILES ON IT AND ALREADY NEEDS A NEW WINDSHIELD. VEHICLE WAS MOVING APPROX. 65 MPH ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY.”
NHTSA complaint #11390953, 2021

“THIS VEHICLE HAS A HUGE FLAW. THE DESIGN ANGLE OF THE WIND SHIELD PICKS UP A GLARE FROM THE DASH WHICH COVERS THE ENTIRE VIEWING ANGLE FROM CENTER WIND SHIELD TO THE RIGHT. ONLY REALLY VISIBLE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS ADMITTED VIA EMAIL AND CASE STATEMENT THAT IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE AND NOTHING CAN BE DONE. PHOTO SHOWS DASH GLARE. ANYTHING THAT IS PLACED ON THE DASH IS REFLECTED ON THE WINDOW SHIELD.”
NHTSA complaint #11377869, 2020

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 3

“MY KIA SELTOS WITH ONLY 900 MILES HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING TWICE: WHEN AT A STOP AND I STEP ON THE GAS THE CAR TURNS OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE CAR TURNED OFF AND TOOK A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS AND IT TURNED OFF. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 15 DAYS SO FAR WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN THE CAR WILL BE RETURNED BECAUSE THE PART IS ON "…”
NHTSA complaint #11361711, 2020

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11351025, 2020

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11350656, 2020

Lane Departure 3 1 crash

“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 tha…”
NHTSA complaint #11689442, 2025 · crash

“I just bought the car in July used from Honda there rates on extended warranty for the car at the time were outrageous but since buying it it’s been stalling hard starting throwing engine codes after a month and throwing all the power train warning that we’re a part of the recall with it doing that even giving me all the driving assist warnings I don’t currently have a good picture of what’s going on or video but I’ve replaced the starter and battery an it didn’t fix the issue Honda is saying take it to Kia and Kia is saying take it to Honda and I’m not getting any answers with that either I j…”
NHTSA complaint #11690469, 2025

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, an object fell from a vehicle ahead. The contact stated that while attempting to switch lanes, the Blind Spot Detection system returned the vehicle back into the lane and the vehicle struck the object causing damage to the front mid-section of the skid plate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission and fuel injectors had faile…”
NHTSA complaint #11472978, 2020

Fuel System 2

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, an object fell from a vehicle ahead. The contact stated that while attempting to switch lanes, the Blind Spot Detection system returned the vehicle back into the lane and the vehicle struck the object causing damage to the front mid-section of the skid plate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission and fuel injectors had faile…”
NHTSA complaint #11472978, 2020

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while stopped, the fuel-saving system would turn off the engine however, whenever the brake pedal was released, the engine failed to immediately restart. The contact then had to turn off and restart the vehicle. The failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11448189, 2020

Structure 2

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11395493, 2021

“THERE IS A CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AREA. IT SOUNDS AT BOTHS LOW AND HIGH SPEED. NOT SURE IF IS FROM THE SUSPENSION OR SOMETHING INSIDE THE TRUNK AREA. MY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 600 MILES.”
NHTSA complaint #11376883, 2020

Exterior Lighting 1

“WINDOW STICKER INDICATES DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON LX MODEL. MANUAL SAYS TO HAVE LIGHT SWITCH IN AUTO POSITION. WHEN MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN THE FEATURES AND OWNERS MANUAL THE DRL'S NEVER ILLUMINATE. TOWBIN KIA RESPONDED THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND I SHOULD MOVE THE SWITCH ONE POSITION UP TO THE PARKING LIGHT POSITION IF I WANT TO USE DRL. THIS IS CONTRARY TO WHAT THE MANUAL STATES.”
NHTSA complaint #11363655, 2020

Firerelated 1 1 fire

“ON 11/26/22 I was driving down the road my Kia Seltos showed error messages on the dashboard saying ERROR and then Power Train off, the car then shut off at 55 mph and smoke filled my cabin, I got the car pulled over and called the fire department, there was no flames just smoke and smelled like electrical. It was then after 2 weeks taken to a dealership where they inspected the car and stated the fire was in the engine and the engine needs to be replaced. After doing research on this car and the issue there were at least 4 other complaints filed with KIA AMERICA about this issue”
NHTSA complaint #11499859, 2022 · fire

Visibility 1

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the sunroof shuttered without impact. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,268.”
NHTSA complaint #11504899, 2023

Wheels 1 1 crash

“While driving normally at approximately 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and spontaneous structural failure of the rear driver-side suspension and drivetrain. Without striking any road debris, potholes, or other vehicles, the entire driver-side rear wheel, wheel assembly, and structural axle components completely fractured and ejected from the moving vehicle. An eyewitness at the scene explicitly confirmed the nature of the failure, stating on video that they observed the 'entire rear axle just come right out' while the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle sust…”
NHTSA complaint #11754636, 2026 · crash