2021 Kia Seltos problems

“RECALL EVASION & TIMELINE FRAUD REPORT Filing formal complaint against Kia America & Kia of Cerritos (CA) for evasion of mandate under Safety Recall SC336 (NHTSA 25V099). 1. CRITICAL TIMELINE: • [XXX]: Kia Cerritos confirmed NO diagnostic/recall tests were performed. • [XXX]: Dealer documented engine is completely SEIZED from the "bottom part" (where recalled piston oil rings reside). • [XXX] Kia Corporate denied repair, claiming the vehicle failed/passed an electronic KDS vibration test. 2. TECHNICAL IMPOSSIBILITY & FRAUD: It is mechanically impossible to run a noise vibration test on a seized engine that cannot crank or turn over. Either Kia Cerritos falsified records or Corporate is fabricating diagnostic data to evade a mandatory recall. 3. UNLAWFUL WARRANTY CONSTRAINTS: Kia Corporate is trying to route this federal safety recall through standard powertrain warranty rules, denying coverage over a lack of private cash maintenance receipts. Under federal law, safety recalls cannot be conditioned on consumer maintenance history or second-owner limits. 4. VIOLATION OF FACTORY PROTOCOL: Page 2 of Kia’s official SC336 TSB explicitly commands that a 'Seized / No…”

“My check engine light went on and the vehicle was driving sluggish, was louder at higher rpms and had a rough idle. The light went on around Aug 1st, 2026 and that's when I noticed the strange driving. Brought it to my mechanic that week and they got the following codes: p0017, p0014 and p0013. My mechanic thought this may be consistent with other engine issues Kia's had around the year of my car's make. While waiting for an appointment with a dealership, my car stalled out while I was driving it on Aug 5, 2026 and wouldn't turn back on. Luckily I was not on a busy road or a highway when this happened and was able to pull over without injury or damage to the vehicle. I got it towed to a Kia dealership and they took the engine apart and found that a camshaft dowel backed out causing separation inside of the engine. They had to then replace the exhaust cam, phaser, timing chain tensioner and all seals and gaskets needed for the repair. The dealership seemed to know this was a common issue and a quick search on the internet confirms that many other people with Kia engines (particularly Kia Seltos) around 2019-2021 have also had this problem. The car is 6 years old…”

“NHTSA SAFETY COMPLAINT Vehicle: 2021 Kia Seltos VIN: [XXX] Date: December 16, 2025 Complainant: [XXX] I am filing this formal safety complaint regarding serious and recurring engine problems with our 2021 Kia Seltos, VIN [XXX]. We have attempted repeatedly to resolve these concerns through Lithia Kia in Nampa, Idaho, as well as through Kia corporate, but our concerns have not been adequately addressed. Over approximately the past year, the vehicle’s engine has unexpectedly seized or shut down four separate times while the vehicle was being driven. Each incident created a serious safety hazard because the vehicle suddenly lost power. Fortunately, on these occasions, the failures occurred while we were traveling in slower traffic and we were able to maneuver the vehicle safely onto the shoulder. We are extremely concerned that a future occurrence could happen at higher speeds or in heavier traffic, potentially resulting in a serious crash or injury. Following each incident, the vehicle had to be towed. On two occasions, it was towed to an independent mechanic, and on two occasions it was towed directly to the Kia dealership. The independent mechanic diagnosed the…”

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, oil pressure, and charging system warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after waiting several minutes, the vehicle returned to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust camshaft and alternator needed to be replaced. The contact stated that in July 2025, the vehicle was taken to a dealer and was inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the vehicle had passed inspection and was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.”

“Severe Safety Hazard, Corporate Negligence, and Delayed Repair: * After picking the vehicle up following the secondary service, a heavy, toxic smell of raw gasoline began pouring directly through the cabin’s HVAC vents while driving. * I immediately called the dealership. A representative consulted a technician and dismissively told me that the "engine just needed to be broken in." * Acting on this negligent advice, I continued operating the vehicle. My [XXX] son rides in this car daily. Due to inhaling raw fuel vapors, both my toddler and I suffered acute physical distress, experiencing severe headaches and dizziness. * On XXX I returned the vehicle to Kia of Greenville to demand an inspection regarding the toxic fumes. The dealership finally admitted that a fuel ring was broken, exposing my cabin to hazardous vapors. While the dealership has since corrected and repaired this gas issue, it only occurred after my family was subjected to unnecessary physical harm due to the technician’s initial dismissal.”

“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 feet on the brake pedal; however, the vehicle continued driving. The failure had occurred a second time while stopped at a red traffic light with the brake pedal depressed, and the vehicle had unintendedly accelerated. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. No warning lights were illuminated during the failure; however, the engine was revving unexpectedly. A Police report was filed during the crash. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive but the insurance company towed the vehicle to a Kia dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. During the…”