Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Kia Seltos submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
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.
While in the middle of driving on the highway, the vehicle has powered off then back on. The vehicle “slips” when revving up.
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 inside. The service department at Huffines Kia Mckinney confirmed to Kia Corporate on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 that the vehicle was completely depleted of oil. However, they have not officially confirmed the recall failure because they have not done the recall test. They told corporate that they haven't done the recall because I did not have oil in my car. They have had my car since Saturday, but have not topped it off with oil since it has been there for several business days. I have also opened a formal case with Kia Corporate (Case #XXX) due to the dealer not providing the free safety remedy required by law. There was no oil pressure warning light prior to the failure, however, when trying to start my car and it wouldn't start, the oil and engine light came on. A tow truck came to tow to the dealer. The tow driver was able to start my car using a jumper box. The dealership says my car ran fine and no oil or engine light was on. However, if they ran my car knowing it was depleted of oil, they have potentially further damaged my engine. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My vehicle is included in NHTSA Recall 25V099 / Kia SC336 for defective piston oil rings. The vehicle has experienced stalling, loss of power, knocking noises, and oil consumption. The engine behavior is unsafe and consistent with recall-related engine damage. Kia closed my case based on a dealer’s subjective noise judgment, but no mechanical engine testing (oil consumption, compression, or cylinder inspection) was performed. The recall remains incomplete and the vehicle continues to present a stalling and fire risk.
my sensor does not work and does not detect the gas in tank car wont start or turn on
Can smell gas fumes in and around car. Afraid to drive. Took to dealer. Fuel pump and associated gaskets fittings needed to be replaced. Not cover under 10 yr, 100K warranty even though the vehicle only has 83K miles. Just to right.
I am writing regarding my vehicle, a 2021 Kia Seltos LX - VIN Number [XXX] , which is subject to a recall NHTSA #25V099, Manufacturer Recall Number SC336. I was informed of the recall April 2025 and have since experienced engine stalling while driving on the highway with my young children with me, abnormal engine noise, complete oil loss and eventually complete engine failure. Unfortunately, this defect caused my vehicle to become unsafe and completely inoperable for the last 8 weeks. Kia said "We have completed the SC336 Piston Oil Ring recall, and your vehicle did pass. This means that the failure of the engine is not covered within the scope of that recall. This vehicle also does not have Kia warranty coverage active now due to age and miles. At this stage, Metro Kia does not have any further recourse for warranty coverage." My kia was stalling on the highway, complete oil loss where it was bone dry which led to engine failure. How did the vehicle "PASS" when EVERYTHING from the description of the recall is EXACTLY what happened to me? This is absolutely wild that Kia is refusing to do anything about this vehicle. It is a 2021, with 65,000 miles on it. The repairs are over 13K and I am being told I would get nothing for the car if I traded it in because it is worth nothing. Because of this situation, I have experienced a complete loss of transportation and have been relying on other methods of transportation and emptying my bank account for numerous towing visits to and from the dealership. Kia has not fixed the recall and instead quoted me over $13,000 to repair the car. I have enclosed copies of relevant documents, including the recall notice, service records, and any related correspondence. I messaged the BBB and attached Kia's response to that, as well as an email with the service advisor at Kia. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I bought this vehicle brand new in 2021. I noticed at the beginning that when I accelerated that the car would delay in acceleration. This would happen sporadically. Now it is happening all the time and has almost caused me to get into several accidents because of the delay in acceleration. This is a major safety risk. I've had the car inspected at Kia Dealers and they just say yeah, we hear that a lot with this model but there is no recall. There are no warning lamps or messages.
After being stopped while driving when the car turns off, when re-starting sometimes the car will turn off, I have to put my car into park in the middle of the street to restart the engine. Other times, it will start alerting me to "push the start button" as if my car isn't on already. This causes me to come to a complete stop in the middle of the intersections and puts me at risk.
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.
I pulled off the main road into the Walmart parking lot. When I did, the vehicle shut off, no power and steering was very hard. I was able to steer into a space and safely park. Vehicle was towed to Victory Kia in Victoria. Service dept said there was no oil at at all in the vehicle. Vehicle was recently taken in for the Kia engine recall about 3 months ago. Was told I needed an software update and oil change to remedy the problem. I got a full synthetic oil change. The vehicle burned all the oil off. No low oil or oil warning light ever came on. Now, Kia wants me to pay for another oil change and diagnostic and drive the vehicle for 1000 miles to see the outcome. Which, if/when the motor dies out again,then I'll be stranded again, hopefully not on a freeway this time. It's crazy I have to be a guinea pig for Kia to see if when the car dies out again, hopefully it don't catch fire this time when all the oil burns out like it did last time
My vehicle is currently in the shop at the local Kia dealership. Over the past week my vehicle has randomly stalled several times. The engine sounded like it was sputtering, and just not accelerating properly. The car would stall at low speeds while turning corners or pulling into a parking spot. I do not have the diagnosis as of yet but believe my vehicle should be considered one of the recalled engines due to its date manufactured and the current issues that are occurring. Noticed stalling at speeds 45mph or less. It's very frustrating with a vehicle having 82,000 miles on it. All mandatory maintenance has been done at correct intervals and now this. It needs to be reported.
My 2021 Kia Seltos has an active safety recall related to the engine (Recall #SC336). The dealership (Darling's Kia, Formerly Van Syckle Kia in Bangor, ME) scheduled a repair but canceled it due to needing a "software update." I was told there is no timeline for completion and that no loaner or alternative vehicle would be provided. I am concerned for my safety and transportation, as the recall affects piston oil rings that can cause engine damage, stalling, or fire. Kia consumer affairs acknowledged the delay but provided no resolution or support. This recall has been open for months and is still unresolved.
While driving at low speeds, the vehicle would stall, no engine lights or warnings would appear on the dashboard. After turning it off and back on, it would run but stall again shortly later. An unfamiliar foul odor appeared from the dipstick as I checked the oil. Car only has 60k miles on it. Engine is throwing codes for cylinder 1, cylinder 2 and crankshaft.
This happens everyday while I’m driving. The vehicle hesitates and grinds when you try to accelerate and prevents you from going forward. It pulls the car back in yanking motion. Which is extremely dangerous.
The vehicle was sputtering and then shut off and would not start. I called KIA and had it towed to Dealership. They called several days later stating there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Then several weeks later getting on the turnpike it sputter and shut off. I was able to get it started again and repeated the same sputter and shutting off an additonal 2 times on the turnpike. I was able to get the vehicle home to my drive way. The tow truck came and could not get it to start. He towed it back to the dealership. This time they replaced the fuel injector. The mechanic advised KIA that this issued caused scoring on the cylinders. KIA authorized replacing the fuel injector. KIA claimed scoring on the cylinders is normal. You don't have to be a mechanic to know this is. not normal and over time will lead to engine failure. KIA will not replace the engine. My case # is 15929784
I've owned this car since it was new. I've been disappointed with the transmission. At low speeds, it will hesitate and shudder. This is especially true if I'm making a turn. This has been a consistent problem. Secondly, twice my transmission has overheated. The first time we were in a Halloween event during the Pandemic 2020. It was a drive-through event that was stop-and-go. The warning light came on with the gauge showing one bar over the limit. As luck would have it, the traffic started to move towards the end and it lowered the bar to just under the overheating bar. The second time this happened it was much more serious. I had four people in the car. We had just left a restaurant and were heading towards the freeway. Unfortunately, we got stuck on a hill in Hollywood Bowl traffic. We were stuck there long enough that my car shut down on the hill. We were blocking traffic and my wife got out to direct traffic around us. I tried to put the car in neutral and coast towards an open curbside parking space. It wouldn't budge. We spent what felt like an eternity blocking traffic. It was probably 4-5 minutes where we were unable to start or roll backward.
A Unknown component has failed with the vehicles fuel system. The service center at the Kia Dealership was unable to clear the associated Check engine light after numerous attempts. This is the Third time I tuned in for this same reason. The First time they attempted to resolve by replacing O2 sensor. After a Few weeks the Check engine light returned. Then I was told it was my Spark plugs. After one trip from dealership to home the check engine light appeared again. I returned to service center and it has been there for over a Month. Kia corporate scheduled a Tech to come and Assist with the problem. I am deeply concerned that my safety may be at risk for a Faulty fuel system that may fail while I’m in route to work. I work for the Utility 74 miles away from home and I am an Essential worker to the great city of New York. I support the Transmission cable systems reliability and respond to emergency directly with this Vehicle. I am requesting assurances that I will not be the first of many in a future realized safety recall. The Company has had Many most recently with these kind of fuel system failures if my memory serves me right.
I was driving the car at a speed of approximate 30 mph. As I was slowing down for a traffic light, the car jerked backwards. The car braking system engaged without me touching the brake. When I took the car in for service, I was told they could not duplicate the issue. I took the car in after receiving the recall. I was assured all was well with the car, though I was having issues with the car stalling out at traffic lights. I took the car in for service and was told by the manager that they could not duplicate the problem. I became so frustrated with the car that I insisted the manager get in my car and drive it with me until the problem presented itself again. He did and the car stalled out on him 2x. They kept my car for two weeks and called me to tell me that the car had no oil in it. I told them I got a recent oil change at another KIA dealership, so the issue was not my responsibility. No check engine light or oil light ever came on to notify me of any issue. KIA kept my car for over 2 weeks. They installed a Camshaft, Exhaust, Tensioner, RTV Gasket, and engine bracket, retimed the engine, replaced the hydraulic tensioner and resealed the timing cover. I continue having problems with the car. It sputters, stalls at traffic lights and sometimes when shifting gears. I have not been able to resolve the issues with the car even after involving a senior administrator, Ariston Crane, in their consumer affairs department.
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.
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 failed three times since owning the vehicle. Both parts were repaired twice under warranty; however, the contact was recently informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
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.
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.
July 2021, While my son and daughter were driving the car engine shut off, the brakes, the gas pedal and steering wheel locked. The vehicle was on a slight incline and rolled backwards. My son quickly pulled the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle from going into the vehicle behind him. The vehicle was restarted and all the problems were gone. We brought the vehicle to the dealer. They checked and found nothing wrong and could not recreate the problem. At the same time the dealer performed the recall 21V259 (letter dated 6/11/2021) which was rectified by performing an engine vibration inspection which passed. At that time we also reported a ticking sound coming from the engine which the dealer stated is a normal noise from the injectors. A NY state inspection was also performed and passed.
TRANSMISSION DEFECT , TRANSMISSION OVER HEATS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC , ALSO CAUSES SKIPPING OF THE GEARS. KIA KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND INDICATED THAT CAR WILL SHUT DOWN ON ITS OWN BECAUSE OF THIS.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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