2023 Kia Seltos Problems

The gages fall all the way down, I’m not able to accelerate, engine light, traction light, tire pressure light, crash detection light, and other lights come on and prevents me from being able to drive. This happened on the interstate and almost caused an accident.

Car burns/ consumes oil constantly having to top off 2-3 quarts every 1,000 miles maybe even less I do my oil change every 3,000 miles Kia auto contract state I need to do oil change every 5,000

To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I am writing to formally submit a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Seltos, which exhibits a recurring, dangerous defect involving the engine stalling without warning. This defect results in a total loss of power while the vehicle is in operation or attempting to accelerate, posing a critical safety risk. The failure manifests in two primary scenarios: * **Remote Start Failure:** The vehicle frequently stalls immediately after utilizing the remote start feature when shifting into drive. * **Auto Start/Stop Instability:** The Auto Start/Stop system contributes to the engine shutting down unexpectedly when lifting off the brake or attempting to accelerate from a stop. When this occurs, the dashboard illuminates multiple warning lights (e.g., battery, oil, "key not in vehicle"), and the vehicle loses all forward propulsion. On inclines, this defect causes the vehicle to roll backward, forcing the driver to rely solely on emergency braking to prevent a collision. ### Evidence of Widespread Concern My research indicates this is not an isolated incident; numerous Kia owners report identical, dangerous symptoms: * Drivers across various models report the engine shutting down and the vehicle rolling backward on hills, requiring a full power cycle to resume operation. * Some owners report losing all ability to accelerate at traffic lights, accompanied by critical dashboard warnings. * Others report the vehicle shutting off on its own while driving or refusing to start despite the dashboard indicating it is running. I have attached evidence documenting these experiences: **image.png**, **image_2.png**, **image_3.png**, **image_4.png**, and **image_5.png**. Given the frequency of these reports, I urge the NHTSA to launch a formal investigation into this apparent software or engineering failure. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The gages fall all the way down, I’m not able to accelerate, engine light, traction light, tire pressure light, crash detection light, and other lights come on and prevents me from being able to drive. This happened on the interstate and almost caused an accident.

"GLARE IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD" AFTER I PURCHASED MY 2023 KIA SELTOS EX AWD I NOTICED A HAZARDOUS GLARE IN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD IT'S COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD PORTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS INTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE LARGE GLARE MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD.

After purchasing my 2023 KIA SELTOS, I noticed a very distracting glare in the front windshield. A large portion of the dashboard reflects into the windshield which is especially risky when driving while facing in the direction of the sunlight. I contacted the dealership almost immediately and explained that there is a terrible glare in the windshield. I asked if it's because the little black dots around the rear view mirror are predominantly on one side and he said, "No, that's how they all are". I've never driven a vehicle before with such a bad reflection that I felt it is not safe. This reflection was not noted during the test drive because it was overcast that day. The dealer never mentioned any distracting reflection.

Driving 65mph on [XXX] and all the lights came on flashing and alerting me causing the emergency braking to occur while driving causing me to swerve on the road and lucky I didn’t crash but i had my [XXX] old in the car and it scared the hell out of me, on top of all that my horn gave out and hasn’t worked since that incident and now all the lights are off and I don’t even get the beeping for coming to close to another car anymore it’s like I lost all safety features plan to sell the car because I’m not dealing with this and Kia’s dealer services are horrible followed along by thee corporate being terrible too INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On 4 different occasions my vehicle applied the brakes forcefully on its own at high speeds. The dash flashed with the message "check forward collision avoidance assist system." as well as displayed the following icons: master warning light, hill climb assist, traction control, forward collision, and the Auto start/stop was flashing. These continued until I was able to stop and turn the car off. When I was trying to slow down and stop my brakes were not working correctly as I had to push the pedal all the way to the floor for a long period to stop all the way. When the car was put in park the engine was revving up until it was off. The car was towed to the dealership after first incident and the following codes were in the history: C164202 C161308. Dealership had my car for 6 days, opened a tech line case and without an answer of why this happened nor remedy, my car was released back to me resulting in 3 additional instances. It is now going to another dealership to hopefully get an answer and repair.

In April 2025 my vehicle had a recall (1: SC336 or 25V099), I brought it into a Kia dealership, they said it failed the test, and needed a new engine (i was without a vehicle for weeks, dealership said they did not have any loaners until after 14 days). They then call back weeks later saying the test was faulty, and i could have my car back. They said to keep an eye on it if there are any issues regarding the recall to come back. One morning i started my car, and was driving luckily in a 30mph, my car started to shake, would not speed up/move much, the check engine light came on, almost coming to a complete stop in the middle of a busy road. I was able to move it to the side, turn it off for a bit, once turned back on it was fine. My father who has a background in automotive mechanics checked the oil and noticed there was barely in it- (although just having it been changed) which looks like the oil consumption is fast and going somewhere. I immediately took it to a Kia dealership and they said I would have to go through a whole oil consumption test but it would not be a guarantee fix for engine replacement due to me not going to a dealership, or oil change business. Although my father who changes it, has all the receipts of oil purchase and capability of changing it himself. My oil is changed always in the proper timeline/miles. Which i have a alert on my car to notify me of this. I have noticed the kia does not give an alert when there is "low" oil. I have to drive around with extra oil, and check it almost daily just incase. I am worried that it will stop again but on a busy highway and result in a accident. I am concerned that the recall test was faulty and is resulting in major car issues, for something that is not even that old. As of yesterday i turned my car on and it was shaking and the engine light came on. I have not turned it on since, i will be returning to the dealership today.

Vehicle acts like it’s going to die. No maintenance lights well maintained. Rattle noise and acts like it’s misfiring. Went to turn at traffic light and almost got into a wreck due to no horse power. This has been happening since less than 40,000 miles but car dealership keeps saying “nothing is wrong” because there isn’t a warning light on! It’s getting worse!

On 4 different occasions my vehicle applied the brakes forcefully on its own at high speeds. The dash flashed with the message "check forward collision avoidance assist system." as well as displayed the following icons: master warning light, hill climb assist, traction control, forward collision, and the Auto start/stop was flashing. These continued until I was able to stop and turn the car off. When I was trying to slow down and stop my brakes were not working correctly as I had to push the pedal all the way to the floor for a long period to stop all the way. When the car was put in park the engine was revving up until it was off. The car was towed to the dealership after first incident and the following codes were in the history: C164202 C161308. Dealership had my car for 6 days, opened a tech line case and without an answer of why this happened nor remedy, my car was released back to me resulting in 3 additional instances. It is now going to another dealership to hopefully get an answer and repair.

I purchased my vehicle in mid June 2024 used from the dealership. I purchased extended warranty although my vehicle still had original warranty. On [XXX], my parents 50th anniversary party. I packed my car and left my house. Vehicle drove fine, but my husband called me worried stated that after I left our driveway that there was an oil puddle on the drive that concerned him. He took my vehicle down the road to a service place. They don’t want to touch my vehicle saying it was low on oil and needed towed. We were in Missouri and had to have it towed back to the dealership in Illinois. $400 or more tow bill. Anyway, no one could tell us why the oil leaked and said I must have hit a rock just right that cracked my oil filter. They replaced and said it was just that. This did not satisfy me nor when I spoke to multiple people who knew cars. Said that something was fishy. I had not even gotten to a first oil change. 2nd incident happened four months later. I was driving to work early morning, dark and raining. I pulled up behind a car leaving plenty of space between vehicles. I had my foot on the break when all of a sudden I noticed my car rolling forward despite my foot being down. I pressed harder and I almost rolled into the car in front of me. Finally my brakes caught and I was freaked out. I was fully stopped. I took my car immediately to the dealership the next day, missing half a day at work and had the car inspected. They told me everything looked great on my car and the brakes were fine. They could not replicate the issue. I know what happened. But I was told it was probably a mirage like experience where I felt the car rolling. I have never had another incident, but I just feel like that is too incidents too many for such a new car. I am not satisfied with the explanations to these experiences. An oil filter does not just crack and drain oil out randomly six weeks after buying my car. Please help INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55

Paint bubbling and chipping off. Dull blotches

Areas of the console, mainly the frame around the gps/media display, as well as the interior doors are highly reflective. At certain times of the day, the sun reflects off them and causes extreme visibility problems. I actually had to pull off the road one day because I got a bright light in the eyes that produced an effect similar to a camera flash, and I was unable to see. I really scared me, as I almost ran off the road when it happened. During daytime driving, I'm often driving with one hand trying to shelter my eyes, and the other on the steering wheel, as even when wearing sunglasses, the reflection is blinding. Those surfaces, because of the angle, and the visibility to the driver (and passengers) should be more of a muted, or textured surface to prevent this danger. Although it may sound trivial, to me it is a true safety concern.

when driving in sun or lighted areas the dash board reflects off the window glass making the driver impaired . the dash board and window glass is not properly installed especially with the visibility of the reflection

Went to stop at a red light and I had no breaks pushed break pedal all to the floor and nothing hit another car no air bags seat belt never tightened no collision warning nothing I was was at fault and charge wreck less driving and ticked. And Kia wants to charge me 200 for a diagnostic fee to figure out what happened I just had the oil changed 2 months ago

I was driving the car & instantly started losing air on my left front tire. No explanation. The tires on have 16000 miles on them.

I was in a car crash [XXX]. My 8 year old child was buckled in the backseat on the driver's side. Her seat belt failed and let her be thrown across the car into the passenger side floorboard face down. She was unconscious and lifeless, I had to pull her from the vehicle. She was life flighted to Memorial Hermann Children's in Houston, TX. She has a concussion, fractured pelvis, had a bleeding/bruised spleen, knocked her lower teeth all loose, plus bleeding and bruised gums, sore neck from whiplash and just general body pains. The police officer came to the hospital and told me they tested all the seat belts and the two back seat belts in the Kia Seltos FAILED to engage. The pediatrician physicians said this could have killed her and I need to report this to prevent more tragedies from happening. There needs to be an immediate recall done to protect the backseat passengers in these cars. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident Date: October 26, 2025 Summary: On October 26, 2025, while merging onto a highway at high speed, the vehicle experienced a sudden and total electronic safety system failure. Without driver input, the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) system engaged the brakes (phantom braking), causing a dangerous, unprompted deceleration in active traffic. Simultaneously, the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist failed, making the steering wheel extremely heavy and difficult to maneuver while trying to merge. Dashboard Alerts: The instrument cluster displayed a "Check Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist system" message, and the following warning lights illuminated: Master Warning, ABS, Traction Control (ESC), and Forward Safety. Attempted Remediation: I pulled the vehicle over and let it cool down for over an hour, but the warning lights and system failures persisted upon restarting. Per manufacturer-recommended troubleshooting found online, I thoroughly cleaned all exterior sensors and was forced to manually disable the collision-avoidance and alert systems via the vehicle's computer settings just to be able to drive the car home safely. Current Safety Concern: Since this event, the vehicle has exhibited increased skidding and inconsistent traction during normal driving conditions. This instability occurs on any road at any time, specifically when performing routine turning maneuvers, and is not limited to winter conditions. This suggests a deeper mechanical or software failure within the ABS/ESC/AWD control modules that cannot be resolved by the driver. This VIN currently shows no active recalls, but the symptoms match the known defects in the SC275 and SC336 campaigns exactly.