The 2021 Kia Seltos receives an average dependability rating from customers. There are 24 complaints about the Kia Seltos’ engines, 13 about early transmission failure, and one about inadequately heat-treated oil piston rings that might result in engine stall, fire, and damage.
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Does the Kia Seltos Have Transmission Problems?
Numerous owners claim that the transmission in their Kia Seltos broke down at or below 6,500 miles. Transmission shake, loss of acceleration or power at 70 mph, engine shut-off, and the inability to reverse are among the NHTSA complaints. According to one owner, the timing chain on the CVT broke after 8,800 miles, causing metal shavings to appear in the engine oil.
The Kia Selto is dependable.
The 2022 Seltos is predicted to be significantly less dependable than the typical new car. Based on information from 2021 model data, this forecast. To view reported concerns with earlier models that are similar, select the model year of the used automobile.
The reason Kia Selto failed.
According to pictures posted on social media, the SUV was split between the C pillar on the driver’s side and the B pillar on the passenger side. It is not often possible to see devastation of this magnitude.
It would be dangerous for rescue personnel to cut into the floor because the gasoline tank is right underneath the seat and the fuel lines also run below. According to reports, the Kia Seltos was moving quickly at the time of the collision on the two-lane NH-547.
Local police officials reportedly believe the Seltos was being driven very quickly. Additionally, it has been alleged that the driver is the subject of a FIR.
The split in the SUV was caused by a unique confluence of elements. The tremendous kinetic energy generated from the high-speed impact in a small space caused the Kia Seltos’ monocoque construction to entirely break into two pieces. The SUV appears to have been destroyed by a powerful force in the image.
The upgraded electronic stability control in the Kia Seltos’ most recent iteration helps the car maintain stability even during maneuvers at high speeds. The SUV that was involved in the collision is an earlier model of the Anniversary Edition, which is no longer available. It lacked the ESC feature.
According to reports, a motorcycle rider suddenly crossed in front of the SUV as it transitioned from a gravel lane to the main road.
In an effort to save the motorcycle rider, the SUV’s driver swerved and made a U-turn. The SUV then returned to the road and abruptly made a right turn in anticipation of a bridge. However, the maneuvers were unsuccessful, and the Seltos struck the bridge. The impact caused the SUV’s floor and roof torn off, causing the SUV to split in half.
The SUV’s rear seat occupants perished in the collision. Despite suffering severe injuries, those in the first row were able to survive thanks to the airbags and seatbelts.
Prior to this, the Kia Seltos received a 5-star rating in both the ANCAP and Global NCAP crash tests. Six airbags and safety aid systems were included as standard equipment in the ANCAP test vehicle. Dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, and rear parking sensors are all standard on the vehicle built for India. Up to six airbags, blind-spot monitoring, a head-up display, and a 360-degree camera are included in the model.
What drawbacks are there to buying a Kia Seltos?
- Long Waiting Time: Depending on the version, the Kia Seltos is subject to a waiting period that might last up to 6 months, according to our dealer sources. The semiconductor problem is the main cause of the delivery delay.
- Doesn’t Get Panoramic Sunroof: Indian consumers are enamored with large sunroofs, and competitors in the segment include the Hyundai Creta and MG Astor, among others. Even the top-end model of the Kia Seltos has a single glass sunroof.
- No AWD System: The Kia Seltos is only available as a front-wheel drive vehicle. The 2017 Kia Seltos doesn’t even have an optional all-wheel drive (AWD) system, even in the X-Line model.
Seltos: Is it a failure?
The 2021 Kia Seltos features two engine options, just to give you some background information. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 146 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque serves as the standard model. A 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque is an upgrade option. Decide on the second choice, then, without a doubt. A little underpowered is the first.
Also, a recent recall involved the 2.0-liter engine. Consumer Reports claims that the 2.0-liter engine in 147,249 20202021 Kia Soul and Seltos cars was recalled. The engine could be harmed by an uneven heat-treating procedure for the piston oil rings.
The SUVs can consequently encounter an abrupt loss of power and an elevated fire risk. Dealers, however, fixed the problem by checking the engines and installing software that sends alerts when issues are found. Also replaced were certain engines. But did this mean the story was over?
Why do Kia engines malfunction?
Nearly 485,000 Hyundai and Kia owners in the United States are being advised to park their vehicles outside because they still risk catching fire even when the engines are off.
The two Korean automakers’ recalls are the latest in a lengthy line of fire and engine failure issues that have plagued the businesses for the last six years.
This time, contamination in the antilock brake control module is the issue, which may result in an electrical short. This raises the possibility of a fire occurring while the cars are being driven or parked.
Affected models include some Kia Sportage SUVs from 2014 to 2016 as well as the K900 sedan from 2016 to 2018. Certain Santa Fe SUVs from 2016 to 2018, Santa Fe Sports from 2017 to 2018, the 2019 Santa Fe XL, and Tucson SUVs from 2014 and 2015 are among the Hyundai models that have been recalled.
According to documents published on Tuesday by American safety officials, owners should park the cars outside and away from buildings while repairs are being completed.
How long do Kia cars last?
Maintaining the factory-recommended maintenance plan and taking care of problems as soon as they appear are the best ways to maintain your Kia in good working order. Any material or workmanship flaws should be covered by the Kia guarantee that comes with new and certified pre-owned cars, but these protections ultimately run out.
If your car needs repairs after the first warranty period has passed, an extended warranty might assist cover the cost of such unforeseen expenses. Kia has an extended warranty that may be purchased directly from the company, but you can also acquire coverage from third parties.
Independent extended warranty providers frequently provide more options for coverage, older vehicle coverage, a larger network of repair facilities, and more comprehensive benefits. Endurance and CarShield are two companies that we suggest.
Endurance: Best Coverage
Up to 8 years or 200,000+ miles of additional warranty coverage are possible with Endurance. Additionally, Endurance offers some of the market’s most comprehensive contracts. There are five different coverage options available, ranging from straightforward powertrain coverage to complete bumper-to-bumper warranty protection.
CarShield: Best Value
Additionally, CarShield provides extended warranty protection for cars with up to 300,000 miles on the odometer, potentially doubling the Kia factory warranty’s scope of coverage. CarShield offers a solid reputation in the market, a wide range of coverage options, and some of the most affordable contracts available.
For more information, see our comprehensive CarShield review. To get a free, no-risk CarShield quote, click the button below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kia is a dependable automaker. Overall, Kia receives a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it third overall (out of 32 brands).
Both Kia and Toyota are well-known for their dependability, and both have a 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating. Kias may be marginally more reliable, while RepairPal puts Toyota seventh overall and Kia third.
Kias require an average of 0.2 unforeseen repair shop visits year, according to RepairPal. This is half of the 0.4 visits per year average for all brands. You have a one in five risk of needing an unforeseen repair each year, according to this statistic.
Previously, the Kia name was associated with low-cost, subpar vehicles. This is partly because the brand’s automobiles had a lot of issues when it first appeared in the United States. Since then, Kia has made fleet improvements and has earned a reputation for having great reliability.
Yes, Kias have a reputation for lasting just as long as other trustworthy cars like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota. Although the powertrain is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty for up to 100,000 miles, many owners keep their Kias for much longer.
Why are Kia Seltos being sold?
The entry-level Hyundai Creta is priced at Rs 9.99 lakhs, whilst the base version of the Kia Seltos is available for Rs 9,69 lakhs! As a result, Kia Seltos owners have the misconception that their vehicle is less expensive than the Creta. The higher variants cost more than the Creta because of the extensive list of options, but you also get a newer car on the market and more features.
What drawbacks exist with Kia vehicles?
Kia may have improved in a number of areas, such as the electronic and hybrid market, but some of their models still fall short when it comes to safety. For instance, reviews of the Kia Seltos have been mostly negative due to the lack of safety features that are commensurate with the vehicle’s pricing.
Both hill hold and brake assist are absent. At the moment, features like an electric parking brake are rather widespread. The Kia Rio, which lacks adaptive cruise control, a review camera, and even blind-spot monitoring, is the same.
Do Kia Seltos have issues with the transmission?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration receives consumer complaints about sudden transmission failure. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has 62 complaints and one recall related to the 2021 Kia Seltos, just 13 of which are related to powertrain problems.