2021 Kia Seltos: jerking or lurching

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Engine · 166,248 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and the vehicle shut off unexpectedly. Additionally, while at a stoplight, the vehicle was jerking and vibrating before shutting off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving normally; however, the failure recurred. The check engine warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The failure mileage was 166,248.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · CA · crash · 1 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 isn't a concise conclusion as to what caused the issue. There was not any warning lamps or messages before the incident. My airbags did not deploy during the incident even though there was significant damaged to the body of the car. A couple days prior to the incident, I was at a complete stop at a traffic light. As I had my foot on the brake, the car began to surge and jerk forward itself.

Filed Jun 26, 2026 · Acceleration · 55,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 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 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 crash, the contact sustained injuries to the abdomen, left knee, and left thigh, with severe pain in the lower back. Several days following the crash, the contact had pain in the chest. The contact received physical therapy for the injuries. The contact previously suffered from PTSD. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · FL

*The end of March, my car suddenly started making an awful grinding noise, jerking, slowing down even with foot on excellerator. Towed to nearest Lia in Leesburg. Couldn't find anything wrong. Happened two more times didn't take in. Next time it happened in April towed in. *My engine was replaced in April of 2025. *Was fine until 12/10/25. Same grinding, etc. Was worse than before. Found out my 5 yr. warranty ended on 12/09/2025. Had it towed to Ocala Kia where I bought car. Updated software to what it was before replaced engine. Found out engine only had warranty for 1 year. That has expired. I thought I had purchased 5 year extended warranty when I bought out lease but I don't. So I don't know what I paid for. I do not feel confident that it is fixed nor do I trust dealer. *I have asked both dealerships to give me a written explanation on what they have tested for and dates and serial # on parts. I was told that info was only for dealer and won't let me know. I want to know if any damage to parts that were source of grinding. I have all or most of paperwork for service. I am taking car to another reputable auto repair to check it over for so I can decide to get rid of it. *I want to make sure it is on record that I have let you know that fixes haven't worked. Problem is sporadic and unpredictable. I cannot find out what they have checked. This was my last car. I like it but no longer trust it. [XXX] [XXX] CP [XXX] . I have sent in complaint before but never heard back. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 4, 2026 · Engine · CA

The car makes a jumping/jerking movement & at times, something that seems like a misfire happens. All lights go on and the car will do that jerking issue & become un drivable. This happened to me on the road and I was afraid for my safety as I couldn’t get my car to a safe place immediately. Brought it to my mechanic and he gave me forms of a recall regarding 2021 Kia Seltos which is what I have.

Filed Nov 25, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NY

DEATH TRAP! Point blank~Engine will STILL Jerk, Skip, Not Do Anything Or even Shut Off Without Warning!!! The Driver's Screen will still Flash and go out but only once in a while now. Dealership didn't understand that. They told me Radio was Fine Now. I told them Screen Directly in Front of Driver's with Speedometer on it. IT'S HARD TO FIND GOOD HELP. EVEN HARDER, to FIND a SAFE RELIABLE VEHICLE that YOUR KIDS CAN BE IN!!! 💯% 🎯 RUST {definitely} up under Near the License Plate Bracket. ALSO, the Windshield WIPERS STOP WORKING WHENEVER THEY CHOOSE!!! The Best part is, the Dealership CAN'T DO ANYTHING about ANY OF THIS. Why? Pretty much because KIA REDID the TEST so that ALL the Vehicles PASS Now. It makes it LOOK like the Engines are OK, when in Reality they are 💩. I bought this Vehicle 12-30-24 with 44,068 miles on it. My Daughter and I thought we were going to Die in it on 4-26-25. We didn't even have it a full 4 months Before We Found Out WE HAVE A LEMON from KIA. There were 3,310 Miles put on it. Come on... I was told there was No Way to NOTE My Account at the Dealership for the Different Times {Everytime} this NEGLIGENT 💩 STUFF Kept and Still Does Happening. That's OK. I just Hope and Pray for KIA's sake, that Nothing Ever Seriously Happens to Anyone because of How THIS 2021 KIA SELTOS VEHICLE Operates DEFECTIVELY in So MANY DIFFERENT WAYS that ARE SAFETY HAZARDS. IF they were Smart, they would REPLACE ALL OF THEM with a Brand New Vehicle to AVOID A POSSIBLE SERIOUS FATALITY. I only say this because that's what WE experienced more than once. We fear this Daily. We ended up with this Vehicle after our Honda CRV-EXL was Totaled by Someone running a Red Light. It was the OTHER PERSON'S FAULT, but after paying off car... Kia was all in could afford. I had NO Choice but to get this KIA. Being a Single Mom on Low Social Security Disability Income, I did what I had to do! I have to have a GOOD RELIABLE AWD VEHICLE to get to Doctors Appointments. THIS ISN'T ONE.

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Engine · 47,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH in traffic, the vehicle started to sputter and jerk before the vehicle slowed down and stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the piston oil rings, anti-theft update, ECM, and an engine replacement were needed. The dealer informed the contact about the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V259000 ( Engine) and requested the service records. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2024 · Transmission · 19,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly jerked before returning to normal functionality. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact also stated that the transmission had been replaced 5 times; however, the failure had not been resolved. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 19,000.

Filed Jun 11, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · KY

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.

Filed Sep 7, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · KY

Today 9/7/2022 I was driving down a hill going about 55mph, when all of a sudden the car started jerking all of the warning lights on the dashboard came on (ABS, ACC, AEB, BSW, FCW, LDW, and the LKA). So essentially all the cool features. The vehicle then popped up a warning decrease speed immediately. Ever since then the car is like in a limp mode thing where it will not allow me to drive over 35mph. It continually jerks, and shakes. It stutters. Absolutely ridiculous. I haven't even had this car long enough to make the first payment. It feels like the back wheels lock up while driving, I'm not sure if they are but it feels like it. If I weren't in debt 40k on a car that's worth about half that (yes the dealership screwed me over). The guy I purchased from (mind you this is at a kia dealership) he is no help he refuses to answer me. I even called the main store to get ahold of him, and he refuses to talk. The service department refuses to help. I will NEVER buy another kia. This is my first and definitely last. At this point I honestly don't even know where to take it to get it fixed because they're the only kia dealership within about 100mi.

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Brakes, Fuel system · FL

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.

Filed Dec 2, 2021 · Transmission · NH

Brand new car on Dec 2020. Second time with a transmission problem. Was repaired at 6500 miles in June of this year. Dealer replaced it with a re-manufactured one. At 9300 miles I was driving in cruise control at about 70 miles per hour for a couple hours and while going up a long hill the transmission started slipping again and rpms went from 2000 to 4000 while it was trying to shift. The car began to shudder just like back it june so I knew the transmission was going. I slowed down and pulled off highway as the transmission continued to slip and had no power to go above 20 mph. I saw a parking lot up the hill to pull over at to be more safe off the highway and the rpms went up to 6000 and barely moved car then it caught and lurched the car forward and I almost hit the sign in the parking lot. I waited over 3 hours for a tow truck and after car cooled it did move enough to get it near the tow truck to be pulled up on the flatbed. This car needs a beefier transmission or some kind of cooler or warning light to prevent accidents. When is it a lemon and due for recall??