2021 Kia Seltos: complete transmission failure

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Transmission · CO

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact became aware several years ago that the transmission was not shifting properly and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the technicians found no failure. The contact stated that on another occasion while in traffic, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the brakes locked up while the vehicle was on a hill, forcing the contact to steer to the side of the road and turn the vehicle off. The vehicle was restarted and driven back to the residence, but the following day the vehicle stalled. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and requested that the contact return the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was returned to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was replaced 3 times within 3 years. The contact was informed by the service manager that the dual clutch was not ideal for driving in the mountains. The contact stated that during the first failure, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated with audible alerts to exit the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer confirmed the transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued with reduced power.

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 Jul 31, 2025 · Transmission · 42,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM fluctuated erratically before the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 42,000.

Filed Mar 4, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · KY

I was driving down the highway going 65mph when my car would not accelerate any more in the middle of the highway where the speed limit is 65. At one point I could not get it to go above 30mph. I pulled off to the side and when I tried driving off again my car would not accelerate. Towed to Kia, they did a software update thinking it was fixed. Picked my car up and drove 10 miles before it broke down on me again. Towed to a second Kia dealership, new transmission was put in. Picked it up 4 days ago, and it is stalling, and jolting when accelerating and the check engine light is on. It is at the 3rd Kia dealership, where I was just told I may need ANOTHER transmission replacement. I asked about the engine recall after getting an email from Kelly Blue Book about it. Kia said they did not know how to fix the recall yet and there was nothing they could do about it right now. I have been without my car for almost 2 months, and this is the 3rd Kia dealership trying to fix the issue at hand and not getting anywhere.

Filed Feb 23, 2025 · Transmission · KS

Transmission failed at 37k miles..noticed when the car was sluggish. Open the hood and the coolant reservoir was black. Kia replaced transmission but thinking about trading it in

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · 77,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 65-70 MPH on the highway, the engine was revving but the vehicle failed to respond as needed before shutting down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, opened a case, but provided no additional assistance. The contact called the SAG Office and was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

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 27, 2022 · Transmission · IN

On our way to New York from Indiana when every light on the dash came on. The rpms shot up and down. Was able to coast off the highway IN Corsica IN. Car was towed to nearest kia dealership in Butler PA. The transmission went out on my car that has roughly 7100 miles on it. Dealership has ordered the transmission for replacement.

Filed May 30, 2022 · Transmission · PA

Transmission fails at 25,000 miles I have no reverse, Transmission failed at highway speed almost lost control of the vehicle. Had no acceleration temporarily when I slowed down, transmission came back into drive but engine was sputtering. When I got home I realized I had no reverse. It’s a 2022 kia seltos SX all wheel drive 1.6 liter turbo model

Filed May 9, 2022 · Transmission · 4,700 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the transmission began to rev uncontrollably as the steering wheel started shaking without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal and stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to a gas station and called the dealer to have the vehicle towed. Once the vehicle was towed to the dealer, the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer and the contact notified the manufacturer of the failure but the manufacturer offer no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 4,700.

Filed May 1, 2022 · Transmission · GA

I drove my car less than a mile when the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard and issues with accelerating the vehicle started. The rpm needle moved when I pushed the gas but the car itself did not. Once the car was turned off it started but would not move or rev when the gas was pushed in any gear shift P, R, N, or drive. My car had just hit 17,880 miles when this issue occurred. This would have been a greater safety issue had I been on the road with other cars, there was no warning, or issues in the days previously with my 2021 KIA SELTOS. I’ve personally only driven it for about 8,000 miles as it was just recently purchased from a Hyundai-Kia dealership. The car was towed to Kia Service center and has been serviced for 32 days and counting. The manufacturer and dealership service center initially took majority of the time for diagnosis which included completing an oil change which was due, performing a technical service bulletin, and then a transmission tear down. About a week ago they ordered a clutch actuator. I was advised just recently this did not fix the issue so they’re now discussing a transmission replacement.

Filed Dec 21, 2021 · Transmission · TX

TRANSMISSION FAILURE REQUIRING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. After approximately 17,700 miles the engine surged and the check engine light illuminated. After the vehicle was stopped, the transmission would no go into reverse. Vehicle was towed to Kia dealer service department, Diagnosis was transmission failure requiring complete transmission replacement.