2022 Kia Seltos: engine stalls while driving

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Engine · FL

The car stalls for no reason at various speeds. So far, the car will restart but I’m obviously concerned about damage to the engine and the safety of passengers when this happens at high speeds. The symptoms appear consistent with the engine recall for faulty piston rings but my vin # is not listed in the recall. I believe the recall should be extended to other vin #’s as others are reporting similar issues and their vin is also not in the recall list. It is available for inspection by Kia.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Engine · CA

While I was driving off the freeway, my vehicle suddenly stalled while I was in motion. The vehicle restarted, but shortly afterward it stalled again. Due to the repeated stalling and the safety concern, the vehicle had to be towed to a Kia dealership for inspection. The dealership diagnosed the vehicle as having an engine failure. After researching the issue, I found that my vehicle’s make/model and engine are associated with the federal safety agency Safety Recall Campaign 25V‑099 / Kia Recall SC336. The recall describes a potential engine defect that can result in engine damage or seizure and specifically identifies loss of motive power/stalling as a potential consequence. The recall remedy includes engine inspection and, when necessary, engine replacement. (the federal safety agency⁠) Although this recall is not currently showing as attached to my specific VIN, the symptoms I experienced and the dealership’s diagnosis appear consistent with the issue described in the recall. I am requesting that the cause of my engine failure be thoroughly investigated and that Kia consider whether this failure is related to the defect identified in the federal safety agency Campaign 25V‑099 / Kia SC336.

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Engine · 36,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated and stalled while driving at various speeds with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was provided information associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer for service. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the contact was informed that a software update needed to be performed; however, no additional repairs were performed on the vehicle. The contact was also informed by the dealer that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact linked the oil consumption failure with the recall. The mechanic at the dealer failed to perform any further testing or repairs on the vehicle. The failure persisted once the vehicle was returned to the contact. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who replaced the PCV valve which showed excessive oil inside the valve. The mechanic also discovered blowby in the engine caused by leaking of combustion gases and air-fuel mixtures past the piston rings and down into the crankcase of the engine. The mechanic stated that it was proof that the piston oil ring was inoperable and that the recall was not performed properly. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and an OBD II scan was performed but showed no failures with the vehicle. The vehicle remained with the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · CO

My 2022 Kia Seltos is equipped with Idle Stop & Go (ISG), which shuts the engine off when stopped and restarts it when the driver releases the brake/presses the accelerator. ISG stopped functioning about a year ago (the engine stayed running at stops). I didn't think anything of it because the ISG had worked sporadically from the day I bought the car. (I purchased it new.) It began working again, sporadically, about a week ago. Since then, on 3 occasions, when stopped at a red light with the engine auto-shut-off via ISG, pressing the accelerator to proceed causes the engine to fail to restart as I accelerate, and the vehicle stalls. The dashboard displays a "Press Ignition Button" message. I lose power to the engine, and the vehicle stops accelerating, coasting briefly on momentum until I manually restart it via the ignition button. I have not confirmed whether warning lights were illuminated, as my focus was on regaining control. This appears consistent with documented ISG restart failures reported by other Kia owners online, suggesting a possible pattern rather than an isolated defect. I checked my VIN on zero open recalls. Kia customer care was closed when I called (today is a weekend day). I plan to call on Monday for a diagnostic appointment. This is a safety concern because the stall occurs unpredictably at the exact moment of accelerating from a stop, particularly hazardous at intersections in traffic.

Filed May 27, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · SC · fire

My 2022 Kia Seltos out of nowhere started smoking, losing power, total control and braking. There were no lights on the dashboard warning of any kind complete stall than a little bit of power hesitation stall no brakes. I managed to coast it into a parking space at a hotel with it smoking so bad I couldn’t see. It then burst into flames and golfing the entire Engine bay and melting the front of the car about 90 seconds after I got out of the car all of the symptoms here are completely aligned with the recall on this vehicle and the soul. In fact, my son soul had all the same issues except the fire and Kia refused to replace the Engine claiming that his lack of a recent oil change caused the problem that we all see reported here this vehicle was not in the recall VIN group but failed catastrophically just as described in the recall

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Engine · 84,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the vehicle was jerking while driving. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2026 · Engine · PA

Purchased my 2022 Kia Seltos new from my local dealership and stayed up to date with all scheduled service, as well as all manufacturer recalls and software updates. When driving it in January 2025, I experienced loss of power when accelerating and an engine stall. Took it to the dealer the same day and was told the vehicle was out of oil, and this caused engine damage that would not be covered by my warranty (I have approximately 44,000 miles on the car). Never had any kind of warning signs — no check engine light or any dashboard alerts. Also never had any issues with oil levels between regular oil changes at the dealership. Luckily, I’d not been driving in particularly heavy traffic when the issue emerged, or else could’ve caused an accident. And luckily I took it to the dealer when I did to prevent a more catastrophic engine failure. Seems to have burned through a ridiculous amount of oil in a relatively short period of time while giving no warning signs that it was doing so.

Filed Dec 9, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · MI · crash

My vehicle was sent to the Kia dealership for service after a front-end collision there was minor body damage however the car wouldn't move so long story short a modular had to be replaced on the transmission there was multiple issues trying to program it I was told there was an issue with my computer they had to reach out to Kia manufacturer for help. I received my car back and while it was there for service I had them do an oil change I hadn't drove 300 to 400 miles and all of my oil was gone from my car when I called Kia they had me bring it back in couldn't find anything wrong with it and said they want to do a oil consumption after I had already documented oil that I had to put into the car three times in the week up until my appointment because every time I check the car it was empty of oil. Now Kia is telling me to drive a thousand miles on it so they can do an oil consumption however my check engine lights on my oil lights on and it is clearly burning extremely high amount of oil. So in caution of not blowing my engine I added oil to my car yesterday one quart and now my oil light is back on after maybe 20 miles of driving. Haven't gotten to 400 mi yet total out of the thousand Kia wants me to drive and my car has stalled at three red lights and cause me to miss out on two job opportunities. My car is a 2022 and has 62,000 miles on it. Everything I research shows there's piston recalls on the engines that are causing these exact problems that my car is having except there hasn't been a recall put into place for my specific year and make. The 2021 and the 2023 Seltos are listed, but my VIN number shows no recalls. The car has a horrible smell now it constantly smells like burning rubber or oil rather, exhaust stinks now. Car is not performing as you would expect a car would with that low of mileage in less than 3 years of ownership. And related to my accident the only issue was the modular on the transmission according to the mechanics everything else was ok

Filed Dec 3, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

My 2022 Kia Seltos repeatedly stalls and shuts off while driving, including in traffic and at stop signs. The vehicle has also had multiple electrical failures and an emergency brake malfunction. A few weeks ago, October 26th, while going through a Starbucks drive-through, My car completely stopped. I got stuck in the Starbucks line and multiple people had to help me push my car out of the drive through. I can get the name of the lady at the Starbucks and maybe her co-workers to collaborate if need be plus I have text messages with my family because I didn't know what to do. The vehicle has now been at Covina Kia for three weeks, and the dealership has refused to provide a diagnosis, repair timeline, or loaner vehicle. I called today to get an update and was told to expect a response or diagnostics in approximately 10 days. They won't even give me a rental car and I'm stranded without transportation. This is a serious safety hazard that could cause a crash. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigation and documentation of this defect.”

Filed May 5, 2025 · Engine · 206,000 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart. The contact stated that the failure had recurred while driving at various speeds, but mostly while driving at slow speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, which required the contact to add a quart of oil to the vehicle every 2 to 3 days to reduce the frequency of the failure. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for recall repair, the local dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer had put a hold on the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 206,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed May 2, 2025 · Engine · TX

I took my Kia to Moritz Kia Alliance, Keller TX on 4/24/25 for the current recall and letting them know that my vehicle has experienced issues outlined in the recall notice (almost all of the oil was burned and we had to add a quart to get it to the dealership, car has lost power while driving, car has stalled). They tested in 4/25/25 and called to let me know that it failed the test and would require a new engine. I called on 4/29 to inquire about a loaner vehicle and the dealership notified me that KIA halted the test due to software issues and I was required to pick up my vehicle. I messaged KIA customer service who advised that the new software would be available 5/1. I did not pick up my car due to the issues I had experienced and did not feel safe driving it. Today 5/2 the dealership said that the second test failed but KIA has halted testing for a second time stating software issues. The dealership has had no concern for the safety of my vehicle and KIA appears to be halting testing and requiring individuals to drive these vehicles exhibiting potential recall related issues with no concern for the general public.

Filed Apr 18, 2025 · Engine · TX

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The engine keeps stalling and there’s a recall on the engines and I had to wait a month for dealership to say the recall isn’t the problem! How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I drive on the highway and busy street and my car will just stop or make smoke for oil reserve. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes the number Ted that they hear the noises on my car. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? 2 months ago I started hearing a grinding noise, oil light came on irregular from oil consumption and metal shards in oil.