Kia Seltos (2019-2026) Questions & Answers

I haven’t had any mechanical issues. I’ve done about 35000 km. Just the apple CarPlay

I had a little lssue with my car also a plug was not connecting properly and the dash system would have different things not work, then start back up to normal. When I took it in to the sevice people they did not know what was happening, I filmed it and took the video of it happening then they found the problem. I suggest you take someone in the car and film the action burn it to a disc and sent it out to everyone in head office plus Berwick, then let them tell you it is normal.

Reading other people's reviews, the surging seems to be an issue in some people's Seltos. Other people mention engine revving or screaming, maybe due to the type of transmission. Have a read through some reviews and hopefully you might get some answers. Goodluck!

Linda do u represent Kia?

I suggest you return the Kia to the service agent, before doing so video the action, I had issues with the tec side things not functioning, First petrol not registering, then the dash not showing maps. Then all would be OK the next day when I started up. I filmed the problem, a pin was not connecting fat times took two visits s to fix,

Perhaps you are driving in a different style (driver mode) there are Sport, etc you may have changed from eco to sport which will give more power but consume more petrol

Thanks Linda for your answer, I did change the driving mode from normal to eco. I am wondering if it’s because I don’t drive far, only 4ks to and from work.

If you wondered how Kia can make a RAV4 sized car for so cheap, that’s your answer - cutting costs on everything! If you really want rear seat vents, the higher spec models come with it but we’ve had no issues with our LS+ keeping the back seat occupants cool.

I actually ordered a kit that had rear vents, ducting, wiring for rear USB port etc. from Russia a few years ago. The ducting almost matches up with the rear foot vent duct, so you have to take out the duct for the passenger foot vent and replace with the new ducting (not exact fit, mod required) only works when foot vents are enabled and not super powerful. Not recommended unless you somehow 3d print some custom ducting.

I have a S that had a paint issue along the rear passenger side window sill area. Paint was cracked for want of a better word. I fixed it myself rather than take it to another town where covid was then. Hey how does the front nose section with the Kia logo on yours look. Have a look and move sideways to get the right light on it. Mine and others have ripples in them. Theyre not deep but in the right light stand right out. Mine has 4 each side of the logo. I have seen one with just 3 each side. One I saw they were way less pronounced than mine. The parts plastic. Obviously an issue with the production of the part seeing as some have 8 total and others 6. Some places like the US some have none at all.

Got a nose cover on the front but in a certain light have noticed a slight ripple along the right side of the roof line just above the rear door.

Really. Mines ok there. Id bet there are ripples on that area I mentioned. Id love for you to have none like some, just a few, have. If you ever notice a knock from the back which drives you mad its one or a few things that are common on all Seltos. The rear seats. Just put a few wraps of tape, the best I found to shut mine up was elastoplast fabric tape. Wrap it around the u shap catch where your seat catch contacts it. Both sides of mine did it in the end. The other is the rear hatch. Put some tape on either side of the contact areas, left and right side of the lift hatch where thise wedges contact the ones of the rear body section. Mine drove me mad until I figured it out. In fact they all did. That will shut it all up. Mine is now quiet as! This problem is common in every country with the Seltos. I had issues too with my trans for quite a number of months. Turn on and drive or reverse wont select. No codes threw at Kia service. But thankfully the issue seemed to cycle out. I know yours is a dual clutch not like mine, Ivt. Im thankful though I had to wait 6 months to get mine and later found out that those with the 2 litre petrol engines and Ivt trans had issues and were under recall. Trans with metal fragments in them from machining and engines with incorrectly heat treated piston rings. Before that I was spewing waiting so long. Now im glad mine was held up and produced after those issues. Its going great though now, quiet hah hah, trans works like a dream. Good luck with yours mate. Update. My 2 liter is pinging like mad even after the service. Im starting to regret this thing bad. How can I take it in and say hey it pings, pre detonates, drive away and its worse! I put my foot down and it accelerates, pings and dies. *"'##

I hear some slight tappet sound at start up which goes away once the engine has dropped down to normal revs which I understand is typical with a number of kia engines. But it should be gone once warmed up and not persist. I do notice that the colder the temperature then the slightly higher rev I'll get upon the intial startup in the morning. I usually wait for the revs to drop to normal or below a thousand before choosing gear, only takes 30 to 60 seconds and is good for the engine life. The reason why these days so many newer cars with low ks have stuffed engines or near worn out is so many get in and the instant it ticks over they hit the pedal. You dont need to sit there like the old cars but at least give a little bit of time for the oil to get moving and coat everything properly. Light acceleration from stop and if there is little ambient noise there is the slightest of ( best I can describe and its ultra slight and you need to listen a bop bop bop sound) this I am told is a typical sound of the IVT. Its very very light and you have to listen. Thats what I was told it was anyway. Best of luck. Ok Polly. Yep, just had my 15 and its pinging its head off. My service put it backwards.

Thanks for letting me know your issues. The tappet noise in mine persists while driving it at low speed and while the revs are just under 2000.

My issue has now been resolved with the tappet noise eventually being diagnosed as being a blown piston. As it was considered to be a major fault after 10-12 weeks I was given a total refund upon request without any hesitation from Kia Australia and my Dealership which was very much appreciated. I still love the look and feel of the Kia Seltos albeit I now have an alternative brand vehicle.

If you don't mind my asking, what vehicle did you end up with?

Hi Gaye. I purchased a Rav4 Cruiser 2 WD Hybrid. I love it but if an awd had been available at the time I would have bought that. My daughter has one and they just feel a bit more solid on the road. It may be the side steps?. I do not have them. I have not had any trouble with it and I have done 34,000 Km to date. Very very happy with my purchase.

Hi. Im not sure if that model you have has Turbo engine and the other transmission that goes with it. Mine is a 2 litre with CVT (Kia calls it IVT) But have heard of ridiculous overheat issues with the one that comes with the Tubo Seltos. In the USA there are a fair number of complaints regarding it of just overheating driving in moderate traffic! Here is a link to a USA Seltos site. You shouldn't have too much trouble finding the thread on it. Really hope you get it fixed as buying a new car with issues really, totally sucks! Good luck. external link 

This is a dry dual clutch. It is sensitive to higher torque situations such as stop start traffic and reversing (since it is a lower gear) and your specific driving circumstances. If these problems continue I would get rid of it because the gearbox doesn’t suit you. A normal auto has a torque multiplier from stop and will be much smoother.

Hi. Sorry to hear you have issues. The models as I understand are considered or called the 2019 & 2020 models. Mine just snuck into the 2021 version. No recall on my Vin. Here is a list if it helps for you or others of the recall Vin numbers. Download the list, then on your phone tap on Q search and start typing in your Vin. If its on the list it will pull it up. I really hope your issue gets sorted soon as buying a new car and having issues really really sucks. All the best getting it sorted as soon as possible. Heres the recall link. external link 

You can always buy a 12v fan that sits behind the headrest. They are very powerful, but can be noisy. They are really effective since they blow air directly to baby car seat.

Hey Philip. Thanks for replying. But I don't like to put such things in a new car. It will keep pinching me from with in lol. The guy at the store told me seltos being a small suv ,you will not come to know the difference in cooling in rear seats. Wish some one with the same model replies.lol.

Kiwi LX external link 

Mine is the Kiwi LX which comes with the toy spare tyre and the tyre bay will not fit a real one

Ok. Thanks. Still waiting for mine, been 3 1/2 mths and just 2 months to go im told lol. Still hearing good things about the Seltos, wish itd get here sooner. Cheers mate.