Since hitting the scene in early 2020, the Kia Seltos has become one of the most popular subcompact SUVs. That should be no surprise; the Seltos is sleek, sporty, affordable, and packed with features.  

However, various Kia Seltos issues plagued the debut model year, and Kia has not yet been able to resolve them. In particular, the Kia Seltos engine has some potential design and manufacturing defects, and the KIA Seltos transmission has shown signs of rough shifting and shuddering. 

If you already own a Kia Seltos or are considering purchasing one, you should try to familiarize yourself with the issues you may encounter. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the most severe Kia Seltos problems and, more importantly, what you can do to address them. We’ll even explain how Lemon Law works if your dealer cannot (or is unwilling to) fix the issues with your Kia Seltos.  

Is the 2022 Kia Seltos Reliable?

If you do a quick online search of the phrase “Kia problems 2022,” several Kia vehicles will appear at the top of your results page, one of which is the Seltos. Despite the many known problems with this car, it is considered to be reliable by most of its owners. If you are one of the lucky ones, you may have a great experience with the Seltos. 

According to JD Power, the 2022 Kia Seltos rates high in reliability, giving it a score of 80 out of 100 and an 82 out of 100 for quality and reliability. At the time of writing, the 2023 Kia Seltos reliability scores closely align with those of the 2022 model year.

It is too soon to tell whether the 2023 Seltos will be relatively problem-free. But despite good reliability scores, its predecessor has had all sorts of issues, such as:

• Quality concerns
• Engine issues
• Transmission problems
• And more

The Kia Seltos is also equipped with a popular but problematic fuel-saving feature. Of course, most consumers would be ecstatic to save money on gas. Unfortunately, using the fuel-saving feature can cause the Kia Seltos to shut off unexpectedly. 

In some instances, drivers are unable to turn their vehicles back on. While it is unclear precisely why this problem occurs, it could be due to an electrical problem, as the car is supposed to stop when waiting in traffic and then restart when you release the brake. 

According to the numbers, the Seltos can be considered “reliable.” But the many common problems with 2022 Kia Seltos vehicles tell a different story. You must decide whether the Seltos is reliable enough to become your daily driver. To do that, you should first know what problems you might encounter.

Common Problems with the 2022 Kia Seltos

The most common 2022 Kia Seltos problems include the following:

Engine Issues

As an affordable subcompact SUV, the 2022 Kia Seltos is not known for having a powerful engine. Its engine can be pretty underwhelming and even outright dull at times. 

While you may not expect sports car performance out of your budget SUV, you expect the engine to function reliably during your daily commute. However, when it comes to the 2022 Kia Seltos, there is a chance that you may be sorely disappointed, as its engine has exhibited a wide array of issues. 

Kia Seltos engine problems include stalling. The Kia Seltos engine is prone to stalling while stopped and even during acceleration. That can create a significant safety hazard for you and other drivers, especially if you are cruising down the highway and your engine suddenly stalls out. 

The engine has also exhibited acceleration delays. These are very dangerous during transitions, such as merging into traffic or navigating a busy intersection. The 2022 Kia Seltos is known for having unusually laggy acceleration, which means it can take a while to get up to speed.

Kia Seltos’ owners have also reported a general lack of power in the engine. As a result, any engine malfunction may cause it to lose its little oomph, leaving you stuck in place.

The Seltos’ stalling issues are closely linked to its fuel-saving features. However, the exact cause behind its engine problems is not well understood. 

Transmission Problems

The transmission is a critical part of any vehicle’s powertrain. It is responsible for shifting through gears as the vehicle accelerates and transferring power from the engine to the Seltos’ wheels. In addition to Kia engine problems, 2022 Seltos are also known for various transmission issues. 

Naturally, any transmission problems can render a vehicle inoperable, and the 2021 model year was prone to outright transmission failure. These malfunctions would often require major repairs or total replacements.

The 2020 Kia Seltos has fared a bit better in the transmission department. Instead of failing entirely, it can overheat, especially if you find yourself stuck in traffic for a while. When this happens, the vehicle can shut down or stop altogether. 

If your transmission starts to overheat, pull over as soon as it’s safe. Do not drive your vehicle until the transmission cools down. In some circumstances, you may need to call a tow truck and have it hauled to the nearest dealership. 

Parking Gear Issues

When you put your vehicle in park, it is supposed to stay put, even if you are stopped at a slight incline. But the 2022 Kia Seltos has an electronic shifting system prone to malfunctions. Although rare, there is a chance that your vehicle will not remain in the “park” position after you shift. If your vehicle shifts back to neutral or into gear, it could roll forward or backward.

Typically, parking gear issues happen alongside other transmission problems. But there is a chance that these malfunctions will occur independent of any other transmission complications. Therefore, each time you park your car, take a moment to ensure that it stays in the appropriate gear. And for good measure, consider activating the parking brake, especially if it’s at a slight decline. 

Glass Quality

When you consider how much technology is crammed into modern vehicles, some of the 2022 Kia Seltos problems are not all that surprising. You might not expect the basic equipment and features to be prone to issues as well.

While vehicles have had windows and windshields for over a century, the Kia Seltos has added glass quality problems in its larger lineup of problems. Admittedly, window problems are relatively rare, but they are still concerning.

So far, two glass quality issues have been reported with the 2022 Kia Seltos. The first has only occurred once and involves exploding sunroof glass. That’s right; one driver said their sunroof glass exploded, sending glass shards flying everywhere.

The other glass quality concern involves cracks forming in the windshield. These cracks often start small and slowly expand if not addressed. However, they can seemingly emerge out of nowhere and consume a large portion of your windshield. Glass quality issues also pose a concern during accidents, as you could be exposed to added risks if your windshield or sunroof shatters. 

If you own a 2022 Kia Seltos, problems with your windshield, sunroof, and other glass components could occur. As soon as you notice any cracks, chips, or imperfections, address them immediately. While a small chip or crack may seem minor, it can quickly become a significant safety concern if left unresolved. 

Settle Your Lemon Law Claim With Timothy Abeel & Associates

Have you experienced some of these significant 2022 Kia Seltos problems? If so, you may have bought a lemon, a vehicle with considerable manufacturing or mechanical defects — like a faulty transmission, engine issues, or exploding glass. 

While no one wants to find out they bought a lemon, the good news is that you have options, especially regarding the Kia Seltos. Lemon Laws protect consumers if they purchase a warrantied vehicle that experiences recurring problems. Since Kia has one of the most extended warranties in the industry, you could enjoy Lemon Law protection for up to ten years or 100,000 miles.

Here are the basics of Lemon Law protection. If your vehicle encounters a significant issue while under warranty, the dealer is required to fix it. However, if they cannot fix the problem within a limited number of attempts (usually three), you may be eligible for a refund or a replacement vehicle. You can also qualify for Lemon Law compensation if your car is unusable for an extended period or undergoes a specified number of major repairs during the warranty period. 

Do you want to find out whether you qualify for a Lemon Law claim? If so, contact Timothy Abeel & Associates today and let us help. We will gladly evaluate the merits of your case and provide guidance so you can determine the best recourse to resolve issues with your vehicle. 

Under Lemon Law, you may qualify for a refund of the purchase price or a replacement vehicle. Let Timothy Abeel and Associates handle all the negotiations for you — with no out-of-pocket expenses from the consumer. Contact us today to get started!

Timothy Abeel & Associates is a national law firm that handles lemon law claims across the country. Reviews can be seen on AVVO, Google, Glen Mills Yelp, Roseland Yelp, & Pittsburgh Yelp.