TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for supported vehicles (2021-2026MY All Models).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Kia Seltos electrical problems
severe 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
1injury
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Kia Seltos we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 36.
Owners have filed 36 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC199 FL301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to update the software programming on the Transmission Control Module (TCM) and, if necessary, replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) on certain 2021 MY Seltos vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT: This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) software on some 2021-2025MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 through January 13. 2025. When the key fob is stored near the vehicle, a signal generated by the IBU for the 'Welcome Function' can cause the key fob battery to become depleted. The ‘Welcome Function' is a convenience feature that activates certain features controlled by the IBU including the puddle lamps (if equipped) when ap
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMEN (WTY038) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY038) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the horn assembly on 2021-2024MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from March 21, 2019 through June 21, 2024. The affected vehicles may experience a distorted or an inoperative horn sound caused by corrosion and dust inside the horn assembly. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the horn assembly has been
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic System (KDS) tablet on certain Kia engine/model vehicles. The piston oil ring(s) in certain Kia engines may, over time, damage the surface of the engine cylinder wall. This may lead to increased oil consumption which will eventually result in abnormal noise from the engine and/or illumination of the oil pressure warning light. The applicable vehicle may or may not have the Piston Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software installed at the time of an engine vibration inspection. The PNSS software may detect engine noise triggering a DTC P132700.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a pattern of unscheduled engine shutdowns—sometimes while stopped at lights or stop signs, sometimes mid-highway at 55–70 mph—with no warning lights appearing beforehand. Many describe the shutdown occurring in conjunction with the auto stop/start feature, or dashboard electrical resets that kill power momentarily. Accompanying symptoms include jerking, stumbling acceleration, limp-mode speed governors (35 mph caps after shutdowns), and rough running. Some events feature burning electrical smells, smoke, or locked shifters; one owner's engine seized at 47k miles amid airbag sensor burning.
Infotainment and electrical system resets occur during driving or when transitioning from idle—dashboards restart as if the car was just started, sometimes mid-turn or mid-acceleration, creating hazardous gaps in navigation and engine control. Related failures include horn malfunctioning (work intermittently or not at all), melted relays in the engine fuse box, battery drain on near-new vehicles, and multiple relay replacements needed in short intervals.
Engine diagnostics often reveal no codes, or codes that dealerships dismiss as "old" even when test drives reproduce new faults. Owners cite software updates as attempted fixes without resolution. Several note the presence of a recall they believe applies to their vehicle but claim Kia says it hasn't been "officially announced" or that technicians don't know how to perform the repair yet. Warranty denials cite "lack of maintenance" or alleged "aftermarket parts" despite complete service records and dealership confirmation of proper maintenance.
Same Kia Seltos electrical reports on nearby years: 2023 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling at stop or during low-speed driving
Engine shuts off unintentionally while stopped at traffic lights, stop signs, or during low-speed maneuvers (turning, parking), often in conjunction with the auto stop/start feature. Occurs without warning lights and restarts unpredictably, ranging from immediate to several minutes.
When: 0–82,000 miles; incidents begin within first months of ownership; accelerate in frequency and severity over vehicle lifetime
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies at red light or stop sign; Engine stalls mid-turn or while parking; No warning lights or messages before shutdown; Shifter locked in Drive position during shutdown; Loss of all electrical power during event; Multiple restart attempts required
Codes mentioned: P0017
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealerships unable to diagnose; some suggest engine control unit (ECU) replacement; others note ECU and engine replacement attempted without resolution. Engine replacement costs cited as $10,200+; multiple engines replaced on same vehicle without eliminating symptoms.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists that covers this issue per owners, but Kia states not yet 'officially announced' or technicians claim they don't know how to repair it. Warranty claims denied citing 'lack of maintenance' or 'aftermarket parts' despite complete service records and dealership confirmation of maintenance compliance.
Mid-highway stalling and loss of vehicle control
Engine shuts off while driving at highway speeds (55–70 mph), causing immediate loss of brakes, steering response, and acceleration control. Events create hazardous situations: inability to accelerate, vehicle drifting into oncoming lanes, near rear-end collisions, and one crash into a highway median.
When: Throughout vehicle lifespan; specific incidents noted at 25,516 miles, 47k miles, and 50k+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies at highway speed; Complete loss of braking function; Loss of steering response; Inability to accelerate or decelerate; Dashboard lights (check engine, battery, oil) illuminate post-restart; Engine restart eventually succeeds but sounds rough; One event: airbags failed to deploy upon impact
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's vehicle required new engine and transmission; another had multiple transmissions replaced at three separate dealerships over two months without resolving stalling. One crash resulted in median impact with non-deploying airbags and severe injuries (face, chest, ribs, arm, neck damage).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia initially provided tow and service; later denied warranty claiming 'lack of maintenance' despite documented oil changes. Owner cited safety recall that 'causes my exact issue' but Kia stated recall hasn't been 'officially announced' and technicians don't know how to fix it.
Limp-mode speed governor activation after electrical event
Following a stalling or electrical reset event, vehicle enters limp mode and will not accelerate above 30–45 mph, jerking and stuttering throughout the reduced range. Vehicle shakes, shudders, and feels like rear wheels lock up.
When: After stalling or electrical event; vehicle remains in limp mode for extended periods
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle locked at 35 mph maximum speed; Jerking and stuttering during acceleration; Shaking and vibration in driveline; Sensation of rear wheels locking; Multiple warning lights illuminate (ABS, ACC, AEB, BSW, FCW, LDW, LKA); Dashboard displays 'Decrease speed' warning
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealership unable to clear limp mode or identify root cause. One vehicle exhibited limp mode behavior before first payment was made. Software updates attempted without success.
Dashboard and infotainment system electrical resets during driving
Dashboard lights, gauges, and infotainment screen completely restart—as if the vehicle was just powered on—while driving. Occurs most often during low-speed driving, cold weather, or when transitioning from idle/stop-start mode. Resets may happen once or multiple times within minutes.
When: Begins early in ownership; increases in frequency in cold weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard and all gauges go dark, then illuminate again; Infotainment screen blacks out and reboots; Engine power briefly cuts during reset (dangerous mid-turn or mid-acceleration); Headlights and taillights extinguish momentarily during reset; Navigation lost during reset, creating hazardous driving situation; Engine hesitation or brief jerking coinciding with reset
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership software updates attempted without resolution. One owner noted reset occurs most during cold-weather stop-and-go driving when auto stop/start is enabled; disabling stop/start reduces frequency.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software update offered; ineffective.
Infotainment system malfunction and unresponsiveness
Infotainment touchscreen and Bluetooth connection fail or become intermittently unresponsive. System freezes, screen goes black, and Bluetooth disconnects automatically. Touch input unresponsive roughly 90% of the time; system works reliably only ~30% of the time. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay both fail similarly.
When: Observed in second-owner vehicle; specific timing not detailed
Symptoms owners cite: Touchscreen freezes or goes completely black; Screen becomes unresponsive to touch input; Bluetooth connection drops automatically and won't reconnect; Phone calls cause system to freeze mid-ring; Navigation system freezes after electrical reset
Horn malfunction (intermittent or complete failure)
Horn does not sound when pressed, or works only intermittently. In some cases, horn buttons trigger voice command instead of honking. Safety risk noted by owners unable to alert other drivers during hazardous highway situations.
When: At 42,000 miles and other mileages not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Horn completely inoperative when pressed; Horn works only intermittently; Horn button triggers voice command instead of honk; No audible horn sound when needed
Battery drain and dead battery on near-new vehicles
Vehicle battery dies repeatedly on vehicles with very low mileage (8,700 miles, 900 miles) without apparent cause. Dealership acknowledges possible unidentified electrical component staying powered and causing drain but cannot locate the source despite diagnostic attempts.
When: 8,700 miles and 900 miles (near-new); on models with under 1,000 miles at purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Dead battery with no warning lights; Multiple jump-starts required in short timespan; Battery dies repeatedly despite replacement attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership admitted possible parasitic electrical drain but stated it could take a very long time to locate or may never be found.
Engine control unit (ECU) and electrical component failures
ECU failure diagnosed in vehicles with very low mileage (900 miles); engine wiring harness replacement required. Subsequent melted relays in engine fuse box indicate recurring electrical short or overload condition.
When: 900 miles (near-new vehicle)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off when stepping on gas from stop; Multiple engine start/stop cycles required
Repairs/costs cited: ECU identified as cause and part placed on back order; vehicle in shop 15+ days. One week after engine wiring harness replacement, burnt electrical smell returned through vents and melted relays found again in fuse box.
Melted relays in engine fuse box
Relays in the engine compartment fuse box melt, causing burnt electrical smell through interior vents. Problem recurs after replacement.
When: After engine wiring harness work completed
Symptoms owners cite: Burnt electrical smell through vents; Visible melted relays in fuse box; HVAC blower inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Entire engine wiring harness replaced; melted relays found. Relays replaced; one week later melted relays appeared again.
Oil consumption and engine oil depletion
Engine oil level drops rapidly and unexpectedly between scheduled maintenance intervals. Vehicles arrive at dealership with little or no oil remaining, necessitating engine replacement. Owners report oil change receipts and maintenance compliance, yet dealerships deny warranty citing inadequate oil maintenance.
When: At 25,516 miles (prior to 3 oil changes); at 47k miles
Symptoms owners cite: No oil light illuminates until catastrophic low-oil event occurs; Engine oil depletes between service intervals; Dealership technician notes 'excessive oil consumption' at last service but marks as 'not cause for concern'; Engine seizes after oil depletion
Repairs/costs cited: Engine block replacement required ($10,200 cited). Oil changes documented on receipts (3 prior to failure at 25,516 miles). Dealership denies warranty claiming 'lack of maintenance.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denied citing 'lack of maintenance' despite documented oil changes and service records provided. Owner escalation attempts to Kia customer care yielded conflicting explanations (first 'aftermarket parts,' then 'lack of maintenance') and ultimately no resolution.
Transmission failure and shifting issues
Transmission fails or exhibits jerking, jolting, and rough shifting. Some vehicles require transmission replacement; others develop similar symptoms after transmission replacement. Transmission does not shift smoothly; car jolts, grinds, and fails to accelerate.
When: Throughout vehicle lifespan; transmission replacement occurred at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Gears not shifting smoothly; Jerky, jolting acceleration; Grinding feeling during shifts; Car does not accelerate well; Engine revs high before shift occurs; Car runs rough and feels undriveable
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle had transmission replaced; same issues resumed shortly after return. Another vehicle required a second transmission replacement at a different dealership after first replacement failed. Owner waiting for possible third transmission replacement.
Auto stop/start feature malfunction and engine restart during driving
Auto stop/start feature engages or disengages unexpectedly, causing engine to shut off mid-drive or fail to shut off after parking. Vehicle appears to restart itself (electrical system resets) during active driving without driver input.
When: Throughout ownership; incidents reported from early months through years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off mid-drive when stop/start is not engaged; Engine restarts itself during driving (dashboard lights cycle off and back on); At light, releasing brake causes entire electrical system to restart; Engine fails to turn off after parking, requiring multiple start/stop cycles to shut down; Stop/start feature engages at inappropriate times
Repairs/costs cited: Disabling auto stop/start feature reported to reduce electrical reset frequency but does not eliminate issue completely.
Engine burning/smoking and fire hazard
Engine produces smoke or burning smell, in one case filling cabin with smoke at 55 mph. Airbag sensors reported burning in one incident. Fire department response required in at least one case.
When: At 47k miles; at 55 mph highway driving (one incident 11/26/22)
Symptoms owners cite: Smell of burning electrical material; Smoke visible in cabin; Engine compartment fire or extreme heat; Airbag sensor burning reported
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required. One vehicle's fire source identified as engine-internal; another noted airbag sensors burning. Owner states at least 4 other NHTSA complaints filed for similar fire incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty initially considered but later denied. Kia customer service provided conflicting information about reasons for denial.
Temperature sensor malfunction (HVAC false readings)
HVAC system displays incorrect outside temperature (−39 °F in 70–90 °F Florida weather) and blows extremely hot air regardless of AC setting, fogging all windows within seconds and obscuring driver vision.
When: Multiple occurrences over extended ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard displays outside temperature of −39 °F in warm weather; AC blows extremely hot air despite cold setting; Interior windows fog completely within seconds; Driver visibility severely compromised
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced temperature sensor and checked wiring multiple times (5+ visits) without resolving issue.
Lack of immobilizer and vehicle theft vulnerability
Vehicle lacks immobilizer system; can be started without a key after window break-in. Vehicle stolen multiple times (4 reported); alarm does not sound when rear window broken.
When: Throughout ownership; thefts occurred in rapid succession
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle starts without use of key; Vehicle can be driven without key; Rear window break does not trigger anti-theft alarm; Vehicle stolen in under 5 minutes after window break
Fuel level sensor failure
Fuel level sensor does not function; car will not start or turn on in relation to fuel system error.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Car will not start; Fuel level sensor non-functional
Synthesized from 36 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
2021 Kia Seltos ~50,000 miles. My horn doesn't work. I live in Tampa, so definitely need a horn. Also my infotainment center is trash. It works perfect about 30% of the time. The other 70%. Oh well where do I start? It will completely freeze, the screen turns black, when I get a call in, oh boy that's a showdown. It'll freeze, then I have to grab my phone, and answer it. Can't even use the BT…
The entire electrical system (display, gauges, exterior lights, etc.) resets while driving. This may be a one off or may happen several times in a few minutes. The engine never stops running, which is good as this happened in the interstate. In the dark, this could be dangerous as the headlights and taillights go out for a moment. I am not aware if this is easily replicated or if this poses…
Had electrical trouble with your 2021 Kia Seltos?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2021 Kia Seltos?
It's a meaningful issue. 36 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 36 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 40,171 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Kia/Seltos.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.