TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - 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 relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, and the transmission oil cooler is transferred to the new transmission.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2022 Kia Seltos powertrain problems
severe Owners of the 2022 Kia Seltos have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 Seltos | 61 |
| 2022 Seltos (this page) | 10 |
| 2023 Seltos | 4 |
| 2024 Seltos | 4 |
1crash
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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 SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC297) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the AWD Control Unit in certain 2021-2023 MY Seltos all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in one of the 36 states or District of Columbia with significant snowfall. Kia dealers will also install a cover over the AWD Control Unit for improved protection against water intrusion.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information to replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) Oil Pressure Sensor (OPS) on some 2018-2024MY vehicles listed on page 3 equipped with IVT. The affected vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated on the instrument cluster with DTCs P084500, P084600, and/or P0867XX present with no drivability concerns due to a failed IVT oil pressure sensor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: 4WD ECU INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (SC297) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace/repair the 4WD Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and wire harness and also to install a protective cover over the 4WD ECU on certain 2021-2023MY Seltos (SP2) All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 through March 2, 2023 that were originally sold or are currently registered in one of 36 states and the District of Columbia with significant snowfall (AK, CO, CT, DC, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, OH, PA, RI, SD, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY). In the 3
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint is severe oil burning in 2022 Seltos vehicles, often traced to piston ring and piston scoring failures. Oil disappears rapidly—one owner added a quart and lost it in 20 miles. Check engine and oil warning lights come on together, and the exhaust smells like burning oil or rubber. A few vehicles experienced complete engine seizure at around 60,000 miles with smoke and knocking before lockup. Kia issued a piston ring recall in February 2025 covering some VINs, but multiple owners find their specific VINs excluded or claim the dealership denied coverage, saying the recall only covers noise, not oil consumption—despite the recall describing oil consumption as a consequence.
Transmission overheating is a separate recurring problem: vehicles lose power during stop-and-go traffic or highway driving, forcing pulls to the shoulder. One dealership explicitly told the owner there's a known design flaw in the dual-clutch system with no fix. A few owners report random stalling at traffic lights or drive-throughs. One owner also documented a coolant leak the dealership could never locate, though it mysteriously improved after an accidental repair.
Dealership responsiveness is inconsistent. Vehicles sit for weeks without diagnosis or loaner cars. Kia corporate punts owners back to the dealership. Owners cite potential lemon-law grounds but hesitate to lawyer up.
Same Kia Seltos powertrain reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Multiple owners report severe oil burning and consumption issues, often tracing back to piston ring and piston scoring problems. Several vehicles are part of the piston ring recall (announced 2/17/25, with some VINs excluded). Owners say oil levels drop rapidly despite low mileage, and dealerships perform inconclusive oil consumption tests while deferring warranty action. At least two vehicles experienced engine seizure related to this failure.
When: 62,000 miles on 2022 model; 60,000 miles on used 2022 purchase; occurs within first 3 years; one case 5,000 miles out of warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly (quart in 20 miles reported in one case); Check engine light illuminated; Oil warning light on; Burning rubber or oil smell from exhaust; Engine knocking; Sluggish acceleration; Smoke from hood and exhaust; Engine seizure
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (code not specified), Oil pressure warning light
Repairs/costs cited: One independent shop diagnosed timing chain wear and additional components; estimated repair over $2,000. Engine replacement required in seizure cases; warranty coverage disputed in multiple cases despite recall applicability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia issued piston ring recall announced 2/17/25 to consumers on 4/4/25, affecting some 2022 Seltos VINs but not all. Dealerships claim vehicles passed recall inspection or that increased oil consumption is not covered under the recall (which specifically lists oil consumption as a potential consequence). No recalls identified for 2022 model year in one case, though 2021 and 2023 years were recalled. Slow approval process for engine replacement (over one month pending as of narrative submission).
Transmission Overheating and Power Loss
Owners report transmission overheating during stop-and-go traffic and highway driving, causing loss of engine power and vehicle shutdown. Dealership acknowledged a known design flaw in the dual-clutch system but did not provide repair or replacement. Problem recurs even after initial inspection.
When: Occurs during traffic and at low speeds; one case June 2023 on a newly purchased 2022 model; another case within first 1.5 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission overheating warning engaged; Engine power loss during operation; Vehicle stalls in traffic; Requires pulling over to allow cooling
Codes mentioned: Transmission overheating warning (specific code not provided)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed in narratives. One owner had to have vehicle towed to dealership for 'further transmission issues' after initial inspection gave all clear.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated this is a known design flaw in the dual-clutch system with no fix available; owner advised to avoid stop-and-go traffic or keep vehicle in park/neutral. No recall, TSB, or warranty service documented.
Repeated Engine Stalling and Electrical Failures
One owner reports repeated stalling while driving, including in traffic and at intersections, combined with multiple electrical failures and emergency brake malfunction. Vehicle stalled in drive-through, requiring bystander assistance.
When: At least one incident (October 26) noted; 3 stalls at red lights reported by another owner within 400 miles of driving post-service
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving and at traffic lights; Stalls in drive-through; Multiple electrical failures (unspecified); Emergency brake malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle at dealership for three weeks with no diagnosis provided; owner refused loaner vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; dealership declined to provide diagnosis, repair timeline, or loaner.
Coolant Leak (Intermittent / Difficult to Diagnose)
Owner reports persistent coolant reservoir drops over extended period, initially undiagnosed by dealership despite multiple visits and marked tracking line. Coolant level stabilized for over a year after dealership accidentally broke and replaced an unrelated part. Issue recurred approximately three months after that repair. Dealership refused further diagnostic work without service charge.
When: Reservoir drops documented week-to-week initially; recurred three months after initial repairs; vehicle at approximately 100K miles under warranty
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant reservoir level dropping consistently; Reservoir below low mark
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership broke an unrelated part during initial diagnostic attempts and replaced it. No root cause of coolant leak identified. Dealership demanded service charge for further diagnostics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Kia corporate stated they could not help; owner directed to work with dealership only. Vehicle remains under 100K mile warranty; no warranty service provided for undiagnosed leak.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
I bought a brand new 2022 Kia Seltos a month and a half ago at Monroeville Kia dealership. On December 11, the car started manifesting a transmission temperature overheating problem in the middle of traffic. Once the transmission overheated, the engine lost power. I was driving in busy traffic and had to pull the car over to allow the engine to cool down. The police came over and made me start…
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…
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…
This vehicle passed the piston oil ring recall in September 2025, by November 2025 the vehicle was burning through a quart of oil a week. Two different dealerships advised that this wouldn't be covered under the recall, stating the recall was for engine noise. The recall states that the issue in question can cause increased oil consumption that will then lead to noise. The vehicle was 5,000 miles…
I was stopped in traffic for about 40 minutes and the over heating transmission came on. warnned to pull over and wait to cool off.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 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 powertrain problem on the 2022 Kia Seltos?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2022/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.