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 ↗2024 Kia Seltos electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2024 Kia Seltos have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2021 Seltos | 36 |
| 2022 Seltos | 8 |
| 2023 Seltos | 11 |
| 2024 Seltos (this page) | 12 |
| 2025 Seltos | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 12 electrical complaints filed for the 2024 Kia Seltos, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Kia Seltos in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Electrical accounts for 29% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
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.
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 ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - 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 approaching the vehicle with the smart key. By upgrading the IBU software, the ‘Welcome Function' feature prevents the IBU from continuously signaling the
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: OIL CHANGE REMINDER RESETOPERATION LOGIC (SA592) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Integrated Control Unit ‘ICU’ software on certain 2024-2025MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles equipped with 1.6L T-GDI GAMMA engines produced from February 14, 2023 through June 29, 2024. The affected vehicles are not equipped with the Oil Change Reminder Reset selection on the Audio Video Navigation ‘AVN’ screen. Some of the affected vehicles may require the ‘AVN’ software to be updated after the ‘ICU’ software upgrade is completed to enable the feature.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the instrument cluster display going completely dark, sometimes intermittently, making the speedometer, fuel gauge, and temperature unreadable. Cold weather (near freezing or below zero) triggers most failures. Dealers struggle to reproduce the issue when it's warm, and one service department told an owner no replacement clusters were available anywhere in the U.S. One owner's odometer was deleted from the display itself—a safety and legal concern.
More severe are reports of total electrical failure: all lights, ADAS, speedometer, brake assist, and power steering dropping out simultaneously. One owner lost propulsion while driving in traffic with passengers. Another's vehicle shut down at a red light at only 300 miles, though it restarted. A third reported a junction box malfunction five weeks after purchase that locked the car in Park and killed power steering.
Horn failures in freezing temperatures are confirmed by two owners, with one reporting recurrent failure even after dealer replacement. Cruise control behaves erratically on grades—accelerating up to 8 mph over set speed downhill and hunting uphill—though the manufacturer claims this is normal.
Finally, one owner reports the stop-and-go automatic restart feature causes the entire cluster and infotainment to black out for 10–15 seconds each time.
Dealers have taken vehicles multiple times without resolving issues, and Kia has not issued a recall despite similar failures in other Kia models.
Same Kia Seltos electrical reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Instrument cluster blackout and dimming
Dashboard display goes completely dark, rendering speedometer, fuel gauge, temperature, and odometer unreadable. Also reports intermittent dimming and brightening with no clear trigger. Most common in cold weather (near or below zero degrees). Owners report the display sometimes returns after restart.
When: Across low to moderate mileage (300 to 34,000 miles); one owner reports issue onset since July 2024 purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Complete black/dark instrument cluster screen; Speedometer not visible; Fuel gauge not visible; Engine temperature gauge not visible; Odometer unreadable or deleted from display; Intermittent dimming and brightening; Screen failures most common in cold/freezing temperatures; Display may return after vehicle restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to replicate in warm conditions; one dealer reported no replacement instrument cluster units available in the U.S. at time of service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued for 2024 Seltos; similar failures have triggered recalls on other Kia models; no known TSB or repair procedure established
Complete electrical system failure / total shutdown
All electrical systems fail simultaneously, including lights, ADAS, speedometer, headlights, brake/taillights, brake assist, and airbag/seatbelt indicators. Vehicle loses propulsion while in motion or shuts down at traffic light. Loss of power steering reported. Some instances show false gear position (Park detected as Drive).
When: Early in ownership (300 miles, 3 months/6,339 miles, and during normal driving)
Symptoms owners cite: All lights fail simultaneously; Speedometer goes out; All ADAS systems disabled; Headlights and brake lights out while driving; Brake assist lost; Airbag warning light illuminated; Seatbelt malfunction warning; Power steering lost; Vehicle shuts down without warning while in motion; Loss of propulsion in traffic; Vehicle locked in Park with reduced acceleration after manual override
Codes mentioned: Low Oil warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to confirm or repair; multiple service visits (3 times on one vehicle) show failures in computer logs but not marked as incidents; no repairs performed on some vehicles; junction box malfunction suspected on at least one occurrence
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer notification or action reported; no recall remedy in place
Horn failure
Horn produces no sound when pressed. Two owners report the failure occurs specifically in freezing/cold temperatures. One owner reports horn replacement at dealer; failure recurred.
When: Early ownership; one at 11,000 miles; failures in freezing/cold weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not produce sound when activated; Failure specific to freezing or cold temperatures; Failure persists after restart
Repairs/costs cited: One horn replacement performed at dealer; failure recurred; vehicle repaired three times for this failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No notification to manufacturer reported; no TSB or recall issued
Cruise control malfunction on grades
Cruise control speed regulation fails when vehicle encounters hills. Downhill, vehicle accelerates 8 mph faster than set speed; uphill, speed fluctuates with tachometer hunting. Dealer test drive confirmed issue on another Seltos; manufacturer states behavior is intentional.
When: During normal highway use
Symptoms owners cite: Speed exceeds set cruise control by up to 8 mph downhill; Speed fluctuates uphill; Tachometer fluctuates corresponding to speed variation; Affects fuel economy and speed control purposes
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; dealer tested another vehicle and confirmed same behavior
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated this is the intended way the cruise control is supposed to work
Stop-and-go system shutdown of infotainment
When the stop-and-go automatic restart feature re-engages the engine, all cluster and infotainment displays shut off and reset, remaining black for 10–15 seconds.
When: During normal stop-and-go operation
Symptoms owners cite: Cluster display goes black; Infotainment display goes black; Black screen persists 10–15 seconds after engine restart; Displays reset during event
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
All systems failed, including all lights, speedometer, ALL ADAS - this happened in more than one occasion. When I put the car in park it still registered to be in drive mode. Safety of myself and others at risk- the headlights and brake/taillights went out while driving in the dark. Brake assist went out while I was on a steep downgrade, the speedometer went out completely. Also the car indicated…
Junction box malfunction. This part is available for inspection upon request. My safety was at risk because my car was locked on Park, power steering lost, windows locked closed, decrease in acceleration after manually over riding the Park shift. Problem has not confirmed by the dealer. The component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. All the…
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to depress the horn there was no sound coming from the horn. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure began in 2023. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the…
Had electrical trouble with your 2024 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 2024 Kia Seltos?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 11,000 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/2024/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.