Kia Seltos Petrol-CVT Recalled in India Over Faulty Electronic Oil Pump; 4,358 Units Affected

A voluntary recall affecting 4,358 Seltos SUVs in the nation has been announced by Kia India. The manufacturer declared that a "potential error in the electronic oil pump controller" is the reason for the Seltos recall, which is limited to the CVT variant. The defective part "may impact the performance of the electronic oil bump" in the CVT gearbox, according to the Indian arm of the South Korean brand. The carmaker claims to have shared information regarding the voluntary recall program with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). November 2020 saw Kia launch a servicing campaign for the well-liked small SUV, which was specific to the SUV's diesel version. This recall does not impact the other engine transmission options. Owners of the Kia Seltos CVT impacted by the issue may contact the Kia call centre at 1800-108-5000 (toll-free) for more information or make an appointment by contacting showrooms. 

The Seltos models subject to the most recent voluntary recall were produced between February 28 and July 13, 2023. Kia claims to be contacting clients who are impacted by the recall and that the defective part will be replaced. Moreover, the maker's nationwide service centres will carry out the entire procedure at no cost.

Kia Seltos: Price and Mechanical Specifications

There are three trim levels available for the model: Tech Line, GT Line, and X-Line. The price of the car starts at Rs 10.90 lakh and goes up to Rs 20.30 lakh. The Seltos CVT can only be had in the HTX variant and carries a price tag of Rs 16.66 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.

Now, let's talk about the mechanical components. While the diesel engine produces 114.4bhp/250Nm and is available with a six-speed manual, six-speed iMT, or six-speed automatic transmission, the naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine puts out 113bhp/144Nm. It is mated to a six-speed or CVT. The last component is the Kia Seltos's new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, which generates 253Nm of torque and 158bhp. This mill can be coupled with a six-speed iMT or a seven-speed DCT.

Kia Seltos: Exterior and Interior Elements

A tiger-nose grille, sculpted bonnet, wrap-around LED taillamps, LED headlamps with integrated DRLs, 18-inch wheels, and other design elements are all part of the Seltos facelift. The car's interior features include two 10.25-inch screens, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, ventilated front seats, and a Bose music system.

On the safety front, the SUV has six airbags as standard, an electronic stability control (ESC), a 360-degree camera, a hill hold assist, and other impressive tech. It also has Level-2 ADAS features including adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist.

Kia Seltos: Competition Check

When it comes to the rival models, the Seltos competes against the Skoda Kushaq, the Honda Elevate, the Hyundai Creta, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, the MG Astor, the Volkswagen Taigun, and the Citroen C3 Aircross in this segment.