A car owner from Pennsylvania recently found herself in the middle of an unfortunate situation when a local dealership sold her a 2021 Kia Seltos that had an open recall. In a TikTok post, she shared her frustration, lamenting how she always seems to be the unlucky one in her friend group. She mentioned that she bought the car just two months ago, and it was already causing problems.
### The Recall Details
According to Motor1, the 2021 Kia Seltos was recalled due to serious issues involving stalling, crash risks, and a potential fire hazard. The dangers these problems pose to drivers cannot be overstated.
When Motor Trend reviewed the Seltos upon its release and after driving it for 18,000 miles, they noted some positives, such as economical fuel consumption and ample space for the price range. However, they found some features lacking, like the manual climate control and seat adjustments. They were also unimpressed with the ignition keys—more on that later.
### Beth’s Experience with the Recall
One morning, Beth Armstrong received an email from Kia notifying her that her car was subject to a recall and advising her to visit the nearest Kia dealership. At the dealership, she was surprised to learn that even Kia was shocked that dealerships were still selling 2021 Kia Seltos models with open recalls. They informed her the dealership that sold her the car might even face trouble for doing so.
### Legal Aspects of Selling Recalled Cars
Technically, selling a car with an open recall on it in the secondhand market is not illegal. However, federal law prohibits selling vehicles with open recalls related to vital repairs in some contexts. Many secondhand dealerships respect these regulations, partly to maintain good relationships with car manufacturers.
For example, the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association recommends that dealerships always check whether vehicles on their lots are under recall before selling them.
Unfortunately, the primary goal for many salespeople remains making the sale, which can lead to situations like Beth’s.
### How to Protect Yourself When Buying Used Cars
Checking the Carfax report alone won’t reveal if a car has an open recall. Instead, buyers can use a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) lookup tool to determine if any recalls exist.
Buying a car is a serious commitment and should be approached with thorough research. Apart from checking mileage, inspecting the condition of tires and other essential parts is important. Doing a VIN recall search can help prevent buying a car with unresolved safety issues.
### Issues Already Emerging
Beth has already begun experiencing problems with her vehicle just two months after purchase. The sensor on her car key is malfunctioning, and various computer-related issues have made driving unpleasant.
Many commenters on her TikTok post blamed the car brand, and Beth admitted she was initially advised not to buy a Kia.
### Final Advice for Buying Used Cars
The simple truth when purchasing a car from the secondhand market is to always assume there’s a reason the previous owner is selling it. Take the time to understand those reasons and decide if you can live with them. This approach can help you avoid much disappointment and potential danger down the road.
https://wegotthiscovered.com/news/auto-social/woman-finds-out-her-used-kia-should-never-have-been-sold-a-headache-that-could-have-been-avoided/