Kia Seltos AC recirculation mode keeps resetting to "Fresh Air". EDIT: Simple fix!

rajnishkapur · 13th July 2022, 16:47

Hi All,

I began to notice a strange behavior with Kia Seltos aircon. My Kia Seltos (GT) would not stay in recirculation mode and would get set to fresh air a few minutes after being set in recirculation mode - This was happening very frequently. I searched the Internet and found out that there is a relevant menu item under air circulation in the head unit and I unchecked it.

But still no joy.

I finally called Kia Service ( and I should have called them right away ) and the technician very confidently told me that the sunroof is ajar and I should open and close it. Which is what I did and voila, the issues just went away.

Posting for the benefit of the BHP community in case anyone else faces a similar situation.

Best,
Rajnish

Rehaan · 14th July 2022, 09:49

Quote:

the technician very confidently told me that the sunroof is ajar and I should open and close it. Which is what I did and voila, the issues just went away.

It's nice when technicians know their stuff!

Also quite a smart little feature, that it wont let the car lie to you by telling you it's in re-circulation mode when air is being sucked through the sunroof.

However, having a pop-up notification about this on the info display would have certainly helped.

Agarwal_Aayush · 14th July 2022, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajnishkapur

Hi All,
I finally called Kia Service ( and I should have called them right away ) and the technician very confidently told me that the sunroof is ajar and I should open and close it. Which is what I did and voila, the issues just went away.

Glad to hear that the technician knew about the issue you are facing and the resolution.

The KIA app gives the notifications if the sunroof or any door is not closed or the car is open. My friend has the HTX variant and once he didn't close the sunroof completely, he got a notification on the phone for it. Have you been receiving such notifications?

rajnishkapur · 14th July 2022, 11:41

@Agarwal_Aayush - No I did not get the notification ( I just double-checked the log ). Perhaps it was only slightly ajar but still begs the question that if the Body Control Unit could sense it and reset the recirculation, why no notification?

Interestingly the technician told me the resolution on the phone - so looks like it may be something not rare after all.

Agarwal_Aayush · 14th July 2022, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajnishkapur

Interestingly the technician told me the resolution on the phone - so looks like it may be something not rare after all.

Quite possible that this has been faced by multiple users, also the reason that the BCM does not pick up this hence does not give the notification.

Stranger2106 · 14th July 2022, 15:12

I too faced the same issue in my Kia sonet on a trip last weekend. But in my case the sunroof was slightly open and cannot be seen from the drivers seat. I travelled for quite some distance while trying to figure out why the recirculation was switching off by itself. Later my son who was sitting at the rear noticed the open sunroof. Once it was closed, the problem was solved.

sanchit.j · 14th July 2022, 16:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajnishkapur

Hi All,

I began to notice a strange behavior with Kia Seltos aircon. My Kia Seltos (GT) would not stay in recirculation mode and would get set to fresh air a few minutes after being set in recirculation mode - This was happening very frequently. I searched the Internet and found out that there is a relevant menu item under air circulation in the head unit and I unchecked it.

But still no joy.

I finally called Kia Service ( and I should have called them right away ) and the technician very confidently told me that the sunroof is ajar and I should open and close it. Which is what I did and voila, the issues just went away.

Posting for the benefit of the BHP community in case anyone else faces a similar situation.

Best,
Rajnish

Thank you for sharing this!

I've been struggling with this issue for the last 9 years in a W212 MB E class. Checked with service centre many times and they said the re-con mode automatically changing is a normal behavior in the car, which has always been quite annoying for us.

Not sure if this open/close action of the sunroof will fix it, but I'll try it surely.

rajnishkapur · 14th July 2022, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stranger2106

I too faced the same issue in my Kia sonet on a trip last weekend. But in my case the sunroof was slightly open and cannot be seen from the drivers seat. I travelled for quite some distance while trying to figure out why the recirculation was switching off by itself. Later my son who was sitting at the rear noticed the open sunroof. Once it was closed, the problem was solved.

Did you get a notification in the Kia app? I am quite curious to know. Later today, I will open the sunroof and check if I get a notification and share here.

Stranger2106 · 14th July 2022, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by rajnishkapur

Did you get a notification in the Kia app? I am quite curious to know. Later today, I will open the sunroof and check if I get a notification and share here.

I didn't get a chance to check that as I had been travelling all the while and didn't stop in between. Will try next time.

ashivas89 · 14th July 2022, 20:20

I had the exact same issue a few months ago. I either open the sunroof fully or leave the glass pane shut with the blind open. However, on this occasion, I had opened it by tilting the pane, and did not shut it fully when I did.

The recirculation mode was disengaging every few seconds, which had me really annoyed. It was only when I parked and switched the engine off that the car started "bonging" with a small icon for sunroof ajar blinking in the gauge cluster. Shut the sunroof fully, problem solved!

Hyundai's and evidently Kia's (very likely most manufacturers) have this feature of shutting off recirculation when the sunroof is open. Nifty feature, but a lack of obvious indication can cause worry among the uninitiated.

snowmane · 18th July 2022, 14:14

I wish Jeep service also had such technicians!

Kudos to Kia for training their guys properly.

ThatCarGuy · 18th July 2022, 16:30

Let me add to this, not specific on the recirculation, but I had an issue with the Air Purifier not getting switched off, it was continuously working and the AQI was showing around 180-200, and the continuous BOO sound. I tried all possible ways, including cleaning the Air Purifier filter, resetting the system, etc etc. I took it to the KIA service center as well, but they checked and told me everything seems to be good, the SA added a line saying the carpet seems to be a bit dusty, so give it a clean and try.

So the car looked clean from the inside and I had a 1000+ km drive and I used the KIA carpet floor mats, I had such a busy schedule that I did not bother to dust the mats. So once I reached home and I dusted the mats and oh man there was some serious dust but the moment I restarted the car and bazinga!!!, the AQI was green and back to <10. So 2 takeaways, KIA's Air Purifier really works and the sensor is gooood, and the carpet mat holds dust, doesn't show it, but you need to keep dusting it every week or so. Cheers!

Stranger2106 · 18th July 2022, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThatCarGuy

So once I reached home and I dusted the mats and oh man there was some serious dust but the moment I restarted the car and bazinga!!!, the AQI was green and back to <10. So 2 takeaways, KIA's Air Purifier really works and the sensor is gooood, and the carpet mat holds dust, doesn't show it, but you need to keep dusting it every week or so. Cheers!

Wow! I didn't know that the AQI was really that informative.

Anyway it is good to know.
I have noticed the AQI going up occasionally when the sunroof or Windows are open.

anants_220 · 19th July 2022, 04:28

Thanks for this. It been a month for me having the GT 7DCT and this issue was eating my head.

H Karter · 19th July 2022, 13:32

Firstly thanks for the information.

I was wondering why would all the systems need to be so connected. Why wouldn't be these kept simple and manual.
Imagine when the car has aged and rat bites gallore!
These interconnected features in new cars are only going to become reasons of failure of equipment.

Sorry for sounding pessimistic but even in my Seltos with manual AC; the front windshield defogger mode which is completely mechanical and manual, disengages the electric air recirculation mode(besides a written note to use fresh air mode).
There's additional effort to re-engage it as I normally take fresh air from the front two windows.

Also there's a display notification of wipers switching on in different modes and even the headlights in MID in my basic HTE variant.
That means there's additional wiring or PCB circuitry for the same kept ready for automatic wipers and headlights.
Most of the things can be kept simple I guess.

13th July 2022, 16:47	#1
rajnishkapur Newbie Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Noida Posts: 6 Thanked: 55 Times	Kia Seltos AC recirculation mode keeps resetting to "Fresh Air". EDIT: Simple fix! Hi All, I began to notice a strange behavior with Kia Seltos aircon. My Kia Seltos (GT) would not stay in recirculation mode and would get set to fresh air a few minutes after being set in recirculation mode - This was happening very frequently. I searched the Internet and found out that there is a relevant menu item under air circulation in the head unit and I unchecked it. But still no joy. I finally called Kia Service ( and I should have called them right away ) and the technician very confidently told me that the sunroof is ajar and I should open and close it. Which is what I did and voila, the issues just went away. Posting for the benefit of the BHP community in case anyone else faces a similar situation. Best, Rajnish
	(51) Thanks

14th July 2022, 11:41	#4
rajnishkapur Newbie Join Date: Jun 2022 Location: Noida Posts: 6 Thanked: 55 Times	Re: Kia Seltos AC recirculation mode keeps resetting to "Fresh Air". EDIT: Simple fix! @Agarwal_Aayush - No I did not get the notification ( I just double-checked the log ). Perhaps it was only slightly ajar but still begs the question that if the Body Control Unit could sense it and reset the recirculation, why no notification? Interestingly the technician told me the resolution on the phone - so looks like it may be something not rare after all.
	(1) Thanks

14th July 2022, 15:12	#6
Stranger2106 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 34 Thanked: 27 Times	Re: Kia Seltos AC recirculation mode keeps resetting to "Fresh Air". EDIT: Simple fix! I too faced the same issue in my Kia sonet on a trip last weekend. But in my case the sunroof was slightly open and cannot be seen from the drivers seat. I travelled for quite some distance while trying to figure out why the recirculation was switching off by itself. Later my son who was sitting at the rear noticed the open sunroof. Once it was closed, the problem was solved.
	() Thanks

14th July 2022, 20:20	#10
ashivas89 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: . Posts: 325 Thanked: 1,496 Times View My Garage	Re: Kia Seltos AC recirculation mode keeps resetting to "Fresh Air". EDIT: Simple fix! I had the exact same issue a few months ago. I either open the sunroof fully or leave the glass pane shut with the blind open. However, on this occasion, I had opened it by tilting the pane, and did not shut it fully when I did. The recirculation mode was disengaging every few seconds, which had me really annoyed. It was only when I parked and switched the engine off that the car started "bonging" with a small icon for sunroof ajar blinking in the gauge cluster. Shut the sunroof fully, problem solved! Hyundai's and evidently Kia's (very likely most manufacturers) have this feature of shutting off recirculation when the sunroof is open. Nifty feature, but a lack of obvious indication can cause worry among the uninitiated.
	() Thanks

18th July 2022, 14:14	#11
snowmane BHPian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Pune Posts: 132 Thanked: 69 Times	Re: Kia Seltos AC recirculation mode keeps resetting to "Fresh Air". EDIT: Simple fix! I wish Jeep service also had such technicians! Kudos to Kia for training their guys properly.
	() Thanks

18th July 2022, 16:30	#12
ThatCarGuy BHPian Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: BLR ⇄ COK Posts: 46 Thanked: 195 Times	Re: Kia Seltos AC recirculation mode keeps resetting to "Fresh Air". EDIT: Simple fix! Let me add to this, not specific on the recirculation, but I had an issue with the Air Purifier not getting switched off, it was continuously working and the AQI was showing around 180-200, and the continuous BOO sound. I tried all possible ways, including cleaning the Air Purifier filter, resetting the system, etc etc. I took it to the KIA service center as well, but they checked and told me everything seems to be good, the SA added a line saying the carpet seems to be a bit dusty, so give it a clean and try. So the car looked clean from the inside and I had a 1000+ km drive and I used the KIA carpet floor mats, I had such a busy schedule that I did not bother to dust the mats. So once I reached home and I dusted the mats and oh man there was some serious dust but the moment I restarted the car and bazinga!!!, the AQI was green and back to <10. So 2 takeaways, KIA's Air Purifier really works and the sensor is gooood, and the carpet mat holds dust, doesn't show it, but you need to keep dusting it every week or so. Cheers!
	(4) Thanks

19th July 2022, 04:28	#14
anants_220 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Delhi Posts: 11 Thanked: 8 Times	Re: Kia Seltos AC recirculation mode keeps resetting to "Fresh Air". EDIT: Simple fix! Thanks for this. It been a month for me having the GT 7DCT and this issue was eating my head.
	() Thanks

19th July 2022, 13:32	#15
H Karter BHPian Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 78 Thanked: 214 Times	Re: Kia Seltos AC recirculation mode keeps resetting to "Fresh Air". EDIT: Simple fix! Firstly thanks for the information. I was wondering why would all the systems need to be so connected. Why wouldn't be these kept simple and manual. Imagine when the car has aged and rat bites gallore! These interconnected features in new cars are only going to become reasons of failure of equipment. Sorry for sounding pessimistic but even in my Seltos with manual AC; the front windshield defogger mode which is completely mechanical and manual, disengages the electric air recirculation mode(besides a written note to use fresh air mode). There's additional effort to re-engage it as I normally take fresh air from the front two windows. Also there's a display notification of wipers switching on in different modes and even the headlights in MID in my basic HTE variant. That means there's additional wiring or PCB circuitry for the same kept ready for automatic wipers and headlights. Most of the things can be kept simple I guess.
	() Thanks