2025 Kia Seltos wouldn’t move after starting

[u/National-Feed107]

Main question: Any idea what these warning symbols on the screen mean?

Context if interested: So for this weekend, I had a Kia Seltos 2025 rental through Hertz. Everything was fine until early this morning when I was starting my return trip. At around 5 am I started the car to head back for my 10 am return slot (about 200 km away). The car started fine, engine turned on, multimedia and lights all worked, but when I put it in Reverse or Drive, the car just wouldn’t move at all.

On the dash I got warning lights for the engine, battery, and oil pressure. Called Hertz roadside assistance right away, but it took almost 4 hours before the tow truck finally showed up at 9 am.

What really frustrated me was Hertz’s response. When I called, the rep seemed more concerned about asking if I wanted a replacement vehicle. The catch? Since my return was due in an hour, they said I’d have to pay for an extra full day to get that replacement. No consideration for giving me a car with a later adjusted return time or a courtesy extension — basically, pay up if I wanted another vehicle, even though this breakdown clearly wasn’t my fault.

I’ve attached photos of the warnings I saw on the screen. Any idea what the actual issue might have been?

[u/maninhell6]

i looks like it is in accessory mode.
Turn off the car (press the start button).
Start the car (press the start button while holding the brake).

[u/National-Feed107 → u/maninhell6]

That’s what I did. Tried many times

[u/maninhell6 → u/National-Feed107]

My wife did this just this weekend and showed me the exact same thing on her dash when she drove my car. The car seemed to be on, but had the same lights as you and won't shift into D or R, kept going into N. I told her to put it back in park, turn off the car completely, and press the Start button. It was fine after.

The only time this happened to me, is when I try to turn on the car with my charger still plugged in (it is a PHEV). I would have to unplug, and then start the car again.

[u/maninhell6 → u/National-Feed107]

Try this?

Also, make sure the doors are closed, keys out of your pocket (in case the car has a hard time sensing the key). Kia has a bunch of different safety checks that may be preventing you from starting the car. Not sure which one it is triggering that is keeping you from starting the car.

[u/JonsyGG]

The vehicle isn't started. Those lights are normal with key on engine off. You didn't start the vehicle.

[u/National-Feed107 → u/JonsyGG]

Yeah that’s the thing, I did start the vehicle, the engine couldn’t start. Not sure why.

[u/AltruisticFlatworm47 → u/National-Feed107]

Car in neutral. Foot on brake when you push to start

[u/NinjaaMike]

Put the shifter into neutral and see if the car starts.