Buying a used car can feel like a gamble. Sure, the dealership is going to try to sell you on it being a good deal, but even bringing your own mechanic doesn’t guarantee a problem-free experience. One woman felt especially duped after finding out from Kia that the dealership she got her ride from never should have sold it to her in the first place. Used Kia Seltos Has an Open Recall In a viral video with more than 15,700 views, content creator Beth Armstrong (@bethanyarmst) shared her frustration after learning the 2021 Kia Seltos she purchased just two months ago was sold with an open recall. "I had people telling me not to buy Kia anyways, but it had a big screen & a sunroof...And I had no other option either I needed a car right then," she says in an on-screen caption. Armstrong explains she received an email notification about a recall and scheduled an appointment at a Kia dealership to address the issue. When she arrived, the service advisor asked where she purchased the vehicle. After Armstrong told him where she got it, his response caught her off guard. "They're not even supposed to be selling cars that have open recalls on them, so they could get in big trouble for that," Armstrong recalls him saying. OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. Gallery: 2021 Kia Seltos: First Drive According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2021 Kia Seltos has two recalls for issues related to stalling and crash and fire risk. It is unclear how these recalls affect Armstrong, who now faces computer-related problems with the vehicle. She wasn't able to secure an appointment until Nov. 5, so she had to use an awkward workaround to start her car in the meantime. "I have to take the top of my key where there's a sensor, and I have to push it in [the push-to-start ignition] with the sensor in order for it to turn on," she explains in the video. Armstrong expresses her exasperation with the situation, describing herself as perpetually dealing with vehicle issues. "I swear, I cannot catch a break," she says. "I'm always having car problems. I'm always the person with car problems. I'm that friend." Rules on Selling Recalled Vehicles Selling vehicles with open recalls is a complex issue in the car industry. While new car dealers are prohibited from selling new vehicles with open, unrepaired recalls under federal law, the rules for used-car dealers are less stringent, Consumer Reports notes. Many franchised dealers have adopted internal policies against selling used vehicles with open recalls as a matter of best practice, particularly when the vehicle is from a brand they carry. The Virginia Automobile Dealers Association recommends that franchised dealers check for open recalls before delivery and notify customers of any unrepaired recalls. Some states have also taken action against dealers who sell recalled vehicles. New York reached settlements with 104 dealers for selling vehicles with unrepaired safety problems without proper disclosure. The NHTSA maintains a free VIN lookup tool that allows buyers to check for open recalls before purchasing any vehicle. Consumer advocates recommend running this check on any used vehicle before completing a purchase. Commenters React "That’s how they get you, good technology and features but a terrible engine," a top comment read. "I will never own a Kia again. Ever. Nothing but horrible issues," a person said. "You probably just need a new battery for the fob! Easy fix!" another wrote. Motor1 reached out to Armstrong for comment via TikTok direct message and comment. She named "South Hills Mitsubishi" as the dealership she purchased from, but Motor1 was unable to find any such dealership in Pennsylvania, where she lives. We contacted South Park Mitsubishi, which comes up when "South Hills Mitsubishi" is searched, via email and Instagram direct message for comment. + This story will be updated should either party reply. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team