Kia Seltos problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 5 model years (2021–2025), NHTSA has logged 534 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls for the Kia Seltos. That averages 22.9 complaints per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (index 0.54 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Subcompact SUVs segment it ranks #5 of 6 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 24.6.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across five model years from 2021 to 2025, NHTSA has logged 534 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls for the Kia Seltos, averaging 22.9 complaints per year which is fewer than typical at an index of 0.54 against all tracked vehicles. The 2021 model year stands out as the one to research most carefully because it runs at least 50% above the model's own average with a rate of 64.0 complaints per year, while the 2025 model year has the lowest rate at 7.2. Engine issues account for 62.2% of complaints and are 2.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles, with recurring terms including "oil", "piston", "engine", "rings" and "recall". Owners report 15 injuries and 0 deaths across all model years, with the most recent reports coming from the 2021 model year which generated 114 complaints.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 56% below the 2021 and 2022 models (28 early complaints per model year versus 53).
The 2021 model year has the highest rate (64.0 complaints per year) and the 2025 model year the lowest (7.2). The 2021 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. The 2023 model year sits well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (62.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (8.8%) and Transmission / powertrain (8.4%). Engine complaints are 2.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “oil”, “piston”, “engine”, “rings” and “recall”. 38 complaints (7.1%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 15 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 175 complaints versus 163 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2021 model year generated the most recent reports (114). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 38 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 4 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (2), 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness” (opened 2025-08-06, closed 2025-12-18).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona; Honda HR-V have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Years to research carefully | 363 | 64.0 | 1.52 | 90 | 1.47 | 114 | 2 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 72 | 15.4 | 0.37 | 16 | 0.22 | 26 | 1 | Engine | View › |
| 2023 | 45 | 12.2 | 0.29 | 24 | 0.29 | 13 | 2 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2024 | 42 | 15.7 | 0.37 | 32 | 0.46 | 17 | 2 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 Fewest complaints | 12 | 7.2 | 0.17 | — | — | 5 | 0 | Electrical | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 175 · Previous 12 months: 163 Steady
Problem areas
Transmission / powertrain ›
45 · 8.4% · 0.72 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- transmission24
- gears7
- dual clutch3
- piston oil3
Interior & equipment ›
43 · 8.1% · 0.9 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- engine april3
- milwaukee3
- stolen4
- flames4
Body & structure
21 · 3.9% · 0.43 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- reflects4
- windshield8
- reflection3
- glare3
Airbags & seat belts
14 · 2.6% · 0.69 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- deploy8
- airbags6
- front end4
- seat belt4
Wheels, tires & suspension
8 · 1.5% · 0.6 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- tires4
- front5
- left3
Fuel system
5 · 0.9% · 0.22 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Driver-assist systems
5 · 0.9% · 0.16 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Other
4 · 0.7% · 0.41 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Brakes
4 · 0.7% · 0.12 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
3 · 0.6% · 0.36 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Steering
3 · 0.6% · 0.09 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- oil204
- piston89
- engine312
- rings58
- recall210
- consumption58
- change74
- cooling44
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 38 months
What owners report
I had two incidents with the Kia listed above involving the feature where the engine stops when at a light, and then turns back on when foot is removed from brake. The first instance happened in a parking lot while I was maneuvering into a spot.
While driving normally at approximately 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and spontaneous structural failure of the rear driver-side suspension and drivetrain.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact became aware several years ago that the transmission was not shifting properly and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the technicians found no failure.
My 2021 Kia Seltos 2.0L is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption between regularly scheduled oil changes. There is no visible external oil leak or oil accumulating underneath the vehicle, but the oil level becomes extremely low before the next…
Was driving and power steering became difficult to steer and a red steering wheel icon with a exclamation mark came on in the dashboard.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Subcompact SUVs
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mazda CX-30 | 243 | 10.3 | 0.25 | Improving | Rising | 7 | Engine |
| 2 | Subaru Crosstrek | 881 | 21.7 | 0.52 | Improving | Rising | 13 | Body & structure |
| 3 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 288 | 21.7 | 0.52 | Worsening | Steady | 7 | Engine |
| 4 | Hyundai Kona | 928 | 22.4 | 0.53 | Worsening | Steady | 12 | Engine |
| 5 | Kia Seltos | 534 | 22.9 | 0.54 | Improving | Steady | 4 | Engine |
| 6 | Honda HR-V | 1,452 | 42.7 | 1.01 | Worsening | Steady | 12 | Body & structure |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 4
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 1
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Safety recalls: 2021 (2) · 2022 (1) · 2023 (2) · 2024 (2) · 2025 (0)
Investigations
- Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness Closed
On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.âs (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, …
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Seltos model year has the most complaints?
The 2021 model year has the highest rate (64.0 complaints per year) and the 2025 model year the lowest (7.2).
Is the Kia Seltos getting better or worse?
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 56% below the 2021 and 2022 models (28 early complaints per model year versus 53). In the last 12 months owners filed 175 complaints versus 163 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Kia Seltos problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (62.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (8.8%) and Transmission / powertrain (8.4%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “oil”, “piston”, “engine”, “rings” and “recall”.
How does the Kia Seltos compare with other Subcompact SUVs?
Within the Subcompact SUVs segment it ranks #5 of 6 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 24.6. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Mazda CX-30, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Kona; Honda HR-V have more.
Does the Kia Seltos have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 4 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2023 (2), 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness” (opened 2025-08-06, closed 2025-12-18).