Kia Seltos problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 6 model years (2021–2026), NHTSA has logged 559 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls for the Kia Seltos. That averages 20.1 complaints per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (index 0.50 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Subcompact SUVs segment it ranks #2 of 6 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest); the segment average is 22.7.
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
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 (65.0 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (12.1). The 2021 model year runs at least 50% above this model's average of 20.1 complaints per year on the road across its tracked model years.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (62.8% of complaints), followed by Electrical (8.6%) and Transmission / powertrain (8.1%). Engine complaints are 2.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 39 complaints (7.0%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 17 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 182 complaints versus 171 in the previous 12 months — up 6%. 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 investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness” (audit query, opened 2025-08-06, closed 2025-12-18).
Within its segment it has more complaints per year than Mazda CX-30, but fewer than Subaru Crosstrek, Hyundai Kona, Toyota Corolla Cross and Honda HR-V.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 ▲50%+ | 376 | 65.0 | 1.61 | 114 | 2 | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 74 | 15.5 | 0.38 | 27 | 1 | Engine | View › |
| 2023 Fewest complaints | 46 | 12.1 | 0.3 | 13 | 2 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2024 | 46 | 16.5 | 0.41 | 18 | 2 ⚠ | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 Too new to rank | 13 | 7.3 | 0.18 | 6 | 0 | Electrical | View › |
| 2026 Too new to rank | 4 | 4.0 | 0.1 | 4 | 0 | Brakes | View › |
▲50%+ = 50%+ above this model's average yearly rate. “Too new to rank”: under two years on the road, so the model year cannot be named the one with the fewest complaints yet. 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: 182 · Previous 12 months: 171 Within ±30% year on year
Problem areas
Engine ›
351 · 62.8% · 2.82 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Electrical ›
48 · 8.6% · 0.55 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Transmission / powertrain ›
45 · 8.1% · 0.69 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Unspecified or other ›
45 · 8.1% · 0.9 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Body & structure
21 · 3.8% · 0.41 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Airbags & seat belts
15 · 2.7% · 0.71 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Wheels, tires & suspension
8 · 1.4% · 0.57 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Brakes
6 · 1.1% · 0.18 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Fuel system
5 · 0.9% · 0.21 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% · 0.39 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
3 · 0.5% · 0.35 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Steering
3 · 0.5% · 0.08 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
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 stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, oil pressure, and charging system warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle stalled.
Traveling on XXX in [XXX] in the left lane with a semi right beside me and the car engine died. The screen showed out in D or N to start engine. Was able to pull off to the right. The car would start but sounded awful and when put into D it died.
I am reporting multiple safety concerns involving my leased 2025 Kia Seltos, which currently has approximately 22,000 miles. I first reported an unusual smell coming from the vehicle in June 2025.
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 | 254 | 9.4 | 0.23 | Improving | Rising | 7 | Engine |
| 2 | Kia Seltos | 559 | 20.1 | 0.5 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 4 | Engine |
| 3 | Subaru Crosstrek | 903 | 20.1 | 0.5 | Improving | Rising | 13 | Body & structure |
| 4 | Hyundai Kona | 966 | 21.1 | 0.52 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 14 | Engine |
| 5 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 295 | 21.6 | 0.53 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 7 | Engine |
| 6 | Honda HR-V | 1,490 | 39.4 | 0.98 | Worsening | Within ±30% year on year | 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) · 2026 (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.’s (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, in…