NHTSA has received 72 owner complaints about the 2022 Kia Seltos, or 15.4 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.37, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2022 vehicles we track, it ranks #38 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 57% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 37% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2021-12-15 and 2026-08-17. Median delay from incident to filing: 26 days.
72Complaints
15.4Complaints per year on the road
0.37Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
12.5%Share involving a crash or fire
26Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2021) drew 64.0 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2023) drew 12.2 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2022 model collected 16 complaints, 78% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (63.9% of complaints), followed by Interior & equipment (15.3%) and Electrical (6.9%). Engine complaints are 2.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “oil”, “engine”, “piston”, “recall” and “quart”. 9 reports (12.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 39 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (65% of incidents). In the last 12 months 26 new complaints were filed, versus 26 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year. 64% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness” (opened 2025-08-06, closed 2025-12-18).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.37
vs. other Kia models0.43
vs. other 2022 models0.39
vs. other Subcompact SUVs0.63
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (16)0.22
I pulled into the drive and put the car in park I left it running for the air conditioner.I got out opened back door to adjust the babies car seat shut the door and went into the house.
Interior & equipment · 2026-07-02 · ODI 11748057 · Crash
My 2022 Kia Seltos out of nowhere started smoking, losing power, total control and braking. There were no lights on the dashboard warning of any kind complete stall than a little bit of power hesitation stall no brakes.
Engine · 2026-05-27 · ODI 11740429 · Fire
Uneven wear 8/16 ones at 7/16 and one is 6/16 and the other is at 5/16 and has been riding ruff since we purchased them.
Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-08-17 · ODI 11757466
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated and stalled while driving at various speeds with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel.
Engine · 2026-07-27 · ODI 11753088
While at red lights, my car shuts off. It happened within the first year I had my car but Scott Kia in Springfield, PA 19064 said "we can't duplicate the problem" and did nothing. Now this has happened 3 times within 3 weeks.
Interior & equipment · 2025-11-11 · ODI 11698726
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL Campaign 25V099000 · 2025-02-17
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall EffectivenessClosed
AQ25001 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL · Opened 2025-08-06 · Closed 2025-12-18 · Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023
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
How many complaints were filed for the 2022 Kia Seltos?
72 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2022 Kia Seltos, or about 15.4 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2022 Kia Seltos?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 63.9% of complaints.
Does the 2022 Kia Seltos have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness” (opened 2025-08-06, closed 2025-12-18).
Is the 2022 Kia Seltos still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 26 new complaints were filed, versus 26 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2022 Kia Seltos compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 72 owner complaints about the 2022 Kia Seltos, or 15.4 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.37, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 92 model-year 2022 vehicles we track, it ranks #38 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 57% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 37% lower.