NHTSA has received 46 owner complaints about the 2024 Kia Seltos, or 16.5 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.41, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 89 model-year 2024 vehicles we track, it ranks #34 of 89 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Kia models its rate is 53% lower; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 27% 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 2023-08-22 and 2026-10-03. Median delay from incident to filing: 6 days.
46Complaints
16.5Complaints per year on the road
0.41Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls · ⚠ 1
10.9%Share involving a crash or fire
18Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2023) drew 12.1 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2025) drew 7.3 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2024 model collected 32 complaints, 54% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (30.4% of complaints), followed by Engine (21.7%) and Unspecified or other (15.2%). Electrical complaints are 1.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 5 reports (10.9%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 16 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (41% of incidents). In the last 12 months 18 new complaints were filed, versus 18 in the 12 months before — virtually unchanged.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.41
vs. other Kia models0.47
vs. other 2024 models0.43
vs. other Subcompact SUVs0.73
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (32)0.46
While driving, the vehicle suddenly began handling abnormally. In response, we safely pulled over as quickly as possible. Before we could fully stop, the wheel catastrophically failed.
Body & structure · 2026-06-17 · ODI 11744857 · Crash
During the incident in question, the vehicle’s lane‑assist system malfunctioned in a manner I have never previously experienced.
Steering · 2026-01-27 · ODI 11713766 · Crash
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.
Electrical · 2026-10-03 · ODI 11768759
Exhaust starting putting out white smoke and loss of power on accelerator while speeding up. Normally when merging onto highway or taking off after stop. Assumed head gasket with coolant in oil. Took to get oil change, milky/sludgy oil to back up that thought.
Engine · 2026-09-16 · ODI 11764688
The vehicle has experienced two separate episodes of severe engine/propulsion malfunction approximately two months apart. During the first incident, the vehicle began shaking and idling roughly and had very little acceleration.
Engine · 2026-09-10 · ODI 11763361
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
Risk: An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP Campaign 23V531000 · 2023-07-31
⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
