Kia Seltos problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 559 owner complaints and 4 recalls on file for the Kia Seltos (2021–2027). The 2021 Seltos has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.

Complaints
559
Recalls
4
Model years
7
Worst year
2021

Complaints by model year

37520217420224620234620241320254202612027
NHTSA complaints per Kia Seltos model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Kia Seltos years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2021 Kia Seltos — 375 complaints, 13 crashes, 6 fires; top problem: Engine
  2. 2022 Kia Seltos — 74 complaints, 6 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Engine
  3. 2023 Kia Seltos — 46 complaints, 4 crashes; top problem: Engine
  4. 2024 Kia Seltos — 46 complaints, 4 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Electrical System

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2023 (46 complaints).

Every Kia Seltos model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2027 Seltos10000—
2026 Seltos41020Brakes
2025 Seltos131000Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
2024 Seltos464122Electrical System
2023 Seltos464032Engine
2022 Seltos746321Engine
2021 Seltos37513682Engine

Most common Kia Seltos problem areas (all years)

  • Engine
    350 complaints
  • Electrical System
    91 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    88 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    33 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    28 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    16 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    15 complaints
  • Brakes
    13 complaints
  • Airbags
    12 complaints
  • Steering
    9 complaints

Complaint trend

202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Kia Seltos received by NHTSA each month.

Kia Seltos recalls

  • Recall 25V099000Feb 17, 2025137,256 vehiclesModel years 2021–2023

    Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

  • Recall 23V830000Dec 22, 20232,967 vehiclesModel years 2024

    Risk: An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.

  • Recall 23V531000Jul 31, 202339,765 vehiclesModel years 2023–2024

    Risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.

  • Recall 21V259000Apr 13, 2021147,249 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

Other Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology