2022 Kia Seltos problems, complaints & recalls

2022 Kia Seltos recalls (1)

• Recall 25V099000Feb 17, 2025137,256 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

  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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• AQ25001Opened Aug 6, 2025Closed Dec 18, 2025

  Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness

  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, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On August 11, 2025, an Information Request (IR) was issued to Kia reques…

Recent 2022 Kia Seltos complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 7, 2026CAEngine

   While I was driving off the freeway, my vehicle suddenly stalled while I was in motion. The vehicle restarted, but shortly afterward it stalled again. Due to the repeated stalling and the safety concern, the vehicle had to be towed to a Kia dealership for inspection. The dealership diagnosed the vehicle as having an engine failure. After researching the issue, I found that my vehicle’s make/model and engine are associated with NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 25V-099 / Kia…

   NHTSA complaint #11769754 · source
2. Filed Jul 27, 202636,000 miNYEngine

   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. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was provided information associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer for service. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and the…

   NHTSA complaint #11753088 · source
3. Filed Jul 26, 2026INEngine

   My 2022 Kia seltos with 47669 miles does while while driving. It DID NOT make a noise or shake. The engine light and oils light come on and the car dies. I have maintained regular oil changes and maintenance on the vehicle since the time of purchase.

   NHTSA complaint #11752910 · source
4. Filed Jul 11, 2026ILEngine

   My 2022 Kia Seltos is burning through oil at a very high rate. I was reading that there is a recall for 2021-2023 Kia Seltos for this exact issue with the engine, but my vin from my vehicle is not listed on the recall. I spoke with Naperville, IL Kia and they advised I would have to buy a new engine.

   NHTSA complaint #11749709 · source
5. Filed Jul 2, 2026TNCrashOther / Unknown

   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. My in-law told me my car was moving so I ran outside and the car had run into the garage door.The drive has a upward slope so the car was going uphill and seemed to be picking up speed

   NHTSA complaint #11748057 · source
6. Filed Jun 27, 2026COElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   My 2022 Kia Seltos is equipped with Idle Stop & Go (ISG), which shuts the engine off when stopped and restarts it when the driver releases the brake/presses the accelerator. ISG stopped functioning about a year ago (the engine stayed running at stops). I didn't think anything of it because the ISG had worked sporadically from the day I bought the car. (I purchased it new.) It began working again, sporadically, about a week ago. Since then, on 3 occasions, when stopped at a…

   NHTSA complaint #11746914 · source
7. Filed May 27, 2026SCFireElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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. I managed to coast it into a parking space at a hotel with it smoking so bad I couldn’t see. It then burst into flames and golfing the entire Engine bay and melting the front of the car about 90 seconds after I got out of the car all of the symptoms here are…

   NHTSA complaint #11740429 · source
8. Filed May 15, 2026PACrashEngineOther / Unknown

   The engine started to fail when I'm driving and on the highway it suddenly loses strength, the oil goes down and I don't know where it's going, the engine starts to make noises and burning smell, the ignition light turns on and minutes later goes out, a triangle signal also sometimes appears for 6 seconds and disappears, when this triangle appears the car starts to fail and give strong jolts, this has already happened on the highway and I almost lost control of the car due…

   NHTSA complaint #11738064 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology