KIA Seltos Problems by Year
NHTSA has 560 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file for the KIA Seltos, across 7 model years (2021–2027). The 2021 model year has the most complaints (376). The most reported problem area overall is engine.
KIA Seltos years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Seltos year: 2021, 2022. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2021 Seltos: 376 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2022 Seltos: 74 complaints, 1 recall
- 2024 Seltos: 46 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2027 Seltos: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
- 2026 Seltos: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2025 Seltos: 13 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common KIA Seltos problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine problems | 297 | 6 | 5 |
| Electrical System | 91 | 5 | 3 |
| Power Train | 88 | 4 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 58 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 31 | 4 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 20 | 5 | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 3 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 12 | 5 | 11 |
| Lane Departure | 11 | 5 | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 11 | 4 | 2 |
| Visibility/wiper | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| Structure | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Suspension | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
KIA Seltos problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2021: engine (231) · power train (68)
All KIA Seltos model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Seltos | 1 | 0 | — | Unknown or Other | |
| 2026 Seltos | 4 | 0 | 5★ | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 2025 Seltos | 13 | 0 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 Seltos | 46 | 2 | 5★ | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2023 Seltos | 46 | 2 | 4★ | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2022 Seltos | 74 | 1 | 4★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2021 Seltos | 376 | 2 | 4★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
More from KIA: all KIA models · KIA VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which KIA Seltos years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2021 (376), 2022 (74) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Seltos year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the KIA Seltos?
Engine, with 297 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the KIA Seltos have?
4 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.