Head-to-head reliability
KIA Seltos vs Toyota Camry
How the KIA Seltos and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA Seltos vs Toyota Camry: The Seltos averages 92 complaints per year with 7 recalls, while the Camry averages 206 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Seltos issues often involve engine and power train failures, whereas Camry problems span more systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Seltos or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Seltos
The Kia Seltos is a compact SUV that has been on the road for about six years, averaging roughly 92 complaints per year. The most common owner complaints center on the engine, with reports of power loss, shaking, and check engine lights, often leading to costly repairs. Electrical glitches, such as blank instrument clusters and software update problems, also appear. While the Seltos has fewer total complaints than the Camry, its issues often strike at the core of drivability and can be frustrating for owners.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a long history and a much larger owner base, generating about 206 complaints per year over ten years. Complaints span the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems, with some owners reporting hesitation, shuddering, and brake noises. The Camry also has more recalls and crash-related reports, but its issues are spread across many systems rather than concentrated in one. For a used-car buyer, this means a wider variety of potential problems to check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Seltos | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 553 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 29 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 92.2 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
KIA Seltos
- 01ENGINE293
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER92
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM90
- 04POWER TRAIN88
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING57
Owners report repeated loss of power, severe shaking during acceleration, and multiple check engine light events. Some describe the engine seizing entirely, which can leave you stranded and facing a major repair bill.
Complaints include a completely dark instrument cluster, so you cannot see speed or fuel level, and problems after over-the-air software updates that can leave the vehicle disabled. These glitches can affect basic driving functions.
Drivers experience jerking between gear shifts, abnormal humming or grinding noises, and sudden loss of motive power. These symptoms suggest transmission or drivetrain issues that may be expensive to fix.
Reports include catastrophic wheel failure where the rim cracked and the tire separated, as well as unusual smells and multiple safety concerns. These unpredictable failures can be dangerous if they occur at speed.
“Since November 2025, this vehicle has experienced repeated loss of power, severe shaking during acceleration, jerking between gear shifts, abnormal humming/grinding noises, and multiple check engine light events. The condition is most noticeable between appro…”
“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. Pressing the accelerator caused…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe the ignition key becoming stuck and unable to be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect. Others report hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, pointing to transmission or engine management issues.
Complaints include delayed throttle response where pressing the accelerator does nothing for several seconds, and hesitation and shuddering at various speeds. This can make merging or pulling out into traffic feel unpredictable.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal. Brake problems can affect safety and lead to costly repairs.
Multiple systems such as stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping can malfunction at once. This can overwhelm the driver with warnings and reduce critical safety aids.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
KIA Seltos — 7 recalls
The defect: 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.
The risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
The fix: 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…
The defect: 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.
The risk: An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: 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 reca…
The defect: 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.
The risk: An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
The fix: 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…
The defect: 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.
The risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
KIA Seltos or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Kia Seltos has far fewer complaints per year (about 92) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Seltos issues are more concentrated in the engine and power train, which are costly and critical. The Camry's problems are spread across more systems, but its higher volume means you are more likely to encounter some issue. In practice, the Seltos may have fewer overall problems, but when they occur, they can be severe.
Key differences
- The Kia Seltos has about 92 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry has about 206 per year, but the Seltos complaints are heavily focused on engine and power train failures.
- Seltos owners report sudden loss of power, engine seizure, and transmission jerking, whereas Camry owners report stuck ignition keys, delayed throttle, and brake noise.
- The Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years compared to 7 for the Seltos over 6 years, indicating more widespread safety-related fixes for the Camry.
- Seltos electrical issues include blank instrument clusters and software update failures, while Camry electrical issues involve multiple driver-assist systems failing simultaneously.
- During a test drive, listen for abnormal humming or grinding noises and feel for jerking between gear shifts, which could indicate power train problems.
- Check that the instrument cluster lights up fully and that all electrical functions work, as some owners report a completely dark cluster.
- Test the ignition key removal multiple times to ensure it does not get stuck, a reported power train issue.
- Press the brake pedal and listen for clicking or vibrating noises, and test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both the Kia Seltos and Toyota Camry.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine and transmission for the Seltos and power train and brakes for the Camry.
- During a test drive, accelerate firmly to check for hesitation or shuddering, and test all electrical components including the instrument cluster and driver-assist features.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any transmission or engine repairs.
- Verify that any outstanding recalls have been addressed by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | KIA Seltos | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 13 | 163 |
| 2024 | 45 | 50 |
| 2023 | 46 | 64 |
| 2022 | 73 | 61 |
| 2021 | 372 | 157 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA Seltos or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Seltos vs Toyota Camry
- KIA Seltos total complaints
- 553
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- KIA Seltos total recalls
- 7
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- KIA Seltos avg complaints/year
- 92.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- KIA Seltos
- KIA Seltos top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN