KIA Seltos Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used KIA Seltos options? We analyzed 6 model years (2021–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the KIA Seltos has 553 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls across model years 2021–2026. The most reported issue area is ENGINE. 2021 drew the most complaints; 2026 drew the fewest.
- Make
- KIA
- Model
- Seltos
- Model years analyzed
- 2021–2026 (6 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 553
- Safety recall campaigns
- 7
- Crash-related complaints
- 29
- Fire-related complaints
- 10
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2021 (372 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2026 (4 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
KIA Seltos: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe KIA SELTOS has 553 NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. 29 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 553 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 7 federal recall campaigns
- 29 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Oct 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
7 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
AIR BAGS
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
ENGINE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2021–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 553 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
553 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
I am reporting multiple safety concerns involving my leased 2025 Kia Seltos, which currently has approximately 22,000 miles. I first reported an unusual smell coming from the vehicle in June 2025. The vehicle has been taken in for service multiple times, most recently on September 5, 2026, but the concern has not been satisfactorily resolved. During the September 5 service visit, I also informed the dealership that I had experienced an acceleration problem. The vehicle felt as though cruise control had been activated even though I had not intentionally activated it. After that service visit, the acceleration problem occurred again while I was driving in traffic. This was frightening because I did not feel that the vehicle was responding normally or that I had full control over its acceleration. The vehicle’s horn has now also stopped working. The lack of a functioning horn prevents me from warning other drivers or pedestrians during an emergency. I have also noticed unusual brake noises, even though the dealership’s service inspection indicated that the brakes were in satisfactory or “green” condition. I have repeatedly sought service for this vehicle, but these concerns remain unresolved. I am especially concerned about the acceleration problem recurring in traffic, combined with the nonworking horn, unexplained smell, and brake noises. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate these potential safety defects involving my 2025 Kia Seltos.
The camber bolts in front struts moved from original location causing uneven tire wear and steering issues. When replacing tires mechanic showed me marks where bolts were originally and where they are now. Mechanic said he has seen multiple of same vehicles with the same issue. Mechanic said most likely poor roads and improperly torque of bolts is causing the issue with this make and model. Caught issue just in time tires were down to threads and wouldn't of lasted much longer. A blowout on a front steer tire would most likely cause an accident or rollover.
KiA started a system update while I was driving on a busy road which caused complete loss of engine power and all electrical. This is nuts. What if you’re on the highway driving 70 mph and this happens?
While driving at night with the Headlights on Low Beam the light that is projected onto the road is a dull yellowish color, not a bright white color. When the High Beam Lights are turned on there is no difference of the light being projected onto the road. While driving from [XXX] to [XXX] on [XXX] I noticed that I was unable to see or read the Exit Signs for any of the Exit Off Ramps or even the Mileage Signs the show the mileage to the next Towns. When I switched from Low Beam to High Beam it made no difference on Illuminating the Road Signs. When I returned to my home I took the car into the Kia Dealer with the complaint that the Headlights were not working properly. They adjusted the Headlights up higher, so now the Low Beam did Illuminate the Road Signs, but they seemed to High and still had the yellowish color. When the High Beams were turned on it still made no difference in Illuminating the Road. Again I took the car back to the Kia Dealer and they Readjusted the Headlights back to what they said was the Factory Settings. I was then told that if I was not satisfied I could try purchasing some Aftermarket Headlight Bulbs from an Independent Parts Store. This is an Unsafe Condition because I can't see obstructions that may be in the roadway and have enough time to safely maneuver around it. Since this happens at Night the Dealer doesn't have personal to replicate the problem due to the Dealer Service Department is only open during daylight hours. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving in snowy, inclement weather; the entire rear end of the vehicle would become covered in snow. The contact stated snow would become to heavy for the rear windshield wiper which would obstruct his vision while driving in the snow. In addition, the contact stated that the rear tail lights would also become covered in snow which made it difficult for fellow motorist to see his tail lights. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the contact purchase an aftermarket spoiler. The contact was also given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
Instrument cluster does not turn on upon ignition, when in cold weather. this has been a repeating incident, first of which started only 2 months after the purchase. even after 7 separate incidents, and handful dealer visits, car was deemed "okay" because they could not replicate the issue. employees at the dealership have taken pictures and videos but have yet to find a solution to fix this issue, and they further "ask" that if the incident happens again, drive as is so they can see the issue. this is a serious safety issue since nothing is visible including speedometer, rev meter and gas tank indicator, etc. the most recent incident will be dated on the report, but i will attache multiple pictures from different dates as i can recall and recollect.
Read 14 more owner reports
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The braking system appears to have failed. When I attempted to slow down for a stop sign, the brake pedal went straight to the floor and did not respond as expected. I began pumping the brakes out of panic, but they only engaged at the last moment—approximately one foot or less from the vehicle in front of me. The vehicle is currently totaled, but I believe the braking system could still be inspected upon request, pending insurance and tow yard access. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My safety was significantly at risk. I had no control over stopping the vehicle despite repeated brake attempts. To avoid a direct collision, I was forced to swerve at the last second, hitting the rear edge of the truck ahead and deploying my airbag. Had I not swerved, the impact could have been more severe and potentially endangered the other driver. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not yet. My insurance is working to determine whether an inspection is possible due to the extent of the damage. I intend to have the braking system inspected to confirm the failure if it can be safely accessed. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The accident has been reported to my insurance, and they are aware that I believe the brakes failed. I’m waiting to hear whether an inspection by their representatives or a third party will be conducted. To my knowledge, the manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No brake-related warning lights or messages appeared before or during the failure. However, the forward collision alert did pop up—but it only appeared a couple of seconds before the impact, far too late to help avoid.
i get my lane assist and almost wrecked bc it defaulted without warning. when i came up on a car to fast. it didn’t slow down and try to automatically brake.
My Seltos was sitting in my driveway and a crack appeared this morning. It wasn't there two days ago when I last drove it.
Car delivered [XXX] since then we have had 3 incidents of the dash control lights going out along with the head lights going dim making it very dangerous to drive in the dark. Car had about 1200 miles on it when it started and it had 1823 miles on it when they had a appointment for me to get the car in. We are going on a 3 week trip south at the end of march and based on my experience with the Saltos, the dash lights go out and the head lights either go out or go very dim. How do I know, I had a 2023 Seltos that had the same problem, answer from Ganley Kia, could not duplicate, another Kia I owned when I lived in Georgia, Dash llights and head lights went out in the mountains in the dark. Dealer replaced this car INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The main instrument cluster will not illuminate on initial start ups. The screen will not illuminate on it's own, a vehicle restart is required after a extended period of driving/engine running. Speedometer, tachometer and fuel gauge are not visible. It is a recurring problem. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and the service department said it is a known problem with the Seltos and other models. They said Kia hasn't identified the problem.
When I drive this vehicle at night it seems like the low beam headlights are not aimed correctly. It seems like they are angled too far down on the road as I feel like I could not see more than 15-20 feet in front of the vehicle without my high beams on, also the low beams are angled so far down towards the road that it did not illuminate any traffic signs on the side of the road so I could not make them out either. It was scary not being able to see far out as I’m used to.
I just bought 2025 kia seltos EX for 5 days. oil cooler already leaking oil, car running fine no lights on. And another issue is when I moved steering to left or right, even on slow speed make any turn, I heard 'dot dot dot' mental sounds under passage wheel, can't believe it happened in new car.
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. No coolant in reservoir. Took to dealership, they claim lack of maintenance despite all maintenance records. They will not report records to kia corporate leading to denied warranty. Will not provide testing results. Claimed piston rings were destroyed. Would not give explanation for loss of coolant. Will not speed up going onto highway and continues to put out white smoke. No lights on vehicle.
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 the engine to rev, but the vehicle would barely move. A diagnostic scan performed afterward showed DTC P0171 (System Too Lean), but the code was subsequently cleared. The vehicle later returned to normal operation and a Kia dealer was unable to reproduce the condition. During the most recent incident, the vehicle again began idling very roughly and then stalled while being driven. The engine was restarted but stalled again. After another restart, shifting the vehicle into Drive caused the engine to stall again. A tractor-trailer was traveling behind the vehicle during the incident, creating a serious risk of a rear-end collision. The truck driver was able to recognize that the vehicle was having a problem and avoided a collision. There were no warning lights or messages on the instrument panel during the most recent incident. The vehicle is currently at a Kia dealership for inspection. The dealer has not identified the cause and is retaining and road-testing the vehicle in an attempt to reproduce the intermittent failure. The vehicle is available for inspection. Two incidents in less than two months.
I need to open a formal safety and warranty complaint regarding my 2024 Kia Seltos. I originally reported an acceleration problem to the dealership when the vehicle was purchased and they said they couldn’t duplicate the issue but they did not resolve it.The vehicle shuts off while I was driving, and afterward would not accelerate beyond approximately 15 mph. I believe the vehicle is unsafe to drive, and I want this documented as an unresolved recurring defect. I did make complaints to Rick case Kia of sunrise and at the time took it back up there three times in the month I purchased it. I’ve been dealing with this randomly since I got the car it shuts off while in motion.
My 2024 Kia Seltos (leased, approximately 19,800 miles) received an over-the-air (OTA) software update on [07/03/2026]. The vehicle's screen prompted me to approve the update and stated it would complete with the ignition off. I approved it and exited the vehicle as instructed by Kia's on-screen directions and owner's manual. Immediately after this update, the vehicle developed an intermittent no-start condition, and the 12V battery went completely flat, accompanied by an ESC (Electronic Stability Control) warning. The vehicle had no electrical or starting problems of any kind before the update. The vehicle was disabled and could not be started without a jump start, which is a safety concern — this could strand a driver in an unsafe location or in extreme weather. The dealer (Car Pros Kia Glendale, RO #531279, dated 07/25/2026) performed a full system scan, found no DTCs, and confirmed the 12V battery failed testing. The dealer's repair order documents the customer complaint as "intermittent no start condition and battery went completely flat after the software update." The battery was replaced at my expense. The vehicle's software version after the update was NNK-02-0118 (previous resident version NNK-02-0108). Kia America has acknowledged partial responsibility by approving a 50% goodwill reimbursement. I am reporting this because a manufacturer-initiated OTA update that discharges the battery and disables the vehicle is a safety defect that may affect other vehicles.
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. The rim cracked around the entire circumference, the tire completely separated from the vehicle, and the vehicle lost stability and struck the guardrail. As a result of this incident, the vehicle sustained substantial damage, including but not limited to: •Complete destruction of the wheel/rim; •Tire separation; •Axle and suspension damage; •Body damage to the driver-side front and rear panels; and •Additional mechanical damage that is still being assessed. Photographs taken immediately after the incident clearly show that the wheel fractured around the rim itself. The damage pattern is consistent with a catastrophic wheel failure, not ordinary cosmetic damage or curb rash. When I initially contacted the Kia dealership, I was told that they had "never seen anything like it." However, after the vehicle was towed to the dealership, the explanation changed, and I was informed that Kia now believes the vehicle must have struck something and that the impact caused the wheel to fail. That explanation is inconsistent with what occurred. At no point prior to the failure did we strike debris, a pothole, a curb, or any other object that would reasonably explain a complete structural fracture of the wheel and the tire separating from the vehicle. The wheel failed first. The collision with the guardrail occurred only after the catastrophic wheel failure and loss of control while attempting to safely pull over.
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 approximately 40-70 mph and has repeatedly occurred while driving on highways. On multiple occasions, the vehicle struggled to accelerate properly and would not respond normally to throttle input. During one occurrence, the vehicle had difficulty accelerating beyond approximately 55 mph while on the expressway. The shaking became severe enough that I feared mechanical failure could occur while driving. I was forced to pull off to the shoulder of the highway because I no longer felt it was safe. The inability to maintain speed and accelerate normally created a safety risk for both myself and surrounding traffic. The vehicle has been returned to the dealership six times for the same recurring issue. Repairs have included replacement of the ECU, catalytic converter, ignition components, fuel injectors, and other engine related components. Despite these repairs, the problem continues to return. The condition has been repoduced and documented by the dealership, and a manufacturer field technician was involved in the most recent diagnosis process. Most recently, after the vehicle was inspected and believed to be repaired, the check engine light illuminated again while the service manager was moving my vehicle to be washed inside of their garage, as I waited (today, June 11th 2026). The recurring loss of power, repeated check engine light events, and inability to permanently correct the defect raise significant safety concerns while operating the vehicle. I have all documentation in my notes, as well as the dealership repair documents.
Under extremely cold temperatures, approx 10° the main display does not work. The MPH & other vehicle information will not display. KIA service requires the vehicle to be brought to the facility while condition exists in order to troubleshoot, however once the vehicle warms up, the non functioning display begins to operate normally and the problem does not exist. Speaking with the service advisor and service manager in charge, they are aware of the problem and know of other vehicles with this display problem.
Showing 20 of 553 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact KIA Seltos
These pages show model-year patterns across 6 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used KIA Seltos, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The KIA Seltos has 553 complaints on record across 6 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The KIA Seltos has 7 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 29 of the KIA Seltos's 553 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all KIA Seltos vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two KIA Seltos vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The KIA Seltos has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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KIA Seltos reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the KIA Seltos reliable?
Poor. The KIA Seltos has 553 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which KIA Seltos years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2021 (372 complaints), 2022 (73 complaints), 2023 (46 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common KIA Seltos problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE (293 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (92 complaints); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (90 complaints).
Does the KIA Seltos have recalls?
Yes — 7 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the KIA Seltos. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.