NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Seltos

Data refreshed September 6, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Kia Seltos.

Complaints

539

Active records

Recalls

4

Active records

TSBs

160

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

0

Injuries

17

Crashes

29

Fires

10

Top reported issues — Kia Seltos

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

225

Engine behavior

187

Fluid issue

156

Reporting mechanism

135

Performance issue

112

Condition issue

90

Noise

86

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

47

Thermal issue

44

Vibration/harshness

43

Driver assistance issue

34

Powering on/off behavior

31

Braking behavior

29

Safety restraint issue

22

Smell

17

Starting behavior

17

Electrical issue

16

Infotainment behavior

15

Safety restraint behavior

11

Recent change

10

Steering behavior

9

Access/entry issue

7

Lighting behavior

7

Ride/handling behavior

6

HVAC behavior

5

Communication/network issue

2

Wiper/washer behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2024 KIA SELTOS

Filed Sep 3, 2026


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…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed Sep 1, 2026


The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact became aware several years ago that the transmission was not shifting properly and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the technicians found no failure. The contact stated that on another occasion while in traffic, the engine overheated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed Sep 1, 2026


My 2021 Kia Seltos 2.0L is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption between regularly scheduled oil changes. There is no visible external oil leak or oil accumulating underneath the vehicle, but the oil level becomes extremely low before the next scheduled oil change, requiring me to add oil myself. I am concerned that continued excessive oil consumption could result in inadequate engine lubrication, engine damage, engine seizure/stalling, or loss of power while driving. I took the…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed Aug 31, 2026


Acceleration is sluggish and vehicle struggles to maintain freeway speeds. Engine stalls (engine turns off, ACC still on) during normal operation. When reducing speed approaching a stop and for making a right angle turn, only the engine shuts off, all accessories (i.e. lights, climate control, radio and navigation screen) remain on. Tachometer intermittently indicates significant increase in RPM not comparable to vehicle speed. With IGS deactivated and AC off there is no change in engine stall…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed Aug 31, 2026


My 2021 Kia Seltos SX Turbo (1.6L Turbo engine) is experiencing severe, excessive oil consumption, burning (and heavy smoke ) approximately 1 to 2 quarts, (Kia dealer oil change standard amount) of oil every 1,000 miles without any external visual leaks. A formal diagnosis by a certified Kia dealership confirms that heavy carbon buildup has accumulated around the piston rings, causing severe ring distortion. Because the oil rings are stuck and distorted, the engine is bypassing oil directly…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed Aug 30, 2026


Was driving and power steering became difficult to steer and a red steering wheel icon with a exclamation mark came on in the dashboard.

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed Aug 29, 2026


My 2021 Kia Seltos stalled twice while driving and failed to restart, creating a severe safety hazard. The vehicle was previously inspected twice at a Kia dealer for the Piston Ring Recall (SC209). The dealer diagnosis now shows timing failure codes P0014 and P0017 with misfires. The technician notes that the engine oil is entirely 'metalized' and the oil control valves are contaminated with metal debris. Kia is attempting to charge me $7,182 to fix a failure caused by the exact oil starvation…

2023 KIA SELTOS

Filed Aug 23, 2026


Crash

I had two incidents with the Kia listed above involving the feature where the engine stops when at a light, and then turns back on when foot is removed from brake. The first instance happened in a parking lot while I was maneuvering into a spot. The accelerator sensor sent my car forward at a high rate of speed, and I missed a brick wall by inches. The second incident was much the same, maneuvering into a parking spot in my apartment building. Spaces are very tight and there is a lot of…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed Aug 20, 2026


The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning into the driveway, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and there was no oil in the engine, and metal flakes were found in the camshaft. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed Aug 20, 2026


I am requesting a formal review of an engine failure involving my 2021 Kia Seltos LX with the 2.0L engine. At approximately 103,000 miles, the original engine failed after losing nearly all of its oil. There was no obvious external oil leak or oil puddle, suggesting that the engine may have been consuming oil internally. Earlier in my ownership, the vehicle also unexpectedly shut off while operating. I paid out of pocket for a replacement engine and installation. Within approximately one to…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated September 6, 2026. Refreshed nightly.