NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Seltos

Data refreshed May 30, 2026

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

Complaints

482

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

15

Crashes

23

Fires

9

Top reported issues — Kia Seltos

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

204

Engine behavior

162

Fluid issue

131

Reporting mechanism

124

Performance issue

99

Noise

81

Condition issue

73

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

45

Thermal issue

38

Vibration/harshness

38

Driver assistance issue

33

Powering on/off behavior

28

Braking behavior

27

Safety restraint issue

21

Smell

16

Electrical issue

14

Infotainment behavior

14

Starting behavior

14

Safety restraint behavior

10

Access/entry issue

7

Lighting behavior

6

Recent change

6

Ride/handling behavior

6

Steering behavior

6

HVAC behavior

5

Communication/network issue

1

Wiper/washer behavior

1

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2026 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 28, 2026


2 injured
Crash

The contact owns a 2026 Kia Seltos. While driving across an intersection, another vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with the contact's vehicle. The impact occurred on the driver-side door, causing extensive damage to the vehicle. No property damage reported. The vehicle came to a complete stop after being struck. The contact stated no air bags were deployed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but was than brought to the residence. No warning lights were illuminated before the crash. A…

2022 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 27, 2026


Fire

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 completely aligned…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 25, 2026


While in the middle of driving on the highway, the vehicle has powered off then back on. The vehicle “slips” when revving up.

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 20, 2026


The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed an unusual knocking sound and the engine seized. In addition, several warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the oil was three quarts low. The contact stated that the vehicle was scheduled for a service appointment for an oil change the following week. The…

2022 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 15, 2026


Crash

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 to the jock. I…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 12, 2026


This vehicle burns oil excessively. From everything I've seen says this should be under recall but the Kia dealership tells me it's not because it's over 60,000 miles and I'm the second owner. They offered to do a oil consumption test for $900. I've already read complaints about this engine locking up and people being seriously injured. I have to put oil in it every thousand miles or so. For a newer vehicle this is unacceptable and Kia should be taking care of this. This is absolutely going to…

2024 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 6, 2026


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…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 5, 2026


The engine catastrophically failed on an 45 mph road. There was no warning leading up to this incident at any time previously. The engine lost all power and the car shut off on this road. My husband was able to pull it over and tow it into a mechanic. The mechanic said the oil was disappearing somewhere without any residue, and without triggering any warning light of any kind. In essence the oil is not low enough to trigger the light but it is also escaping somewhere. The mechanic said it…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 4, 2026


Engine seized and was smoking. No warning lights on dash until engine siezed and then it was ESC light that came on. Engine started smoking when seized. Checked oil and there was none however we had just had the vehicle in for a state safety inspection 2 weeks prior to this happening. Have had regular oil changes thru dealership and car was scheduled for oil change prior to this incident happening. This year and model of car already has a recall for piston rings overheating and burning oil…

2021 KIA SELTOS

Filed May 1, 2026


My car stalls in the middle of traffic. I took the vechile for diagnostics with a mechanic and was informed my piston rings were bad. Currently a recall in progress. I take my car in for recall of faulty piston oil rings that can cause engine damage, stalling, or fire. The dealers inspect and stated it was not the right sound. I take it back to mechanic and was informed I should contact you all Cause they are refusing to do the right diagnostic.

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

Updated May 30, 2026. Refreshed nightly.