Kia Seltos Best and Worst Years (2021–2025)
Avoid the 2021 and 2024 Kia Seltos, which rank worst with complaint index scores of 100 and 75. The 2021 had 369 complaints dominated by engine issues (74% share), while 2024 saw electrical problems (36%) surface at very low mileage. The 2025 model is best with a complaint index of 0.
- Model years
- 5
- 2021–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 545
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- Crashes reported
- 28
- Fires reported
- 10
- Top problem area
- Engine
Seltos Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Kia Seltos problems and recalls by year
Seltos years to avoid: what went wrong
2021 Kia Seltos Index 100 · 369 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2021 Seltos leads all years with 369 complaints and the highest complaint index of 100. Engine problems make up 74% of its issues, with a median failure mileage of 54,500 miles; owners reported banging noises, smoke, and in some cases engine fires. Transmission and powertrain complaints (18% share) surfaced much earlier, around 6,700 miles. Two recalls cover piston oil rings that were improperly heat-treated or manufactured, risking engine damage. Electrical system complaints (13% share) appeared near 8,261 miles. Airbag non-deployment during crashes was also reported by some owners.
2021 engine problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →2021 electrical system problems →
2024 Kia Seltos Index 75 · 45 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2024 Seltos ranks second-worst with a complaint index of 75 despite having only 45 total complaints. Electrical system issues lead at 36% share, with a median failure mileage of just 5,650 miles, and engine complaints (29% share) showed a median mileage of only 300 miles, indicating very early failures. Two recalls apply: one for side curtain airbags that may deploy unexpectedly, and one for an Idle Stop & Go oil pump controller with damaged electrical components serious enough that owners were told to park outside away from structures until repaired.
Most common Kia Seltos problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine351 (64%)
- Other93 (17%)
- Electrical System92 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain88 (16%)
- Fuel System32 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras22 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers15 (3%)
- Brakes14 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (2%)
- Airbags11 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Kia Seltos should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2021 and 2024 Kia Seltos are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 75, the two highest of all model years covered.
- What is the best year for the Kia Seltos?
- The 2025 Kia Seltos is the best-ranked year, with a complaint index of 0 and only 13 total complaints reported to NHTSA.
- Is the 2021 Kia Seltos reliable?
- The 2021 Seltos has the highest complaint volume of any Seltos year, 369 complaints, with engine problems making up 74% of them and a median failure mileage of 54,500 miles. It also has two recalls tied to piston oil ring defects.
- Does the Kia Seltos have engine problems?
- Engine issues are the top problem area across all Seltos years, accounting for 351 complaints, or 64% of the total 545 complaints on file with NHTSA.
- Why is the 2024 Kia Seltos flagged despite having few complaints?
- The 2024 Seltos has only 45 complaints but a high complaint index of 75 because electrical and engine failures occurred at very low mileage, in some cases around 300 to 5,650 miles, and it carries two recalls, including a park-outside advisory.