Kia

Seltos

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · model years 2021 to 2027

Includes Seltos AWD and Seltos FWD as listed by the EPA.

See all 20 Seltos trims All Kia cars

The verdict

Best year: 2027. complaints: 1, below this model's typical 46; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2021. complaints: 375, about 8.2x this model's typical 46; recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Kia Seltos
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2021	3Gas	29	147	$2,150	2	375	1	133	ENGINE 44%, POWER TRAIN 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 375, about 8.2x this model's typical 46 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	3Gas	29	147	$2,150	1	74	1	81	ENGINE 39%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 17%, POWER TRAIN 10%
complaints: 74, about 1.6x this model's typical 46 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 45 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	3Gas	29	147	$2,150	2	46	1	51	ENGINE 22%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 19%
complaints: 46, in line with this model's typical 46 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 NHTSA advised parking the 2023 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 22 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	3Gas	29	147	$2,150	2	46	0	27	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13%, ENGINE 11%
complaints: 46, in line with this model's typical 46 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 1 NHTSA advised parking the 2024 model year outdoors over fire risk Score: 18 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	3Gas	29	147	$2,300	0	13	0	11	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, EXTERIOR LIGHTING 16%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 16%
complaints: 13, below this model's typical 46 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 91 of 100, where higher is better.
2026	2Gas	27	no data	$2,500	0	4	0	no data	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 29%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 29%, AIR BAGS 14%
complaints: 4, below this model's typical 31 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 91 of 100, where higher is better.
2027	3Gas	28	no data	$2,400	0	1	0	no data	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 100%
complaints: 1, below this model's typical 46 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2021: 29 to 2027: 28

Owner complaints2021: 375 to 2027: 1

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Kia Seltos to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.