The Kia Seltos spans 2021–2026 with 12 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2021, 2022, 2023 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2026, 2025, 2024. It delivers up to 31 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Kia Seltos is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2021 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Kia Seltos VIN — every digit explained
Every Kia Seltos carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Kia and the country it was built in (real Kia codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Seltos.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA5NP · 5XX · 5XY · U5Y
- South KoreaKNA · KND · KNJ
- Mexico3KM · 3KP
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Seltos, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Kia Seltos have?
The Kia Seltos has 12 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2021–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2024 Kia Seltos recalls 2
Air Bags
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
Risk. An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/lubricant:pump
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Risk. An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
2023 Kia Seltos recalls 2
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Risk. Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:fluid/lubricant:pump
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
Risk. An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
2022 Kia Seltos recalls 1
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Risk. Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
2021 Kia Seltos recalls 2
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:hard Parts Internal/mechanical
What's wrong. Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Risk. Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
Engine
What's wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
Risk. A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
Best and worst years for the Kia Seltos
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 6 tracked years, the worst years are 2021, 2022, 2023 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2026, 2025, 2024.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Seltos | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2022 Seltos | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2023 Seltos | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2024 Seltos | Electrical System | Best | |
| 2025 Seltos | Exterior Lighting | Best | |
| 2026 Seltos | Service Brakes | Best |
What are the most common Kia Seltos problems?
The most-reported Kia Seltos problems are Seats (1 reports), Engine (261 reports) and Wheels (5 reports) — out of 506 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Kia Seltos specifications & dimensions
The 2021–2023 Kia Seltos measures 172″ long on a 104″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,186 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Kia Seltos window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2023 | 172″ | 71″ | 64″ | 104″ | 3,186 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Kia Seltos cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Seltos holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Kia Seltos tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Kia Seltos get?
The Kia Seltos returns up to 31 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,000/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2027 Kia Seltos (2L 4-cyl) gets 30 mpg combined and costs about $2,100/yr to fuel, emitting 298 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10) — that's about $500 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Seltos | 28 | 33 | $2,100 | 298 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2026 Seltos | 27 | 31 | $2,150 | 309 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 Seltos | 28 | 34 | $2,000 | 288 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 Seltos | 28 | 34 | $2,000 | 288 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2023 Seltos | 29 | 35 | $2,000 | 283 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 Seltos | 29 | 35 | $2,000 | 283 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2021 Seltos | 29 | 34 | $2,000 | 285 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Seltos stacks up against the most fuel-efficient SUVs, or calculate this Seltos's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Kia Seltos have? Power & range
The Kia Seltos is offered with 1 powertrain — 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Kia Seltos tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Kia Seltos is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Seltos's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Kia Seltos cost to own?
A used Kia Seltos sells for a median of about $24,690 for a 2026 — most listed between $23,798 and $25,579, from 76 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Seltos | $23,798–$25,579 | 22 | |
| 2024 Seltos | $17,996–$24,898 | 9 | |
| 2023 Seltos | $15,950–$23,270 | 12 | |
| 2022 Seltos | $16,995–$21,006 | 7 | |
| 2021 Seltos | $12,988–$18,995 | 26 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Seltos is worth today, or browse used-market prices for SUVs.
A Kia Seltos depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Seltos loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $10,000 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Seltos ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Kia Seltos to insure?
A Kia Seltos costs about $1,474 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 3% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (103, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Seltos's HLDI loss index. See Kia insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Kia Seltos safe?
The Kia Seltos earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Seltos | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2025 Seltos | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2024 Seltos | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2023 Seltos | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2022 Seltos | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2021 Seltos | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars and SUVs.
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How many miles does a Kia Seltos last?
A well-maintained Kia Seltos typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Kia Seltos’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Seltos’s VIN free →All Kia Seltos model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Kia Seltos — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Seltos | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2025 Seltos | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2024 Seltos | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2023 Seltos | 2 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2022 Seltos | 2 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2021 Seltos | 2 recalls | ★★★★☆ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Seltos?
By owner-complaint volume, 2021, 2022, 2023 drew the most reports. 2026, 2025, 2024 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Seltos have?
12 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2021–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Kia recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Seltos get?
Up to 31 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Seltos safe?
The Seltos earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Seltos last?
A well-maintained Seltos typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Seltos reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Seltos is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Kia Seltos warranty?
New Kia models carry a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Kia dealer.
Where is the Kia Seltos made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Seltos's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Kia may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Seltos have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.