The Lemon Index
202120231st generation
Better than average · most complaints: engine
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
56 owner complaints, first 3 years 27–31 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2022 Kia Niro 1652022 Honda Passport 782022 Nissan Armada
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 25V099000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Kia sent dealers 82 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Front view camera replacement and software upgrade installation - this bulletin”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Kia's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 56 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 30K to 100K miles (48K to 161K km) on the car (7 of all 56 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
My engine failed while i was driving on a busy street almost causing cars to hit me there were no warning signs about the engine, my battery also died as well that is the only sign that appeared.
2022 Kia Seltos owner · NHTSA complaint 11684067
More owner reports
I was stopped in traffic for about 40 minutes and the over heating transmission came on. warnned to pull over and wait to cool off.
NHTSA complaint 11619960
Engine is burning excessive oil have to add a quart every 3000 miles
NHTSA complaint 11572363
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 24.7M views · 2021–2025 Kia Seltos
- Infotainment, battery & electrical162K views
CK - 2021 KIA Seltos - How To Emergency Start When Smart Fob Battery Dies!Cardinal Kia · 87K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service84K views
First Oil Change in the TE VIDEOS Garage | 2022 Kia Seltos (Finally…)TE VIDEOS · 84K views - Brakes & ABS33K views
CK - 2022 Kia Seltos - How To Use Your Electronic Parking Brake w/ Auto Hold!Cardinal Kia · 33K views
Before you buy, watch
Most IRRITATING Things About KIA SELTOS 2023 | PROBLEMS | RJ Rishi Kapoor #kia #seltos #carsPaisa Tera Baap Dega · 89K views
Kia Seltos X-Line 2025: Should you buy one? | #MotorIncViewMotorInc · 43K views
2023 Kia Seltos Facelift Exterior & Interior WalkaroundThe Mount · 2.7M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2022 is the same generation.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 82 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Front view camera replacement and software upgrade installation - this bulletin
- AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding…
- IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Engine · recall issued 2025
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedKia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Seltos SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Seltos SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,950–$2,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Kia Seltos year. 2022 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Kia Seltos years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2022 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/kia-seltos/?y=2022" title="Kia Seltos reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/kia-seltos/2022/">Lemon Index</a> (2022 Kia Seltos reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2022 Kia Seltos reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 74; 100 is average, lower is better). 2022 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.4× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2022 Kia Seltos problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (45%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2022 Kia Seltos have?
1 safety recall (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Kia Seltos get?
27 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2022 Kia Seltos safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2022 Kia Seltos have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2022 Kia Seltos cost in fuel a year?
About $1,950 to $2,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2022 Kia Seltos have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Kia Seltos year than the 2022?
Not nearby: the 2022 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Kia Seltos years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works