The Lemon Index

All cars · Kia Seltos · 2022

2022 Kia Seltos. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index74100 = average car
Complaints56NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold45,711U.S. model year
Per 100K sold123complaints
Complaint rank#1 of 2among the 2 scored Kia Seltos model years (2021–2022); #1 = fewest complaints per car sold, not the YouTube rank

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. Median 50,000, from 7 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Engine45%
Transmission & drivetrain16%
Engine14%
Electrical11%
Automatic emergency braking9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
5642204

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 1

  • 25V099000 Feb 2025 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine / Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

    Defect. 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.

    Remedy. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedKia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness20252025

Manufacturer communications 82

Kia filed 82 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Kia Seltos SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Kia Seltos SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardStandard

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.6L 4-cyl turboAuto (AM-S7)AWD25 / 30 / 27Regular$2,300
2.0L 4-cylAuto (AV-S8)FWD29 / 35 / 31Regular$2,000
2.0L 4-cylAuto (AV-S8)AWD27 / 31 / 29Regular$2,150

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

YouTube repair topics

200 videos about the 2021–2025 Kia Seltos, 24.7M views.

TopicVideosViews
Infotainment, battery & electrical2162K
Oil changes & service184K
Brakes & ABS133K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
202116415597,648Engine
2022745645,711Engine
2023664760,053Engine
2024914759,958Electrical
2025–1356,798Automatic emergency braking

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

Spot a mistake or have an idea? Tell us

How can we make Lemon Index better?