The Lemon Index
20241st generation
Too new: partial score · still collecting complaintsThe 2025 Kia Seltos hasn't finished its 3-year window yet. This counts every owner complaint filed so far (through October 2026) and compares it with other 2025 cars, which have had the same time on the road. It can change as more owners file.
Not enough data. Only 13 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–31 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Kia sent dealers 11 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “IBU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides information to upgrade”?
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 13 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 →
In owners' words
i get my lane assist and almost wrecked bc it defaulted without warning. when i came up on a car to fast. it didn’t slow down and try to automatically brake.
2025 Kia Seltos owner · NHTSA complaint 11668451
More owner reports
KiA started a system update while I was driving on a busy road which caused complete loss of engine power and all electrical. This is nuts. What if you’re on the highway driving 70 mph and this happens?
NHTSA complaint 11751360
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 2025 is the same generation.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 11 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- IBU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides information to upgrade
- This bulletin has been revised to include additional
- AWD/4WD COUPLING ACTUATOR REPLACEMENT (CA2503) - This bulletin provides
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Seltos SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia Seltos SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,950–$2,400 (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. 2025 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 2025 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/kia-seltos/?y=2025" 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/2025/">Lemon Index</a> (2025 Kia Seltos reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2025 Kia Seltos reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 13 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2025 Kia Seltos problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (31%), lights (23%) and electrical (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Seltos have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2025 Kia Seltos get?
25 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2025 Kia Seltos safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 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 2025 Kia Seltos have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2025 Kia Seltos cost in fuel a year?
About $1,950 to $2,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2025 Kia Seltos have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Kia Seltos year is better than the 2025?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
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