SUV · Gas
Kia Seltos 2021-2026
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- Price
- $21,990–$30,300
- MPG
- 31
- Strength: Strong running costs
- Strength: Strong value retention
How it scores for you10 scores
A budget-smart small crossover that maximizes space, tech, and AWD availability per dollar while staying firmly economy-grade to drive.
Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 3 of its 4 recalls were serious. About 6% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted +2 points for its wider reputation.
Not yet crash-tested by NHTSA, so this is scored as middle-of-the-road.
About $2,100 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 70% of cars we track.
26.6 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 58% of other SUVs we track.
Boxy body yields adult-usable rear seat and headroom rare among subcompact crossovers, but it is still a small vehicle overall.
SX's 175-hp 1.6T gives decent punch, but light steering and soft crossover tuning aim at commuting, not fun.
Generous for the price: big touchscreen and phone mirroring even on lower trims; a value-tech standout in the subcompact class.
Ride is composed and seats decent for the class, though road noise and firmness reflect its budget roots.
SUVs and hybrids usually hold their value better than average.
No published tow rating; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls7 recalls
Not yet rated by NHTSA.
7 recalls · 5 common complaint areas across 2021–2024
- Engine — 154 complaints (2021)
- Recall — Powertrain: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: pump (2024)
- Powertrain — 65 complaints (2021)
2026
No recorded issues.
2025
No recorded issues.
2024
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: pump23V531000
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.
- RecallAirbags23V830000
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.
- Complaint clusterElectrical13 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2024 Kia Seltos (leased, approximately 19,800 miles) received an over-the-air (OTA) software update on [07/03/2026]. The vehicle's screen prompted me to approve the update and stated it would complete with the ignition off. I approved it and exited the vehicle as instructed by Kia's on-screen dir
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other7 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Came out of work to a cracked windshield. There was no crack in my windshield prior to this. The crack spans across half of the windshield requiring a full replacement which is going to come completely out of pocket for me because I had a $1000 deductible. Had I known this was such a common issue wi
- Complaint clusterPowertrain6 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Exhaust starting putting out white smoke and loss of power on accelerator while speeding up. Normally when merging onto highway or taking off after stop. Assumed head gasket with coolant in oil. Took to get oil change, milky/sludgy oil to back up that thought. No coolant in reservoir. Took to dealer
2023
- RecallPowertrain: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: pump23V531000
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.
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical25V099000
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.
- Complaint clusterElectrical11 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
To the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), I am writing to formally submit a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Kia Seltos, which exhibits a recurring, dangerous defect involving the engine stalling without warning. This defect results in a total loss of power while the vehicle i
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other9 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 times in the last 24 hours my vehicle has completely stopped while in motion. Once on the highway and twice in residential areas. There was no precursor problem to let me know this would happen, no strange noises and no check engine light. It just fails and the engine stops while I’m driving. It’s
- Complaint clusterEngine8 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Car was taken In for service and tech noted was low on oil and looked as if was burning oil and advised of a recall. My VIN for my 2023 didn’t come back as effected but clearly is having same issue as the recall on the others with same year and make.
2022
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical25V099000
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.
- Complaint clusterEngine24 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
My 2022 Kia seltos with 47669 miles does while while driving. It DID NOT make a noise or shake. The engine light and oils light come on and the car dies. I have maintained regular oil changes and maintenance on the vehicle since the time of purchase.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other12 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I pulled into the drive and put the car in park I left it running for the air conditioner.I got out opened back door to adjust the babies car seat shut the door and went into the house. My in-law told me my car was moving so I ran outside and the car had run into the garage door.The drive has a upwa
- Complaint clusterPowertrain10 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Certified shop said my timing chain was going as well as other associated components. My car is always low on oil even when mileage has not been met. Found my car is part of piston ring recall. Dealership stated my car is not affected however the issues the shop found most certainly confirm my is
- Complaint clusterEngine and engine cooling9 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated and stalled while driving at various speeds with the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was provided information associated
- Complaint clusterElectrical8 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2022 Kia Seltos is equipped with Idle Stop & Go (ISG), which shuts the engine off when stopped and restarts it when the driver releases the brake/presses the accelerator. ISG stopped functioning about a year ago (the engine stayed running at stops). I didn't think anything of it because the ISG h
2021
- RecallEngine21V259000
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.
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical25V099000
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.
- Complaint clusterEngine154 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
Severe Safety Hazard, Corporate Negligence, and Delayed Repair: * After picking the vehicle up following the secondary service, a heavy, toxic smell of raw gasoline began pouring directly through the cabin’s HVAC vents while driving. * I immediately called the dealership. A representative consulted
- Complaint clusterPowertrain65 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
My check engine light went on and the vehicle was driving sluggish, was louder at higher rpms and had a rough idle. The light went on around Aug 1st, 2026 and that's when I noticed the strange driving. Brought it to my mechanic that week and they got the following codes: p0017, p0014 and p0013. My m
- Complaint clusterEngine and engine cooling42 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and turning into the driveway, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and there was no oil in the engine, and metal flakes were found i
- Complaint clusterElectrical38 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2021 Kia Seltos is experiencing engine sputtering/hesitation at approximately 3,000 RPM and the low oil pressure warning light illuminates while the vehicle is stopped or idling. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Kia dealership for diagnosis. The dealership opened a Kia Techline case an
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other31 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The fuel pump that is located within the fuel tank and under my seat somehow got a crack on a less than 5 year old car. I've had several people and mechanics tell me that that is rare with a car of that age. I am a safe and careful driver and purchased the car used directly from a Kia dealership. I
Cost to own$20,000 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$21,990–$30,300
Estimated used price, by model year
$2,100/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
29
Highway MPG
34
Combined MPG
31
Horsepower
175 hp
Doors
4
Cargo volume
26.6 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
62.8 cu ft
Limited data — dimensions unavailable.
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