2022 Kia Seltos problems
The 2022 Kia Seltos has 69 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2022 Kia Seltos has 69 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 31 complaints, typically surfacing around 88,000 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Seltos | 346 | 0 |
| 2022 Seltos (this page) | 69 | 0 |
| 2023 Seltos | 44 | 0 |
| 2024 Seltos | 41 | 2 |
| 2025 Seltos | 12 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2022 Kia Seltos? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 31 owner reports · tends to show around 88,000 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 10 owner reports · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 8 owner reports · tends to show around 30,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 100,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2022 Kia Seltos
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My Seltos transmission heats up to such an extent that I have to get out of the car and park it for 45 minutes to have it cooled down. Has only 25k miles in it. Took to the dealership and they say nothing is wrong. Numerous reported issues of the same kind on Kia message boards…
My 2022 KIA Seltos with 52000 miles shut down on me completely in the middle of a road while I was going full speed limit causing the car behind me promptly to change lanes to avoid the collision. It happened 2 more times until I got to my destination l. After I googled what…
I bought a brand new 2022 Kia Seltos a month and a half ago at Monroeville Kia dealership. On December 11, the car started manifesting a transmission temperature overheating problem in the middle of traffic. Once the transmission overheated, the engine lost power. I was driving…
My vehicle was sent to the Kia dealership for service after a front-end collision there was minor body damage however the car wouldn't move so long story short a modular had to be replaced on the transmission there was multiple issues trying to program it I was told there was an…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2022 Kia Seltos reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 Kia Seltos is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2022 Kia Seltos?
On the NHTSA data, the 2022 Kia Seltos does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2022 Kia Seltos?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 31 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 88,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2022 Kia Seltos a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 69 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 88,000 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2022 Kia Seltos?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 31 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 88,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 88,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Seltos has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2022 Kia Seltos?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 69 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.