2022 Kia SELTOS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
72 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2022 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 37 of 72 complaints (51.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 13 | 18.1% |
| Braking behavior | 7 | 9.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 4.2% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 37 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
Engine: 37; Unknown Or Other: 17; Power Train: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 9; Electrical System: 7; Air Bags: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 63 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 33 |
| 2026 | 16 |
2021: 3; 2022: 7; 2023: 6; 2024: 7; 2025: 33; 2026: 16
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11470238 · 2022-06-21 (June 21, 2022)
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled without warning. Upon restart of the vehicle, the vehicle would enter into limp mode as the vehicle would fail to accelerate above 40 MPH with the accelerator pedal depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not yet diagnosed. The contact made multiple attempts to reach the manufacturer; however, each attempt was unsuccessful. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage wa…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11470238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11503833 · 2023-01-26 (January 26, 2023)
Summary: Failure of Vision system causes unpredictable computer behavior, and such failure may not be known by vehicle operator. 3 Separate Incidents on same car . Occurance 1, 10/22: Brakes locked (with smoke) and stalled in heavy traffic; fortunately traveling only 5MPH so no accident. Restart allowed car to run, although rough. NOTE: Front collision Avoidance turned OFF but computer reset system anyway on camera failure. Kia towed to nearest dealer, admitting that it is NOT SAFE to drive. Once computer went blind, the front vis…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11503833 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475957 · 2022-07-26 (July 26, 2022)
I purchased the vehicle for my daughter. Two times now she has had the power (to the steering, brakes...) and the engine fully shut off when she stopped at a traffic light. A message popped up on her screen that said "battery discharge warning." She was not able to get the car to restart for 20 min. A dangerous situation at a busy intersection. The first time she took the car into the dealer and they could not find any problems. The second time the dealer didn't ever call her back, so I though I would share the problem with the NHTSA. The probl…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475957 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478006 · 2022-08-07 (August 7, 2022)
Car is giving codes C162604/ C164202 stating there is an issue with the electric stability control as well as lane keeping assistance. Emergency break lines came on (abs) as well. There was no incidents before this happened. This was a previous issue with the 2021 Kia Seltos that may have not been addressed properly while making the 2022. I am unsure if I am able to drive the vehicle safely to the dealership due to the stability control issue.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11478006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11443949 · 2021-12-15 (December 15, 2021)
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 in busy traffic and had to pull the car over to allow the engine to cool down. The police came over and made me start driving my car again, indicating that I could not pull over in such busy traffic. This is a major risk to my safety and can potentially cause a car accid…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11443949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11535258 · 2023-07-29 (July 29, 2023)
On June 10, 2023 I was driving and in stop and go traffic. My 2022 Kia Seltos transmission over heated. I pulled over, let it cool, and cautiously drove home. I made an appointment with the dealership I purchased the car from and requested that they inspect the transmission and explained what happened. This is when I was informed that my vehicle had a "design flaw" in the dual clutch system and that if I did not put my vehicle in park or neutral while on stop and go traffic, my vehicle would overheat. I was given the all clear, but a month late…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11535258 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11684067 · 2025-08-30 (August 30, 2025)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11684067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11485347 · 2022-09-19 (September 19, 2022)
My engine is malfunctioning. My safety has been at risk when I am driving on the highway 50 miles per hour and it just shut off, when turning the steering wheel to make a turn, the car will shut off and it has shut off while waiting at a red light. However, It will start back up after I switch the gauge into park and restart the car. I have taken my vehicle in to the Kia dealership, and they have taken pictures of the engine, to have it evaluated by the KIA headquarters. I am currently waiting for approval to change the engine to a new one.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11485347 at NHTSA ↗