2022 KIA Seltos

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
ℹ️Average Safety Profile

This 2022 model shows average reliability, primarily driven by 1 recall affecting the engine and engine cooling system.

Key Factor:engine and engine cooling recalls

📋Why This Matters

Powertrain issues affect both daily reliability and long-term ownership costs. Unexpected stalling creates inconvenience at best and safety hazards at worst.

Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.

Focus Area:powertrain reliability
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Expert Analysis

  • 📈
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Warning
  • ⚖️
    Vs Brand: Better than avg (1.9)
    📝
    Summary:

Safety & Reliability Score

89/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-8
Complaint Impact-2.7
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2022 KIA Seltos

Model Year2022
MakeKIA
ModelSeltos
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Dec21
ISSUEFirst Report
Jan22
NEWProduction
Jan22
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

17 complaints (31% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 54 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
13(24%)
🟡Medium
15(28%)
🟢Low
26(48%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 0-20k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 46,600 miles.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 18 of 54 complaints (33% coverage)
0-20k
7 reports (39%)
20k-40k
2 reports (11%)
40k-60k
2 reports (11%)
60k-80k
4 reports (22%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
3 reports (17%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Official Safety Recalls (1)

Campaign: 25V099000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

54 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2022 Seltos.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning31%
Acceleration Issues17%
Burn15%
Stall15%
Accident15%
Crash/Accident11%
Noise11%
Smoke11%
Fire9%
Leak7%
Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

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 issue with my computer they had to reach out to Kia manufacturer for help. I received my car back and while it was there for service I had them do an oil change I hadn't drove 300 to 400 miles and all of my oil was gone from my car when I called Kia they had me bring it back in couldn't find anything wrong with it and said they want to do a oil consumption after I had already documented oil that I had to put into the car three times in the week up until my appointment because every time I check the car it was empty of oil. Now Kia is telling me to drive a thousand miles on it so they can do an oil consumption however my check engine lights on my oil lights on and it is clearly burning extremely high amount of oil. So in caution of not blowing my engine I added oil to my car yesterday one quart and now my oil light is back on after maybe 20 miles of driving. Haven't gotten to 400 mi yet total out of the thousand Kia wants me to drive and my car has stalled at three red lights and cause me to miss out on two job opportunities. My car is a 2022 and has 62,000 miles on it. Everything I research shows there's piston recalls on the engines that are causing these exact problems that my car is having except there hasn't been a recall put into place for my specific year and make. The 2021 and the 2023 Seltos are listed, but my VIN number shows no recalls. The car has a horrible smell now it constantly smells like burning rubber or oil rather, exhaust stinks now. Car is not performing as you would expect a car would with that low of mileage in less than 3 years of ownership. And related to my accident the only issue was the modular on the transmission according to the mechanics everything else was ok

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

My 2022 Kia Seltos repeatedly stalls and shuts off while driving, including in traffic and at stop signs. The vehicle has also had multiple electrical failures and an emergency brake malfunction. A few weeks ago, October 26th, while going through a Starbucks drive-through, My car completely stopped. I got stuck in the Starbucks line and multiple people had to help me push my car out of the drive through. I can get the name of the lady at the Starbucks and maybe her co-workers to collaborate if need be plus I have text messages with my family because I didn't know what to do. The vehicle has now been at Covina Kia for three weeks, and the dealership has refused to provide a diagnosis, repair timeline, or loaner vehicle. I called today to get an update and was told to expect a response or diagnostics in approximately 10 days. They won't even give me a rental car and I'm stranded without transportation. This is a serious safety hazard that could cause a crash. I am requesting NHTSA investigation and documentation of this defect.”

Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

This vehicle passed the piston oil ring recall in September 2025, by November 2025 the vehicle was burning through a quart of oil a week. Two different dealerships advised that this wouldn't be covered under the recall, stating the recall was for engine noise. The recall states that the issue in question can cause increased oil consumption that will then lead to noise. The vehicle was 5,000 miles out of warrenty

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
ENGINE

[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] 2022 Kia Seltos [XXX] 54,000 mileage I am reporting two serious safety defects with my 2022 Kia Seltos: Engine Shut Off / “Push Engine to Start” Warning: Date(s) of occurrence:[XXX] Location: Throughout Portland, OR Description: While slowing down and stopping at intersections, the vehicle starts beeping very fast, then displays the “Push Engine to Start” warning, and then shuts off completely, creating a high risk of collision. Cruise Control Unintended Acceleration: Date(s) of occurrence: [XXX] Location: Throughout Charleston, SC and Charlotte, NC Description: While cruise control was engaged, the vehicle accelerated without any driver input. This happens infrequently. On two occasions, I was on straight open roads and watched to see how fast the speed would increase - 80 mph and 100 mph. I used the brakes to stop the increase in speed. This is a severe safety hazard. The transmission stutters at low speeds, causing the car to lurch: Ongoing issue - a few times a month since purchasing the car. Previous Claims / Service History: I have previously filed a warranty claim for other issues with this vehicle. The current issues have been reported to the dealership but have not yet been repaired or reproduced. Additional Information: No video evidence is available, as the events are intermittent and stop before a camera can capture them. I am concerned for my safety, the safety of passengers, and the safety of other drivers. Action Requested: I request that NHTSA review this complaint for potential safety investigation and recall consideration. [XXX] 11/17/2025 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While at red lights, my car shuts off. It happened within the first year I had my car but Scott Kia in Springfield, PA 19064 said "we can't duplicate the problem" and did nothing. Now this has happened 3 times within 3 weeks. This morning, it took several minutes and many tries before it restarted; I had to put it in park and hit the start button many times before the engine restarted. A few times, the dashboard would light up, but then go off and engine didn't engage. There have not been any warning lights. I am taking it to my mechanic, then Kia, again. Prior to this, it would turn off in drive, then reverse. I did report this to Kia (not Springfield, the main Kia) but nothing was done.

Safety Systems🔶 Medium
AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 55 MPH, they crashed into a buck. The hood came ajar and shattered the front windshield. The front end was smashed, and the radiator was leaking. The airbags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The contact sustained injuries to her neck with spasms and reversed neck and back pain; medical attention was provided. The collision alert was illuminated. The collision message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The towing company referred her to the NHTSA hotline. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
SUSPENSION,WHEELS

When the car goes 75-80mph on the highway, there is a metallic "ticking" noise coming from the front two sides of the car, around the area where the tires are. KIA is refusing to do anything about it because they claim they cannot drive the car that fast due to speed limits. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? --unknown How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It is unknown what is causing the issue since KIA is refusing to look further into the issue. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - There is audio and video recording of the noise. However, the dealer is refusing to reproduce the issue. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No

Other⚠️ High
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Engine failure while driving. Car not accelerating. Check engine light came on. Pulled over, checked oil, found to be very low without evidence of leak. Oil should’ve not been that low, seemed to be burning up. Car towed to nearest auto shop for inspection/repair.

Engine/Powertrain⚠️ High
ENGINE

My car was part of the piston ring recall. It burns over half a quart of oil per 1,000 miles. When I took the car in for the recall inspection, it was deemed that it needed a new engine. They then called me and told me that they “revised” the test, and it no longer would be getting a new engine. The car is still burning oil and makes a ticking sound. The recall issue was not resolved, and my car still has the symptoms relating to the piston rings being faulty. Kia did not fulfill their duty of the recall.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2022 KIA Seltos?

Yes, the 2022 KIA Seltos has 1 recorded recall from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL.

Is the 2022 KIA Seltos safe to drive?

The 2022 KIA Seltos has 1 recall. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.

Where can I check if my 2022 KIA Seltos has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local KIA dealer.

📊Year-over-Year Context

➡️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2022 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Engine and engine cooling

Issue: presents fire risk under certain conditions

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm engine and engine cooling recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

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If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all engine and engine cooling recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:25V099000
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your KIA dealer to verify recall completion status.

🧭What This Means for You

This information is especially relevant for drivers who rely on stop-and-go traffic or frequently use auto start-stop systems.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 1 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your KIA dealer.
  • If any recalls are open, schedule service immediately—recall repairs are always free.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request documentation proving all recalls were addressed before finalizing purchase.
  • Factor potential recall-related service time into your ownership cost estimates.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.