Last updated: 2026-10-10
2024 Kia Seltos Reliability Report
The 2024 KIA Seltos has good reliability, but cold-weather electrical faults that black out the instrument cluster are its main weak spot.
Recalls
2
Complaints
41
Complaint Rate
6.8per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
A middle-of-the-pack Seltos year with good reliability, dominated by cold-weather electrical faults and two recalls, one a park-outside fire risk.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12)
- POWER TRAIN (4)
- ENGINE (3)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2024 received a second facelift update for the First generation (SP2).
- Changes: Updated front and rear design; New infotainment system.
- Year 4 in this generation (2021–2026).
- 1st generation Seltos (US).
What this means for buyers
Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.
2021: First generation (SP2) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2024: This Model Year (Refresh)
2024 received a second facelift update for the First generation (SP2).
Should You Buy the 2024 Kia Seltos?
Reliability is good for this model year, and it sits close to the average for 2024 SUVs. Among the six scored Seltos years, it falls in the middle. The 2023 rates about the same, with 44 complaints and 2 recalls. The 2025 rates better, with 12 complaints and no recalls. The federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars.
Electrical faults lead the complaints. The instrument cluster goes dark, with no speedometer, fuel gauge, or warning lights. Several owners link it to very cold weather, and it clears once the car warms up, so dealers often cannot reproduce it. Power train and engine reports are fewer but more serious: shaking under acceleration, a shutoff at freeway speed, and one engine that seized at 33,000 miles. Two recalls cover air bags and the power train, and one is a park-outside fire risk recall.
Ask the seller for proof that both recalls were completed, and for any dealer records on electrical or oil-use visits. Test the cluster on a cold start. Compare a 2025 as well, which has had less time to collect complaints.
Compared to the 2025 Kia Seltos, which scored 6 points higher. See also the 2023 Kia Seltos for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low recall count
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Instrument cluster goes completely dark, leaving no speedometer, fuel gauge, or... (12 complaints)
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Reports here are scattered, but glass problems recur (7 complaints)
Compare 2024 Kia Seltos With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2024 Kia Seltos carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
6.8
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 6.9
Safety Incidents
4
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2024 Kia Seltos Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2024 Kia Seltos. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
AIR BAGS
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.
Consequence
An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.
POWER TRAIN
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.
Consequence
An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
Buying a used 2024 Kia Seltos? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2024 Kia Seltos, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2024 Kia Seltos NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 16.9%
Safety Technologies
Kia SeltosRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2024 Kia Seltos.
Start the car cold and confirm the instrument cluster fully lights; ask whether it has ever gone dark in freezing weather.
Press the horn several times and confirm it sounds; ask whether the horn has been replaced.
Check the dipstick and request oil change records for low oil readings or dealer oil consumption tests.
Drive at 40 to 70 mph and feel for shaking, jerky shifts, hesitation, or power loss.
Listen at idle with the hood open for loud valve noise or ticking.
Inspect the windshield for chips and cracks, especially high up near the rearview mirror.
Use lane-keeping assist on a marked road and note any sudden hard pull on the steering wheel.
Let stop-and-go restart the engine several times and watch for screens going black or the engine shutting off.
2024 Kia Seltos Common Problems by Component
41 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12 complaintsThe instrument cluster goes completely dark, leaving no speedometer, fuel gauge, or warning lights. Several reports tie this to very cold weather. The display comes back once the car warms up, so dealers often cannot reproduce it. Other reports describe the car shutting off in traffic or at a light, all lights and driver-assist systems failing while driving, a silent horn that sometimes fails only in freezing weather, and a junction box fault that locked the car in Park. Some failures start very early, one at about 300 miles.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
7 complaintsSafety-relatedReports here are scattered, but glass problems recur. They include a windshield that cracks with no impact and a rear window that shatters in heat. Other filings describe a dark instrument cluster that cleared after a battery disconnect, a silent horn, a burning smell from the first day of ownership, and a coffee-cup break alert that pops up abruptly and cannot be turned off. One crash with one injury involved the empty vehicle rolling backward on level ground for no known reason.
POWER TRAIN
4 complaintsLoss of power, severe shaking under acceleration, and jerky shifts are reported, along with grinding noises and check engine lights. These problems are worst at highway speeds between 40 and 70 mph. Another report describes the car shutting off completely at freeway speed and then restarting, which creates a clear loss-of-control risk. A separate case involves power loss at low speed followed by engine seizure, and the dealer found the engine needed replacement. One filing describes no failure, only a recall repair delayed because the part was unavailable.
ENGINE (3 complaints)
ENGINE
3 complaintsSeizure and heavy oil consumption are the main patterns. One motor seized at 33,000 miles despite regular oil changes. The dealer blamed melted spark plugs, and the warranty claim was denied. Another report describes little or no oil at recent oil changes and a low-oil noise. In that case the dealer called the piston rings within spec and ran an oil consumption test instead of making a repair. A loud valve noise on a brand-new car also appears.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (3 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3 complaintsThe windshield chips and cracks easily. Reports describe many chips from gravel, bugs, and small rocks, plus a crack near the rearview mirror that appeared after normal driving and spread quickly. A crack high on the glass can block the driver's view. The rearview camera also collects raindrops, which blocks the picture when backing up in wet weather. No crashes or injuries are reported in this group.
STRUCTURE (2 complaints)
STRUCTURE
2 complaintsSafety-relatedA wheel rim cracking all the way around while driving is the most serious report here. The tire separated, the car hit a guardrail, and the axle, suspension, and body were damaged after a brief spell of abnormal handling. The other filing concerns black plastic trim on the steering wheel and dashboard that the driver says impairs the view for both front occupants. That complaint was raised at about 118 miles.
STEERING (2 complaints)
STEERING
2 complaintsSafety-relatedLane-keeping assist can yank the steering wheel hard and then suddenly go limp. In one report this happened around confusing lane markings in low light, and the driver crashed with one injury. Another filing describes the car shutting off at a red light and later at about 55 mph on a busy interstate, leaving it stranded in traffic. Both reports involve a sudden loss of control at road speed.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (2 complaints)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2 complaintsSafety-relatedSudden oil loss is the documented failure here. Smoke poured from the engine and oil dumped out at about 10,000 miles, 9 months into ownership, leaving the car stranded on a highway shoulder. This is the one fire-related filing in the group. The owner reports slow answers from the manufacturer and being sent back to dealers. The second complaint gives no details beyond an attached document.
SEATS (1 complaints)
SEATS
1 complaintDriver side seat stays warm all the time I tried removing both seat heater fuses and in plugged the seat warmer plugs but the back seat rest still stay warm
SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)
SEAT BELTS
1 complaintIssue: Defective Seatbelt Sensor - Refused Warranty Repair Vehicle: 2024 Kia Seltos EX Make/Model/Year: Kia Seltos, 2024 Mileage (approx.): 12,033 I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a malfunctioning seatbelt sensor on my 2024 Kia Seltos EX. The front passenger seatbelt alarm goes off repeatedly even when there is no one sitting in the seat, and this behavior is unpredictable and distracting while driving. When I contacted the Kia dealership (Summit Place Kia, Auburn Hills, MI), they refused to inspect or repair the issue without charging me $180 upfront, even though my vehicle is fully under warranty and this clearly relates to a safety system. They claimed they would only waive the fee if they determine it’s covered, which gives them the option to deny responsibility arbitrarily. Kia Consumer Affairs was contacted and gave the same answer: pay up front or we won’t look at it. This raises major concerns about Kia’s warranty practices and possible violations of federal law requiring free repairs of safety-related defects under warranty. I am reporting this to request investigation and to hold the manufacturer accountable for failing to honor federally mandated coverage.
Best & Worst Kia Seltos Years
Best Kia Seltos Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
(Current Model)
2023
2022
Kia Seltos Years to Avoid
Kia Seltos Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59/100 | Mixed |
| 2022 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 79/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Kia Seltos Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2024 KIA Seltos reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2024 KIA Seltos?
Does the 2024 KIA Seltos have instrument cluster problems?
Does the 2024 KIA Seltos have engine problems?
Does the 2024 KIA Seltos have recalls?
Don’t buy a 2024 Kia Seltos without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2024 Kia Seltos
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2024 Kia Seltos does best on how many systems draw complaints (85/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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