Last updated: 2026-10-10

2025 Kia Seltos Reliability Report
The 2025 KIA Seltos has good reliability and no recalls, but some owners report a dark instrument cluster at startup and weak low-beam headlights.
Recalls
0
Complaints
12
Complaint Rate
2.1per 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
Good reliability with no recalls and far fewer complaints than 2024, though owners report a blank instrument cluster at startup and dim headlights.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2)
- SUSPENSION (1)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2025 is 1 year after the second facelift refresh.
- Year 5 in the First generation (SP2) (2021–2026).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 1st generation Seltos (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2021: First generation (SP2) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2022: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2024: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2025: This Model Year
2025 is 1 year after the second facelift refresh.
Should You Buy the 2025 Kia Seltos?
Buy it with a couple of checks. This year has good reliability and ranks above average among 2025 SUVs. Within the Seltos line it is among the stronger of six scored years. Federal recall records show no recalls, and the federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars.
The complaints cluster in two places. The biggest is the electrical system. Owners describe an instrument cluster that stays dark at startup, with no speedometer, tachometer, or fuel gauge. Cold weather is one trigger, and some cars need a restart to bring the display back. A few reports add dash lights going out while the headlights dim at night. These problems start early, within the first couple of months or around 1200 miles. Dealers often could not reproduce the fault. The second pattern is weak low beams: a dull, yellowish beam that lights only a short stretch of road.
Compared with the neighbors, 2024 rates worse and has two recalls. The 2026 rates better, though it is newer and has had less time to collect complaints. If you shop a 2025, test it on a cold start and drive it at night. Ask for service records showing any cluster or headlight aim work.
Compared to the 2026 Kia Seltos, which scored 3 points higher. See also the 2024 Kia Seltos for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +No recalls issued
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Instrument cluster stays dark at startup, leaving no speedometer, tachometer,... (3 complaints)
- −EXTERIOR LIGHTING: Low-beam headlights don't light enough of the road at night (2 complaints)
Compare 2025 Kia Seltos With
Common Problem Categories
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2)
Recall Overview
0
recalls on record
No recalls are on record for the 2025 Kia Seltos — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
2.1
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 3.5
Safety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
Buying a used 2025 Kia Seltos? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2025 Kia Seltos, and 0 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
2025 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 2025 Kia Seltos.
Cold-start the car several times and confirm the instrument cluster lights up fully every time.
Drive at night and watch that dash lights stay on and headlights never dim.
Check at night whether the low beams light up roadside signs and reach well ahead of the car.
Switch between low and high beams at night and confirm the high beams clearly light the road better.
Ask for service records showing visits for a dark instrument cluster or headlight aim adjustments.
Ask the seller whether a software update ever started while driving or caused a loss of power.
Look the whole car over closely for cracks the seller can't explain.
2025 Kia Seltos Common Problems by Component
12 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 complaintsThe instrument cluster stays dark at startup, leaving no speedometer, tachometer, or fuel gauge. Cold weather is one trigger, and some cars need a restart before the display comes back. Some reports also describe dash lights going out while the headlights dim at night, which makes driving in the dark dangerous. Problems start early, within the first couple of months or around 1200 miles. Dealers often can't reproduce the fault and return the car unrepaired. One service department called it a known problem that Kia has not yet traced.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 complaintsThese 2 reports describe unrelated problems. In the more serious one, a system update started while the car was moving on a busy road and cut all engine power and electrical power. Losing power in traffic creates a real crash risk, especially at highway speed. The other report describes a crack that appeared while the car sat parked, with no impact mentioned. That report doesn't say which part cracked. Neither problem shows up in more than one report.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaintsLow-beam headlights don't light enough of the road at night. Reports describe a dull, yellowish beam that seems aimed too low, lighting only a short stretch ahead and leaving roadside and exit signs too dark to read. Switching to high beams makes little or no difference for some drivers. Poor night visibility is the main safety risk. A dealer adjusting the headlight aim is the only repair mentioned, and the reports don't show whether it solved the problem.
SUSPENSION (1 complaints)
SUSPENSION
1 complaintThe camber bolts in front struts moved from original location causing uneven tire wear and steering issues. When replacing tires mechanic showed me marks where bolts were originally and where they are now. Mechanic said he has seen multiple of same vehicles with the same issue. Mechanic said most likely poor roads and improperly torque of bolts is causing the issue with this make and model. Caught issue just in time tires were down to threads and wouldn't of lasted much longer. A blowout on a front steer tire would most likely cause an accident or rollover.
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2025 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving in snowy, inclement weather; the entire rear end of the vehicle would become covered in snow. The contact stated snow would become to heavy for the rear windshield wiper which would obstruct his vision while driving in the snow. In addition, the contact stated that the rear tail lights would also become covered in snow which made it difficult for fellow motorist to see his tail lights. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the contact purchase an aftermarket spoiler. The contact was also given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintSafety-relatedWhat component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The braking system appears to have failed. When I attempted to slow down for a stop sign, the brake pedal went straight to the floor and did not respond as expected. I began pumping the brakes out of panic, but they only engaged at the last moment—approximately one foot or less from the vehicle in front of me. The vehicle is currently totaled, but I believe the braking system could still be inspected upon request, pending insurance and tow yard access. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? My safety was significantly at risk. I had no control over stopping the vehicle despite repeated brake attempts. To avoid a direct collision, I was forced to swerve at the last second, hitting the rear edge of the truck ahead and deploying my airbag. Had I not swerved, the impact could have been more severe and potentially endangered the other driver. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Not yet. My insurance is working to determine whether an inspection is possible due to the extent of the damage. I intend to have the braking system inspected to confirm the failure if it can be safely accessed. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The accident has been reported to my insurance, and they are aware that I believe the brakes failed. I’m waiting to hear whether an inspection by their representatives or a third party will be conducted. To my knowledge, the manufacturer has not inspected the vehicle. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No brake-related warning lights or messages appeared before or during the failure. However, the forward collision alert did pop up—but it only appeared a couple of seconds before the impact, far too late to help avoid.
LANE DEPARTURE (1 complaints)
LANE DEPARTURE
1 complainti get my lane assist and almost wrecked bc it defaulted without warning. when i came up on a car to fast. it didn’t slow down and try to automatically brake.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintI just bought 2025 kia seltos EX for 5 days. oil cooler already leaking oil, car running fine no lights on. And another issue is when I moved steering to left or right, even on slow speed make any turn, I heard 'dot dot dot' mental sounds under passage wheel, can't believe it happened in new car.
Best & Worst Kia Seltos Years
Best Kia Seltos Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreKia 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 2025 KIA Seltos reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2025 KIA Seltos?
Does the 2025 KIA Seltos have instrument cluster problems?
Does the 2025 KIA Seltos have any recalls?
Is the 2025 KIA Seltos better than the 2024 or 2026?
Don’t buy a 2025 Kia Seltos without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2025 Kia Seltos
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2025 Kia Seltos does best on recall impact (100/100) 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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