Most common 2025 Kia Seltos problems
Share of the 13 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Seltos complaints by model year
Best Seltos years: 2023, 2025. Years to avoid: 2024. Compare all years →
What 2025 Kia Seltos owners say
Lights
While driving at night with the Headlights on Low Beam the light that is projected onto the road is a dull yellowish color, not a bright white color. When the High Beam Lights are turned on there is no difference of the light being projected onto the road. While driving from [redacted] to [redacted] on [redacted] I noticed that I was unable to see or read the Exit Signs for any of the Exit Off Ramps or even the Mileage Signs the show the mileage to the next Towns. When I switched from Low Beam to High Beam it made no difference on Illuminating the Road Signs. When I returned to my home I took the car into the Kia Dealer with the complaint that the Headlights were not working properly. They adjusted the Headlights up higher, so now the Low Beam did Illuminate the Road Signs, but they seemed to High and still had the yellowish color. …
Car delivered [redacted] since then we have had 3 incidents of the dash control lights going out along with the head lights going dim making it very dangerous to drive in the dark. Car had about 1200 miles on it when it started and it had 1823 miles on it when they had a appointment for me to get the car in. We are going on a 3 week trip south at the end of march and based on my experience with the Saltos, the dash lights go out and the head lights either go out or go very dim. How do I know, I had a 2023 Seltos that had the same problem, answer from Ganley Kia, could not duplicate, another Kia I owned when I lived in Georgia, Dash llights and head lights went out in the mountains in the dark. Dealer replaced this car
Electrical system
Car delivered [redacted] since then we have had 3 incidents of the dash control lights going out along with the head lights going dim making it very dangerous to drive in the dark. Car had about 1200 miles on it when it started and it had 1823 miles on it when they had a appointment for me to get the car in. We are going on a 3 week trip south at the end of march and based on my experience with the Saltos, the dash lights go out and the head lights either go out or go very dim. How do I know, I had a 2023 Seltos that had the same problem, answer from Ganley Kia, could not duplicate, another Kia I owned when I lived in Georgia, Dash llights and head lights went out in the mountains in the dark. Dealer replaced this car
Instrument cluster does not turn on upon ignition, when in cold weather. this has been a repeating incident, first of which started only 2 months after the purchase. even after 7 separate incidents, and handful dealer visits, car was deemed "okay" because they could not replicate the issue. employees at the dealership have taken pictures and videos but have yet to find a solution to fix this issue, and they further "ask" that if the incident happens again, drive as is so they can see the issue. this is a serious safety issue since nothing is visible including speedometer, rev meter and gas tank indicator, etc. the most recent incident will be dated on the report, but i will attache multiple pictures from different dates as i can recall and recollect.
Driver assistance
What 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. …
KiA started a system update while I was driving on a busy road which caused complete loss of engine power and all electrical. This is nuts. What if you're on the highway driving 70 mph and this happens?
2025 Kia Seltos engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | FWD | 28 / 34 / 31 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | CVT | AWD | 27 / 31 / 29 |
| 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 24 / 27 / 25 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2025 Kia Seltos a good car?
Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2025 Seltos rates better than average: 45% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Seltos at the same age. It is one of the best Seltos years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2025 Kia Seltos?
The lights — 3 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (3) and driver assistance (3).
How many recalls does the 2025 Kia Seltos have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2025 Kia Seltos. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Seltos?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023 and 2025. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024. See the full Kia Seltos years comparison.
At what mileage do 2025 Kia Seltos problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 8,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.