2024 Kia Seltos Safety Report
2024 KIA SELTOS Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2024 Kia Seltos
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2024 Kia Seltos. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (38) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 4 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2026 | Compare against the 2026 Kia Seltos with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2021 | Check the 2021 Kia Seltos before buying across this generation. |
Kia Seltos Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Seltos years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Kia Seltos | 8 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Kia Seltos | 41 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2026 Kia Seltos | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Kia Seltos | 61 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Kia Seltos | 306 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2024 Kia Seltos Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2024 Kia Seltos, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyElectrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Kia onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyVisibility/Wiper
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Kia onlyElectrical System,Exterior Lighting
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Exterior Lighting issues Kia onlyPower Train
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2024 Kia Seltos
Reliability Score
The 2024 Kia Seltos receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2024 Kia Seltos
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2024 Kia Seltos
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2024 Kia Seltos:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Dashboard blackouts and horn failures have been reported, particularly in cold weather. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Automatic transmission fluid/pump issues have caused sudden shutdowns and loss of propulsion. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering System Lane assist system malfunctions have been reported, potentially leading to lane departure. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility/Wiper Windshield cracks have been reported, affecting driver visibility. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2024 Kia Seltos:
Issues with the electrical system, including dashboard blackouts and horn failures.
Problems with the automatic transmission fluid/pump leading to sudden shutdowns.
Lane assist system malfunctions have been reported.
Windshield cracks have been reported, affecting visibility.
Recall Details for the 2024 Kia Seltos
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2024 Kia Seltos by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2024 Kia Seltos
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2024 Kia Seltos with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
Came out of work to a cracked windshield. There was no crack in my windshield prior to this. The crack spans across half of the windshield requiring a full replacement which is going to come completely out of pocket for me because I had a $1000 deductible. Had I known this was such a common issue with this year make and model, I would’ve opted for the $0 glass deductible. As many others have repor...
While driving in traffic, my 2024 Kia Seltos suddenly shut down without warning again. I lost propulsion while the vehicle was in motion with passengers inside, creating an immediate safety hazard. The issue appears electrical or powertrain-related. This occurred during normal operation and could result in a serious crash. My vehicle shutting down in active traffic with passengers is unaccepta...
The dashboard goes completely black and will not work when it is really cold outside. This is a dangerous problem because I cannot see my speedometer, how much gas I have in my car, or the engine temperature. I have been to the Kia dealership 3 or 4 times for this problem and have them report it to Kia. They always tell me that they cannot replicate the problem so they cannot fix it. I have video ...
When the temperature is around zero my dashboard will not come on. I have been to the dealership 5 times for this issue. It takes me an hour to get to the dealership and by the time I get there it comes on. Dealership (Ken Ganley) states they can’t find the problem if it’s on. This is total bullshit, they know they have an issue and can fix it. Bought the car brand new. I believe it’s a safety haz...
During the incident in question, the vehicle’s lane‑assist system malfunctioned in a manner I have never previously experienced. As I approached an area with multiple lane markings, the system appeared to become confused—possibly due to low‑light conditions—and abruptly pulled the steering wheel with significant force. This deviation was severe enough that I temporarily lost control, causing the v...
When the stop and go feature re-enables the engine to go. Causes all clusters/ infotainment to shut off and reset. It remain black for a 10-15 seconds
Electrical control unit car just shuts off in drive completely goes black no matter what within seconds even on freeway going 70 mph car tune off loss of control then starts back up very dangerous
When pressing the horn on the steering wheel of my 2024 Kia Seltos SX Turbo AWD during an emergency no sound was heard. Horn is silent. Fuse is not blown and it appears likely the horn is defective.
Driver 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
See attached document for complaint.
I bought this Kia with 25 miles on it and I had all oil changes done and then at 33,000 miles the engine seized and Kia refused to honor my 100,000 mile warranty. The dealership told me that the spark plugs melted causing the issue and that it definitely wasn’t an oil issue. Kia still refused to honor the warranty. I only owned the car from June 2023 to September 2024 I want them to pay the remain...
Rear window shattered due to heat
My car smells like fire since day 1 of purchase. When driving the smell gets so bad I think the car will go on fire. Not sure if it’s faulty electrical or something else. I have read many reviews and too many people have experienced the same thing. What is going on? Other Kia Seltos models have caught fire. Why hasn’t this been addressed. This is a matter of safety. Why do I smell smoke or fire wh...
Issue: 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 dis...
On July 9 while waiting at a red light car randomly turned off, had to put car in park and restart On July 19 while driving about 55mph on an extremely busy interstate highway car shut down completely. I could not restart or shut the car off, car was in drive and we had full power, no issue with battery, no warning signs, we were nearly killed by an 18-wheel truck traveling at normal high speed on...
Our vehicle was in an accident with extensive damage to the entire front end. The accident warning senors did not go off and the air bags did not deploy. The insurance adjuster said the entire engine was pushed back towards the driver area so it's surprising the air bags did not deploy. In our Kia Access app, only the "passenger turn signal" has a critical error detected. The car has been deemed t...
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and attempting to depress the horn there was no sound coming from the horn. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the failure began in 2023. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the fai...
Rear view camera collects rain drops obstructing the rear view while backing up during rainy weather
My car, over the last few oil changes has had very little to practically no oil. It also has been having the noise when it is low oil. This is already a recall, and when taken to a local dealer, they claimed the piston rings, which is the issue for the oil consumption, were not a problem and within spec. They have performed a test to check oil levels after 1000 miles and am still waiting on the re...
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power before the engine seized. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the valves. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence and l...
Showing 20 of 38 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2024 Kia Seltos
Has the 2024 KIA SELTOS been recalled?
Yes, the 2024 KIA SELTOS has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2024 KIA SELTOS have?
The 2024 KIA SELTOS has 38 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 3 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2024 KIA SELTOS?
The 2024 KIA SELTOS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2024 KIA SELTOS?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2024 KIA SELTOS involve unknown or other (7 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), engine (3 complaints). Other affected components include visibility/wiper, electrical system,exterior lighting, power train.
How many crash reports does the 2024 KIA SELTOS have?
There are 3 crash reports associated with the 2024 KIA SELTOS out of 38 total complaints (7.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2024 KIA SELTOS have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2024 KIA SELTOS out of 38 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2024 KIA SELTOS?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2024 KIA SELTOS.
How many injuries are reported for the 2024 KIA SELTOS?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2024 KIA SELTOS. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2024 KIA SELTOS?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2024 KIA SELTOS is generally recommended. It has 38 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2024 KIA SELTOS?
The components with the most failures on the 2024 KIA SELTOS are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints), 3. ENGINE (3 complaints), 4. VISIBILITY/WIPER (3 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 7 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2024 KIA SELTOS?
Be cautious of electrical system and power train issues, especially in cold weather and at higher mileage. The 2024 KIA SELTOS has 38 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2024 KIA SELTOS?
The 2024 KIA SELTOS receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 38 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 4 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Power Train.
What are the known issues with the 2024 KIA SELTOS?
Known issues with the 2024 KIA SELTOS include: Electrical System, Power Train, Steering System, Visibility/Wiper. These are based on patterns found across 38 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2024 KIA SELTOS?
Common issues include electrical system malfunctions, power train problems, and steering system malfunctions.
Are there any recalls for the 2024 KIA SELTOS?
Yes, there are recalls for automatic transmission fluid/pump issues and electrical system problems.
What should I do if I experience sudden shutdowns in my 2024 KIA SELTOS?
Check the automatic transmission fluid and seek professional diagnosis and repair.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system and power train issues, especially in cold weather and at higher mileage.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2024 Kia Seltos
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2024 Kia Seltos. The data includes 38 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 2 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2024 Kia Seltos an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16