Kia Seltos transmission and drivetrain problems, 2021–2027
88 of the 553 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Kia Seltos 2021–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2021 (68), 2022 (10), 2024 (6). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall campaign. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Kia Seltos transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 6 | 13% | — | 7 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2023 | 4 | 9% | — | 16 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 10 | 14% | — | 16 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 68 | 18% | 7k | 40 TSBs | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2020: 5 · 2021: 9 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 12 · 2025: 26 · 2026: 22
Across the model years, half of the 16 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 5,000 and 11,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
My car Cutts off while driving especially when I’m Turning happening more frequently now it’s shuts off all dash lights come on and I have to put it back in park and start it up agian
Brand new car on Dec 2020. Second time with a transmission problem. Was repaired at 6500 miles in June of this year. Dealer replaced it with a re-manufactured one. At 9300 miles I was driving in cruise control at about 70 miles per hour for a couple hours and while going up a long hill the transmission started slipping again and rpms…
Certified shop said my timing chain was going as well as other associated components. My car is always low on oil even when mileage has not been met. Found my car is part of piston ring recall.
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…
I need to open a formal safety and warranty complaint regarding my 2024 Kia Seltos. I originally reported an acceleration problem to the dealership when the vehicle was purchased and they said they couldn’t duplicate the issue but they did not resolve it.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaign filed under this heading, any model year
- Jul 31, 2023 · 39,765 vehicles
- 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.
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- May 21, 2025
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AWD COUPLING ACTUATOR LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA605) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the 4-Wheel Drive (“4WD”) system software on certain 2024-2025MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles equipped with All-Wheel Drive (“AWD”) produced from February 14, 2023 through October 08, 2024. The affected vehicles may experience an interruption of supplementary power to the rear wheel
- Apr 17, 2025
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Kia Seltos
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Kia Seltos problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Kia Seltos years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2021, 68; 2022, 10; 2024, 6. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2021 (18%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Kia Seltos?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading across these model years: 23V531000 (2024). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Kia Seltos?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 7,400 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 11,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.