KNDEUCAA0T79460332026 KIA SeltosS
2026 KIA Seltos was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 3 owner complaints include 2 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
Executive Summary
2026 KIA Seltos
2026 KIA Seltos was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 3 owner complaints include 2 reported injuries, indicating real-world safety incidents beyond normal wear.
- 2 injuries reported across 3 owner complaints
- Complaint rate is accelerating — issues appear to be getting worse, not better
3 owner complaints filed — top areas: Brakes (67%), Safety Systems (33%). 1 crash reported.
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- KIA
- Model
- Seltos
- Year
- 2026
- Trim / Series
- S
- Body Style
- Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
- Vehicle Type
- MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
- Drive Type
- 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 2.0L
- Doors
- 5
- Manufacturer
- KIA CORPORATION
- Assembly
- GWANG-JU, GYEONGGI PROVINCE, SOUTH KOREA
- GVWR
- Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Plant: GWANG-JU, GYEONGGI PROVINCE
No specific quality data available for this plant. No documented recall or complaint concentrations on record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
NHTSA Safety Recalls
CLEAR1 in 1 complaints involved an injury — significantly above average, indicating real-world safety incidents.
Complaint Intelligence
3 complaints analyzed across 2 system categories
⚠ Complaint rate is accelerating — issue may be getting worse
Owner Complaints
3 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
The contact owns a 2026 Kia Seltos. While driving across an intersection, another vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with the contact's vehicle. The impact occurred on the driver-side door, causing extensive damage to the vehicle. No property damage reported. The vehicle came to a complete stop after being struck. The contact stated no air bags were deployed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard but was than brought to the residence. No warning lights were illuminated before the crash. A police report was filed. The vehicle will be fixed. The contact stated she was the driver and had a passenger (son) in the front. The contact sustained a severe head impact and was knocked unconscious. The head trauma caused total numbness across the right side of her face and directly impaired her peripheral vision. Additionally, the contact sustained deep contusions to her neck and severe structural disc damage to her lower back. The contact's son, who was also an occupant in the vehicle, experienced acute head pain following the crash. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2026 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to make a right turn, the brake pedal went to the floorboard and the vehicle accelerated independently. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the brake line needed to be tightened and the brake fluid reservoir needed to be topped off. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that there was no warranty for the repair. The manufacturer denied the buyback request. The approximate failure mileage was 1,322.
The contact owns a 2026 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that the heating system was inoperable and was blowing cold air. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the radiator cap was not tightened, causing air to build up in the system. The dealer tightened the radiator, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the sound was likely coming from the fuel injectors. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown part was disconnected. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH and making a turn on a bypass, the brake pedal travelled down to the floorboard while depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond, causing the contact to panic. The contact shifted to park(P) and drove over a grassy area, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually rolled to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the driver's side rear brake line was loose and leaking, and there was air in the brake line. The vehicle was repaired. No further information was available. The failure mileage was approximately 1,200.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $31,344 (~$522/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2026 KIA Seltos — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
20% estimated recall probability — some indicators present but not alarming.
- ▸Accelerating complaint rate — increasing pressure on NHTSA to act
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for KNDEUCAA0T7946033. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
KIA has been fined $27M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2020: Failure to promptly conduct recalls for Theta II engine defect.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | KNDEUCAA0T7946033 |
| Model Year | 2026 |
| Make | KIA |
| Model | Seltos |
| Trim | S |
| Series | Wagon Body Style |
| Vehicle Type | MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV) |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] |
| Doors | 5 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Displacement (L) | 2.0 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | KIA CORPORATION |
| Assembly City | GWANG-JU |
| Assembly Country | SOUTH KOREA |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | KND |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 0 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | T |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | 7 |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 946033 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 0 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 3 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 7/1/2026, 7:02:20 AM.