FaultScore

Mercedes Benz SL500 vs KIA Seltos

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Mercedes Benz SL500 KIA Seltos
Complaints on file 308 768
Model years covered 1992–2009 2021–2026
Worst model year 2004 2021
Best model year 2006 2025
Crashes reported 12 52
Fires reported 30 19
Injuries reported 14 19
Deaths reported 2 0
Most complained-about part Suspension Engine & Cooling
Share of complaints involving harm 18.8% 11.7%

Mercedes Benz SL500 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Suspension 64 20.8%
Brakes 43 14.0%
Engine & Cooling 16 5.2%
Transmission & Drivetrain 14 4.5%
Airbags 14 4.5%
Steering 10 3.2%

KIA Seltos by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 334 43.5%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 16 2.1%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 15 2.0%