YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Seltos Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 5 Seltos years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2021 Kia Seltos ranks worst of 5 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 369 complaints, mostly engine-related (74% share). Two engine recalls cover faulty piston oil rings that can cause engine damage, making 2021 an Avoid year relative to other Seltos years.

Complaints
369
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
13 / 6
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
29
27 city / 31 hwy

Top 2021 Kia Seltos problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine272 (74%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain68 (18%)
  3. Electrical System48 (13%)
  4. Other47 (13%)
  5. Fuel System28 (8%)
  6. Brakes9 (2%)
  7. Airbags6 (2%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (2%)
  9. Seat Belts5 (1%)
  10. Steering5 (1%)

What owners report

  • Engine emits abnormal banging noises followed by smoke and fire in the engine compartment while driving.
  • Dashboard shows error messages, the powertrain shuts off mid-drive, and smoke fills the cabin, sometimes smelling electrical.
  • Vehicle stalls or restarts on its own after repeated engine and transmission failures, requiring multiple engine replacements.
  • Owners report open engine recalls with long wait times for repair or loaner vehicles.
  • Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or side collisions, including deer strikes and impacts at highway speed.
  • Electrical fires occur under the hood, with sparks and flames appearing after the vehicle cuts off.
2021 Kia Seltos complaints: complaints filed per quarter682020 Q22021 Q22022 Q22023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
508 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2020 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2025 Q2 (68).

2021 Kia Seltos recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V099000Feb 17, 2025Engine137,256 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.

    Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.

  2. NHTSA 21V259000Apr 13, 2021Engine147,249 vehicles

    Engine

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.

    Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.

2021 Kia Seltos fuel economy and fuel cost

City
27 MPG
Highway
31 MPG
Combined
29 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Seltos years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020212022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Avoid100369229
2022Avoid7572129
2023Good2546229

All Kia Seltos years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2021 Kia Seltos have?
NHTSA lists 369 complaints for the 2021 Seltos, with the Engine area accounting for 74% of them (272 complaints), including fires and stalling. Transmission & Powertrain and Electrical System issues make up another 18% and 13% respectively.
Does the 2021 Kia Seltos have an engine recall?
Yes. Two recalls (25V099000 and 21V259000) cover engines with improperly manufactured or heat-treated piston oil rings that can cause engine damage on 2021 Seltos vehicles.
Is the 2021 Kia Seltos the worst year for this model?
Among the 5 model years with data, 2021 ranks worst first with a Complaint Index of 100 and an Avoid verdict, compared to 2025's Complaint Index of 0 and Best verdict.
At what mileage do 2021 Seltos engine problems occur?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 54,500 miles for engine-related complaints on the 2021 Seltos.
How many crashes and fires are linked to the 2021 Kia Seltos?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Seltos report 13 crashes, 6 fires, and 8 injuries, with no reported deaths.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.