2021 Kia Seltos Engine Problems
Engine problems account for 272 of 369 complaints (74%) on the 2021 Kia Seltos, the highest share of any model year. Two recalls (25V099000 and 21V259000) cover piston oil ring defects, and owners report engine fires, stalling, and shutdowns at a median 54,500 miles.
- Engine complaints
- 272
- 74% of 369
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 5
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Median mileage
- 54,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Engine emits an abnormal banging noise followed by smoke and, in some cases, a fire in the engine compartment while driving.
- Vehicle stalls or shuts off unexpectedly at speed, sometimes triggering dashboard error messages and cabin smoke.
- Engine fails or stalls repeatedly at low mileage, in some cases requiring full engine replacement by the dealer.
- Transmission overheats in stop-and-go traffic and skips gears, which owners say causes the vehicle to shut down on its own.
- Vehicle unexpectedly turns off when accelerating from a stop or while shifting into reverse or drive, sometimes at very low mileage.
- White smoke and fire from the engine reported while driving at highway speed, with warning lights illuminating afterward.
When 2021 Kia Seltos engine complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 14, 2020, latest Sep 20, 2026.
Engine recalls for the 2021 Kia Seltos
- 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.
- 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.
Engine complaints by Seltos model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Are engine problems common on the 2021 Kia Seltos?
- Yes. Engine complaints make up 272 of 369 total complaints (74%) for the 2021 model year, the highest share among Seltos model years listed.
- Does the 2021 Kia Seltos have an engine recall?
- Yes. Two recalls apply: 25V099000 and 21V259000, both covering piston oil rings that were manufactured or heat-treated incorrectly and can cause engine damage. Neither recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.
- At what mileage do 2021 Seltos engine problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data lists a median mileage at failure of 54,500 miles for engine-area complaints on the 2021 Seltos.
- Have there been fires or injuries linked to Seltos engine complaints?
- NHTSA records list 5 fires, 4 crashes, and 4 injuries among the 2021 Seltos engine-area complaints.
- Is the engine issue worse in the 2021 Seltos than later years?
- Yes. Engine complaints make up 74% of total complaints in 2021, compared to 64% in 2022, 41% in 2023, 29% in 2024, and 8% in 2025.