YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Seltos Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 28 Fuel System complaints for the 2021 Kia Seltos, 8% of its 369 total complaints for the year — far more than any other model year in this range. Median mileage at failure was 9,000 miles, and no related recalls are listed for this fuel system category.

Fuel System complaints
28
8% of 369
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
9,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the engine failing to restart right away after the auto stop-start feature shuts it off at a stop.
  • Some report the vehicle jerking or braking on its own without the driver touching the brake pedal while slowing down.
  • Several describe stalling or sputtering at low speed, sometimes shutting off completely and needing a restart.
  • A recurring complaint involves the check engine light returning repeatedly after service visits, including after an O2 sensor replacement.
  • Some owners note transmission hesitation and shudder at low speeds, especially while turning, along with occasional overheating in stop-and-go traffic.

When 2021 Kia Seltos fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Sep 14, 2020, latest Sep 10, 2026.

2021 Kia Seltos fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month2Sep 2020Mar 2022Mar 2023Jul 2024Jun 2025Nov 2025Mar 2026Aug 2026
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Sep 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Jul 2022 (2).

Fuel System recalls for the 2021 Kia Seltos

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Seltos model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 202128 (8%)
  2. 20221 (1%)
  3. 20230 (0%)
  4. 20243 (7%)
  5. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2021 Kia Seltos have?
NHTSA lists 28 Fuel System complaints for the 2021 Kia Seltos, which is 8% of the 369 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Kia Seltos fuel system?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this Fuel System complaint category on the 2021 Seltos.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 9,000 miles.
Did the fuel system complaints lead to any crashes or fires?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires associated with these 28 Fuel System complaints for the 2021 Seltos.
Is the 2021 Seltos worse than other years for this issue?
Yes. The 2021 model year has 28 Fuel System complaints (8% share), compared to 1 complaint for 2022 and 3 for 2024, making 2021 the highest among these years.

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.