YearToAvoid

2021 Kia Seltos Recall List

2 safety recall campaigns on file with NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Seltos, affecting engine. Recall repairs are free at any authorized Kia dealer.

Recall campaigns
2
Do Not Drive
0
Park Outside
0
Over-the-air fixes
0
Latest report
Feb 17, 2025
Owner complaints
369

All 2021 Kia Seltos recalls

Newest first. Summaries are NHTSA’s own wording.

  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.

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Seltos have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Seltos, covering engine.
Are 2021 Kia Seltos recall repairs free?
Yes. Under U.S. law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls free of charge at authorized dealers, regardless of the vehicle’s age or how many owners it has had. Use the VIN check to see which campaigns are still open on a specific car.
What is the most recent recall on the 2021 Kia Seltos?
The most recent campaign is NHTSA 25V099000, reported Feb 17, 2025, concerning the engine.

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.