How common are transmission problems in the 2021 Kia Seltos?

NHTSA records 68 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Seltos, making up 18% of all complaints filed for that model year, a notably higher share than in the 2022, 2023, or 2024 Seltos.

At what mileage do 2021 Kia Seltos transmission problems usually start?

The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 6,700 miles, indicating many owners experienced issues early in ownership.

Is there a recall for the 2021 Kia Seltos transmission?

This data shows no related recalls listed for the Transmission & Powertrain area of the 2021 Seltos, though complaints reference dual-clutch transmission shifting and overheating issues.

Did the 2021 Kia Seltos transmission issues cause any crashes?

NHTSA data tied to this problem area lists 1 crash and 0 injuries or fires among the 68 complaints.

Do transmission complaints decrease in later Kia Seltos model years?

Yes. Complaints in this area drop from 68 in 2021 to 10 in 2022, 4 in 2023, 6 in 2024, and 0 in 2025, based on NHTSA data.

2021 Kia Seltos Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 68 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Kia Seltos, 18% of all complaints for the year, far higher than later model years. Median mileage at failure was 6,700 miles, and one crash was reported. No related recall is listed in this data.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 68; 18% of 369
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 6,700 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Dual-clutch automatic transmission misses gears, including 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th, sometimes during turns from a stop.
Vehicle suddenly stops accelerating in motion, with RPMs surging while road speed drops and the engine grinding.
Transmission overheats in stop-and-go traffic, triggering a hot-transmission warning that requires pulling over.
Vehicle fails to accelerate or shift while at highway speed, causing loss of power and forcing a coast to the shoulder.
Transmission gets stuck between gears, unable to shift into drive, park, or reverse, sometimes while parking.
Some owners report a second transmission replacement after the first repair, with slipping and RPM surges recurring at highway speed.

When 2021 Kia Seltos transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jun 30, 2020, latest Sep 17, 2026.

68 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2025 (4).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 Kia Seltos

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Seltos model year

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

202168 (18%)
202210 (14%)
20234 (9%)
20246 (13%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2021 Kia Seltos?: NHTSA records 68 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Seltos, making up 18% of all complaints filed for that model year, a notably higher share than in the 2022, 2023, or 2024 Seltos.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Seltos transmission problems usually start?: The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 6,700 miles, indicating many owners experienced issues early in ownership.
Is there a recall for the 2021 Kia Seltos transmission?: This data shows no related recalls listed for the Transmission & Powertrain area of the 2021 Seltos, though complaints reference dual-clutch transmission shifting and overheating issues.
Did the 2021 Kia Seltos transmission issues cause any crashes?: NHTSA data tied to this problem area lists 1 crash and 0 injuries or fires among the 68 complaints.
Do transmission complaints decrease in later Kia Seltos model years?: Yes. Complaints in this area drop from 68 in 2021 to 10 in 2022, 4 in 2023, 6 in 2024, and 0 in 2025, based on NHTSA data.