KnownCarProblems2021 Kia Seltos Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 376 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Seltos, most often about the engine (72% of complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Seltos model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2021 Kia Seltos problems
Engine
272 complaints · 72%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 25v099000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving and decelerating to 10 MPH on several occasions, the vehicle stalled.…
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v099000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair…
Transmission
68 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
In stop and go traffic the transmission temperature too hot warning came on. Eventually got into the red zone, had to pull over and keep foot on brake to disengaged dual clutch system to help dissipate heat. Eventually went back down to normal range of temperature. Dealer stated found no articles or resources for this…
My Kia Seltos has transmission problems with only a little over 6,000 miles. It needs a new transmission which won't be available until at least february 11th
Electrical
48 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, instrument panel.
Hvac blower would not blow. Dealer found melted relays. One week after replacing the entire engine wiring harness I started to get a burnt electrical smell through the vents. I looked in the engine fuse box and there were melted relays again.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would stall upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the battery, oil, and check engine warning light illuminated. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(p) and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle drove as needed.…
Other or unspecified
46 complaints · 12%The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21v259000 (engine). The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where the vehicle was inspected. The contact was informed that the vehicle was okay to drive. The contact stated on 9/26/2021 while starting the vehicle…
Fuel system
28 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: fuel injection system.
Transmission defect , transmission over heats in stop and go traffic , also causes skipping of the gears. Kia know this is a problem and indicated that car will shut down on its own because of this.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while stopped, the fuel-saving system would turn off the engine however, whenever the brake pedal was released, the engine failed to immediately restart. The contact then had to turn off and restart the vehicle. The failure had occurred on multiple occasions.…
Speed control
11 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
Car has 3000 miles,car had been surging when accelerating, it revved up when in drive, wouldn't go as I was exiting off of interstate. Was towed to dealer, they couldn't find anything wrong, sent me home. I made it 47 miles when it stopped accelerating and stopped going. Was towed back to dealer, where it has been for…
While driving on the highway, the vehicle failed to accelerate. On a road where the speed limit was 60 MPH, the vehicle stopped accelerating at 55 MPH suddenly and caused disruption in the traffic until I could cruise to the shoulder in neutral. It was a scary situation where multiple accidents were narrowly avoided.…
Driver assistance
9 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: warnings, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, an object fell from a vehicle ahead. The contact stated that while attempting to switch lanes, the blind spot detection system returned the vehicle back into the lane and the vehicle struck the object causing damage to the front mid-section…
Air bags
6 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: side/window.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Kia Seltos recalls
Engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
Risk: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness
Summary
On august 6, 2025, the office of defect investigation (odi) opened audit query (aq) 25001 to assess the implementation of kia america, inc.âs (kia) remedy program for safety recall 25v099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This aq was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On august 11, 2025, an information request (ir) was issued to kia requesting: 1) why the inspection test was revised from requiring a âcoldâ engine to a âwarmâ en
Questions about the 2021 Kia Seltos
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Seltos?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (272 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); transmission (68 complaints, typically around 6,500 miles); electrical (48 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Seltos have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 17, 2025 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Kia Seltos?
- It is the most complained-about Seltos model year since 2000, with 376 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.