2021 Kia SELTOS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
365 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
41,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 88 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 221 of 365 complaints (60.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 102 | 27.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 47 | 12.9% |
| Braking behavior | 30 | 8.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 27 | 7.4% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 221 |
| Power Train | 66 |
| Unknown Or Other | 46 |
| Electrical System | 43 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 42 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 24 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
Engine: 221; Power Train: 66; Unknown Or Other: 46; Electrical System: 43; Engine And Engine Cooling: 42; Fuel/Propulsion System: 24; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Service Brakes: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 37 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 37; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (37). 277 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 33 |
| 2022 | 39 |
| 2023 | 38 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 120 |
| 2026 | 90 |
2020: 18; 2021: 33; 2022: 39; 2023: 38; 2024: 27; 2025: 120; 2026: 90
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 102 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 47 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11363763 · 2020-10-11 (October 11, 2020)
CAR WAS PARKED WITH AUTO OFF FEATURE DISABLED. VEHICLE STALLED 2-3 TIMES WHILE PARKED.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,360 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11365229 · 2020-10-19 (October 19, 2020)
VEHICLE WILL NOT PROPERLY SHIFT GEARS AND WILL STALL RANDOMLY AT TRAFFIC STOPS.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11365229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11331711 · 2020-06-30 (June 30, 2020)
MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE NEW 2021 KIA SELTOS WITH THE DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT CAN MISS 1ST, 3RD, 5TH AND 7TH GEARS. IT MISSED 1ST GEAR WHILE MY WIFE WAS TURNING LEFT FROM A STOPPED CONDITION... IT WAS NEARLY AN ACCIDENT, AND COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT SINCE THERE WAS A PASSENGER. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS TRANSMISSION IS ALREADY A RECALL IN SOUTH KOREA. A WEBSITE HAS A VIDEO SHOWING THE PROBLEM MY WIFE ALSO ENCOUNTERED. PLEASE SEE THIS WEBSITE: HTTPS://WHEELBHP.COM/KIA-SELTOS-DCT-PROBLEMS-3119881/ IT DOES IND…
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 11331711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11354905 · 2020-09-14 (September 14, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11354905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11376368 · 2020-11-25 (November 25, 2020)
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 ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11376368 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419720 · 2021-06-04 (June 4, 2021)
While driving on the local street prior to entering the freeway, the vehicle completely stalled without any notice. Attempted to step on the brake pedal, however, there was no response. Had to use the emergency brake to stop to a safe spot. Had I been driving on the freeway, the end result would have resulted in possibly a fatal crash. While the vehicle stalled, I noticed 3 light indicators were lit: Charging System Warning Light, Engine Oil Pressure Warning Light, Malfunction (Engine Malfunction) Indicator Lamp. Keep in mind, all maintenance …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374712 · 2020-11-15 (November 15, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11444562 · 2021-12-21 (December 21, 2021)
July 2021, While my son and daughter were driving the car engine shut off, the brakes, the gas pedal and steering wheel locked. The vehicle was on a slight incline and rolled backwards. My son quickly pulled the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle from going into the vehicle behind him. The vehicle was restarted and all the problems were gone. We brought the vehicle to the dealer. They checked and found nothing wrong and could not recreate the problem. At the same time the dealer performed the recall 21V259 (letter dated 6/11/2021) wh…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11444562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11446209 · 2022-01-04 (January 4, 2022)
Safety System Failure. MY CAR WAS STOLEN TODAY. Even with a Club on the steering wheel. it was gone in minutes. Why do thieves look for Kia's? Because they know they can steal them fast. Shame on you for not putting better practices in place to help prevent this, or deter them at least or slow down the process at minimal. My car is a 2021 with less than 5000 mi on it. How am I going to replace this with the money I will need down and the deductible if I need repaired? you should be held somewhtat repsonsible for your lack of theft precaution…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11446209 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11564959 · 2024-01-11 (January 11, 2024)
The vehicle was sputtering and then shut off and would not start. I called KIA and had it towed to Dealership. They called several days later stating there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Then several weeks later getting on the turnpike it sputter and shut off. I was able to get it started again and repeated the same sputter and shutting off an additonal 2 times on the turnpike. I was able to get the vehicle home to my drive way. The tow truck came and could not get it to start. He towed it back to the dealership. This time they replaced th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11564959 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11705286 · 2025-12-16 (December 16, 2025)
Can smell gas fumes in and around car. Afraid to drive. Took to dealer. Fuel pump and associated gaskets fittings needed to be replaced. Not cover under 10 yr, 100K warranty even though the vehicle only has 83K miles. Just to right.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11705286 at NHTSA ↗