2021 Kia SELTOS: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 11350656 · 2020-08-21 (August 21, 2020)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ASSIST W/ PEDESTRIAN DETECT (FCA), SYSTEM DO NOT WORK, NEVER GET ALARMS, IN A NEAR COLLISION SITUATIONS OR A PERSON CROSSING IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED KIA USA CASE # 13716568), RETURN CAR TO DEALER AS INSTRUCTED, PROBLEM NEVER FIX. KIA NOT PROVIDING ANY INFORMATION OR TROUBLESHOOT, TEST OR REPLACE RADAR SENSOR TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IN THE CAR OWNER MANUAL, IT LOOK LIKE THE SYSTEM HAS MORE LIMITATIONS THAN REAL INSTANCES THAT WILL WORK. SYSTEM NOT RELIABLE AT ALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11350656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11351025 · 2020-08-24 (August 24, 2020)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ASSIST (FCA), RADAR SENSOR DO NOT WORK, NEVER GET ALARMS OR WARNING WHEN AN COLLISION IS EMINENT. CONTACTED KIAUSA AND DEALER, PROBLEM NOT SOLVED.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11351025 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 11361711 · 2020-09-29 (September 29, 2020)
MY KIA SELTOS WITH ONLY 900 MILES HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING TWICE: WHEN AT A STOP AND I STEP ON THE GAS THE CAR TURNS OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE CAR TURNED OFF AND TOOK A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS AND IT TURNED OFF. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT. NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR 15 DAYS SO FAR WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361711 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363655 · 2020-10-10 (October 10, 2020)
WINDOW STICKER INDICATES DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ON LX MODEL. MANUAL SAYS TO HAVE LIGHT SWITCH IN AUTO POSITION. WHEN MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN THE FEATURES AND OWNERS MANUAL THE DRL'S NEVER ILLUMINATE. TOWBIN KIA RESPONDED THAT THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND I SHOULD MOVE THE SWITCH ONE POSITION UP TO THE PARKING LIGHT POSITION IF I WANT TO USE DRL. THIS IS CONTRARY TO WHAT THE MANUAL STATES.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,261 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363655 at NHTSA ↗
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 11364580 · 2020-10-15 (October 15, 2020)
I BELIEVE KIA IS MANUFACTURING / OR SOURCING VERY BAD QUALITY WINDSHIELD FOR THEIR VEHICLES. I WAS DRIVING MY KIA SELTOS AT 55 MPH ON A CITY ROAD WHEN A SMALL CHIP HIT MY SCREEN WHICH DIDN'T EVEN CREATE ANY STRIKING SOUND AND THE NEXT SECOND I KNOW MY WINDSCREEN DEVELOPED THIS HUGE CRACK. MY CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 DAYS OLD. RIGHT AFTER THAT I TOLD MY DEALERSHIP AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS VERY COLD. THEY EVEN DIDN'T TAKE ANY PICTURES TO CONSULT KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THEY SAID IT WAS AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE AND THEY WON'T CONSIDER TO COVER IT UNDER AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,890 miles reported. Look up ODI 11364580 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V259000 · Engine
Reported: 2021-04-13 (April 13, 2021)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V099000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Reported: 2025-02-17 (February 17, 2025)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗