2021 Kia Seltos Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2021 Kia Seltos, and owners have filed 374 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Seltos
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Hard parts internal/mechanical (engine and engine cooling)
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.
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,…
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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.
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.…
374 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2021 Kia Seltos have filed 374 complaints with NHTSA; 13 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 8 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 44,606 miles. Complaints peaked in 2025 with 120 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“RECALL EVASION & TIMELINE FRAUD REPORT Filing formal complaint against Kia America & Kia of Cerritos (CA) for evasion of mandate under Safety Recall SC336 (NHTSA 25V099). 1. CRITICAL TIMELINE: • [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 6, 2026 · Engine
“Burns a lot of oil bad piston rings, and cylinders # 25v099000/KIA#SC336 incorrectly manufactured parts”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 5, 2026 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2021 Kia Seltos (Seltos AWD, Seltos FWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 27–31 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 25–29 / 30–34 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.6/2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7); Automatic (AV-S8) |
Compare Kia Seltos model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Seltos model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia Seltos | 2 | 374 |
| 2022 Kia Seltos | 1 | 73 |
| 2023 Kia Seltos | 2 | 46 |
| 2024 Kia Seltos | 2 | 46 |
| 2025 Kia Seltos | 0 | 13 |
| 2026 Kia Seltos | 0 | 4 |
| 2027 Kia Seltos | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2021 Kia Seltos
How do I know if my 2021 Kia Seltos has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2021 Kia Seltos; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 21V259000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Optima7,512 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Forte2,553 complaints
- Sedona2,410 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.