CarRecallWatchThe 2021 Kia Seltos has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 380 complaints with NHTSA, including 13 crashes, 6 fires, 8 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (234 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 4 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2021 Kia Seltos recalls
Engine Piston Rings May Fail, Risking Stall or Fire
Certain 2021-2023 Kia Seltos and Soul vehicles may have piston oil rings that were manufactured incorrectly.
Engine May Stall or Leak Oil, Creating Crash and Fire Risk
Certain 2020-2021 Kia Soul and 2021 Kia Seltos vehicles with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine may have piston oil rings that were not properly heat-treated.
Most common 2021 Kia Seltos problems
Problem areas named in the 380 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 234 |
| Power Train | 68 |
| Electrical System | 48 |
| Unknown Or Other | 46 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 46 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 26 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 9 |
| Air Bags | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
What owners report
The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power and triggered diagnostic trouble code P1327, which indicates severe internal engine damage and bearing failure monitored by the Piston-ring Noise Sensing System. This vehicle is subject to active Safety Recalls SC209 (NHTSA Campaign 21V259000) and SC336 (NHTSA Campaign 25V099) for manufacturing defects in the 2.0L Nu MPI engine piston oil rings. The vehicle is currently grounded at an authorized dealership, Kia of North Austin. The Service Manager initially provided an out-of-pocket engine replacement quote exceeding $8,000 instead of processing it as a $0 safety recall claim. Furthermore, the dealership is currently attempting a diagnost
I am reporting a violation of safety recall SC336 for my car (VIN: [XXX]), which is currently at West Hills Kia in [XXX]. My engine will not start because the camshaft and timing parts broke. This happened because the engine ran too low on oil and lost oil pressure, which is exactly what this recall is about. Because the car cannot start or run, the dealership cannot do the standard electronic vibration test. Instead of asking Kia Corporate for manual approval to replace the engine, the dealership is trying to force me to pay $5,000 out of pocket to fix the camshaft first. Forcing a customer to pay thousands of dollars to fix parts that broke because of a recalled factory defect is wrong. I
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number 21V259000 (Engine) and 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The contact requested that the manufacturer and selling dealer buy back the vehicle due to recurring issues. While driving, the check engine warning light illuminated and started flashing. The contact pulled over and took the vehicle to a local dealer, where the engine was replaced. However, the failure reoccurred. While driving to the dealer, the vehicle stalled while entering the dealer. The contact stated that even though the engine had been replaced, the recurring failure raised concerns about the safety and reliability of the vehic
Turned rear defroster on before getting on the highway as temps were in the upper 30s. About 5 minutes down the highway there was a loud pop sound and the rear windshield began splintering. By the time we got to a safe place to stop the entire shield was shattered and there were several holes. Purchased trash bags and tape to cover the windshield and during the process most of the glass had fallen a part. We had a 3 hour drive home without being able to see out the rear.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, oil pressure, and charging system warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after waiting several minutes, the vehicle returned to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust camshaft and alternator needed to be replaced. The contact stated that in July 2025, the vehicle was taken to a dealer and was inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the vehicle had passed inspection and was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associa
2021 Kia Seltos safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia SELTOS SUV FWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (16.9% rollover risk) |
| 2021 Kia SELTOS SUV AWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (15.1% rollover risk) |
2021 Kia Seltos questions
Does the 2021 Kia Seltos have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Seltos: Engine Piston Rings May Fail, Risking Stall or Fire; Engine May Stall or Leak Oil, Creating Crash and Fire Risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia Seltos?
Based on 380 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (234), Power Train (68), Electrical System (48).
How safe is the 2021 Kia Seltos?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2021 Kia Seltos up to 4 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2021 Kia Seltos has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.