Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Seltos, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine231
- Power train69
- Electrical system48
- Unknown or other46
- Engine and engine cooling45
- Fuel/propulsion system26
- Vehicle speed control11
- Forward collision avoidance6
- Service brakes6
- Air bags6
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 8 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 26 2021 Seltos vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 15 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2021 Kia Seltos failed the safety check 1.28% of the time — 36% more often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 28,119 miles.
20,811first inspections
1.28%failed on safety
28,119 mimedian odometer
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
2,151 2021 cars are on the New Zealand register; 0% arrived as used imports, 99% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 0 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Kia SELTOS SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | 15.1 % |
| 2021 Kia SELTOS SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | 16.9 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- 4 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 7.7–8.7 L/100 km (about 27–31 mpg US), CO₂ 182–205 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seltos · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 8.2 | 7.1 | 7.7 |
| Seltos AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 8.8 | 7.6 | 8.2 |
| Seltos AWD · Sport utility vehicle: Small · Regular gasoline | 9.4 | 7.9 | 8.7 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Kia Seltos.
| 2025083 18 Feb 2025 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the piston oil rings may not have been manufactured properly and could damage the cylinder walls. As a result, the engine could ma… |
| 2024549 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2024093 14 Feb 2024 | Electrical Issue: On certain vehicles, the 4WD control unit under the driver's seat may become contaminated by a mixture of salt and moisture inside the vehicle. Over ti… |
| 2021225 14 Apr 2021 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the engine's piston oil rings may be defective. This can cause engine wear that can lead to increased oil consumption. Eventually,… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
25V099000 · Engine and engine cooling17 Feb 2025 · 137,256 vehicles
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.
21V259000 · Engine13 Apr 2021 · 147,249 vehicles
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2021 Kia Seltos: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010698 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 8) to remedy a non-responsive or inoperative radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the RADIO hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecting the RA |
| 11008193 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRECAUTIONS FOR TRANSMISSIONS WITH ISG/EOP - This bulletin provides information related to the replacement or servicing of transmission assemblies on all Kia vehicles equipped with Idle-Stop-Go (ISG) and High-Flow Electric Oil Pump (HF EOP). The HF EOP protective connector cover may NOT have been installed on a new or remanufactured transmission during assembly. The HF EOP connector may become contaminated with debris during shipping and/or with oil/coolant during installation. |
| 11007859 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT STRUT BEARING & SPRING PAD REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to replace the front strut bearing and upper spring pad on both front (LH and RH) strut assemblies on certain 2019-2024MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced from July 09, 2018 through present, 2020-2024MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced from November 15, 2018 through present, and 2021-2024 Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 |
| 11005368 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone projection connectivity-related concerns. |
| 11005364 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT STRUT BEARING & SPRING PAD REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to replace the front strut bearing and upper spring pad on both front (LH and RH) strut assemblies on certain 2019-2024MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced from July 09, 2018 through present, 2020-2024MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced from November 15, 2018 through present, and 2021-2024 Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 |
| 11004932 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY038) - This bulletin provides information associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY038) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the horn assembly on 2021-2024MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 through May 2, 2024. The affected vehicles may experience a distorted or an inoperative horn sound caused by corrosion and dust inside the horn assembly. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the horn assembly have been extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 1 |
| 11004930 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IVT OIL PRESSURE SENSOR REPLACEMENT: This bulletin provides information to replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) Oil Pressure Sensor (OPS) on some 2018-2024MY vehicles listed on page 3 equipped with IVT. The affected vehicles may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated on the instrument cluster with DTCs P084500, P084600, and/or P0867XX present with no drivability concerns due to a failed IVT oil pressure sensor. |
| 11004263 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY038) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the warranty extension program launch. |
| 11004262 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY038) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY038. |
| 11004261 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY038) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly in 2021-2024 MY Seltos vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address a horn sound malfunction condition free of charge at no cost to the customer. |
| 11004260 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY038) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly in 2021-2024 MY Seltos vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the horn sound malfunction condition. |
| 11004227 | WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY038) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly in 2021-2024 MY Seltos vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address the horn sound malfunction condition. |
| 11001836 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PISTON RING NOISE DTC 1327 (SC209Y) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (SC209A) titled ECM Logic Improvement for Piston Ring Noise Sensing System. If DTC P1327 is present after the ECM Logic Improvement is performed per SC209A, follow the instructions in this bulletin to replace the engin |
| 11001600 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: ANTI-THEFT S/W LOGIC UPGRADE & DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2309) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the software logic of the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) or Body Control Module (BCM) system on certain 2021-2022MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 21, 2019 through February 28, 2022, which may not be equipped with an immobilizer. This logic upgrade will add anti-theft |
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 10253539 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: 4WD ECU INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (SC297) - This bulletin provides information to inspect and, if necessary, replace/repair the 4WD Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and wire harness and also to install a protective cover over the 4WD ECU on certain 2021-2023MY Seltos (SP2) All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 through March 2, 2023 that were originally sold or are currently registered in one of 36 states and the District of Columbia with significant snowfall (AK, CO, CT, DC, DE, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, M |
| 10252798 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC297) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the AWD Control Unit in certain 2021-2023 MY Seltos all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles that were originally sold in or are currently registered in one of the 36 states or District of Columbia with significant snowfall. Kia dealers will also install a cover over the AWD Control Unit for improved protection against water intrusion. |
| 10252090 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC297) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC297. |
| 10252089 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC297) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the AWD Control Unit in certain 2021-2023 MY Seltos all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles manufactured from November 20, 2019 through March 2, 2023 that were originally sold in or are currently registered in one of the 36 states or District Columbia with significant snowfall. |
| 10252088 | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC297) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and, if necessary, replace the AWD Control Unit in certain 2021-2023 MY Seltos all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles manufactured from November 20, 2019 through March 2, 2023 that were originally sold in or are currently registered in one of the 36 states or District Columbia with significant snowfall. |
| 10250517 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecti |
| 10248691 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: FRONT STRUT BEARING & SPRING PAD REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information to replace the front strut bearing and upper spring pad on both front (LH and RH) strut assemblies on certain 2019-2024MY Forte (BDm) vehicles produced from July 09, 2018 through present, 2020-2024MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced from November 15, 2018 through present, and 2021-2024 Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 through present. The affected vehicles may exhibit an intermittent noise when turning the steering wheel both when driving and when the vehicle is not in |
| 10248076 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CLUSTER UPGRADE FOR INTERMITTENT DISPLAY RESTARTING - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the Cluster (CLU) software logic on certain 2021-2023MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles equipped with a 7 in. TFT display instrument cluster, produced from November 20, 2019 through March 2, 2023. The affected vehicles may exhibit the instrument cluster intermittently restarting after entering a destination into the navigation and starting route guidance. When the route guidance is cancelled, this concern is no longer present. |
| 10247556 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE SCREEN FREEZING OR MAP DELAY WITH WIRED APPLE CARPLAY - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles to remedy an inaccurate map location, freezing AVN screen, or experiencing a delay when using Google Maps or Waze through wired Apple CarPlay. |
| 10243928 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: UNEVEN/SLIPPERY ROAD WARNING DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a warning sound accompanied by a 'Slippery road ahead. Drive carefully' or 'Uneven road ahead. Drive carefully' warning which is displayed on the instrument cluster. The current AVN software causes the warning sound and message to repeat approximately every ten (10) seconds, if the vehicle is not in motion, in 'PARK' or driving on even surfaces |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
AQ25001 · Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanicalopened 6 Aug 2025 · closed 18 Dec 2025
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation