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Owner report · 2021 model year

2021 Kia Seltos

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2021 Kia Seltos
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 277 of 382 complaints (73%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more crash reports (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
382
Recall campaigns
2
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,000–$2,300
Combined MPG
27–31

Complaints by model year

  1. 3822021
  2. 762022
  3. 472023

Where owners report problems

  1. Engine277 (73%)
  2. Transmission & Drivetrain68 (18%)
  3. Electrical48 (13%)
  4. Other47 (12%)
  5. Fuel System28 (7%)
  6. Driver Assistance & Speed Control20 (5%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2021: 1 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category202120222023vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Annual fuel cost ($)2,000–2,3002,000–2,3002,000–2,300
Combined MPG27–3127–3127–31
City / Highway MPG25–29 / 30–3425–29 / 30–3525–29 / 30–35
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)285–331283–331283–331
Complaints filed3827647Not compared
Recalls issued212Not compared
Crash-involved complaints1364Not compared
Fire-involved complaints630Not compared
Injuries reported823Not compared
Deaths reported000Not compared
Configurations compared222

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Seltos have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Kia Seltos?

Engine: 277 of 382 NHTSA complaints (73%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Seltos get?

EPA rates it 27–31 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Kia Seltos?

EPA estimates $2,000–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (3)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic (AV-S8)42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD29 mpg (high)34 mpg (high)31 mpg (high)$2,000 (low)285 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Automatic (AM-S7)41.6LAll-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD25 mpg (low)30 mpg (low)27 mpg (low)$2,300 (high)331 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Automatic (AV-S8)42.0LAll-Wheel DriveRegularSmall Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD27 mpg31 mpg29 mpg$2,150314 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine2772520
Transmission & Drivetrain681000
Fuel System280000
Electrical481210
Brakes90000
Steering50000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires41000
Airbags & Restraints116030
Driver Assistance & Speed Control205030
Body, Seats & Latches20000
Visibility & Lighting70000
Other474220

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

    Campaign 25V099000 · Feb 17, 2025

    Defect
    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.

  • ENGINE

    Campaign 21V259000 · Apr 13, 2021

    Defect
    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.