NHTSA has received 363 owner complaints about the 2021 Kia Seltos, or 64.0 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.52, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #68 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 80% higher; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 161% higher.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2020-06-30 and 2026-09-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 13 days.
363Complaints
64.0Complaints per year on the road
1.52Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls
5.2%Share involving a crash or fire
114Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2022) drew 15.4 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 90 complaints, 47% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Engine (71.6% of complaints), followed by Transmission / powertrain (10.7%) and Interior & equipment (5.5%). Engine complaints are 3.2 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “oil”, “piston”, “engine”, “rings” and “recall”. 19 reports (5.2%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 8 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 49 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (43% of incidents). In the last 12 months 114 new complaints were filed, versus 101 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year. 72% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness” (opened 2025-08-06, closed 2025-12-18).
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.52
vs. other Kia models1.8
vs. other 2021 models1.68
vs. other Subcompact SUVs2.61
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (90)1.47
While driving normally at approximately 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and spontaneous structural failure of the rear driver-side suspension and drivetrain.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-04 · ODI 11754636 · Crash
Car cutoff. Started back up to get off interstate. Saw smoke under hood and got it. Within 5 min sparks under the frame and then 10-15 min later flames
Engine · 2026-07-29 · ODI 11753443 · Fire
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact became aware several years ago that the transmission was not shifting properly and the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the technicians found no failure.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761306
My 2021 Kia Seltos 2.0L is experiencing excessive engine oil consumption between regularly scheduled oil changes. There is no visible external oil leak or oil accumulating underneath the vehicle, but the oil level becomes extremely low before the next…
Engine · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761313
Was driving and power steering became difficult to steer and a red steering wheel icon with a exclamation mark came on in the dashboard.
Steering · 2026-08-30 · ODI 11760704
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL Campaign 25V099000 · 2025-02-17
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
Summary: 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.
Risk: 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.
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall EffectivenessClosed
AQ25001 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL · Opened 2025-08-06 · Closed 2025-12-18 · Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023
On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.âs (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, …
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Kia Seltos?
363 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Seltos, or about 64.0 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Kia Seltos?
The most common category is Engine, accounting for 71.6% of complaints.
Does the 2021 Kia Seltos have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall(s) for this model year. 1 NHTSA defect investigation covers this model year; the most recent is “Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness” (opened 2025-08-06, closed 2025-12-18).
Is the 2021 Kia Seltos still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 114 new complaints were filed, versus 101 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2021 Kia Seltos compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 363 owner complaints about the 2021 Kia Seltos, or 64.0 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.52, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #68 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 80% higher; against other Subcompact SUVs it is 161% higher.