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2021 Kia Seltos: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2021 / kia / seltos
known issues3 clusters (reviewed 2026-08-19)
complaints368 on file (2020-06-30 → 2026-09-17)
recalls2
investigations1
fars23 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (vpic)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Engine stall or failure from oil consumptionENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING169 complaints2024-12 → 2026-08kia-seltos-2021-engine-oil-consumption
  • 11755100 The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph the engine experienced a complete loss of automotive power, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed and the contact was advised that
  • 11751473 The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that one quart of engine oil or more needed to be added after an oil change had been
  • 11722774 Engine stalled at stoplight. Was able to restart and pulled into closest parking lot where it began idling hard. Check Engine light turned on. Checked oil and it was bone dry (no signs of oil leak/burning beforehand). After adding about a quart of oil, while in park I revved the
Engine smoke or fire during oil-related failureENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12 complaints2025-01 → 2026-07kia-seltos-2021-engine-smoke-fire
  • 11724618 The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the engine, before the engine caught on fire. After the failure, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over safely. The fire
  • 11637311 The Seltos started losing power driving on interstate, started smoking and then lost all power and would not start. We had the car towed to Brakes plus where we had an oil change as of recent, they confirmed it was piston ring failure and the engine was done for. The car has
  • 11753443 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
Unintended acceleration while stopped or shiftingVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4 complaints2025-03 → 2026-06kia-seltos-2021-unintended-acceleration
  • 11746782 The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a tree, where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal remained
  • 11650214 The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while switching gears from reverse to drive, the vehicle had inadvertently accelerated and crashed into an unoccupied parked vehicle before coming to a stop. Both vehicles had damage to the front bumper. No warning
  • 11652690 I brought my vehicle to the dealership due to serious safety concerns, including the engine randomly shutting off while driving, sudden unintended acceleration, unresponsiveness when pressing the gas, difficulty turning the key to start the engine, loud noises while running, and

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
3682020-06-302026-09-17136ENGINE:224; POWER TRAIN:68; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:47; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:46; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:43

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
21V25900013/04/2021ENGINEKia 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.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.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.
25V09900017/02/2025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICALKia 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.Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
AQ25001closedKia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall EffectivenessENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL2025-08-062025-12-18·On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.’s (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, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On August 11, 2025, an Information Request (IR) was issued to Kia reques

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-202423vpic23

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2021 Kia Seltos vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/kia/seltos
@misc{wrenchpro_2021_kia_seltos_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2021 Kia Seltos},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2021/kia/seltos}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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