2021 Kia Seltos: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Kia Seltos: 2 recalls, 375 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine Vehicle recall #21V259000 · 2021 · 147,249 vehicles
What's wrong: 0l nu mpi engines. The piston oil rings May not have been properly heat-treated, which May result in engine damage.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #25V099000 · 2025 · 137,256 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (231): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (115), warning light on (76), noise or vibration (58).
- Transmission & drivetrain (68): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (28), warning light on (20), hard / delayed shifting (19).
- Electrical (48): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (22), electrical failure (19), warning light on (10).
- Other / unknown (46): the most common themes are noise or vibration (10), stalls / loses power (9), warning light on (7).
The 2021 Kia Seltos has 375 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 7 Seltos model years for complaints (4.7× the average Seltos year). Complaints peaked in 2025 (120 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 42,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2022 (74 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 34 | 31 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 27 | 31 | 29 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S7) | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 30 | 27 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Kia Seltos.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Kia Seltos have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Kia Seltos. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Seltos problems?
Owners have filed 375 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (231), transmission & drivetrain (68), electrical (48).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Seltos get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S8)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Kia Seltos repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.