Model year
2021 Kia Seltos
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 378 complaints for the 2021 Kia Seltos (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (231), POWER TRAIN (67), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (46). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 27–31 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,150–$2,500, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2021 378 complaints
- 2022 76 complaints
- 2023 47 complaints
- 2024 46 complaints
- 2025 13 complaints
- 2026 4 complaints
- 2027 2 complaints
Recalls
25V099000 · Feb 17, 2025
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
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 · Apr 13, 2021
ENGINE
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.
Complaints
378 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 13, fire flag on 6, injury field 8, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQ25001 | Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL | Aug 6, 2025 | Dec 18, 2025 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.151 | NHTSA photo |
| SUV FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.169 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seltos FWD · 2L · Automatic (AV-S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 29 | 34 | 31 | — | — | $2,150 |
| Seltos AWD · 1.6L · Automatic (AM-S7) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 25 | 30 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
| Seltos AWD · 2L · Automatic (AV-S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 27 | 31 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Kia Seltos at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.