2021 Kia Seltos engine problems

The 2021 Kia Seltos has 242 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 51% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

242

Engine complaints

51%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Seltos engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

25V099000EngineFebruary 17, 2025 · 137,256 units

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.

21V259000EngineApril 13, 2021 · 147,249 units

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.

What owners report

“Purchased kia in 2021- Car was taken in on April 24 for a recall. I was originally told the recall would take 2 weeks if it failed now South Hills Kia along with Kia can tell me anything. We are 2 weeks in the car I need to drive my elderly mother to her dr appointments with and not one person can…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 24, 2025 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2021 Kia Seltos have?

NHTSA has 242 complaints about the 2021 Kia Seltos engine — 51% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2021 Kia Seltos engine?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 21V259000, 25V099000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.