2021 KIA Seltos
Typical pattern 12.6% of complaints about the 2021 KIA Seltos came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2021 vehicle — around the middle of the 159 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (221 complaints), typically at 4.6 yr or about 40,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 508
- Median age at failure
- 4.4 yr
- Median mileage
- 36,000 n=101
- Crash / fire / tow
- 11% of reports
- Safety recalls
- 2
25V099000 2025-02-17
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.
Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
21V259000 2021-04-13
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.
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.
Engine 9,000 mi 0 mo in service
TRANSMISSION DEFECT , TRANSMISSION OVER HEATS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC , ALSO CAUSES SKIPPING OF THE GEARS. KIA KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND INDICATED THAT CAR WILL SHUT DOWN ON ITS OWN BECAUSE OF THIS.
Engine 8,360 mi 1 mo in service
CAR WAS PARKED WITH AUTO OFF FEATURE DISABLED. VEHICLE STALLED 2-3 TIMES WHILE PARKED.
Engine 9,500 mi 2 mo in service
HVAC BLOWER WOULD NOT BLOW. DEALER FOUND MELTED RELAYS. ONE WEEK AFTER REPLACING THE ENTIRE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS I STARTED TO GET A BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL THROUGH THE VENTS. I LOOKED IN THE ENGINE FUSE BOX AND THERE WERE MELTED RELAYS AGAIN.
Fuel / propulsion 9,000 mi 0 mo in service
TRANSMISSION DEFECT , TRANSMISSION OVER HEATS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC , ALSO CAUSES SKIPPING OF THE GEARS. KIA KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM AND INDICATED THAT CAR WILL SHUT DOWN ON ITS OWN BECAUSE OF THIS.