2021 Kia Seltos problems
The 2021 Kia Seltos has 346 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Kia Seltos has 346 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 184 complaints, typically surfacing around 55,176 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Seltos (this page) | 346 | 0 |
| 2022 Seltos | 69 | 0 |
| 2023 Seltos | 44 | 0 |
| 2024 Seltos | 41 | 2 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Electrical system: 36 complaints, classified severe
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 Kia SELTOS SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2021 Kia Seltos? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- engine — 184 owner reports · tends to show around 55,176 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- powertrain — 61 owner reports · tends to show around 19,054 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 36 owner reports · tends to show around 40,171 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 5 owner reports · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 40,171 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Kia Seltos
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My 2021 Kia seltos has a flashing engine light and when put on a code reader it indicates a misfire/ piston. This has been going for two weeks . My engine is a 2.0 and the recall for this vehicle has the same incident as mine. The engine keeps shutting off
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that after every 1000-miles of driving, she had to add 1 quart of engine oil to the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an oil…
Im on my 2nd kia and im so over it. I have a 2021 kia seltos and i took it in for the recall and my scheduled maintenance for july 9th 2021, I scheduled my app a week out and i had been noticing my engine running strange off and on for awhile but its a new car so i thought i was…
2021 Kia Seltos ~50,000 miles. My horn doesn't work. I live in Tampa, so definitely need a horn. Also my infotainment center is trash. It works perfect about 30% of the time. The other 70%. Oh well where do I start? It will completely freeze, the screen turns black, when I get a…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Kia Seltos reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 346 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Kia Seltos is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Kia Seltos?
The 2021 Kia Seltos is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 36 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Kia Seltos?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 184 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 55,176 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Kia Seltos a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 346 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 55,176 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Kia Seltos?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 184 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 55,176 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 55,176 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Kia Seltos has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Kia Seltos?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 346 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.