Is the 2021 Kia SELTOS reliable?

The 2021 Kia SELTOS has 467 complaints filed with NHTSA (6.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Kia SELTOS?

Top problems: ENGINE (239 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (60 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (44 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Kia SELTOS?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Kia SELTOS?

The 2021 Kia SELTOS gets 28 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1714. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Kia SELTOS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Kia SELTOS is approximately $1,809/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Kia SELTOS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2021 Kia SELTOS has 467 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 6.1x the segment average of 76. The most common issue is engine problems (51% of all complaints), specifically: 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.. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 18 crash reports 10 injuries

467

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

6.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

239 complaints

51%

• 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.
• MY KIA SELTOS WITH ONLY 900 MILES HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING TWICE: WHEN AT A STOP AND I STEP ON THE GAS THE CAR TURNS OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE CAR TURNED OFF AND TOOK A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON. THE SECO
• CAR WAS PARKED WITH AUTO OFF FEATURE DISABLED. VEHICLE STALLED 2-3 TIMES WHILE PARKED.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 5 fire reports💥 2 crashes

“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.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Kia SELTOS

Based on 101 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 24K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 7K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 9K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 51K mi · 58 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

ENGINE13/04/2021

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.

Risk: 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.

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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Kia SELTOS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,715

Per month

$143

Per mile

14.3¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Kia SELTOS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,809

Full coverage / month

$151

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+8%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1809

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia SELTOS Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2021 SELTOS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 467 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE NEW 2021 KIA SELTOS WITH THE DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT CAN MISS 1ST, 3RD, 5TH AND 7TH GEARS. IT MISSED 1ST GEAR WHILE MY WIFE WAS TURNING LEFT FROM A STOPPED CONDITION... IT WAS NEARLY AN ACCIDENT, AND COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT SINCE THERE WAS A PASS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE ASSIST W/ PEDESTRIAN DETECT (FCA), SYSTEM DO NOT WORK, NEVER GET ALARMS, IN A NEAR COLLISION SITUATIONS OR A PERSON CROSSING IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED KIA USA CASE # 13716568), RETURN CAR TO DEALER AS INSTRUCTED, PROBLEM NEVER FIX. KIA NOT PROVIDING ANY INFORMATION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: MY KIA SELTOS WITH ONLY 900 MILES HAS DONE THE FOLLOWING TWICE: WHEN AT A STOP AND I STEP ON THE GAS THE CAR TURNS OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE CAR TURNED OFF AND TOOK A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON. THE SECO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)