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Kia Seltos

2021 only

493 classified complaints 2 recalls

51,368 sold in the US for 2021.

96 complaints on file
per 10,000 sold

2021 Kia Seltos have 493 classified complaints on record for that year specifically, plus 2 recalls. The most common issue in this year is Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings), typically surfacing around 68,000 miles.

Computed directly from stored federal records for 2021 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Kia Seltos report for every year combined.

Where this year fits

2021

2022

2023

2024

Complaints filed per individual model year — highlighted bars link to their own dedicated page.

What breaks, and when — 2021 only

Internal engine (bearings, pistons, rings) · Engine 110 complaints · 21/10k sold

Median onset: 68,000 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues.

Oil consumption and leaks · Engine 110 complaints · 21/10k sold

Median onset: 48,500 miles.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues.

Stalling and no-start · Engine 85 complaints · 17/10k sold

Median onset: 45,000 miles. 1.2% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Tends to show up later than this model's other issues.

Harsh, delayed or erratic shifting · Transmission 44 complaints · 8.6/10k sold

Median onset: 5,250 miles. 9.1% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Body control and other modules · Electrical 41 complaints · 8.0/10k sold

Median onset: 900 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues.

Airbags, seatbelts and restraints · Body and interior 16 complaints · 3.1/10k sold

Onset mileage not consistently reported. 18.8% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Driver-assist cameras, radar and calibration · Electrical 11 complaints · 2.1/10k sold

Median onset: 100 miles.

Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues.

Automatic transmission internals · Transmission 10 complaints · 1.9/10k sold

Median onset: 6,000 miles. 10.0% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.

Typical repair: $2,910–$5,410 nationally.

From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.

Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?

Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2021 model year. See the full Kia Seltos report for every year and full specs/safety data.