Recalls & safety ratings

2021 KIA SELTOS

Every NHTSA recall campaign covering the 2021 KIA SELTOS, and the crash-test ratings for the body styles that were tested.
  • 2
    Recalls
  • 363
    Owner complaints
  • 1
    Investigations

Sourced from NHTSA recall and safety-rating data — last checked 6 September 2026.

2 recall campaigns

A campaign usually covers only part of a model year's production, so it may not apply to a particular car. Check the VIN to be certain.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

NHTSA campaign 25V099000 · Kia America, Inc.

Summary

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

ENGINE

NHTSA campaign 21V259000 · Kia Motors America

Summary

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

NHTSA crash-tests vehicles and rates them out of five stars. More stars mean a safer car. Ratings are per body style, so a model can appear more than once below.

2021 Kia SELTOS SUV AWD

Overall

Frontal crash

Driver
Passenger

Side crash

Driver
Passenger
Pole

Rollover

15.1% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

  • Electronic stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: Optional

2021 Kia SELTOS SUV FWD

Overall

Frontal crash

Driver
Passenger

Side crash

Driver
Passenger
Pole

Rollover

16.9% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

  • Electronic stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: Optional

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