The Lemon Index
20221st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: engine
Better years to buy
155 owner complaints, first 3 years 27–31 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Kia Niro 322021 Honda Passport 1672021 Toyota C-HR 40
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,400 and 21,000 miles (5,500–34,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 155 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V099000 (engine) and 21V259000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Kia sent dealers 134 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Kia's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 155 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 21K miles (5K to 34K km) on the car (44 of all 155 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Bought vehicle new. At 30,000 miles, oil change came up off the stick. KIA did oil consumption test. Said it was within industry standard. Just had another oil change at 36,000 miles. Off the stick again.
2021 Kia Seltos owner · NHTSA complaint 11517186
More owner reports
My car Cutts off while driving especially when I’m Turning happening more frequently now it’s shuts off all dash lights come on and I have to put it back in park and start it up agian
NHTSA complaint 11443459
Engine is consuming or burning oil. 2.0l. Left me stranded on the road.
NHTSA complaint 11506747
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 24.7M views · 2021–2025 Kia Seltos
- Infotainment, battery & electrical162K views
CK - 2021 KIA Seltos - How To Emergency Start When Smart Fob Battery Dies!Cardinal Kia · 87K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service84K views
First Oil Change in the TE VIDEOS Garage | 2022 Kia Seltos (Finally…)TE VIDEOS · 84K views - Brakes & ABS33K views
CK - 2022 Kia Seltos - How To Use Your Electronic Parking Brake w/ Auto Hold!Cardinal Kia · 33K views
Before you buy, watch
Most IRRITATING Things About KIA SELTOS 2023 | PROBLEMS | RJ Rishi Kapoor #kia #seltos #carsPaisa Tera Baap Dega · 89K views
Kia Seltos X-Line 2025: Should you buy one? | #MotorIncViewMotorInc · 43K views
2023 Kia Seltos Facelift Exterior & Interior WalkaroundThe Mount · 2.7M viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2021 is the same generation.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 134 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake…
- Dual clutch transmission (dct) dtc p060194 logic improvement
- Front view camera replacement and software upgrade installation - this bulletin
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Engine · recall issued 2025
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
- Engine · recall issued 2021 2.0L engines only
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedKia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia SELTOS SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Kia SELTOS SUV AWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,950–$2,200 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Kia Seltos year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Kia Seltos years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/kia-seltos/?y=2021" title="Kia Seltos reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/kia-seltos/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Kia Seltos reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Kia Seltos reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 164; 100 is average, lower is better). The Kia Seltos year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2021 Kia Seltos problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (55%), transmission & drivetrain (22%) and electrical (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Kia Seltos have?
2 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia Seltos get?
27 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Kia Seltos safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Seltos problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,400 and 21,000 miles (5,500–34,000 km) (the middle half of the 44 complaints, of all 155 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2021 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2021 Kia Seltos have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 22% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Kia Seltos cost in fuel a year?
About $1,950 to $2,200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Kia Seltos have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Kia Seltos year is better than the 2021?
Nearby, the 2022 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works