10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
4,400 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2021 Kia Seltos engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2021 Kia Seltos:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2021 Kia Seltos Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #79

Apr 192024

Seltos

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This happens everyday while I-??m driving. The vehicle hesitates and grinds when you try to accelerate and prevents you from going forward. It pulls the car back in yanking motion. Which is extremely dangerous.

- Des Plaines, IL, USA

problem #78

Jun 202024

Seltos

  • miles
Two times in the last week, my engine shut off/stalled while driving in traffic. The check engine, battery and oil lights came on because the key was still turned. I had no other warning, I just couldn-??t accelerate and had to coast to safety. Both times I was able to safely pull over and turn the key to restart the car and get home. I am currently at 63k miles and just got an oil change. My last oil change was in March 2024 at 58k miles.

- Columbia Station, OH, USA

problem #77

Jun 062024

Seltos

  • miles
I-??m not really sure what the problem was. I feel like the car may have lost power and I lost function of the car / brakes. I-??m assuming it-??s either an engine or electrical. Warning lights came on. Prior to losing function, the vehicle felt like it was sorta puttering. I-??d give it the gas and there was a delayed, and then jerk forward. There-??s a vibration sound that happens when I go around 15-30 miles an hour. Not sure if it-??s related. It-??s being looked at on June 24. I had to turn off the car and restart to gain control.

- Frankfort , KY, USA

problem #76

Apr 082024

Seltos

  • 16,927 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle started shuddering. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing to replace a piston ring in a cylinder. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was told the engine needed to be repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,927.

- Cayey, PR, USA

problem #75

Apr 242024

Seltos

  • miles
The engine stalls and or dies when breaks are applied. Yes, it was confirmed by dealer. Engine light came on. Has been in shop. Car only has 97,000 miles. They are refusing to honor extended warranty even though other Kia Seltos engines have the exact same problem that are under recall. These are engine sensor problems... they have nothing to do with "oil changes" that they claim were made late (One)

- Baldwin City, KS, USA

problem #74

Apr 132024

Seltos

  • miles
My car is burning through oil.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #73

Apr 232023

Seltos

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car initially had electrical and engine issues since may of 2022. The engine would fail mid drive and the car would turn of in the middle of driving and would lock up until engine would restart on its own. It stayed at the dealership for repairs until march of 2023. After many modifications and alterations and several new engines and transmission changes they returned the car to me on march of 2023 assuring me it was fixed and there would be no issues. Several weeks later while driving on the highway, the engine turned off mid drive, I lost control of the car entirely. Brakes wouldn-??t brake. Car crashed into highway median. And upon impact none of the airbags deployed. The car continuously put myself and passengers at risk at the beginning of its failing. The car of April 2023 severely injured me. I was the only passenger at the times thankfully. Since the airbag never deployed my face, chest, ribs, arm, and neck were severely injured. It-??s been almost a year and im still physically affected by the crash.

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #72

Sep 102023

Seltos

  • miles
See attached document for complaint

- Canton, GA, USA

problem #71

Feb 232024

Seltos

  • 80,736 miles
The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his daughter was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that his daughter was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated during the failure. The contact stated that his daughter drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine piston oil rings had failed and damaged the engine. The mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,736.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #70

Jan 272024

Seltos

  • miles
Car is burning oil to the point the engine light comes on between oil changes. This is the second engine they have put in this car and still doing it. They did engine oil consumption test and say it's not burning over a quart every 1000 miles. I've never in my life had a car burn oil like this. They said Kia won't do anything about it.

- Owenton, KY, USA

problem #69

Nov 162023

Seltos

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My wife went to work 11/23/23 and the car died in the intersection, she would have been going 5 to 10 mph, the engine light came on. She was able to start it and return home. I made the appointment at Bob Lanpheres Beaverton Kia and the inspected the issue. It is reported to me that, -??Boroscoped cylinders and found vertical scoring on the cylinders. Performed compression test and all cylinders are under spec-?? They replaced the engine, The total costs was 6486.65$. My research has shown me that a recall was issued for Seltos engines from this year and after talking to Kia and online my engine is not qualified for engine reimbursement because the manufacturer date was beyond the range of the recall. I feel this is wrong as the description from the repair shop and recall notice are identical and that the recall should be expanded. This page will not let me upload photos, I have a copy of the dealers findings.

- Beaverton, OR, USA

problem #68

Dec 012022

Seltos

  • miles
esta quemando aceite de motor muy rapido y antes de tiempo. mientras se utiliza esta lento y cuando sube cuestas muy pesado tiene que hacer mucha fuerza.

- Aguas Buenas, PR, USA

problem #67

Nov 222023

Seltos

  • miles
Car stalled when at complete stop (at lights or stop signs) The auto restart feature seems to fail. Then it progressed to stuttering while driving and unable to drive above certain speeds (more than 40 mph). Service engine light on. Code by dealer P0017.

- New Britain, CT, USA

problem #66

Sep 162023

Seltos

  • 49,281 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 78-80 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated depressed the accelerator pedal to the floorboard however, the vehicle failed to respond. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine threw a rod through the oil pan, which drained the oil, and caused the engine to seize. The dealer determined that the engine needed to be replaced under warranty; however, the part was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 49,281.

- Hermon, ME, USA

problem #65

Aug 072023

Seltos

  • miles
Engine began knocking and would stall on turns. Check oil light briefly flashed. No oil visible on dipstick about 2000 miles after oil change. Placed 4 quarts at home and was full. Stalling and knocking resolved. Brought to dealer and they said nothing wrong. Changed oil and did 1000 mile return to dealer to check oil consumption rate. The oil was about a quart or less low and they said this was normal, nothing to do. After 2000 miles oil level again checked and no oil visible on dipstick. Took photos of oil level each of these times. Called dealer and they towed it in. They confirmed that it is burning excessive oil and said it-??s several quarts low. They say that they will now try to perhaps -??soak-?? the engine? They have to check with Kia for approval. Not sure what this means. It is now with the dealer and we have no car to drive. They are not sure how long they will have it and have no loaner. We are obviously concerned about the safety of this engine/car which has just over 30000 miles and is running out of oil prior to recommended oil changes and was stalling intermittently when this was first discovered. Obviously concerned that engine will seize and be ruined at some point in essentially a brand new vehicle. The dealer (Preston Kia) denied any issue initially. I have read about ring issues in seltos engines requiring engine replacement. It seems that a similar problem is occurring here and I hope that Kia will do the right thing and repair/replace the faulty parts/engine. There are many similar complaints on line.

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

problem #64

Nov 032023

Seltos

  • miles
My 2021 Kia Seltos EX is eating oil.......... 1/2 quart a week at least and I have read online that it can lead to the engine overheating, stalling, etc. So far my car is not listed on the piston recall or any other recall, but how can Kia state it can go 7,000 miles between oil changes when it only holds 4 1/2 quarts of oil and goes through it so fast? I change my oil every 3,500 miles because of it but am still afraid of something bad happening to my car.

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

problem #63

Oct 122023

Seltos

  • miles
2021 Kia Seltos possibly already had the recall work done in Florida before purchasing it used with only 18000 miles. It has stalled, once dying completely. Trouble gaining acceleration. Losing oil. Multiple oil consumption testing visits to dealership of 1000 miles each to continue showing Kia it loses over 1 quart per period. Now the glow relay engine and misfire engine codes are pulling which indicates engine damage after dealership has just last week replaced new spark plugs and oil change. It has been rough idle and ticking - knocking sound the entire time, which they denied the morning after purchase.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #62

Sep 022023

Seltos

  • miles
bought as certified pre-owned from a very large dealership in Clearwater. Driving off the lot there was a bad wobble and shake from corner to corner of vehichle. Took in day 2 of ownership to dealer to have them reinspect it and they let me drive away home too come back the next day after service manager started the car was completely safe to drive because there was no loaner car for me the day they promised me one..five days in service and not hearing a word from the service department I stopped in and asked about my car. to have the tech say it ended needing and entire front CV axle and bearing because the bearing and axle had a lot of play in it! I've emailed multiple times and no one yet has called or emailed me back! bought on 9/02/2023 serviced 09/03/2023 to 09/15/2023... then on the ride home it still feels like there is a wobble from somewhere in the front of the car

- Hudson, FL, USA

problem #61

Jul 162023

Seltos

  • 9,800 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the engine seized. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the crankshaft had cracked, causing oil to leak from the vehicle. Additionally, there was an unknown sensor that was faulty. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 9,800.

- Syracuse, NY, USA

problem #60

Aug 022023

Seltos

  • miles
My kia engine light came on during a drive and the vehicle would not shift gears (it would stay stuck on 1st). I manage to park and realize that it was not shifting to reverse either. I check the temperature and it was 4 lines below the middle which is normal. My car has proper maintenance and just came out of the 30,000 miles maintenance and is less than 3 years old.

- Adjuntas, PR, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?