Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2021 Kia Seltos
NHTSA data on file today
The 2021 Kia Seltos has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 382 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #25V099000 Engine Damage May Cause Stall or Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V259000 Improperly Heat-Treated Piston Oil Rings NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 235 complaints
- Power Train 69 complaints
- Electrical System 48 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 46 complaints
- Unknown or Other 46 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 26 complaints
Of the 382 complaints on file, 13 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 382 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2021 Kia Seltos has a high number of engine-related complaints and significant recall campaigns due to potential engine damage issues. This indicates a lack of reliability in the engine and related systems. Few complaints exist for other components, but the engine concerns dominate the reliability outlook.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 40,000–60,000 miles | $2,000–$6,000 | very common |
| power train | 50,000–70,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | common |
| electrical system | 30,000–50,000 miles | $200–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter change
- tire rotation and balance
- brake inspection
- coolant flush
- transmission fluid change
- spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- oil leaks or burning oil
- unusual engine noises
- slipping transmission
- intermittent electrical faults
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2021 Kia Seltos at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.