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Buying a used 2021 Kia Seltos? Check these 2 recalls first

2 NHTSA recalls · 367 owner complaints on file

The 2021 Kia Seltos has 2 recalls in this group, both centered on the engine: defective piston rings and engine damage risk. Engine repair history is also prominent in the complaint record, with 223 engine reports among 367 unverified NHTSA owner complaints. Other leading categories are power train at 67, electrical system at 47, and unknown or other at 46. The reports include 13 crashes, 6 fires, and 8 injuries, but do not establish that either recall caused those outcomes.

Before you buy

1. Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
2. Verify VIN-specific completion of both engine recalls.
3. Request engine inspection, repair, or replacement records.
4. Ask about oil consumption, stalling, and power train or electrical faults.
5. Open recalls are repaired free at any Kia dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.

Recalls covering the 2021 Kia Seltos

What owners have reported to NHTSA

367 complaints filed for this model year, including 13 mentioning a crash, 6 a fire and 8 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.

When the complaints were filed

Complaints by the year they reached NHTSA. The current year is incomplete, and counts usually fall as fewer of these cars stay on the road.

Other model years

• 2023
• 2024
• All Seltos recalls