Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Kia Seltos owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would stall upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the battery, oil, and check engine warning light illuminated. The contact shifted the vehicle into park(P) and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle drove as needed. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where a diagnostic test was performed but no failure was found. The contact also stated that the horn intermittently failed to operate as needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.
ON 11/26/22 I was driving down the road my Kia Seltos showed error messages on the dashboard saying ERROR and then Power Train off, the car then shut off at 55 mph and smoke filled my cabin, I got the car pulled over and called the fire department, there was no flames just smoke and smelled like electrical. It was then after 2 weeks taken to a dealership where they inspected the car and stated the fire was in the engine and the engine needs to be replaced. After doing research on this car and the issue there were at least 4 other complaints filed with KIA AMERICA about this issue
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while stopped, the fuel-saving system would turn off the engine however, whenever the brake pedal was released, the engine failed to immediately restart. The contact then had to turn off and restart the vehicle. The failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the horn was inoperable and inaudible. The contact indicated that the failure was discovered while driving on the freeway when a commercial vehicle drove into the contact's lane and the contact was unable to alert the driver. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact stated that the used car dealer had provided a 2021 Kia Seltos loaner vehicle to the contact while the contact's vehicle was being serviced. The contact stated that the loaner vehicle was returned to the used car dealer for service with an odometer reading of 111,000 miles; however, after the loaner vehicle was returned to the contact, the odometer reading was 69,014. The VIN was not available.
My 2021 Kia Seltos shut off while I was driving it. This happened once in July 2021, I was at a stop sign and I attributed it to not driving it in a while and the extreme summer heat. But on January 31st, I had turned my car on, I let it "warm up" and then I started to drive. To my surprise, as I was driving my car shut off. It first felt like the gas pedal was hardly working then the car began to slow down and I had no control over the acceleration or breaks. Then, the check engine light, battery light, and oil light all appeared on my dashboard and the car came to a complete stop. And all functions on the car were not functioning. Fortunately, no other cars were around and I wasn't injured. I was able to restart my car and drive back to a driveway with the engine sounding louder than normal and the only the check engine light on. …
My vehicle appeared to restart itself (dashboard lights turned off and immediately turned back on as if the car had been started up) as I was a approaching a red stop light toward the end of a 1 hour/60 mile commute. This is the 3rd time since I've had my vehicle (purchased in October of 2020) that I've had an event like this occur while driving. Currently waiting service appointment, 2 weeks away 1st incident, within the 1st 6 months of ownership, cant remember the exact date: Vehicle appeared to restart as I turned left at a green light. 2nd incident: Vehicle appeared to restart itself whilst driving on highway (thankfully no traffic/other cars on the road at this time, but I was doing 70+mph at the time). Shortly after this incident, I called the local dealer to setup a service appointment about this issue. Service was unable to to replicate issue. …
The vehicle in question has been experiencing multiple ongoing mechanical issues, including engine stalling, frequent brake replacements, frequent oil changes, a camshaft issue, and intermittent horn functionality. These issues have raised serious safety concerns. Despite multiple repairs and maintenance attempts at the dealership, the problems persist, affecting both my safety and confidence in the vehicle. I have incurred substantial costs for repairs and rental cars while trying to address the issues. However, the problems remain unresolved, and I am not receiving adequate support. I contacted the corporate office for assistance, but the representative dismissed my concerns and stated I would need to provide maintenance receipts, even though the dealership had already confirmed they were unnecessary. This response was unhelpful and failed to address my safety concerns. …
My 2021 Kia Seltos is experiencing engine sputtering/hesitation at approximately 3,000 RPM and the low oil pressure warning light illuminates while the vehicle is stopped or idling. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Kia dealership for diagnosis. The dealership opened a Kia Techline case and advised us that the vehicle passed Kia's piston-related test, but the symptoms remain. The vehicle is affected by Kia safety recall SC209, which concerns improperly heat-treated piston oil rings that may damage the engine. Kia's recall documentation identifies illumination of the oil pressure warning lamp as one of the potential symptoms/consequences of this defect. Despite the continuing symptoms, including the oil pressure warning light and sputtering at approximately 3,000 RPM, the problem has not been repaired. …
Electrical complaints in other Seltos years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Kia Seltos?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Kia Seltos, 13% of the model year's 378 complaints. The component named most often is horn (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Kia Seltos electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2021 Kia Seltos, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Kia Seltos electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.