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Engine coolingPart report

2021 Kia Seltos Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
45about this part
Share
12%of 378 total for the year
Median mileage
70,854miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 45 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2021 Kia Seltos, 12% of the 378 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,854 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11646518, filed 2025-03, 86,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine, oil pressure, and charging system warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that after waiting several minutes, the vehicle returned to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust camshaft and alternator needed to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #11769839, filed 2026-10, 107,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), but the failure occurred. While the contact's wife was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. While the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle lunged forward and then stalled. The contact's wife was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. …”

NHTSA complaint #11715923, filed 2026-02, 110,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11753695, filed 2026-07, 77,500 miles

“The contact's daughter owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and it was acknowledged that the failure was a known issue. The dealer recommended that the vehicle no longer be driven and remain with the dealer for additional diagnostic tests. The vehicle remained with the dealer unrepaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11681857, filed 2025-08, 33,621 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202424%
202324%
2022912%
20214512%

Other parts of the 2021 Kia Seltos

Engine
231 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
69 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsOther or unknown
47 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsForward collision avoidance
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Kia Seltos

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology