2021 Kia Seltos · symptom sheet
Check engine light or misfire
- 75owner reports
- 63,000median miles
- $1,304median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 20, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
293 of the 371 complaints on this car are about the engine. 75 of those describe misfire.
Tick what matches of 75 reports
Misfire on other Seltos years
No other Seltos model year has enough reports of misfire for a sheet of its own. See every Seltos year.
What this problem usually is
These reports start with the check engine light. Many describe the engine running rough or shaking at idle, a P0300-series code, or a catalytic converter code. A worrying number say the light was flashing. Owners often list ignition coils or spark plugs already replaced, and the light coming back afterward.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the spark plugs (8 reports), the sensor (4 reports) and the injectors (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the engine cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
All 2 recalls on the 2021 Kia Seltos, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Seltos
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.
What owners paid
9 of the 75 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $7,182.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 40,000 and 85,000 miles, from the 40 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Kia Seltos that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic System (KDS) tablet on certain Kia engine/model vehicles.
SERVICE ACTION: MIL ON DTC P0605 AND/OR P2181 ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA463) This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) on some 2020-2021MY Soul (SK3) vehicles and 2021MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced in the date ranges shown below, equipped with NU 2.0L ATK engines, which may exhibit ...
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN SERVICE ACTION: MIL ON DTC P0605 AND/OR P2181 ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA463) - This bulletin provides the procedure to improve the logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) on some 2020-2021MY Soul (SK3) vehicles produced from November 24, 2018 through January ...
What owners wrote
“Excessive oil consumption Engine damage or failure Ticking noise from the engine Loss of power when driving Rough idle, shaking the car is not able to be used, for safe.”
Filed Mar 30, 2026
“The car makes a jumping/jerking movement & at times, something that seems like a misfire happens. All lights go on and the car will do that jerking issue & become un drivable. This happened to me on the road and I was afraid for my safety as I couldnât get my car to a safe place immediately. Brought it to my mechanic and he gave me forms of a recall regarding 2021 Kia Seltos which is what I have.”
Filed Feb 4, 2026
“I own a kia seltos 2021 with 2.0 engine wich is 4 cylinders, but my vehicle from las 70k miles is been burning oil to the point that I have to keep checking oil level every 1000miles otherwise my engine is turns super hot and burn oil when I try filling up also make a loud sound on the exhaust and smell like burning oil.”
Filed Mar 1, 2025 · 70,000 miles
“My 2021 Kia seltos has a flashing engine light and when put on a code reader it indicates a misfire/ piston. This has been going for two weeks . My engine is a 2.0 and the recall for this vehicle has the same incident as mine. The engine keeps shutting off”
Filed Dec 31, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 75 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 136 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 97 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 61 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 26 reports