2021 Kia Seltos · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 136owner reports
- 40,000median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
326 of the 371 complaints on this car are about the engine. 136 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2021 Seltos.
Tick what matches of 136 reports
Stalling on other Seltos years
No other Seltos model year has enough reports of stalling for a sheet of its own. See every Seltos year.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (11 reports), the battery (10 reports) and the ignition coil or plugs (5 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
17 of the 136 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $250 to $7,182.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 6,500 and 70,000 miles, from the 63 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While driving at low speeds, the vehicle would stall, no engine lights or warnings would appear on the dashboard. After turning it off and back on, it would run but stall again shortly later. An unfamiliar foul odor appeared from the dipstick as I checked the oil. Car only has 60k miles on it. Engine is throwing codes for cylinder 1, cylinder 2 and crankshaft.”
Filed Jan 10, 2025 · 60,000 miles
“The engine stalls and or dies when breaks are applied. Yes, it was confirmed by dealer. Engine light came on. Has been in shop. Car only has 97,000 miles. They are refusing to honor extended warranty even though other Kia Seltos engines have the exact same problem that are under recall. These are engine sensor problems ... they have nothing to do with "oil changes" that they claim were made late (One)”
Filed Apr 26, 2024 · 97,000 miles
“My car was stolen 4 times due to KIA not installing an immobilizer into my car. My Window was broken all 4 times to get to the car and never did my car alarm sound during this time.”
Filed May 18, 2023
“When driving the vehicle the motor will randomly shut off. This is a safety hazard and has been happening more and more. I thought it was supposed to do this but only when stopped. It now is doing it while driving and I have almost been rear ended 3 times now. The car is not drivable.”
Filed May 18, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 136 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 97 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 75 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 61 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 26 reports