2021 Kia Seltos Service and Repair Manual
Everything in this 2021 Kia Seltos factory service and repair manual is tied to the car as Kia built it — this model year, this engine, this trim — so the clearances, settings and tightening sequences you work to are the published figures for your Seltos rather than approximate values borrowed from an adjacent year.
Engines covered
- 1.4L inline-four (83 cu in) — DOHC, turbocharged, gasoline
- 1.6L inline-four — DOHC, turbocharged, gasoline
- 2.0L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
- 1.6L inline-four (97 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sport utility
Trims covered
- EX
- EX Pack
- EX Premium
- GT Line
- LX
- S
- SX
- SX Turbo
Known issues on the 2021 Seltos. One recall is on federal record for this model year, and it covers the engine. Kia recalled 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines because the piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated; a damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Owners have filed 453 complaints for the year and Kia has issued 133 technical service bulletins.
From tracing a stall on a 2.0L car to servicing one of the turbocharged fours, it keeps you on the OEM procedure and the correct specification for your specific 2021 Seltos.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are ind
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updat
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC199 FL301) - This document is the owner renotification advising that Kia is conducting Voluntary Service Campaign to update the software programming on the Transmission Control M
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting Customer Satisfaction Campaign. A software upgrade that addresses the social media theft method has been m
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER PROTECTOR AND DECAL INSTALLATION (CS2312) - This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-202
PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMEN (WTY038) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: IBU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT: This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information t
Showing the 8 most recent of 134 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
I was traveling at approximately 50mph straight through an intersection. The opposing car made a left turn directly in front of me and I T-boned the other vehicle (gray Kia Optima). There was sufficient front end damage that my car was totaled. The airbags on my vehicle failed to deploy.
I am unsure what part of my car malfunctioned. I had my foot on the brake when my car began to surge forward and accelerate itself, crashing me into a tree because the steering completely stopped working as well. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because I was in the middle of the street. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. A couple days after the incident, the same exact malfunction happened to an employe
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a tree, where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal remained depressed during the failure. While being placed on the tow truck, the vehicle violently jerked. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the collision center for repair, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated while
I was going to park my car the second I went to change gears my car accelerated forward through a bakery I stepped on the brakes as fast as I could but it was too late
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while switching gears from reverse to drive, the vehicle had inadvertently accelerated and crashed into an unoccupied parked vehicle before coming to a stop. Both vehicles had damage to the front bumper. No warning light illuminated. The contact sustained minor injuries to both her knees; however, she did not seek medical attention. The air bags did not deploy, and the vehicle was not deemed a total loss. A police report was filed. The
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 th
Traveling WB on SR100 approximately 60mph after picking up dinner in [XXX] , Before reaching the turn for 302, a deer jumped from the southbound side of the road to the northbound side of the road. When it jumped, the right side of the deer impacted the front of my vehicle which in turn ripped the vehicles hood up from locked down position and slammed it into the windshield. I saw the deers midsection from under the raised hood as the impact happened. I immediately put on my hazards and began to
While driving normally at approximately 55 mph on the highway, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic, and spontaneous structural failure of the rear driver-side suspension and drivetrain. Without striking any road debris, potholes, or other vehicles, the entire driver-side rear wheel, wheel assembly, and structural axle components completely fractured and ejected from the moving vehicle. An eyewitness at the scene explicitly confirmed the nature of the failure, stating on video that they o
I’m making a complaint because a Driver hit the front side of my vehicle on the drivers side, and gave me all there information. No police was called because the damage to my vehicle wasn’t bad. So the driver knew it was their fault and gave there information. When it was time to call there insurance company, the driver of the other vehicle change their story and said that my car hit there vehicle and now the insurance company is saying that they are not allowable for the damages. They also note
Driving on highway, water truck lost its load. 2 thousand gallon water tank slammed into side of Kia Side airbag did not deploy
A deer was hit at 60mph with frontal impact. The collision warning did not alarm, however after the collision, the light was illuminated. The airbags did not deploy. The front end damage was estimated at nearly $11,000 but no airbags deployed with this high rate of speed and impact.
Purchased kia in 2021- Car was taken in on April 24 for a recall. I was originally told the recall would take 2 weeks if it failed now South Hills Kia along with Kia can tell me anything. We are 2 weeks in the car I need to drive my elderly mother to her dr appointments with and not one person can tell me when I can get my car back or even a loner. My car has less then 33,000 miles -this is just wrong on Kia’s part and South Hills Kia for not supplying a car as they keep my with ZERO end in sigh
The Kia was traveling approximately 45 - 50 mph and struck another vehicle that had pulled out from a stop sign. I had my hand on the horn and the airbags did not deploy on impact.
Car cutoff. Started back up to get off interstate. Saw smoke under hood and got it. Within 5 min sparks under the frame and then 10-15 min later flames
Spontaneously Burst into flames. Was completely destroyed. I’ll have to send pics if car tomorrow when I can get into the impound.
Showing the 15 most serious of 357 complaints filed with NHTSA.
