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Kia Seltos VIN Number Check

Run a free NHTSA vPIC decode on a Kia Seltos VIN to confirm the model year and engine, then see which of the 4 NHTSA recall campaigns for 2021–2026 cover that year.

VIN prefixKND

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Kia Seltos

About the Kia Seltos

Kia has sold the Seltos in the US since the 2021 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recall campaigns and 553 owner complaints. The 2021 has the most complaints of any model year (372). EPA rates it at 25–31 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2021–2026
EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
NHTSA recall campaigns4
Owner complaints553 at NHTSA
Kia Seltos photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Kia Seltos at a glance

One generation in the data, 2021–2026: 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 553 owner complaints.

1 / 1
SP2
2021–2026Small Sport Utility Vehicle
Kia Seltos (2021–2026)

Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

20212025
2021–2026

Kia Seltos

EPA classSmall Sport Utility Vehicle
EPA combined mpg25–31
NHTSA recalls4

Engines (EPA)

  • 1.6 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2021–2026
  • 2.0 L 4-cyl · 2021–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, FWD
  • automated manual/dual-clutch (2021–2023), CVT (2021–2026), automatic (2024–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (350)Electrical system (91)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (88)3 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 553 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · SP2KNDERCAA?M7······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2021 Kia Seltos EX, built in Gwang-Ju, South Korea
Check a Seltos VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Seltos model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 4 campaigns on file for Seltos model years 2021–2026, and the 2021, 2023 and 2024 show up in the most (2 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2024
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Kia Seltos owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2021 and 2022 hold 445 of the 553 complaints, or 80%. Tap any bar or generation.

553NHTSA complaints, 2021–2026
29mention a crash
10mention a fire
17injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearSP2: 553 complaints · most for the 2021 (372)

Top complaint areas · SP2

Mentions in 553 complaints, 2021–2026.

Engine and cooling350
Electrical system91
Powertrain (transmission, driveline)88
Fuel system30
Forward collision avoidance28
Speed control / acceleration15
Crashes 29Fires 10Injuries 17

2021–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2021 is the outlier. On its own it has 372 of the SP2’s 553 complaints (67%), more than any other Seltos model year, and owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (350 mentions), then electrical system (91).

What Seltos owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2021–2026 (1st generation)

The 2021 draws by far the most complaints, and later years have modest totals. Many NHTSA owners of the 2021 describe stalling, oil consumption and engine failure on the 2.0 liter engine, often tied to faulty piston oil rings, and some report engine fires. CarComplaints has few reports, led on the 2021 by transmission overheating, a transmission that stopped shifting properly and a software update that caused problems. An all new Seltos arrived for 2027. Recalls cover piston oil rings on 2.0 liter 2021–2023 models that can damage the engine. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup and confirm the piston oil ring recalls on 2.0 liter models were completed, including any engine inspection or replacement.
  • Ask for oil change records and check the oil level.
  • On the drive, watch for stalling, warning lights or harsh shifts after the car warms up.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2021 Kia Seltos
  2. CarComplaints.com, 2021 Kia Seltos problems
  3. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2022 Kia Seltos

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner opinions · Reddit

What Kia Seltos owners say on Reddit

Summarized from public threads

Seltos owners on Reddit split by model year. Several owners of 2021 to 2023 cars with the 2.0 engine describe oil burning, stalling and a piston ring recall that did not always end in a new engine, and one Canadian owner needed an engine, water pump and screen within a year. Owners of 2024 and newer cars mostly report no problems, and several older cars have passed 48,000 to 84,000 miles with only routine care. People praise the roomy cabin, simple layout and good value.

Pros

  • Roomy for its size with a simple, practical layout
  • Many owners report tens of thousands of miles with only routine care
  • Good value and plenty of features even on lower trims

Cons

  • Oil burning and stalling on some 2021 to 2023 2.0 engines
  • Frustration with how the piston ring recall and warranty claims were handled
  • Base trims miss items like remote start and removable rear headrests

Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.

Owner complaints · by model year

Seltos complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Seltos version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

553complaints, 2021–2026
29mention a crash
10mention a fire
17injuries reported
Most complaints: 2021 (372), 2022 (73), 2023 (46)
372’2173’2246’23’25

2021 · 372 complaints

Crashes 13 · fires 6 · injuries 8

Engine228
Power train68
Electrical system48
Unknown or other46
Engine and engine cooling44

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Seltos CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 17 Seltos versions for model years 2021–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 283 g/mi (2023). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

SP22021–2026

25–31 mpg · CO₂ 283–350 g/mi

2025
31combined MPG
288CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$2,150EPA yearly fuel cost
6/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
6/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: FWD · Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L — 31 MPG · 288 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
25030035040045020252021 · Gas: 2852022 · Gas: 2832023 · Gas: 2832024 · Gas: 2882025 · Gas: 2882026 · Gas: 309
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Seltos vs Honda HR-V vs Hyundai Kona

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2021–2026. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the Seltos, against 9 for the Honda HR-V and 12 for the Hyundai Kona. Pick a range to compare.

Kia Seltos

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
4
NHTSA owner complaints
553
EPA combined mpg
25–31
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 350
  2. Electrical system 91
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 88

Honda HR-V

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
9
NHTSA owner complaints
1,006
EPA combined mpg
27–30
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.8, 2.0 L
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors) 424
  2. Steering 157
  3. Electrical system 94

Hyundai Kona

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
12
NHTSA owner complaints
450
EPA combined mpg
23–32
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 1.6, 2.0 L · Electric
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating
4★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Electrical system 148
  2. Engine and cooling 146
  3. Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 58

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Kia Seltos VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Seltos

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Silver Kia Seltos (first generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Seltos subcompact crossover carries its VIN on a plate at the lower driver's side windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and on a B-pillar label. No frame stamp is present due to unibody construction. Seltos is manufactured in multiple countries, the VIN's WMI prefix will identify the specific assembly plant and help confirm the market specification (US-spec versus gray-market imports).

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Kia Seltos VIN questions

Which Kia Seltos model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2021 leads with 372, ahead of the 2022 (73) and 2023 (46). Those first two alone make up 80% of the 553 Seltos complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Kia Seltos had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 4 vehicle campaigns for model years 2021–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Kia Seltos recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 21V-259, 25V-099 and 23V-531. Park-outside advisories came with 23V-531. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Kia Seltos get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2021–2026 Seltos at 25–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Kia Seltos compare with the Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona on recalls?

For 2021–2026 models the Seltos has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Honda HR-V has 9, the Hyundai Kona 12. Complaints run 553, 1,006 and 450 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Kia Seltos have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Seltos 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, FWD and AWD, get that score.

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