2021 Kia Seltos Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 341 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Kia Seltos overview page.
What owners report
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle would stall upon depression of the accelerator…”NHTSA complaint 11491047 — filed 10/26/2022
“I was driving the car at a speed of approximate 30 mph. As I was slowing down for a traffic light, the car jerked backwards…”NHTSA complaint 11483034 — filed 09/06/2022
“The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, an object fell from a vehicle ahead. The contact stated that…”NHTSA complaint 11472978 — filed 07/08/2022
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Kia Seltos have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2021 Kia Seltos: 61 of 341 complaints on file (17.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 Kia Seltos have in total?
341 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 12 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 8 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
