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2021 Kia Seltos

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Seltos.

The 2021 Kia Seltos, requiring 4.7 quarts of engine oil with a choice of 5W-30, 5W-40, or 10W-30 viscosity, recorded 341 owner complaints—the highest of any model year in its generation—with the engine as the top problem area and two recalls issued, making this debut year the most troubled in the 2021–2026 reliability history, a period that saw complaints plummet to just three by 2026, signaling a steep improvement curve for the nameplate.

Model year2026 2025 2023 2022 2021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30OEM · verified

Lug nut torque80.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 47 · 600 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 47 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnHOTOEM · verified

Tire size215/55R17 94VOEM · verified

Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	172 in
Overall width	70.9 in
Overall height	63.8 in
Wheelbase	103.5 in
Curb weight	3186 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.4 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Seltos of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.6–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2021 SX Turbo

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2021	SX Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-4	6.60 sec	15.30 sec	175 hp	AWD
2021	S T-GDI 1.6L Turbo I-4	6.90 sec	15.40 sec	175 hp	AWD
2021	SX Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.70 sec	175 hp	AWD
2021	SX Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-4	7.40 sec	15.90 sec	175 hp	AWD
2021	S 2.0L I-4	8.30 sec	16.50 sec	146 hp	FWD
2024	SX Turbo 4x 1.6L Turbo I-4	6.90 sec	15.40 sec	195 hp	AWD
2024	SX Turbo 4x 1.6L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.70 sec	195 hp	AWD
2024	SX Turbo 4x 1.6L Turbo I-4	7.60 sec	15.90 sec	195 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.7 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 engine oil, GL-5 · 75W-85 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80.0-94.0 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0-32.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	API · GL-4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	1.79 qt
Automatic Transmission Fluid	API · GL-4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	D7UF1-2
Brake Fluid	DOT 4 · DOT 4
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	GL-5 · 75W-85
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	0.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	145.0-152.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	26.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14.0-17.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	25.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0-33.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0-32.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug	Final Drive: 32.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug	Final Drive: 36.0-51.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	80.0-94.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	Use a new gasket: 29.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	Use a new gasket: 29.0-43.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	Checking Speed: 640 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	Checking Speed: 100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)	Speed-Up Speed: 680 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)	Speed-Up Speed: 100 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Kia
Spark Plug Gap	0.027-0.031 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0-18.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Kia

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity	.94-1.05 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	30
Oil Capacity	3.88-4.58 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 48

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)

48.0-54.0 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness

Disc: 0.079"; Drum: 0.039" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

34.0-38.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 38-42°

34–38 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages

22.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 90°

22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 42,000 mi.

Every 6,000 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Air Intake System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 12,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 37,500 mi	Differential (inspect fluid level) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 42,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Kia Seltos carries the highest federal complaint volume in the provided record, with 341 complaints, 2 recalls, 1 investigation, and 134 TSBs—figures that substantially exceed every subsequent model year, as complaints fall to 69 in 2022 and taper to just 3 by 2026. As the earliest year in the dataset, the 2021 model sits at the peak of a steep downward arc, indicating it generated far more owner-reported issues and manufacturer service bulletins than 2022–2026 examples. Engine-related complaints dominate the 2021 docket with 134 filings, followed by Engine & Engine Cooling at 36, though the data does not specify root causes; the record also notes 12 crash complaints and 5 fire complaints. While recall counts stay modest across all listed years, complaints and TSBs decline consistently after 2021. Consequently, a used 2021 Seltos carries the heaviest reported-issue burden in this generation's federal record, and buyers seeking lower exposure should prioritize a 2022 or newer unit.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

134

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

341

Owner complaints

12 involved a crash · 5 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’21’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 341 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine134

Engine & Engine Cooling36

Power Train27

Unknown Or Other20

Power Train,Engine17

Electrical System8

Electrical System,Engine8

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V259000EngineReported 13/04/2021

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. Remedy: 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)…

25V099000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/MechanicalReported 17/02/2025

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 134 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
CS2312_TSB_R2	2026-06-08	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
TSB_ELE422	2026-05-27	Electrical System	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM…
SC199_OWNR_SP2_3	2026-02-19	Power Train	VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER RENOTIFICATION (SC199 FL301) - This document…
TSB_CS2312	2025-12-17	Structure	TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: THEFT DETERRENT IGNITION CYLINDER…
CS2312_OWNR	2025-12-17	Structure	CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (CS2312) - This document is the owner…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Seltos. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group O battery Vehicles taking 4.7 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Seltos take?

4.7 qt of 5W-30 is preferred. 5W-40 can be used if 5W-30 is unavailable. Temperatures above 0°F: 10W-30; Temperatures above 14°F: 15W-40; Temperatures above 20°F: 20W-50, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Seltos have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.