2021 Kia Seltos: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AR · fire

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

Filed Apr 25, 2026 · Engine · OR

I own a 2021 Kia Seltos with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine (146 hp) and approximately 38,967 miles at the time of failure. On April 21, 2026, the vehicle began rattling during acceleration and stalling at stops with no warning lights of any kind. On April 22, 2026, my partner and I were driving on the highway when the rattling intensified and the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate properly, requiring my partner to press hard on the gas just to keep up with highway traffic. He safely exited the highway and shortly after turning off the main road the vehicle stalled completely on a residential street and could not be restarted. My partner opened the hood, at which point white smoke was visible and there was a strong burning smell. The vehicle was towed from that location to an authorized Kia dealership. Upon arrival, the service manager noted a burning smell from the starter motor. The engine produced no cranking sound when the key was turned. On April 24, 2026, the dealership confirmed the engine is seized and submitted the case to Kia corporate. The vehicle was properly maintained with oil changes every 3,500–4,500 miles. A full inspection just 3,587 miles prior identified no engine issues. No warning lights appeared at any point before or during the failure. This failure matches the defect described in the federal safety agency Campaigns 21V259 and 25V099, both citing improperly heat-treated piston oil rings in 2021 Kia Seltos vehicles equipped with the 2.0L engine causing cylinder wall damage, seizure, and risk of fire. My VIN returned 0 unrepaired recalls on April 22, 2026, placing it outside both recall populations. However, my vehicle has the identical engine, model year, and failure mode. I request the federal safety agency investigate whether both recall populations adequately captured all affected vehicles, including those manufactured outside the stated production date ranges.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MO · fire

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, there was white smoke coming from the engine, before the engine caught on fire. After the failure, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to pull over safely. The fire was extinguished independently. There were no reported injuries. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was scorched and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2026 · Engine · PA · fire

I had my car to a reliable mechanic who informed me of open recalls on my vehicle. The next morning, while I was driving, the engine started making a noise and I called a local Kia dealership. I was making arrangements to bring the car in for them to look at when the car stalled, and I got to the side of the road. While I was looking up the number to call for a tow service, a driver passed me and informed me there was a fire under my engine. Within five minutes, the entire car was engulfed in flames. I was very lucky. Someone told me and I was able to get out.

Filed Jan 16, 2026 · Engine · 24,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine started making an abnormal loud knocking sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that the failure worsened while attempting to drive the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V259000 (Engine), which included the VIN. The dealer informed the contact that a claim could not be submitted to the manufacturer for the engine replacement approval because the contact did not have oil change receipts. The contact stated that the residence had previously caught on fire, and the contact no longer had the receipts. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the case could be escalated to an unknown department. The contact had a follow up call with the manufacturer, but no further assistance had been provided. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · PA · fire

ON 11/26/22 I was driving down the road my Kia Seltos showed error messages on the dashboard saying ERROR and then Power Train off, the car then shut off at 55 mph and smoke filled my cabin, I got the car pulled over and called the fire department, there was no flames just smoke and smelled like electrical. It was then after 2 weeks taken to a dealership where they inspected the car and stated the fire was in the engine and the engine needs to be replaced. After doing research on this car and the issue there were at least 4 other complaints filed with KIA AMERICA about this issue

Filed Apr 27, 2022 · Engine · 21,000 miles · PA · fire

The contact leased a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that while his son was driving in traffic, he heard an abnormal banging noise and noticed smoke emerging from the engine compartment. The driver was able to pull off the road and exit the vehicle. The vehicle spontaneously caught fire and was engulfed in flames. The fire department was on the scene to extinguish the fire. The driver did not sustain any injuries. There were no police reports filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000. VIN was not available. The contact stated the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number 21V259000 (Engine).

Filed Oct 26, 2021 · NC

21V‑259 recall for inconsistent heat treating process for piston oil rings. The dates for use of the recalled piston rings Nov 20,1019 -Oct 15, 2020. My Seltos was in production at the time the damaged oil rings were used. I took my Seltos in for the repair, MY VEHICLE WAS NOT repaired. A vibration test was done and a program update was installed to detect vibration. The vehicle still has the recalled damaged oil rings. The vehicle stalls out, runs rough and continues to worsen. The first engine start up is the worst for engine noise and running rough. I expressed my concerns to the dealership, a vibration test with program software uploaded isn't a repair. Asked when will then piston rings be replaced? They stated they didn't know of that any such repair and my car is repaired. Yet it still stalls, continues to runs rough and worsening, oil check has grit feelin it. So I guess I wait till the engine stalls causing a wreck or the vehicle ignites into flames. I'm scared to drive the car and financially stuck with it because no one is willing to do anything more than what's been done. This is not fair and shouldn't be an acceptable outcome for a safety recall, as the issue of safety has not been addressed.

Filed Aug 6, 2021 · Engine · CA

on June 21st I took my car to be inspected for a recall on the engine. I was told it would take 1-2 hours, it took a total of 6. When I picked up the car not one person explained to me what was done, if my car passed the inspection or if work was done. On July 11th my car stalled on a main street with my child in the car. The oil light, check-engine light and battery light all turned on. On July 13th I took my car back to Kia where they had it for 5 hours. They told me the car had zero oil in it and accused me of not getting frequent routine oil changes, although I have taken my vehicle for every single one, except for the one needed in about 700 miles. Instead of performing the oil change, they topped off the oil and stated I needed to drive it for another 1000 miles so they can examine it again and do that a total of 3 times. They admitted what my car is experiencing is signs of the recall, but they can not just request that I receive an engine replacement. When I mentioned the risk of the car catching on fire and my concerns, the service associate replied, "That is not likely to happen", as if that is supposed to make me feel better. My vehicle does not drive well and honestly, it is terrifying to drive, but it is my only car. Since leaving the dealer on the 13th, my car has a hard time making it to 40 MPH and the RPM sometimes goes to 6 while slowly trying to get to 40 MPH. It has stalled again and sounds very loud while running. My gas also gets used extremely fast, a tank used to last me about 2 weeks and now sometimes it barely lasts a week. I have reached out to Kia customer service multiple times, but I do not get a response.

Filed Jul 18, 2021 · OK · fire

Spontaneously Burst into flames. Was completely destroyed. I’ll have to send pics if car tomorrow when I can get into the impound.