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2021 Kia Seltos

Gas

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
3 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-10-26

Safety Signal

85 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns 2

Complaints13 crash · 6 fire · 8 injured reported 378

Crash ratingNHTSA overall 4★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA 31 mpg

2027 2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021

The 2021 Kia Seltos is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 3 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Seltos FWD, is EPA-rated at 31 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 378 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Kia Seltos — photograph via Wikimedia Commons — Kia Seltos · Photo: Peżot · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
Seltos FWD	Gas	FWD	2.0L 4-cyl	29	34	31	$2,150
Seltos AWD	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl	27	31	29	$2,300
Seltos AWD	Gas	AWD	1.6L 4-cyl turbo	25	30	27	$2,500

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 42428, 42430, 42429.

Emissions & certification

Source: EPA emission certificates

Configuration	Smog rating	Emission standard	Where it can be sold new	SmartWay
Seltos AWD, Seltos FWD	5 / 10	California LEV-III ULEV70 / Federal Tier 3 Bin 70	All 50 states (federal, all altitudes); California and states following California standards	—

Certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S.

The smog rating scores tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, 1 (worst) to 10 (best), and is comparable only within a model year. The standard is the federal bin or California tier the configuration was certified to. Both come from the EPA certificate behind the window sticker.

Specifications filed with NHTSA

Source: NHTSA vPIC

Dimensions Exterior

Body style	Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
GVWR class	Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)

Engine Basics

Cylinders	4
Displacement	2 L

Engine Output

Horsepower

147 hp

Fuel Economy

Fuel	Gasoline

Transmission

Drivetrain

4x2

Filed by the manufacturer with NHTSA under the federal vehicle-identification rule and decoded from the VIN pattern — not a manufacturer press kit, so it describes the configurations we could identify rather than every trim (seen: EX, LX, S, SX). Figures for the trim you are looking at may differ.

Dimensions & weight

Source: Transport Canada

Length	172.0 in
Width (body, without mirrors)	70.9 in
Height	63.8 in
Wheelbase	103.5 in
Track, front	61.4 in
Track, rear	61.8 in
Curb weight	2,892–3,318 lb
Weight distribution, front/rear	59/41 to 60/40

Measured by Transport Canada for its Canadian Vehicle Specifications database, which covers the North American versions of each model — here 3 configurations: AWD 4-door SUV, AWD Turbo 4-door SUV, FWD 4-door SUV. Where a range is shown, those versions differ. Width is the body without mirrors, which is why it can read narrower than a brochure figure. Before we used it we checked it against the US manufacturer press kits we hold (27 Sep 2026): wheelbase agreed within 1% on every vehicle we could compare, length on 98%, and the curb weight fell inside the manufacturer's range on 96%. Source dataset. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada. Licence.

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

SC336

137,256 vehicles 66% reported repaired built Jul 2, 2020 – Jul 1, 2022

Problem 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. Risk Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Fix 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.

Filed with NHTSADefect report PDF Owner letter PDF Remedy instructions PDF Chronology PDF

NHTSA campaign 25V099000 reported Feb 17, 2025 Kia America, Inc. the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

▲high

Engine

SC209

147,249 vehicles 91% reported repaired

Problem 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. Risk 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. Fix 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.

Filed with NHTSARemedy instructions PDF

NHTSA campaign 21V259000 reported Apr 13, 2021 Kia Motors America the full filing, and every vehicle covered →

These are vehicle campaigns — the ones the automaker filed against this model. NHTSA also records equipment recalls, filed by a parts maker against a component (a tyre, a child seat, an aftermarket part), and those are not listed here or counted above. nhtsa.gov/recalls shows both for a VIN.

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical — Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness closed

On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.’s (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On August 11, 2025, an Information Request (IR) was issued to Kia requesting: 1) why the inspection test was revised from requiring a ‘cold’ engine to a ‘warm’ engine; 2) w

Opened Aug 6, 2025 · closed Dec 18, 2025 · action AQ25001 · the investigation’s page →

Whether any of this applies to one specific Seltos

A campaign covers a build range, not a model year, so two identical-looking cars from 2021 can differ. Both of these check a VIN against the manufacturer’s own list, free, in about ten seconds. Kia publishes its own lookup because federal rule 49 CFR 573.15 requires it to, and to keep it current to within seven days.

NHTSA VIN check →Kia’s own VIN lookup →

Hear about a recall before the letter does

The manufacturer’s letter is the last step of a recall: it has up to 60 days after filing to mail owners, at the address on the registration. We email you the day NHTSA posts a recall on the 2021 Kia Seltos, with what to do next. Nothing else, ever — no newsletter, no marketing, one-click unsubscribe in every message.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

378complaints filed

13 involved a crash · 6 a fire · 8 injuries · 0 deaths reported

47 per 10,000 built · Kia reported 80,991 Seltos built (its Early Warning production report to NHTSA)

Filed per year: 2020: 18 · 2021: 33 · 2022: 39 · 2023: 38 · 2024: 27 · 2025: 120 · 2026: 103

Most-cited components

Engine → 276

Power Train → 69

Electrical System 48

Unspecified 46

Fuel/Propulsion System 28

Vehicle Speed Control 11

In depth: engine problems → · transmission and drivetrain problems →

In owners' own words

Filed with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, one per problem area. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The contact stated that when she took her vehicle in for an oil change, she was informed that there was no oil in the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil and there was a loud knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated.

Engine at 10,122 miles May 18, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11417606

On 05/03/21 approx. 2:40 PM ct I was excelling to enter highway mopac north; austin, tx; when my car became sluggish; I pulled over, to shoulder, ironically tx roadside assitance pulled in behind me - we couldn't determine the issue - I was exiting the next exit driving to jiffy lube on anderson/spicewood; dialogue screen stating issue…

Power Train at 10,900 miles May 13, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11416394

The driver side mirror is distorted. I drove it home from the dealership after having the dealer replace the mirror before we left the lot (we noticed it when before drove off the lot) then just drove and it was still warped. I was scared to switch lanes.

Structure Feb 9, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11395493

The first time I took my car out a rock hit the windshield and chipped it. Before I could make it home the chip had cracked my windshield and spread to beyond repair. The car has under 100 miles on it and already needs a new windshield. Vehicle was moving approx. 65 MPH on a 4 lane highway

Visibility/Wiper Feb 1, 2021 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11390953

No matter what speed, car will randomly jerk from left to right, feeling like death wobble. At higher speeds more than 45mph the car will violently jerk from left to right, feeling out of control. Kia dealership on central ave in albany ny USA notified, said the alignment was off and pass rear camber bolt is bent.

Suspension Dec 19, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11384213

My Kia Seltos with only 900 miles has done the following twice: when at a stop and I step on the gas the car turns off. The first time it happened I was at a stop light and when I stepped on the gas the car turned off and took a couple of minutes before I was able to turn the car back on.

Electronic Stability Control at 900 miles Sep 29, 2020 NHTSA owner report · ODI 11361711

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Reported by Kia itself: 1 death-or-injury claim on this model year in its quarterly Early Warning reports to NHTSA (49 CFR 579.21): 1 injured, as claimed, not verified — about 1.2 per 100,000 built. Every Seltos model year, by year and system → Dated and by system, they are exhibit F of the defect dossier.

When owners reported it

Reported at 45k

miles, typically

Half the 88 owner reports with an odometer reading on file fall between 10,000 and 72,000 miles. That is when problems get reported, which is not the same as when they start — and not a failure rate, because nobody knows how many of these cars never had a problem at all.

under 10k 24

10k–20k 6

20k–30k 5

30k–40k 3

40k–50k 10

50k–60k 8

60k–70k 7

70k–80k 8

80k–90k 4

90k–100k 3

100k–150k 9

150k + 1

Median mileage by component

Component	Reports	Median miles	Vs same age
Engine	66	55,547	1.11×
Power Train	17	7,400	0.15×

Vs same age is this model year’s median for the system divided by the median of every 2021-model-year complaint about the same system, all makes: under 1× means owners of this car reported it at lower mileage. Here, owners reported earlier than same-age vehicles: power train (0.15×). Which systems go early across the whole fleet: the component study.

Odometer readings as filed by owners with NHTSA. Readings under 100 or over 400,000 miles are dropped as data entry rather than history, and a component needs at least 12 readings before a median is shown for it.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	15%
SUV FWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Service bulletins & campaigns

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications

Extended coverage on file 1 filing by the manufacturer with NHTSA naming this model year

10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first · Kia warranty extension WTY038CAMPAIGN: TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMEN (WTY038) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information.

The term and the vehicles it covers are the manufacturer’s, as NHTSA’s summary of each filing states them; a dealer checks one particular car by its VIN. Every Kia warranty extension (28) → · Every warranty extension on file, all makes →

Communicationsfiled with NHTSA 134

Most recentmanufacturer date 2026-06-08

Kindsas classified by NHTSA 123 service bulletins, 7 warranty extensions, 2 others

Most often about: Electrical System, Power Train, Engine, Equipment, Forward Collision Avoidance.

CS2312_TSB_R2 Service bulletin
2026-06-08 · Structure — Body
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 indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install a Theft Deterrent Ignition Cylinder Protector on certain 2010-2022MY Kia
TSB_ELE422 Service bulletin
2026-05-28 · Electrical System
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 Updater available at update.kia.com. The software update may improve system performance, enhance existing features, and apply the latest operating software for sup
SC199_OWNR_SP2_3 Emissions
2026-02-19 · Electrical System
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 Module (TCM) and, if necessary, replace the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) on certain 2021 MY Seltos vehicles.
PS797 Other
2025-12-09 · Back Over Prevention — Warnings
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, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal transmission and reception times between the vehicle (ultrasonic sensor) and an object. The membrane
TSB_ELE382_R1 Service bulletin
2025-10-22 · Electrical System
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 to upgrade the Integrated Body Control Unit (IBU) software on some 2021-2025MY Seltos (SP2) vehicles produced from November 20, 2019 through January 13. 2025. Wh
WTY038_TSB_R1 Warranty extension
2025-10-21 · Electrical System
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 the margin area. This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY038) to inspect and, if necessary, replace the horn ass
SST082_R1 Service bulletin
2025-09-04 · Engine
This bulletin provides instructions to perform an engine vibration inspection using the Kia Diagnostic System (KDS) tablet on certain Kia engine/model vehicles. The piston oil ring(s) in certain Kia engines may, over time, damage the surface of the engine cylinder wall. This may lead to increased oil consumption which will eventually result in abnormal noise from the engine and/or illumination of
SC336YZ_TSB Service bulletin
2025-09-04 · Engine
This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published under SC336 titled “Engine Inspection/Replacement and ECM Logic Improvement”.

A service bulletin is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a known condition. It is not a recall, not a finding that the vehicle is defective, and the work is not automatically free — though a bulletin is often what a dealer works from when you describe a symptom, so quoting the document number can save a diagnosis. The count is every communication filed; the list shows the most recent, one entry per campaign, because a single campaign is usually filed as several documents on the same day. The summaries are NHTSA's; the full documents come from the manufacturer.

Diagnostic trouble codes on file

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints

Codes documented against this model year in the federal record. A code appearing here does not mean this vehicle will set it — it means the code is part of this nameplate-year's documented history.

Code	What it means	Most often filed under	Where it appears
P0017 P0017 on Kia →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Engine	6 owner reports
P1327 P1327 on Kia →	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Engine	3 bulletins · 3 owner reports
P0014 P0014 on Kia →	The second camshaft on bank 1 is timed further advanced than commanded.	Engine	3 owner reports
P0605	The engine control module has failed its own internal program-memory check.	Electrical System · Battery →	3 bulletins
P2181	Manufacturer-defined — the meaning is set by the automaker, not the standard.	Electrical System · Battery →	3 bulletins
P0304 P0304 on Kia →	Cylinder 4 is misfiring.	Engine · Ignition coils →	2 owner reports

Generic codes (the second character is 0 or 2) mean the same thing on every vehicle sold in the United States. Manufacturer-specific codes (1 or 3) mean whatever the automaker assigned, and no honest source can define them for you — which is why the ones here carry the evidence instead of a definition. A code is a link when enough separate federal documents name it across the catalogue to be worth a page of its own; the rest are listed here, where the vehicle is the context that makes them mean something.

At the New York inspection station

Source: New York State DMV

New York inspections 0.94%

failed emissions

2,765 initial inspections of 2,713 vehicles.

Measure	The 2021 Seltos	Every 2021 vehicle	Behind it
Failed the emissions check	0.94%	1.9%	2,761
Failed the safety inspection	2.4%	1.5%	2,765
Air-bag warning lamp stayed lit	0.04%	0.19%	2,765
Miles driven a year	10,846	10,343	odometer at inspection
Average odometer	57,367	54,681	odometer at inspection

New York’s emissions test on these model years is an on-board diagnostics check: it fails a car whose check-engine light is on or whose self-tests have not finished. First inspections only, so a car that failed and came back is counted once; private and special plates, not taxis, livery or commercial plates. A rate appears only where at least 200 inspections stand behind it. “Every 2021 vehicle” is every 2021 model-year car, SUV and pickup inspected in the same window, all makes. This is the state’s record of test results, not a reliability score by itself. Source: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Inspections (data.ny.gov, Open NY terms).

Seltos by model year

all years, side by side →

Year Safety Recalls Complaints

2027 A 0 2 30 mpg 2026 A 0 4 29 mpg 2025 A 0 13 31 mpg 2024 C 2 47 Park outside 2023 C 2 47 Park outside 2022 A 1 76 31 mpg 2021 this page B 2 378 31 mpg

Common questions about the 2021 Seltos

Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kits

Does the 2021 Kia Seltos have any recalls?

NHTSA has posted 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Seltos. The most serious on file is 25V099000, covering Engine And Engine Cooling. Check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls; a recall applies to specific build ranges, not every car.

How safe is the 2021 Kia Seltos?

NHTSA gave the 2021 Kia Seltos 4 stars overall in its New Car Assessment Program tests — 4-star frontal crash, 5-star side crash, 4-star rollover. WhichTrim also grades it B (85/100) on its recall record, which is a different question from crash protection.

What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Kia Seltos?

Across the 3 EPA-rated configurations of the 2021 Kia Seltos, the best EPA combined figure is 31 mpg. Figures are the EPA's own, per configuration, and every one is listed above.

What are the dimensions of the 2021 Kia Seltos?

Transport Canada measured it at 172.0 in long, 70.9 in wide (body, without mirrors), 63.8 in tall, on a 103.5 in wheelbase. Curb weight: 2,892–3,318 lb depending on configuration. Those are its measurements of the North American versions; every figure is in the table above.

What do owners complain about on the 2021 Kia Seltos?

Owners have filed 378 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Seltos, most often about engine, power train, electrical system. Of those, 13 involved a crash, 6 a fire, 8 reported injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so treat the pattern as a signal and the individual report as an anecdote.

How clean is the 2021 Kia Seltos?

The EPA smog rating for the 2021 Kia Seltos is 5 out of 10. That score covers tailpipe pollutants other than greenhouse gases, and it only compares vehicles within the same model year. It is certified for all fifty states, so it can be registered new anywhere in the U.S. Its configurations were certified to different standards — California LEV-III ULEV70, Federal Tier 3 Bin 70 — which the table above lists per configuration.

Are there service bulletins for the 2021 Kia Seltos?

The manufacturer has filed 134 service bulletins and related communications with NHTSA for the 2021 Kia Seltos, most often covering electrical system, power train, engine. The most recent is dated 2026-06-08. A bulletin is not a recall: it is the repair procedure a manufacturer sends its dealers for a condition it knows about, and the work is not automatically paid for. It is still worth knowing — if the symptom matches, quoting the bulletin number at the service desk can save a diagnosis. The document numbers and summaries are listed above.

How does the 2021 Kia Seltos do at state inspection?

In New York’s inspection lanes over the 12 months to Oct 10, 2026, the 2021 Kia Seltos failed the emissions check on 0.94% of first inspections — lower than the 1.9% for every 2021 model-year vehicle inspected; and the safety inspection on 2.4% (every 2021 vehicle: 1.5%). The figures are New York State DMV’s own inspection records, first inspections only, and the table above sets each one against every vehicle of the same model year.

What we hold, and what an empty row means

Paid vehicle-history reports will not tell you the difference between “nothing happened to this car” and “we never received that record” — both of the big two say as much in their own help pages. Most of what is on this page comes from complete federal registers, so we can tell you which is which, row by row.

Data	Held	Source	What it covers — or what empty means
Fuel economy & configurations	3 configurations	EPA certification records	Every configuration the EPA certified for sale, with its own test figures.
Emission certificates	3 configurations	EPA emission certificates	Smog rating, standard and the sales area that decides where the car can be sold new.
Recalls	2	NHTSA recall campaigns	A complete federal register: every campaign covering this model year, with severity and advisory flags.
Owner complaints	378	NHTSA complaint database	Also complete, but unverified: these are reports owners filed, not findings. Counts scale with how many were sold.
Crash ratings	2 tested	NHTSA NCAP	Only the configurations NHTSA chose to crash-test, which is never all of them.
Service bulletins	134	NHTSA manufacturer communications	Everything the manufacturer told its dealers about a defect or malfunction, short of a recall.
Investigations	1	NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation	Open and closed defect investigations, with the agency's own narrative.
Driver-assist crash reports	none	NHTSA Standing General Order 2021-01	No report has been filed. Only entities named in the order report, and only crashes they hear of — so this is also what an unequipped car, or a manufacturer without telematics, looks like.
Specifications filed with NHTSA	7 fields	NHTSA vPIC, decoded from VIN patterns	What the manufacturer filed under the federal VIN rule — a configuration, not the full trim ladder.
Measured dimensions	7 fields	Transport Canada, Canadian Vehicle Specifications	Length, width, height, wheelbase, track and curb weight, measured on the North American versions.
Trims, pricing & equipment	none	Manufacturer press kit	We have not transcribed a press kit for this model year yet. This is our gap, not the manufacturer's — the one row here where an empty cell means we are behind.

Rebuilt nightly; this page was generated 2026-10-26. Every figure above is traceable to the source named beside it, and the JSON for this page carries the same values with their identifiers.

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). The most serious recall counts in full and each further one counts 85% of the one before, because a vehicle sold in millions is recalled more often than a rare one without being more dangerous — and because a flat subtraction bottomed the scale out, scoring a vehicle with 22 recalls within a point of one with six. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Read it as what it counts: recall campaigns on the federal record, weighted by severity. The damping reduces the sales bias by roughly 40% but does not remove it: like our complaint counts, this is not normalized by how many were sold, so a best-seller still scores somewhat worse than an obscure model with the same real risk. NHTSA crash ratings, do-not-drive and park-outside advisories, and the crash, fire, injury and death counts in owner complaints are reported separately on every page and never blended into the letter — a vehicle can hold five stars and a poor letter at once, and where that happens we say so rather than leave you to notice. Because the scale subtracts from a clean sheet, a model year too new to have been recalled, complained about or bulletined scores full marks on an empty record; we label those grades provisional rather than present them as earned.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed nightly.

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