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KIA Seltos and Soul Engine Recall
by Larry Carley copyright February 2025 AA1Car.com
KIA owners may qualify for a free engine replacement
Kia is recalling 137,000 Seltos and Soul models because of an engine piston oil ring problem in certain 2.0 liter engines. The ring defect could increase oil consumption in these engines, and possibly leading to engine failure or even a fire.
The piston oil rings may not have been manufactured correctly to meet OEM specifications. Incorrect heat treating may have made the rings too hard, increasing the risk of the rings cracking or chipping which could damage the engine's cylinder walls. Such damage would allow a significant increase in oil consumption that could lead to engine failure if the engine's oil level drops too low between oil changes. The rings were supplied by Dongsuh Federal-Mogul of South Korea.
The KIA models being recalled are 2021 to 2023 Seltos, and 2021 to 2023 Soul.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Institute (NHTSA) said 137,256 vehicles may be included in the recall.
KIA dealers will inspect your engine and replace it free of charge if necessary. The dealer will also install free-of-charge new engine computer software that can detect vibrations produced by worn or damaged piston rings and connecting rod bearings. This will alert you if there is a potential problem that needs to be inspected.
KIA mailed recall notification letters to Seltos and Soul owners in April 2025. You can also call KIA customer service at 1-800-853-1403 to see if your vehicle is included in the recall. The KIA number for this recall is SC336.
You can also call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.nhtsa.gov to see if your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) matches the recall. Your vehicle's VIN number can be found at the base of the windshield on a small metal tag on the driver's side.
KIA had issued an earlier recall for the same problem (SC206, NHTSA #21V-259) for 2020-2021 Soul, and 2021 Seltos equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings in these engines were also improperly manufactured with the wrong heat-treatment, resulting in brittle rings that could chip or crack. As with the latest recall, the bad rings could damage the engine cylinders resulting in increased oil consumption and possible engine failure or a fire.
The KIA customer service contact number for this recall is 1-800-333-4542.
This recall includes 125,400 2020-2021 Kia Soul models built between November 24, 2018 and October 24, 2020, and 21,849 2021 Kia Seltos models built between November 20, 2019 and October 15, 2020.
Vehicles subject to this recall will be inspected and the engine replaced is necessary. The vehicles will also receive the updated piston ring vibration detection software to alert you if your engine develops such a problem.
KIA said owners of ANY of these affected vehicles should make it a point to check your engine oil dipstick regularly, and to add oil as needed to make sure the oil level is maintained at the FULL mark. Alowing the engine oil level to get too low can result in a loss of engine oil pressure, severe engine damage (spun rod or main bearings, and/or connecting rod failure).
Vehicle owners are also reminded of the importance of getting regular oil changes (5000 mile invervals are best). Oil changes can be performed by a KIA dealer, any independent auto service facility or you can do-it-yourself. Just be sure to keep all receipts or repair orders as proof that the oil has been properly maintained and changed as recommended. Failure to change the oil (or lack of proof that the oil has been changed) may void any warranty claims if your engine suffers damage or failure.
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