Kia recall overview:
- Who: Kia America is recalling more than 137,000 model year 2021-2023 Kia Seltos and Soul vehicles.
- Why: Kia initiated the recall over concerns the Kia Seltos and Soul vehicles could suffer engine damage, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Where: The recall affects certain Kia Seltos and Soul vehicle owners nationwide.
Kia is recalling more than 137,000 model year 2021-2023 Kia Seltos and Soul vehicles over concerns they could suffer engine damage as a result of defective piston oil rings.
The recall involves certain Kia Seltos vehicles produced between July 2, 2020, and July 1, 2022, and certain Kia Soul vehicles produced between July 2, 2020, and April 19, 2022.
“Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury,” the recall says.
Kia dealers to inspect, replace engines in recalled vehicles
Kia said it expects to mail owner notification letters by April 4, 2025, and plans to remedy the issue by having its dealers inspect and replace the engines in the recalled Seltos and Soul vehicles, free of charge.
The automaker will also be installing piston-ring noise sensing systems in the recalled Kia Soul and Seltos vehicles, according to the recall.
Individuals with more questions about the recall can contact Kia customer service via telephone at 800-333-4542 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.
Kia issued a separate recall in January for more than 80,000 model year 2023-2025 Kia Niro EV, Kia Niro Hybrid and Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid vehicles over concerns their front air bags and seat belts may improperly deploy.
Are you affected by the Kia recall? Let us know in the comments.
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41 thoughts onKia initiates recall for Seltos, Souls due to potential engine defect
i was in an accident in my 2022 seltos and it bust into flames immediately. nothing in my car was savable i am lucky i was able to get myself and my 7 yr old injured child out in time.
I bought a 2022 Kia so in November and I was so excited then I all of a sudden I get all these recalls on it and I can’t get any of the Kia dealership to do the repairs. I need a loaner car because they said they were gonna have my car indefinitely at least two weeks.
I have a 2020 Kia soul and it keeps stalling on me. Is there a current class action i can join?
Could you please let me know how to add to the class action law suit my 2021 kia stelos motor blew up before a month of even driveing it I let it sir in my driveway still makeing payments insurance denied 9 times on the motor recall because they can’t do a noise test cause my motor is seized
I want to be added to this lawsuit!
I bought my ‘21 Kia Seltos in 2021. Within the first months it would stall when going up hill and in parking lots. I had a few mechanics take a look and they could not find any issues. So I kept driving it. I drive 12 miles one way for work my wife drives it 1 mile both ways for work. Now 3/30/25 47k miles it stalled out 2x the 2nd time it stalled it started to fill with fumes and smoke with my 6 and 8 year old in the car. My kids and I have had a cough ever since. I called roadside, They first thought was the battery. So the first guy tried to jump the battery and nothing happened then he said he smelled something electrical burning. But could not locate. Then he said they will send a tow. Roadside then sent another guy to jump the battery. he smelled the same thing but he found the source and said that the airbag sensors were burning. So he disconnected the battery and called the tow. The car was towed at midnight to Grand Kia in Northglenn where Tyler was the service guy working on my car called me that day to tell me that the engine had siezed and he would submit the a warranty claim to have it covered. I provided all service records to him including oil purchase receipts. A week later he calls and tells me they denied the warranty due to “lack of maintenance”. So I call Kia customer care and speak with Yolanda who tells me it was denied due to “aftermarket parts” which there were none at all. She said once that flag was removed she can escalate this case to a case Manager. Then I call Grand Kia back and talk to Tyler who says that flag is not there. Then I call back Kia and Kyandra tells me the case was escalated and to expect a call and an email from the case manager. I call today and am being told there is not an escalation on the case. I get transferred to a supervisor line and after waiting on hold I had to leave a voicemail. All this while there is a safety recall out that can cause my exact issue.
I have been in contact with Jenna at Kia for escalations but we are still getting denied for an engine replacement.
Both of my kids were in the car when the cabin filled with smoke. and they are trying to get me for lack of maintenance because I did not have a Kia Dealership do the maintenance and did it all myself!
Could you please let me know how to add to the class action law suit my 2021 kia stelos motor blew up before a month of even driveing it I let it sir in my driveway still makeing payments insurance denied 9 times on the motor recall because they can’t do a noise test cause my motor is seized
Please add me to the suit as well. I purchased a Seltos in June 2024 and I got the recall and I called the Kia dealership and they won’t do anything.
I too have a 2022 Kia Soul and received a recall letter. They have had my car for 2 weeks. It failed the first test and I was told I would be receiving a new engine. Now I am being told I need to pay 750 for 2 more tests and if it fails those 2 I MAY get an engine. Mine has already stalled on me 3 times. I hope I’m not on the interstate with a tractor trailer behind me the next time it stalls. I would like more information on the lawsuit as I would love to be included. Just very bad treatment for the amount of money you pay for a vehicle.
Hi, I purchased a new 2021 Kia Seltos.
I received a recall notice re: oil ring piston issue. I called Kia Dealership to make an appointment to check and was told it would take 2 days.to check for engine damage due to faulty oil ring pistons.
Shortly thereafter, I received a call from Kia Dealership that the recall was canceled. I asked for Corporate’s telephone number and was told by the rep the recall has been canceled.
Is the 2021 Kia Seltos safe to drive? Please help.
Thank you.
Please add me to the suit I bought a soul in November and I have cancer and I got the recall and I called the Kia dealership and they won’t do anything
Hi, I purchased a new 2021 Kia Seltos. I received a recall notice and made an appointment with Kia Dealership to check the oil ring piston.
I received a call from Kia dealership that the recall for oil ring piston check (which is a safety concern with possible engine damage) was canceled.
I called Kia Corporate and was told it was canceled but, I read online the recall is NOT canceled
Thank you.
Same thing happened to me, but now my car is completely done and the dealership is telling me that something else went bad with the engine and that isn’t part of the recall. They want me to pay 8k out of my pocket to get a new engine replaced. I find it crazy how something went so bad with the engine now that they have a recall on it, but they claim it has nothing to do with the recall at all.