2021 KIA SELTOS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL

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.

ENGINE

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.

My 2021 Kia Seltos has experienced repeat internal engine damage related to oil consumption. An intake camshaft previously failed and was replaced by Kia. The vehicle has now suffered a second camshaft failure (exhaust cam) with dealer documentation of oil starvation. Prior recall SC336 was addressed only with a software update and no mechanical engine inspection. Despite documented oil starvation and repeat internal damage, Kia and the dealer have refused recall reassessment or engineering (Techline) review and are treating this as an out-of-warranty cam failure. The vehicle experienced timing issues and near-total oil loss prior to scheduled service, creating risk of sudden loss of power while driving. I am requesting investigation of recall adequacy and engine defect.

My Seltos had a recall in 2021 (recall number SC209) because the piston oil rings were not property heated which can result in engine damage. The problem was supposedly repaired in 2021, yet in 2026 at 50,000 miles I am having piston notice problems and the engine light is constantly lit. The car has stalled on several occasions. I am being told that my vehicle with only 50,000 miles needs a brand new engine block and transmission. The recall was a safety recall to prevent the engine from stalling, risk of a crash and increased risk of fire. Although the issues with my vehicle are clearly as a result of the piston issue which were supposed to have been fixed they obviously were not and I am now experiencing all issues of the recall and bad engine. Kia of Round Rock is refusing to make this repair correctly and are asking me to pay for the new engine and transmission because they say it is out of warranty. That being said, had the recall problem been correctly resolved in 2021 I

My Seltos had a recall in 2021 (recall number SC209) because the piston oil rings were not property heated which can result in engine damage. The problem was supposedly repaired in 2021, yet in 2026 at 50,000 miles I am having piston notice problems and the engine light is constantly lit. The car has stalled on several occasions. I am being told that my vehicle with only 50,000 miles needs a brand new engine block and transmission. The recall was a safety recall to prevent the engine from stalling, risk of a crash and increased risk of fire. Although the issues with my vehicle are clearly as a result of the piston issue which were supposed to have been fixed they obviously were not and I am now experiencing all issues of the recall and bad engine. Kia of Round Rock is refusing to make this repair correctly and are asking me to pay for the new engine and transmission because they say it is out of warranty. That being said, had the recall problem been correctly resolved in 2021 I

On 01/04/26, my vehicle’s Check Engine light came on and the engine was shaking. The next day, my mechanic diagnosed a P0301 code (cylinder #1 misfire), found signs of burning oil and cylinder damage in all cylinders, and noted the car had burned over 2 quarts of oil since the last oil change. He suspected faulty oil rings (previously recalled) and advised immediate dealer repair, warning of possible engine failure or fire hazard. The car had only 42K miles and should have been under warranty, but the dealer refused service because the code was cleared and said the warranty expired 4 months earlier. They claimed recall work was completed in June 2021 and would only help if the check engine light returned. Despite research showing codes are stored in the engine control system, the dealer insisted there was “no way to see the code.” After 10 days, the light didn’t return, so I picked up the car and continued driving, noticing a burning oil smell. On 02/02/26, I returned to the de

Dealer has denied to look into recall claiming that it is part of a warranty extension when it is a safety recall due to the issues I am experiencing. The car began to stall not even a year into me owning the vehicle. I had barely had the car for 4 months, not even enough time for my first oil change and my car stalled on me in a parking lot as I was driving. It shut off. It has done this multiple tomes randomly since. Then one day after work my car wouldnt start at all and when we eventually got it started, it would then stall every 15 feet that id be able to drive it. The entire car just shuts off every time. All of my lights were still working, but the engine itself would shut off.

I am reporting a failure of the remedy for NHTSA Recall 25V099 (Kia Recall SC336). My 2021 Kia Seltos with the 2.0L Nu MPI engine is exhibiting severe engine knocking and high oil consumption. Despite providing video evidence of the knock to Archer Kia (Houston, TX), the dealership refuses to acknowledge the defect or perform the required borescope inspection. ​This defect is a documented fire and stall risk. I am being denied a loaner vehicle despite having a medically fragile child who requires this vehicle for surgery and doctor appointments. The dealership is utilizing 'oil consumption tests' as a delay tactic to avoid performing the recall-mandated engine replacement. This vehicle is unsafe to operate.

The Kia was traveling approximately 45 - 50 mph and struck another vehicle that had pulled out from a stop sign. I had my hand on the horn and the airbags did not deploy on impact.

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Seltos. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), but the failure occurred. While the contact's wife was stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. While the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle lunged forward and then stalled. The contact's wife was able to coast to the side of the road. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that there was no oil in the engine, causing the exhaust pin to be sheared off the exhaust camshaft. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact that when the vehicle was serviced in August of 2025, the engine was inspected; however, the recall repair was not performed. There were no oil stains found on the ground, and there was no warning light illuminated, indicating that the oil level was low. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. The manufacturer was mad

Mileage: 110,000

The car makes a jumping/jerking movement & at times, something that seems like a misfire happens. All lights go on and the car will do that jerking issue & become un drivable. This happened to me on the road and I was afraid for my safety as I couldn’t get my car to a safe place immediately. Brought it to my mechanic and he gave me forms of a recall regarding 2021 Kia Seltos which is what I have.

The car makes a jumping/jerking movement & at times, something that seems like a misfire happens. All lights go on and the car will do that jerking issue & become un drivable. This happened to me on the road and I was afraid for my safety as I couldn’t get my car to a safe place immediately. Brought it to my mechanic and he gave me forms of a recall regarding 2021 Kia Seltos which is what I have.

We bought this 2021 Kia used and within a year the engine blew. There was a defect in the motor. It had just passed the warranty mileage.

My vehicle is included in NHTSA Recall 25V099 / Kia SC336 for defective piston oil rings. The vehicle has experienced stalling, loss of power, knocking noises, and oil consumption. The engine behavior is unsafe and consistent with recall-related engine damage. Kia closed my case based on a dealer’s subjective noise judgment, but no mechanical engine testing (oil consumption, compression, or cylinder inspection) was performed. The recall remains incomplete and the vehicle continues to present a stalling and fire risk.

My vehicle is included in NHTSA Recall 25V099 / Kia SC336 for defective piston oil rings. The vehicle has experienced stalling, loss of power, knocking noises, and oil consumption. The engine behavior is unsafe and consistent with recall-related engine damage. Kia closed my case based on a dealer’s subjective noise judgment, but no mechanical engine testing (oil consumption, compression, or cylinder inspection) was performed. The recall remains incomplete and the vehicle continues to present a stalling and fire risk.

My vehicle is included in NHTSA Recall 25V099 / Kia SC336 for defective piston oil rings. The vehicle has experienced stalling, loss of power, knocking noises, and oil consumption. The engine behavior is unsafe and consistent with recall-related engine damage. Kia closed my case based on a dealer’s subjective noise judgment, but no mechanical engine testing (oil consumption, compression, or cylinder inspection) was performed. The recall remains incomplete and the vehicle continues to present a stalling and fire risk.

When driving the car for a prolonged amount of time at a higher speed, the emissions from the motor back up into to the cabin once the car is stopped.

I See recalls on transmissions but i don't see one on mine and it is having the same problems as the other Seltos not sure way it's not on a recall list

Piston oil ring recall update complete in July 20 25. A month later key fob battery dies. Replaced key fob battery every other month since recall. September 20 25 had brakes and rotors changed at dealership since then anti-slip alert has triggered twice on dry roads. Light comes on then immediately goes off. Remote car starter stopped working in December. Dealership had no resolution for key fob issues and has not been able to replicate anti-slip issue. Dealership currently has vehicle to attempt to replicate issue and to look into the remote car starter issue. This is unsafe because the car automatically shutters and feels uncontrolled slip comes on also causes issues when key fob consistently dies every other month and get alert, letting me know that the key fob has died. And while the remote car starter is not a safety issue, it is all tied in with the electrical issues that are happening. The issues started after the recall was added to my vehicle.

Piston oil ring recall update complete in July 20 25. A month later key fob battery dies. Replaced key fob battery every other month since recall. September 20 25 had brakes and rotors changed at dealership since then anti-slip alert has triggered twice on dry roads. Light comes on then immediately goes off. Remote car starter stopped working in December. Dealership had no resolution for key fob issues and has not been able to replicate anti-slip issue. Dealership currently has vehicle to attempt to replicate issue and to look into the remote car starter issue. This is unsafe because the car automatically shutters and feels uncontrolled slip comes on also causes issues when key fob consistently dies every other month and get alert, letting me know that the key fob has died. And while the remote car starter is not a safety issue, it is all tied in with the electrical issues that are happening. The issues started after the recall was added to my vehicle.

Piston oil ring recall update complete in July 20 25. A month later key fob battery dies. Replaced key fob battery every other month since recall. September 20 25 had brakes and rotors changed at dealership since then anti-slip alert has triggered twice on dry roads. Light comes on then immediately goes off. Remote car starter stopped working in December. Dealership had no resolution for key fob issues and has not been able to replicate anti-slip issue. Dealership currently has vehicle to attempt to replicate issue and to look into the remote car starter issue. This is unsafe because the car automatically shutters and feels uncontrolled slip comes on also causes issues when key fob consistently dies every other month and get alert, letting me know that the key fob has died. And while the remote car starter is not a safety issue, it is all tied in with the electrical issues that are happening. The issues started after the recall was added to my vehicle.

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 NHTSA 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 ha

Mileage: 24,000