Sunita Somvanshi
Kia America is recalling 137,256 Seltos and Soul vehicles from model years 2021-2023 due to potentially faulty piston oil rings that could lead to engine damage, failure, or even fire.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the recall after identifying that incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings in these vehicles could significantly increase safety risks for drivers and passengers.
“The faulty components can cause increased oil consumption and engine damage, which may eventually result in an engine stall or fire,” a NHTSA representative explained. Both scenarios raise the risk of crashes or injuries to vehicle occupants.
According to Kia‘s reports, there have been over 400 incidents related to this issue, including four potentially related fires – highlighting the seriousness of the defect.
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Owners of affected vehicles will receive notification letters starting April 4, 2025. Kia dealers will provide free inspections and engine replacements if necessary. Additionally, technicians will install new piston-ring noise sensing software designed to monitor and detect potential problems before they escalate.
This recall comes as Kia India has also issued a voluntary recall for 1,380 units of its EV6 model to update software in the Integrated Charging Control Unit, though this is unrelated to the engine issues affecting the Seltos and Soul models.
Vehicle owners can check if their car is affected by contacting Kia customer service at 1-800-853-1403 (reference recall number SC336) or by visiting the NHTSA website to search using their vehicle identification number.
The NHTSA urges affected owners to address this recall promptly given the potential safety implications.
