Kia America is recalling more than 137,000 model year 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage, causing a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
“Due to a quality deviation by the piston oil ring supplier, Dongsuh Federal-Mogul, the piston ring may, over time, damage the surface of the cylinder wall. This may lead to increased oil consumption which will eventually result in abnormal noise from the engine and/or illumination of the oil pressure warning light. If the vehicle is continually operated in this condition, engine damage and/or seizure can occur, resulting in loss of motive power. In limited cases, a fire may occur from engine oil leaking onto a hot exhaust component due to a hole in the engine block,” Kia said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is apparently still operating with hard-working people in spite of the Trump Administration.
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed 4 April 2025.
Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC336. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov. about NHTSA recall 25V099 or 25V-099. No crashes or injuries have been identified – dates of receipt for all field data 3/3/2021—2/1/2025.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Kia Recalls Seltos and Soul Models for Fires
Kia America is recalling more than 137,000 model year 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles. The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage, causing a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
“Due to a quality deviation by the piston oil ring supplier, Dongsuh Federal-Mogul, the piston ring may, over time, damage the surface of the cylinder wall. This may lead to increased oil consumption which will eventually result in abnormal noise from the engine and/or illumination of the oil pressure warning light. If the vehicle is continually operated in this condition, engine damage and/or seizure can occur, resulting in loss of motive power. In limited cases, a fire may occur from engine oil leaking onto a hot exhaust component due to a hole in the engine block,” Kia said in the mandatory safety defect recall filing to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is apparently still operating with hard-working people in spite of the Trump Administration.
Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are not expected to be mailed 4 April 2025.
Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia’s number for this recall is SC336. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to nhtsa.gov. about NHTSA recall 25V099 or 25V-099. No crashes or injuries have been identified – dates of receipt for all field data 3/3/2021—2/1/2025.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.