Kia Recalls Nearly 150,000 Seltos, Soul Models Over Engine Stall and Fire Risks

Manufacturer has received reports of more than 400 stalled engines and at least four Kia vehicle fires caused by a defect in the piston oil ring.

Federal highway safety officials have announced a recall of 137,256 model year 2021 through 2023 Kia Soul and Seltos vehicles, due to a potential defect in the engine that could increase the risk of a fire or auto accident.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Kia Soul and Seltos recall on February 17, warning that manufacturing errors in the engine’s piston oil ring of certain vehicles could damage the cylinder wall over time, potentially leading to engine problems, vehicle stalling or even a fire.

The piston oil ring is responsible for managing lubrication and oil control. Officials warn that the defect could lead to increased oil consumption. If the vehicle continues to operate in this condition, engine damage or seizure may occur, resulting in a loss of power or a potential fire if oil leaks onto the exhaust.

Kia is warning drivers to monitor their vehicles for increased oil consumption, abnormal engine noise and illumination of the oil pressure warning lamp, which may indicate an issue.

Kia claims that it first became aware of the issue on September 27, 2024, when their Safety Office noticed a rising trend in engine replacement claims during a routine review of warranty data.

Between October and December 2024, Kia investigated the affected engine parts and found that some engines had damaged oil rings and cylinder walls.

From December through February, Kia expanded the investigation into the production process and discovered a quality issue with the piston oil ring’s placement by the supplier, which was suspected to be the root cause of the issue.

Kia subsequently announced a voluntary recall on February 10, citing more than 400 reported incidents of vehicles stalling while driving and four potential fires related to the issue. The company is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the defect.

Customers will begin receiving notification letters on April 4, 2025,  with instructions on how to schedule a free inspection and engine replacement if necessary.

Any vehicle owners who have already had this repair performed at their own expense prior to receiving the Kia recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement.

Kia’s number for this recall is SC336. Customers may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542, or the company’s contact for this recall, Emily C. Smith, via email at emily.c.smith@dot.gov.

Owners with any additional questions may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.