Kia Seltos recalls

4 official safety recalls for the Kia Seltos from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Incorrect piston oil rings may damage the engine

    Reported February 17, 2025Model years 2021–2023NHTSA campaign 25V099000137,256 vehicles affected

    Incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings may damage the engine, which can cause a stall or fire and increase crash or injury risk. Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as needed and install piston-ring noise sensing software, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
    Remedy
    Dealers will inspect and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Dealers will also install piston-ring noise sensing system (PNSS) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC336.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

  2. Side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly

    Reported December 22, 2023Model years 2024NHTSA campaign 23V8300002,967 vehicles affected

    A manufacturing error may cause the side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    AIR BAGS
    Defect
    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
    Consequence
    An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
    Remedy
    Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.
    Notes
    Owners 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.

  3. Oil pump controller may overheat

    Reported July 31, 2023Model years 2023–2024NHTSA campaign 23V53100039,765 vehicles affected

    Park outside: the maker advises parking affected vehicles outdoors, away from buildings, until they are repaired.

    Damaged electrical components in the Idle Stop & Go oil pump controller may cause the pump to overheat, increasing fire risk. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until repaired. Dealers will inspect and replace the controller as needed, free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:FLUID/LUBRICANT:PUMP
    Defect
    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul, Sportage, and 2023-2024 Seltos vehicles. The electronic controller for the Idle Stop & Go oil pump assembly may contain damaged electrical components that can cause the pump to overheat.
    Consequence
    An electric oil pump assembly that overheats increases the risk of a vehicle fire.
    Remedy
    Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and replace the electric oil pump controller, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC275.
    Notes
    Owners 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.

  4. Piston oil rings may damage engine

    Reported April 13, 2021Model years 2021NHTSA campaign 21V259000147,249 vehicles affected

    Improperly heat-treated piston oil rings may damage the engine, which could stall or leak oil onto hot exhaust components and increase crash or fire risk. Dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the engine free of charge, and install PNSS software.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ENGINE
    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Kia will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. The recall began June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC209.
    Notes
    Owners 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.safercar.gov.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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