Model year 2021 · Kia

2021 Kia Seltos recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Seltos. The most recent was reported on February 17, 2025. Campaigns are matched by the model names in NHTSA's records: SELTOS.

NHTSA data through October 6, 2026 · How these pages are built

Campaigns at a glance

Recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia Seltos, newest first
NHTSA number	Reported	Component
25V099000	February 17, 2025	Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
21V259000	April 13, 2021	Engine

Systems involved: Engine (1) · Engine And Engine Cooling (1)

Recall records

NHTSA 25V099000Manufacturer no. SC336

Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Report received by NHTSA: February 17, 2025
Owner notification: April 4, 2025
Recall initiated by: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Units potentially affected: 137,256 (whole campaign)
Build dates listed for the 2021 Kia Seltos: July 2, 2020 – July 1, 2022
Model names in the NHTSA record: SELTOS

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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 in the NHTSA record

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.

Source: NHTSA recall 25V099000, filed by Kia America, Inc.. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

NHTSA 21V259000Manufacturer no. SC209

Engine

Report received by NHTSA: April 13, 2021
Owner notification: June 11, 2021
Recall initiated by: Manufacturer
Units potentially affected: 147,249 (whole campaign)
Model names in the NHTSA record: SELTOS

Defect summary

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.

Safety risk

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 in the NHTSA record

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.

Source: NHTSA recall 21V259000, filed by Kia Motors America. View the campaign on NHTSA.gov

Records reproduce NHTSA's published text for each campaign. Last record date for this page: February 19, 2025.