2021 Kia Seltos · symptom sheet

Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing

95owner reports
40,000median miles
$1,000median quote
1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 1, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

261 of the 365 complaints on this car are about the engine. 95 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 95 reports

a knocking or ticking noise first

the engine seized

oil light or low oil

the engine was replaced

it was covered by a warranty or extension

I was denied coverage

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (94 reports), the turbo (4 reports) and the short block or long block (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the engine cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

25V-099Feb 17, 2025

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

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.

Risk and remedy

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.

21V-259Apr 13, 2021

Engine

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.

Risk and remedy

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.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Seltos

AQ25-001opened Aug 6, 2025

Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 2021 to 2023

Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.

NHTSA summary

On August 6, 2025, the Office of Defect Investigation (ODI) opened Audit Query (AQ) 25001 to assess the implementation of Kia America, Inc.âs (Kia) remedy program for Safety Recall 25V099, involving incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings which may damage the engine causing a loss of motive power or fire. This AQ was opened in response to consumer complaints alleging of an ineffective remedy, inconsistent inspection results to determine whether an engine replacement was needed, and the unavailability of recall remedies. On August 11, 2025, an Information Request (IR) was issued to Kia requesting: 1) why the inspection test was revised from requiring a âcoldâ engine to a âwarmâ engine; 2) why the recall remedy was suspended from April 30, 2025 to May 7, 2025; 3) how Kia notified customers of the recall remedy suspension and the need to re-test engines that failed the âcoldâ engine test; 4) the number of post-recall remedy complaints alleging engine or other engine related failures; and 5) the warranty coverage Kia is offering to vehicles that passed either inspection tests. On September 10, 2025, Kia responded to NHTSAâs IR: Kia reported the change in temperature from âcoldâ to âwarmâ engine testing was done to increase accuracy. The inspection test uses diagnostic tools that detects abnormal engine vibrations to identify damaged engines. From the initial launch of the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) on April 4, 2025 through April 28, 2025, âcoldâ

What owners paid

13 of the 95 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $500 to $7,600.

$500$1,000$7,600

$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 65,000 miles, from the 51 reports that gave a mileage.

120

221

722

1023

324

3625

3626

What owners wrote

“We bought this 2021 Kia used and within a year the engine blew. There was a defect in the motor. It had just passed the warranty mileage.”
Filed Feb 4, 2026

“Oil pressure light illuminated, extreme engine knocking, failed acceleration power and engine stalling while driving. Towed to dealership. Was told the vehicle "passed" the oil piston ring recall test and refusal of Kia to replace engine.”
Filed Jul 18, 2025

“Kia has been serviced like clock work since drove off showroom floor. Nothing but trouble since hit 10k miles. It uses oil. I am having to put at least 1/2 quart between oil changes. The engine knocks and pings like it's no oil or thin oil. No oil leaks visible. I should not be having to add oil let alone the sounds the engine makes.”
Filed Mar 3, 2025 · 10,000 miles

“My car has an issue holding oil. I have had to put quarts of oil in often and it makes my engine knock. It also makes my car lose power while I am driving. I know this is a common issue with these make and models.”
Filed Feb 10, 2025

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 95 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.