2021 Kia Seltos · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 97owner reports
- 40,000median miles
- $1,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
267 of the 371 complaints on this car are about the engine. 97 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.
Narrower sheets: Engine seized (26 reports) · Engine knocking or ticking (25 reports)
Tick what matches of 97 reports
Engine failure on other Seltos years
No other Seltos model year has enough reports of engine failure for a sheet of its own. See every Seltos year.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (96 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.
The piston oil rings may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which may result in engine damage.
All 2 recalls on the 2021 Kia Seltos, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Seltos
Kia 25v099 piston oil ring recall effectiveness. Closed dec 18, 2025.
What owners paid
14 of the 97 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $250 to $7,600.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 65,000 miles, from the 53 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 2 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Kia Seltos that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PISTON RING NOISE DTC 1327 (SC209Y) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (SC209A) titled “ECM Logic Improvement for Piston Ring Noise Sensing System”.
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: ENGINE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PISTON RING NOISE DTC P1327 (SC209Y) This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published in (SC209A) titled "ECM Logic Improvement for Piston Ring Noise Sensing System".
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 97 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 136 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 75 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 61 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 26 reports