Diagsheet

2021 Kia Seltos · symptom sheet

Burns oil or oil level rises

  • 57owner reports
  • 24,000median miles
  • 0involved a crash

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

270 of the 365 complaints on this car are about the engine. 57 of those describe oil consumption.

Tick what matches of 57 reports

10
4
17
14
6

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (36 reports) and the engine (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.’s (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 ‘cold’ engine to a ‘warm’ 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 ‘cold’ 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 NHTSA’s IR: Kia reported the change in temperature from ‘cold’ to ‘warm’ 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, ‘coldâ€

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 2,000 and 59,522 miles, from the 30 reports that gave a mileage.

121
622
623
224
2025
2226

What owners wrote

“Kia Dealership did nothing with engine recall in 2025 they said nothing was wrong despite the oil consumption and engine noise that could be heard without using any tools, and then in March they would not honor the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty when both VVT solenoids failed, we had to replace them ourselves. It's a good thing my boyfriend is a mechanic!!!”

Filed May 29, 2026

“Excessive oil consumption Engine damage or failure Ticking noise from the engine Loss of power when driving Rough idle, shaking the car is not able to be used, for safe.”

Filed Mar 30, 2026

“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

“I own a kia seltos 2021 with 2.0 engine wich is 4 cylinders, but my vehicle from las 70k miles is been burning oil to the point that I have to keep checking oil level every 1000miles otherwise my engine is turns super hot and burn oil when I try filling up also make a loud sound on the exhaust and smell like burning oil.”

Filed Mar 1, 2025 · 70,000 miles

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 57 reports involved a crash. 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.

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