2021 Kia Seltos

This vehicle burns oil excessively. From everything I've seen says this should be under recall but the Kia dealership tells me it's not because it's over 60,000 miles and I'm the second owner. They offered to do a oil consumption test for $900. I've already read complaints about this engine locking up and people being seriously injured. I have to put oil in it every thousand miles or so. For a newer vehicle this is unacceptable and Kia should be taking care of this. This is absolutely going to get someone killed when their engine seizes. The transmission on this vehicle also has issues that have complaints littered through the message boards. KIA knows it's going to fail and get someone killed as well. They dont care as long as they get your money. Unacceptable.

The engine catastrophically failed on an 45 mph road. There was no warning leading up to this incident at any time previously. The engine lost all power and the car shut off on this road. My husband was able to pull it over and tow it into a mechanic. The mechanic said the oil was disappearing somewhere without any residue, and without triggering any warning light of any kind. In essence the oil is not low enough to trigger the light but it is also escaping somewhere. The mechanic said it seemed like the engine had a fault in it. Because of the open recall on the piston rings, we had it towed to the dealership who then claimed this problem has nothing to do with the faulty piston rings. Instead they said there is a rod knock. The car is currently at Doug Smith Kia in Lindon, Utah and can be inspected there.

Engine seized and was smoking. No warning lights on dash until engine siezed and then it was ESC light that came on. Engine started smoking when seized. Checked oil and there was none however we had just had the vehicle in for a state safety inspection 2 weeks prior to this happening. Have had regular oil changes thru dealership and car was scheduled for oil change prior to this incident happening. This year and model of car already has a recall for piston rings overheating and burning oil which causes Engine failure and fire. Warranty claim was denied due to no oil in Engine and Kia doesn't include oil consumption with their warranty. Car is currently at First Team Kia Dealership in Suffolk, VA

My car stalls in the middle of traffic. I took the vechile for diagnostics with a mechanic and was informed my piston rings were bad. Currently a recall in progress. I take my car in for recall of faulty piston oil rings that can cause engine damage, stalling, or fire. The dealers inspect and stated it was not the right sound. I take it back to mechanic and was informed I should contact you all Cause they are refusing to do the right diagnostic.

My vehicle recently idled roughly and shut off at low speeds and while stopped at intersections on my way to work. I brought it to an authorized Kia dealership the very next day. After researching my VIN, I discovered Kia Safety Recall #SC336 (NHTSA Campaign 25V099), which identifies a piston oil ring defect known to cause excessive oil consumption and internal engine damage. I promptly brought my vehicle to the dealership specifically to address this recall. However, the dealership did not complete recall-related repairs. Instead, they determined—without sufficient justification—that my vehicle’s issues were not related to the recall, but to a "crush washer". My vehicle exhibits the exact symptoms outlined in the recall, including excessive oil consumption, rough engine operation, and stalling. The dealership then attempted to attribute the oil consumption to a crush washer on the oil drain plug, despite there being no visible signs of oil leakage under my vehicle at any time. This explanation does not reasonably account for the level of oil loss I have experienced or the internal engine condition. According to official recall documentation filed with the NHTSA, the defect involves improperly manufactured piston oil rings that can damage cylinder walls, leading to excessive oil consumption, abnormal engine noise, rough operation, and ultimately engine failure or stalling. The recall further warns that continued operation may result in engine seizure and loss of drive power. Independent automotive reports confirms that this defect has affected over 137,000 vehicles, including 2021 Kia Seltos models, and in many cases requires full engine replacement due to internal damage caused by faulty piston rings. Additionally, documented consumer complaints describe the same pattern I have experienced—excessive oil consumption with no external leaks, worsening engine performance, and dealerships attributing the issue elsewhere despite clear alignment with the recall defect.

I own a 2021 Kia Seltos with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine (146 hp) and approximately 38,967 miles at the time of failure. On April 21, 2026, the vehicle began rattling during acceleration and stalling at stops with no warning lights of any kind. On April 22, 2026, my partner and I were driving on the highway when the rattling intensified and the vehicle lost the ability to accelerate properly, requiring my partner to press hard on the gas just to keep up with highway traffic. He safely exited the highway and shortly after turning off the main road the vehicle stalled completely on a residential street and could not be restarted. My partner opened the hood, at which point white smoke was visible and there was a strong burning smell. The vehicle was towed from that location to an authorized Kia dealership. Upon arrival, the service manager noted a burning smell from the starter motor. The engine produced no cranking sound when the key was turned. On April 24, 2026, the dealership confirmed the engine is seized and submitted the case to Kia corporate. The vehicle was properly maintained with oil changes every 3,500–4,500 miles. A full inspection just 3,587 miles prior identified no engine issues. No warning lights appeared at any point before or during the failure. This failure matches the defect described in NHTSA Campaigns 21V259 and 25V099, both citing improperly heat-treated piston oil rings in 2021 Kia Seltos vehicles equipped with the 2.0L engine causing cylinder wall damage, seizure, and risk of fire. My VIN returned 0 unrepaired recalls on April 22, 2026, placing it outside both recall populations. However, my vehicle has the identical engine, model year, and failure mode. I request NHTSA investigate whether both recall populations adequately captured all affected vehicles, including those manufactured outside the stated production date ranges.

This is supplemental information for my existing Complaint #XXX – 2021 Kia Seltos SC336 / 25V-099. Key facts and timeline: Purchased as Certified Pre-Owned on August 17, 2025 from Rairdon Kia of Burlington. Safety Recall SC336 / 25V-099 performed June 24, 2025 (mileage 61,378). January 15, 2026 oil change performed at Smith Kia of Bellingham (R.O. XXX). April 2, 2026: Sudden severe loss of power at highway speeds on I-5 North with flashing check-engine light. Vehicle returned to Smith Kia (R.O. 57763, mileage 71,703). Service Advisor Sebastian Goulding confirmed the engine was 3 quarts low on oil and provided a hard copy of the active DTCs P132700 (Piston Noise Detection) and XXX (System Too Lean – Bank 1). Smith Kia performed only an oil change and cleared the fault codes. Please see the attached detailed PDF timeline and supporting documents (fault code history showing P132700 and P017100 still listed in “History” state, Smith Kia records, Rairdon Kia $244 improper diagnostic invoice, and NHTSA confirmation). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle: 2021 Kia Seltos VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 71,728 Recall: NHTSA 25V-099 / Kia SC336 (piston oil rings) – Subsequent Repair Action SC336YZ On [XXX], while driving at highway speeds during a trip from Everett to Bellingham WA, the vehicle suddenly lost power, the check-engine light came on, and it set DTCs P132700 (Piston Noise Detection) and P017100 (System Too Lean – Bank 1). The engine was documented 3 quarts low on oil. This is the exact failure mode described in the recall: defective piston oil rings causing oil consumption, engine damage, and loss of motive power. The nearest dealer (Smith Kia of Bellingham) performed only an oil change and cleared the codes, then declared the car “good to go.” The vehicle was then driven 20 miles to Rairdon Kia of Burlington, WA (the original selling Certified Pre-Owned dealer), where it is now located. Rairdon Kia states they cannot perform the full engine long-block replacement under SRA SC336YZ because the codes are no longer active. Kia USA Customer Care (Case #[XXX]) called today and stated they are “taking the side of Smith Kia”. They suggested getting another dealer’s opinion. We are now being told we must drive the vehicle until the code re-triggers. My wife refuses to do so. She is extremely upset and afraid of getting stuck on the side of the road or causing an accident due to sudden loss of power at highway speeds — exactly what happened on [XXX]. This situation is now causing significant stress and disruption in our personal life.This is a federally mandated safety recall that was supposedly completed before our CPO purchase ([XXX]) with no disclosure. The temporary oil change and code clear did not fix the underlying defect. We request that NHTSA require Kia to immediately authorize the full engine replacement at Rairdon Kia based on the documented history, without requiring us to drive an unsafe vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)