Kia recalls about 137,000 vehicles, including the Seltos, due to a piston oil ring defect.
This defect is drawing public attention as it can cause engine damage and even fire hazards in severe cases.
The recall targets the 2021-2023 Seltos and the Soul, which are sold as strategic models in North America.
Both models are equipped with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine. The Soul accounts for most of the recall, at 83,621 units, while the Seltos includes 53,635 units.
Piston Oil Ring Defect
Poses Engine Damage and Fire Risks
According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the cylinder wall of both models may have been damaged due to quality deviations in the manufacturing process.
In this case, engine oil consumption increases over time, which can eventually lead to engine damage or seizure.
In severe cases, a hole in the engine block may form, and the leaked oil may contact hot exhaust components, causing a fire.
The piston oil ring in question was confirmed to be manufactured by Dongsuh Federal-Mogul.
Currently, Kia is aware of the problem. In September of last year, it discovered a sharp increase in engine replacement warranty repairs for the 2021 Soul and Seltos.
The returned engines were analyzed during the investigation. Some engines had oil ring damage, cylinder wall wear was confirmed, and holes were found in the engine block.
Kia’s Recall Strategy and Owner Response Guidelines
Kia explained that 409 related accidents and 400 vehicle stalling reports have been confirmed.
It also said that four vehicle fires related to this defect have occurred, all reported in Soul.
Accordingly, Kia plans to inspect the problematic engine through service centers and replace it if necessary.
In addition, it plans to install additional software that detects piston ring noise so that the defect can be detected in advance.
Starting in early April of this year, owners of vehicles subject to the recall will receive an official notice by mail.
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