Recall 25V099 affects 137,256 2021-2023 Kia Seltos and Soul vehicles for defective piston oil rings. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 137,256 2021-2023 Seltos and Soul vehicles because incorrectly manufactured piston oil rings can damage the engine. Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire and increase the risk of a crash or injury; Kia dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The piston oil rings inside the engine on affected 2021-2023 Kia Seltos and Soul vehicles sit around each piston. Their job is to help seal the combustion chamber and control the thin film of oil on the cylinder wall as the piston moves up and down.
Kia says the oil rings were manufactured incorrectly because of a supplier quality deviation. When the ring does not control oil as designed, the engine can burn or lose more oil than expected. Low oil or poor oil control can damage internal engine parts, including the piston, pin, and snap ring assembly.
Owners can notice increased oil consumption, abnormal engine noise, or the oil pressure warning lamp turning on. Treat any of those signs as a reason to stop driving and contact a Kia dealer before the engine is damaged further.
Who's affected?
Covers Seltos and Soul models from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 model years, all using the same piston, pin, and snap ring assembly.
| 2023 Kia Seltos | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Soul | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 2021 Kia Seltos | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 2022 Kia Seltos | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 2022 Kia Soul | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| 2021 Kia Soul | Hard parts internal/mechanical |
| Units affected | 137,256 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Engine damage can cause the vehicle to stall or catch fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Watch for increased oil use, abnormal engine noise, or the oil pressure warning lamp. If any of those signs appear, pull over when safe and call a Kia dealer before continuing. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2021-2023 Kia Seltos or Soul is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free engine inspection, engine replacement if needed, and PNSS software install that detects piston-ring noise linked to engine damage.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 25V099 and Kia recall SC336 when you call.
- Drive only as needed until the repair is complete, and stop safely if the engine stalls.
- Call Kia customer service at 800-333-4542 with questions about scheduling or repair status.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects the engine and replaces it if the inspection shows replacement is needed. The technician also installs piston-ring noise sensing system, PNSS, software. The recall repair, including parts and labor, is free. Kia's General Reimbursement Plan covers repair expenses owners already incurred for this condition. If you paid before the recall repair, bring invoices, receipts, and related paperwork to the Kia service desk or contact Kia customer service about reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 17, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 17, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| February 17, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 4, 2025 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 4, 2025 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V099?
Recall 25V099 covers 137,256 2021-2023 Kia Seltos and Soul vehicles with piston oil rings that were manufactured incorrectly. The defect can damage the engine. Kia dealers will inspect the vehicle, replace the engine as necessary, and install piston-ring noise sensing system software for free.
What should I do if my 2021-2023 Kia Seltos or Soul is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 25V099. If it is, contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the inspection, engine replacement as necessary, and piston-ring noise sensing system software installation. Reference Kia recall number SC336 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. Kia dealers will perform the inspection, install the piston-ring noise sensing system software, and replace the engine as necessary free of charge at any franchised Kia dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is engine damage that can lead to a stall or fire. A stall can raise crash risk, and a fire can raise injury risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free Kia dealer repair and ask the dealer what to do if the vehicle shows engine trouble before the appointment.
What if I bought my Kia Seltos or Soul used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Kia mailed owner letters on April 4, 2025, but a used-vehicle owner can miss that notice. Check your VIN, then contact a franchised Kia dealer if your vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V099000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V099 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V099000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →