2021 Kia Seltos Engine problems

sounds. The contact stated that the oil consumption failure had started since the vehicle was purchased. The contact associated the NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); with the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 110,000.

recall repair, the vehicle exhibited the exact same symptoms as before (excessive oil consumption / engine malfunction) - the recall remedy was ineffective. The engine defect symptoms persisted unchanged. The complainant subsequently surrendered the vehicle and no longer possesses it. No crash, fire, injury, or death resulted from this complaint. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

provided an out-of-pocket engine replacement quote exceeding $8,000 instead of processing it as a $0 safety recall claim. Furthermore, the dealership is currently attempting a diagnostic bypass maneuver to attribute the P1327 recall engine code to a "faulty knock sensor" in order to issue a paid out-of-pocket bill. The manufacturer and dealership have failed to provide a mandated loaner or alternative transportation, causing a severe and ongoing family transportation hardship while the safety recall verification stalls.

trying to force me to pay $5,000 out of pocket to fix the camshaft first. Forcing a customer to pay thousands of dollars to fix parts that broke because of a recalled factory defect is wrong. I demand that Kia Corporate bypass the running test and approve a free engine replacement immediately INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

stalled while entering the dealer. The contact stated that even though the engine had been replaced, the recurring failure raised concerns about the safety and reliability of the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

under NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the vehicle had passed inspection and was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

TECHNICAL IMPOSSIBILITY & FRAUD: It is mechanically impossible to run a noise vibration test on a seized engine that cannot crank or turn over. Either Kia Cerritos falsified records or Corporate is fabricating diagnostic data to evade a mandatory recall. 3. UNLAWFUL WARRANTY CONSTRAINTS: Kia Corporate is trying to route this federal safety recall through standard powertrain warranty rules, denying coverage over a lack of private cash maintenance receipts. Under federal law, safety recalls cannot be conditioned on consumer maintenance history or second-owner limits. 4. VIOLATION OF FACTORY PROTOCOL: Page 2 of Kia's official SC336 TSB explicitly commands that a 'Seized / No Inspection' engine status must bypass the electronic noise vibration test entirely and be fast-tracked to corporate Techline for a full long-block replacement authorization. REQUESTED ACTION: I request the NHTSA Recall Enforcement Division immediately investigate Kia Corporate Case Number [[redacted]] for recall evasion and compel Kia America to authorize a free long-block engine replacement. "Note: This complaint is being managed by the driver's son-in-law and authorized representative [[redacted]] due to a language barrier." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

a week later that the vehicle was operable. Upon retrieving the vehicle, the check engine warning light was still illuminated, and the vehicle was barely operational and made abnormal sounds. The contact informed the dealer of the issues, and the vehicle remained at the dealer and was diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with camshaft failure. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 21V259000 (Engine) or 25V099000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The recall repairs were previously performed. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to correct the issues. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone, but a supervisor had not yet returned the call. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.

four separate times while the vehicle was being driven. Each incident created a serious safety hazard because the vehicle suddenly lost power. Fortunately, on these occasions, the failures occurred while we were traveling in slower traffic and we were able to maneuver the vehicle safely onto the shoulder. We are extremely concerned that a future occurrence could happen at higher speeds or in heavier traffic, potentially resulting in a serious crash or injury. Following each incident, the vehicle had to be towed. On two occasions, it was towed to an independent mechanic, and on two occasions it was towed directly to the Kia dealership. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle as burning excessive amounts of engine oil. The loss of oil has occurred even within approximately 1,000 miles of an oil change when the engine had been properly topped off. We were informed that the excessive oil consumption was associated with the vehicle's safety systems shutting the engine down. Despite repeatedly reporting this dangerous condition to Lithia Kia, we do not believe the dealership has adequately investigated or corrected the underlying problem. On multiple occasions, the dealership performed relatively minor repairs, but those repairs did not resolve the problem. After the vehicle was returned to us, the same serious condition recurred. We repeatedly communicated to the dealership our extreme concern that this vehicle is unsafe to operate because the INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

consumption resulting in a severe drop in oil pressure, loss of motive power, and random engine stalling while driving.On [redacted], due to the extreme danger of operating a vehicle that stalls randomly in traffic, the vehicle was towed directly to Fort Wayne Kia (Repair Order #[redacted]).Failure of Recall Remedy and Dealership Misconduct:The dealership service department completed a software update tied to the recall (Piston Ring Noise Sensing System / PNSS) and claimed the vehicle "passed" their computer sensor threshold. However, the physical reality is that the internal mechanical damage from the factory defect had already occurred. Upon attempting to retrieve the vehicle on their lot, the engine failed to maintain a baseline idle and died immediately upon startup.The dealership's Service Manager, [[redacted]], has refused to perform the necessary physical diagnostic engine inspections or a mechanical teardown under the recall campaign framework. Instead, the dealership attempted to charge me an out-of-pocket, customer-pay diagnostic fee of $190.00 to read the ensuing engine fault codes (P001700 and P000B00).As a professional automotive technician, I recognize these codes (Crankshaft/Camshaft Correlation and Camshaft Position Slow Response) as the direct, downstream hydraulic consequence of the top-end INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

wouldn't turn back on. Luckily I was not on a busy road or a highway when this happened and was able to pull over without injury or damage to the vehicle. I got it towed to a Kia dealership and they took the engine apart and found that a camshaft dowel backed out causing separation inside of the engine. They had to then replace the exhaust cam, phaser, timing chain tensioner and all seals and gaskets needed for the repair. The dealership seemed to know this was a common issue and a quick search on the internet confirms that many other people with Kia engines (particularly Kia Seltos) around 2019-2021 have also had this problem. The car is 6 years old and only has about 85,000 miles on it. It has had all the required maintenance up to this point. The engine disassembling itself on its own does not seem like typical wear and tear to me.

engine. Kia's recall documentation identifies illumination of the oil pressure warning lamp as one of the potential symptoms/consequences of this defect. Despite the continuing symptoms, including the oil pressure warning light and sputtering at approximately 3,000 RPM, the problem has not been repaired. The dealership has now stated that Kia is requesting oil-change records and removal of the valve cover for further diagnosis. We perform our own oil changes. We were told that without service records the engine claim may be denied and that we could be responsible for approximately $878 in diagnostic charges if Kia denies coverage. I am concerned about operating the vehicle because the engine continues to malfunction and display the oil pressure warning despite being evaluated by an authorized Kia dealership. The vehicle is available for further inspection if requested.

fuel vapors, both my toddler and I suffered acute physical distress, experiencing severe headaches and dizziness. * On [redacted] I returned the vehicle to Kia of Greenville to demand an inspection regarding the toxic fumes. The dealership finally admitted that a fuel ring was broken, exposing my cabin to hazardous vapors. While the dealership has since corrected and repaired this gas issue, it only occurred after my family was subjected to unnecessary physical harm due to the technician's initial dismissal. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

dealership. They determined 2 coils and all spark plugs should be replaced. Now, again, the P0304 code is back as of [[redacted]]. I have a long list of symptoms that include the metallic debris on the crankshaft sensor, rapid oil loss, frequent rough starts on a cold engine, a metal ticking sound, constant idle vibration, a/c shuddering when car is idle or turned on and in park. The dealership has said they will not acknowledge the findings of Christian Brothers because they are not the ones who made the repair. They said they will do a thorough test on my engine, however they continued to insist it is likely a fuel injector issue. I am concerned there is extensive engine damage and they are going to try to get out of the repair by saying it's a cheaper fix and not determining the actual cause. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Kia dealership on September 1, 2026 and reported the excessive oil consumption. The dealership did not inspect the vehicle, perform diagnostic testing, or provide a repair order. I was told that because the vehicle has approximately 138,000 miles and is outside the warranty period, there was nothing the dealership or Kia would do and that diagnosis could be expensive. I subsequently contacted Kia Consumer Assistance. Kia confirmed that safety recall SC209 was completed on this vehicle in 2021. Kia advised that this vehicle is not currently included in SC336/NHTSA 25V099. Kia has opened a dealer complaint and advised that the matter will be brought to the attention of a District Manager. I am concerned because Kia has identified piston oil-ring-related problems involving increased oil consumption in certain Kia Seltos vehicles. Although my vehicle has not yet been diagnosed and Kia states that it is not included in SC336, I am reporting the excessive oil consumption and potential resulting engine failure as a safety concern. The vehicle is available for inspection.

chamber and burning it. This exact physical failure mode - carbon buildup causing piston oil ring failure - is identical to the defect described in NHTSA Recall 25V099 (Kia Campaign SC336) for the 2.0L Seltos models. However, my vehicle is currently excluded from safety remedies due to its 1.6L Turbo engine variant. This vehicle presents a severe safety hazard, including sudden engine knocking, very heavy smoke from the exhaust, power loss, stalling at highway speeds, or potential engine fire due to running dry on oil. Regulators must expand the scope of the piston ring investigation to include the 1.6L Turbo engine footprint. There were no engine lights, oil lights, or any warning codes. I was told by Kia repair service department that although the car was smoking heavy and smelled like it was burning that I should continue to drive it and then I wasn't in danger. Please help

level is sufficient enough to not be a contributing factor and nominal amounts of engine oil is verified, yet an engine ticking is definitely audible. Oil changes (including oil filter replacement) completed every 5,000 miles, along with other milestone services in accordance with Kia preventative maintenance schedule. *there is oil burning somewhere, as the recommended amount only lasts approximately 1,000 miles; however, no noticeable traces of oil are observed in the same spot where vehicle is regularly parked. ***Three occurrences w/similar symptoms, CEL and P001700 via OBDII diagnostic scanner (attached history of dealer service and diagnostics): 1. 2024-10-11 @ 56,990 miles 2. 2025-02-26 @ 61,732 miles 3. 2026-05-01 @ 74,839 miles Each time the following parts were removed and replaced: -24370 2E020 (FP): CVVT ASSY-EXHAUST -24200 2E074 : CAMSHAFT ASSY-EXHAUS -22441 2700 : GASKET-ROCKER COVER -22443 2000 : SEAL-OIL On average, this issue occurs at 14,000 mile intervals (57k, 62k, 75k) which, with diagnostics, parts (12,000 mile part warranty), and labor adds a $2,000 cost to own annually. **Symptoms closely resemble Class Vehicle defects outlined in both: -NHTSA Campaign Number 25V099000 -NHTSA Campaign Number 21V259000 When my VIN is submitted for recall inquiry, neither campaign applies. In the meantime, it's a pain doing so, but I've discovered a delicate temporary workaround: shift to Neutral, press start until engine runs, shift to drive

the vehicle back, the check-engine light began flashing. The diagnostic information reportedly indicated piston noise, even though the replacement engine appeared to run smoothly. These circumstances appear similar to the piston-ring condition described in safety recall SC336/NHTSA 25V-099, including excessive oil consumption, cylinder damage, abnormal piston noise, engine failure, and possible loss of power. However, Kia's online system currently shows that SC336 is not open for my VIN, and the dealer found no record that the recall had previously been completed. I understand that my VIN may not currently be included, but I am asking Kia to investigate whether my original engine experienced the same defect, confirm in writing why my VIN was excluded, and review my case for reimbursement or goodwill assistance. The failure occurred only about 3,000 miles beyond the 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and I have already incurred substantial engine and labor expenses. Please open a formal case, review my vehicle's production and engine records, and provide a written determination. I can supply the VIN, repair invoices, proof of payment, mileage records, maintenance documentation, diagnostic codes, towing records, and replacement-engine information.