NHTSA Audit Query: Kia 25v099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness (AQ25-001)

AQ25-001 at a glance

What is NHTSA investigating in the Kia Seltos?

From NHTSA’s investigation 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, 'cold' engine testing resulted in a higher-than-expected failure rate when compared to the pre-recall warranty claim rate.

This discrepancy led Kia to re-evaluate its inspection test and found that performing the inspection on a 'cold' engine can result in imprecise test results due to normal cold-start vibrations.

Kia revised the inspection to 'warm' engine testing to minimize vibration interference.

Kia sampled the field and performed a comparative analysis between 'cold' and 'warm' engine testing, and validated that 'warm' engine testing was more accurate in identifying damaged engines.

Kia also reported the suspension of the recall remedy was due to a software error in the diagnostic tool, which was introduced in concert with the April 29, 2025 launch of the TSB that revised the inspection from 'cold' to 'warm' engine testing.

The software error resulted in all inspection tests reporting false positives for a damaged engine.

On April 30, 2025, Kia suspended the remedy until May 7, 2025, which was when the software error was corrected with the release of the latest TSB and software update.

The recall remedy remains available to eligible customers.

Kia reported owners were not mailed letters concerning the suspension to the recall remedy.

Kia reasoned since it resolved the issue faster than it would have taken to draft and mail letters, Kia did not want to create unnecessary customer confusion involving an issue that would have already been addressed upon receipt of a letter.

Kia also determined that mailing letters about re-testing engines was unnecessary since those vehicles were already at the dealer awaiting engine replacement.

In most instances, Kia Customer Care agents would respond to customer inquiries related to the recall, including remedy availability, dealer issues, and questions about differing test results.

Kia provided ODI a review of engine related consumer complaints received on post recall-remedied vehicles.

Kia did not find any common patterns or trends related to those complaints following completion of the recall, as the complaints included issues that were unrelated to the subject defect.

To aid in the diagnosis of whether a complaint is related to the recall, the remedy includes the installation of a software program, the Piston-ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS), that monitors the engine for unusual noise patterns (an indicator of potential damage to the piston oil rings), and alerts the customer by flashing the check engine light and setting Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1327.

Kia confirmed that it is not offering any specific warranty coverage for this recall.

Instead, Kia has instructed dealers to replace the engine, at no cost to the customer, with no time or mileage limitation, following the installation of the PNSS software and the presence of DTC P1327.

On September 4, 2025, Kia issued Subsequent Repair Action (SRA) # SC336YZ, which provided engine diagnosis and replacement instructions for vehicles with a potentially related complaint following completion of the recall.

Under this SRA, customers whose vehicles set DTC P1327 will have their engine replaced.

If DTC P1327 is not set and it is unclear whether the issue is related to the recall, dealers are instructed to contact Kia's Technical Assistance Center to ensure the issue is appropriately handled.

Kia notes that any issues determined to be unrelated to the recall are subject to the 10-year / 100,000-mile Powertrain warranty for original purchasers and a 5-year / 60,000-mile Limited Basic Warranty for subsequent purchasers.

In summary, Kia identified the insufficiencies of its initial inspection test that led to a pause to its recall campaign, explained why it did not mail letters to affected customers about the paused campaign or revised inspection test, reviewed existing consumer complaints that did not identify any potential trends related to the recall, and identified its warranty coverage for any vehicles exhibiting qualifying engine symptoms.

After review of Kia's response to the IR, ODI has determined that no further action from Kia is necessary at this time, and ODI will close this AQ investigation accordingly.

The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What is an audit query?

Audit Query is an inquiry into whether a manufacturer, dealer or other company followed federal recall rules, for example by selling or renting vehicles with open recalls or filing incomplete recall reports.

Did this investigation lead to a recall?

NHTSA closed this investigation on December 18, 2025 without listing a recall. That can mean NHTSA did not find a safety defect it could prove, or that the manufacturer addressed the issue another way. A closed investigation does not mean owners have no lemon law claim if the problem keeps happening.

Which vehicles are part of this investigation?

What are Kia Seltos owners reporting to NHTSA?

NHTSA’s public database lists 864 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

What should owners do?

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
2. If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
3. Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
4. File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
5. If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.

Recalls on the same vehicles

• 2021-2023 Kia Seltos Engine Recall (25V099)
• 2023 Kia Soul Air Bag Recall (23V830)
• 2023 Kia Soul Drivetrain Pump Recall (23V531)
• 2023 Kia Sportage Instrument Cluster Recall (23V298)
• 2021 Kia Soul Engine Recall (21V259)

Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?

Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.

Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).

An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

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